Olean Lumber - History

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 became company president. It was at this time that he would introduce the Cash and Carry concept.

Richard McMullen passed 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.