Olean Lumber
Encyclopedia
The Olean Lumber and Supply Corporation, successor of Olean Lumber Co, Inc., was established August 17, 1928
and is Olean, New York
's oldest lumber retailer.
In 1921, Alexander J. McMullen came to Olean from Pennsylvania and accepted the position as office manager of the company. When Mr. McMullen purchased the company from McKay and McKane in 1928, it was renamed "The Olean Lumber and Supply Corporation." He became president and general manager. Howard Mitchell was named vice president, secretary and shop foreman, according to an Olean Times Herald article dated 8/17/1935.
Upon A.J. McMullen's passing in 1962, his son, Richard McMullen
became company president. It was at this time that he would introduce the Cash and Carry
concept.
Richard McMullen
would pass away on July 26, 1978, from a stroke
caused by arteriosclerosis
. This left George E. Baker as president. Mr. McMullen's son, Jeffrey McMullen
, was named Vice President. George F. Mayer was secretary and Roy S. Crandall was Treasurer. The company opened Green Street Custom Kitchen and Bath Center in 1985, according to the NYS Department of State.
In 1988, Jeffrey McMullen
was named president.
According to the New York Department of State, the company was purchased by Kelly Chaffee in March 2005 and is undergoing renewal.
and is Olean, New York
Olean, New York
Olean is a city in Cattaraugus County, New York, United States. Olean is the largest city in Cattaraugus County, and serves as the financial, business, transportation and entertainment center of the county. It is one of the principal cities of the Southern Tier region of New York.The city is...
's oldest lumber retailer.
History
The business occupies the former site of the Chamberlain Mfg. Company of the late-19th century; the Fobes Lumber Company and the Troy Lumber Co. After the Troy Lumber Company ceased business, businessmen W.H. McKay and A.B. McKane purchased the site and created the original Olean Lumber Company in 1921. However, some sources, such as the "History of the Counties..." book by J.H. Beers, point to the Olean Lumber Company being founded in 1854, in stark contrast to a 1935 article in the Olean Times Herald chronicling the fact that McKay and McKane created the company in 1921.In 1921, Alexander J. McMullen came to Olean from Pennsylvania and accepted the position as office manager of the company. When Mr. McMullen purchased the company from McKay and McKane in 1928, it was renamed "The Olean Lumber and Supply Corporation." He became president and general manager. Howard Mitchell was named vice president, secretary and shop foreman, according to an Olean Times Herald article dated 8/17/1935.
Upon A.J. McMullen's passing in 1962, his son, Richard McMullen
Richard McMullen
Richard J. McMullen was president of the Olean Lumber Company, which was at one time the largest lumber and millwork organization in the western portion of the Southern Tier of New York. He was vice president from 1947–1963 and president and principal owner from 1962-1978...
became company president. It was at this time that he would introduce the Cash and Carry
Cash and carry (wholesale)
Cash and carry wholesale represents a type of operation within the wholesale sector. Its main features are summarized best by the following definitions:...
concept.
Richard McMullen
Richard J. McMullen was president of the Olean Lumber Company, which was at one time the largest lumber and millwork organization in the western portion of the Southern Tier of New York. He was vice president from 1947–1963 and president and principal owner from 1962-1978...
would pass away on July 26, 1978, from a stroke
Stroke
A stroke, previously known medically as a cerebrovascular accident , is the rapidly developing loss of brain function due to disturbance in the blood supply to the brain. This can be due to ischemia caused by blockage , or a hemorrhage...
caused by arteriosclerosis
Arteriosclerosis
Arteriosclerosis refers to a stiffening of arteries.Arteriosclerosis is a general term describing any hardening of medium or large arteries It should not be confused with "arteriolosclerosis" or "atherosclerosis".Also known by the name "myoconditis" which is...
. This left George E. Baker as president. Mr. McMullen's son, Jeffrey McMullen
Jeffrey McMullen
Jeffrey R. McMullen is a professional photographer and has served as a president of the Olean Lumber Company. He is best known for his black and white portrayal of global landscapes using view cameras. He is married to world-renowned botanical artist Carol Woodin. They reside in Cuba, New York,...
, was named Vice President. George F. Mayer was secretary and Roy S. Crandall was Treasurer. The company opened Green Street Custom Kitchen and Bath Center in 1985, according to the NYS Department of State.
In 1988, Jeffrey McMullen
Jeffrey McMullen
Jeffrey R. McMullen is a professional photographer and has served as a president of the Olean Lumber Company. He is best known for his black and white portrayal of global landscapes using view cameras. He is married to world-renowned botanical artist Carol Woodin. They reside in Cuba, New York,...
was named president.
According to the New York Department of State, the company was purchased by Kelly Chaffee in March 2005 and is undergoing renewal.
Presidents
- Alexander J. McMullen, (1921–1962) (Vice: Howard Mitchell, 1928–1941, Elizabeth Orr, 1941–1947, Richard McMullenRichard McMullenRichard J. McMullen was president of the Olean Lumber Company, which was at one time the largest lumber and millwork organization in the western portion of the Southern Tier of New York. He was vice president from 1947–1963 and president and principal owner from 1962-1978...
, 1947–1962) - Richard J. McMullenRichard McMullenRichard J. McMullen was president of the Olean Lumber Company, which was at one time the largest lumber and millwork organization in the western portion of the Southern Tier of New York. He was vice president from 1947–1963 and president and principal owner from 1962-1978...
, (1962–1978) (Vice: George E. Baker, 1962–1978) - George E. Baker, (1978–1988) (Vice: George F. Mayer, 1978–1984, Jeffrey McMullenJeffrey McMullenJeffrey R. McMullen is a professional photographer and has served as a president of the Olean Lumber Company. He is best known for his black and white portrayal of global landscapes using view cameras. He is married to world-renowned botanical artist Carol Woodin. They reside in Cuba, New York,...
, 1984–1988) - Jeffrey R. McMullenJeffrey McMullenJeffrey R. McMullen is a professional photographer and has served as a president of the Olean Lumber Company. He is best known for his black and white portrayal of global landscapes using view cameras. He is married to world-renowned botanical artist Carol Woodin. They reside in Cuba, New York,...
, (1988–2003) (Vice: John McMullen, 1991–2003)