Wilkins Lumber
Wilkins Lumber is a small family-owned business that is located in Milford, NH.
History[edit]
Edward (E. L.) Hartshorn built a sawmill on the brook at the bottom of his farm in 1808. Initially, the equipment was run by water-power from Hartshorn Brook, so the mill only operated when the water was high enough to generate power. Later, steam was used as a supplementary power source.[1]
E.L. Hartshorn turned over the business to his son Jotham, and then it passed in turn to Frank Hartshorn, who expanded the sawmill's assets by acquiring timber land in Amherst, Mont Vernon and New Boston totally nearly 1,000 acres (4.0 km2).
In 1880, Frank's daughter married Aaron Milton Wilkins. Aaron and Frank expanded the business; initially, they added a second story to incorporate box making. With the growth, hydro-power became obsolete and around 1891 (as the exact date is unknown), a steam plant was built to generate strong power through the summer months when there was insufficient water power.[1]
During the Great Depression, Wilkins Lumber barely held on. Then in 1938, a hurricane came that blew down 90 percent of the family's farmed trees. What they could salvage they sold, and what was left was stored by the government in several locations. Going forward, they were able to rebound and continued to sell lumber to many of the local builders.
In 1949, the Mill was struck by lightning, burning everything to the ground. A smaller mill was constructed in replacement. In 1957, the Frank Hartshorn Company was sold to Harold H. Wilkins and his son Harold Hartshorn Wilkins, Jr. They continued to operate under the name of Wilkins & Son. In 1963, Harold Sr. was killed and his son Harold Wilkins Jr. took over. He was soon joined by a nephew, Robert Wilkins. With the partnership, the name changed to Wilkins Lumber Company in 1973.
In 1980, a new mill was built across the street from the original location, away from the stream. In 1981, Harold Wilkins Jr.’s grandson entered the business, Thomas A. Wilkins. Thomas went on to buy out fellow partner Robert Wilkins, and now resides as the sole owner of one of New Hampshire’s oldest mills.
Tom Wilkins lives by the motto, “What we saw is what you get!” Lumber is all native, sold rough or planed. The mill also sells bark mulch (not dyed), woodchips, sawdust and shavings: every piece of the log is utilized.
References[edit]
- DePuy, Wendy. "Wilkins Lumber survives 200 years in struggling sawmill industry." Nashua Telegraph 25 May 2008.
- Foster Bean, Nancy. “Wilkins Lumber Co. approaches bicentennial.” Union Leader 7 June 2007
- New Hampshire Directory of Sawmills & Lumber Wholesalers
- www.nashuatelegraph.com
- Wilkins Lumber website
Wilkins Lumber Co. approaches bicentennial - www.unionleader.com(broken link)
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