Olean Lumber
| Company type | Privately owned |
|---|---|
| Industry | Retail (Home Improvement) |
| Founded | August 17, 1928 (Olean, New York) |
| Headquarters | Olean, New York |
Key people | Jeffrey McMullen, President |
| Products | Home improvement items including home appliances, tools, household hardware, lumber, and garden supplies & plants. |
| Revenue | Template:Loss$4 million USD (2003) |
Number of employees | 20 |
The Olean Lumber and Supply Corporation, which succeeded Olean Lumber Co, Inc., was founded on August 17, 1928[1] and is recognized as the longest-standing lumber retailer in Olean, New York.
History
The current location of the company was previously occupied by the Chamberlain Manufacturing Company during the late 1800s, followed by operations from the Fobes Lumber Company and the Troy Lumber Company. After the closure of Troy Lumber Company, entrepreneurs W.H. McKay and A.B. McKane acquired the property and established the original Olean Lumber Company in 1921. Nonetheless, conflicting accounts exist; for example, J.H. Beers' "History of the Counties..." suggests that Olean Lumber Company was founded as early as 1854, which contrasts with a 1935 Olean Times Herald piece stating that McKay and McKane initiated the firm in 1921.
In that same year, Alexander J. McMullen relocated from Pennsylvania to Olean to serve as office manager for the company. Upon purchasing the business from McKay and McKane in 1928, he renamed it "The Olean Lumber and Supply Corporation" and assumed roles as president and general manager. An article in the Olean Times Herald dated August 17, 1935, notes Howard Mitchell’s appointment as vice president, secretary, and shop foreman.
Following A.J. McMullen’s death in 1962, his son Richard McMullen took over as president. During his tenure, he introduced the Cash and Carry model.
Richard McMullen passed away on July 26, 1978, due to a stroke linked to arteriosclerosis. Subsequently, George E. Baker assumed the presidency while Jeffrey McMullen was appointed Vice President. George F. Mayer served as secretary and Roy S. Crandall held the position of Treasurer. In 1985, the company launched Green Street Custom Kitchen and Bath Center, according to records from the New York State Department of State.
Jeffrey McMullen was elevated to president in 1988.
Per information from the New York Department of State, ownership transferred to Kelly Chaffee in March 2005, marking a phase of revitalization for the company.
Presidents
- Alexander J. McMullen served as president from 1921 to 1962, with Howard Mitchell acting as vice president between 1928 and 1941, followed by Elizabeth Orr from 1941 to 1947, and Richard McMullen from 1947 until 1962.
- Richard J. McMullen held the presidency from 1962 through 1978, with George E. Baker serving as vice president during the same period.
- George E. Baker was president between 1978 and 1988, supported by vice presidents George F. Mayer (1978–1984) and Jeffrey McMullen (1984–1988).
- Jeffrey R. McMullen led the company from 1988 to 2003, accompanied by John McMullen as vice president from 1991 to 2003.
External sources
Information and specific dates in this article are drawn from various sources including the New York State Department of State (NYS DOS) and Divisions of Corporations Public Entity Files, advertisements in the Olean Times Herald spanning 1935 to 2003, company memorandums from 1985 and 1988, the Olean NY 'Root Book' (1993), section 96, page 226, data from Rootsweb.com Incorporated, historical context provided by the Olean Lumber website, and excerpts from "From the History of the Counties of McKean, Elk, Cameron, and Potter, Pennsylvania" by J.H. Beers (Chicago, 1890). Additional archival resources are also referenced.
References
- ↑ "New York State Division of Corporations". Retrieved 2006-08-01.Template:Fix/category[permanent dead link]
Further reading
- Jeff Shaw's article "Olean Lumber Looking for New Owner" published in the Olean Times Herald (accessed January 18, 2008).
- John T. Eberth and Daniel LeBlanc's report titled "Police say Youths Set Fire at Olean Lumber" featured in the Olean Times Herald (accessed June 17, 2006).
- Roots Web's compilation "McKean County Families" available on Rootsweb.com (accessed July 9, 2006).