Honor White's Lumber Anniversary

Senate Resolution No. 1530 BY: Senator RITCHIE HONORING White's Lumber and Building Supply upon the occasion of its 125th year in business WHEREAS, It is incumbent upon the people of the State of New York to recognize and acknowledge those within our midst who have made significant contributions to the quality of life therein; and WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to honor White's Lumber and Building Supply upon the occasion of its 125th year in business; and WHEREAS, George W. White was only 30 years old when he left his home in Pamelia, New York, and arrived in Watertown, New York, in 1892 to form a hay pressing business with Henry C. Anthony and Egbert W. Knapp of the E.W. Knapp Lumber Company; and WHEREAS, Overcoming the economic obstacles of the early 1890s by paying close attention to its customers and their needs, the company prospered and diversified; and WHEREAS, In 1893, Mr. Knapp sold his interest in the company to his partners and White & Sullivan was formed, with George White as the senior member; and WHEREAS, Mr. White and Mr. Sullivan continued their successful business at 27 Molton Street in Watertown until 1906 when the business moved to the corner of Olive and North Rutland Street in Watertown, adding a large warehouse and shop; and WHEREAS, In April 1913, the partnership dissolved when Mr. Sullivan departed and Mr. White added his son, Ralph, to the business, changing its name to G.W. White & Son, Inc.; and WHEREAS, During World War I, the business was active in fund drives, and with the Liberty and Victory loan campaigns; and WHEREAS, With the passing of Ralph White in 1957, and George W. White in 1958 at the age of 96, son Roger W. White, became president of the company; and WHEREAS, In 1967, Roger White purchased W.S. Corbin and Sons, a Gouverneur, New York, building supply, fuel oil, and coal dealer and it was renamed White's Building and Supply, and is still in operation today; and WHEREAS, In 1969, the business further expanded to Pulaski, New York, adding a third store on Rome Road; and WHEREAS, Upon the retirement of Roger White in the late 1990s, his four children, Bradford, Roger Jr. (Ted), Sarah and Jonathan, took over the day-to-day management and operation of the company, and added a fourth store in Clayton, New York, in 2001; and WHEREAS, In 2010, a fire completely destroyed the Pulaski store, but with the support of the community, the company continued to fulfill orders and deliveries through its other stores, until the new Pulaski store could be completed; and WHEREAS, A cornerstone of the communities it serves, White's Lumber and Building Supply is truly an institution whose years of exemplary customer service will enable it to achieve further success in the years to come; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to honor White's Lumber and Building Supply upon the occasion of its 125th year in business; and be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to White's Lumber and Building Supply