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Most know that a house is only as good as its foundation, and for many
years now, the Gleason Lumber Company has provided Gleason and the
surrounding area with the necessities for building the community from
the ground up. As soon as you walk in the door, this family owned and
operated business greets its customers with a small town-tailored
experience that no Lowe’s or Home Depot could provide, where the
customers are treated like “home-folks,” and provides all the lumber
supplies to make any big dream a reality. Whether it be lumber,
insulation, shingles, paint, concrete, doors, or even a few screws, all
of that and more can be found here and are sure to be accompanied with a
smile of satisfaction as you leave with your purchase.
The Gleason Lumber Company began in 1922 with W.F. Trevathan erecting
the first lumber shed at the present site. His son, Ellis,
operated a welding shop next door and was not as interested in the
lumber business as his father. Mr. Trevathan operated the business until
1932 at which time the Depression ushered in its closing, and no
business was conducted there until 1948. In that year, Price McClain of
McKenzie, Tennessee bought the building with sights of putting his
son-in-law and daughter in business there; however, this venture only
operated for three years. The gas company bought the building between
1948 and 1958 and installed gas lines. The rumblings of new business
stirred when two Sharon contractors, O. R. Morris and Robert Overton,
purchased the building and set up trade in 1958. They hired Tillman
Smith to see to the daily labors of the lumber business and offered him
a one-third interest as a result. Two Gleason businessmen, Bob Owen and
Merle Finch, were enticed by Tillman Smith to buy the two Sharon
contractors out, so they did. Mr. Smith was not particularly partial to
the lumber business, nor was his son, and consequentially wanted out
altogether. He just so happened to voice this to many a traveling
salesman who came by his establishment.
Word traveled quickly to Bells, Tennessee in Crockett County
and reached the ear of R. A. Spellings. Mr. Spellings had been in the
lumber business in Bells since 1922 and had cut railroad ties for the
Illinois railroad that spanned from Milan to Martin when he was a young
man. He saw the Gleason Lumber Company not only as a potential business
venture but also as a way to bring his daughter and son-in-law, Harriet
and Clay Wilson, closer to home as they were living out of state at the
time. So, encouraging Harriet and Clay to get in the lumber business,
Mr. Spellings acted as sponsor and helped them buy two-thirds interest
of the Gleason Lumber Company. The Wilson’s moved to Gleason in 1962 to
operate the company, and they have been the sole proprietors ever since.
In 1990 the Wilson family expanded the business by establishing the
Carroll County Lumber Company in McKenzie. For fifty-three years Harriet
and Clay have worked full time in their finely-conducted business and
devotedly still do.
The
Wilson’s truly believe in the family business with an emphasis on
family. They have raised quite a few of their workers. All three of
their sons have taken up the lumber business with Mike managing the
Gleason Lumber Company and Tom and Andy running the Carroll County
Lumber Company. Even their daughter Jenny has helped out in the store
over the years and serves as the culinary “master” of the business. It
is not a rare sight to see one of Harriet and Clay’s grandchildren
working in one of the stores as well – a fact they are deeply proud of.
Equally important are the countless friends made over the years through
interactions in the store, and many they have made as a result of their
fine service. They are staunch supporters of not only Gleason but of all
Weakley and Carroll County endeavors, and their supplies have served to
construct countless people’s homes and building around the area (Story
by Ben Rollins).
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