Wheeler Lumber, L.l.c. history

Wheeler managed to hang on in Minnesota paying the rent and stenographer expenses until 1936 when business began to get better and Joe Timpane was hired as stenographer. “He was a young man who grew with the company.

In 1939, Wheeler hired their first county salesman. “Minnesota was a virgin state as far as pressure-treated lumber was concerned,” says Jensen.

1, 1941; Lower right side, Rockford Register Star 8/7/1941

In 1943, at the age of 54, Percy Hoak died. “He was such a fine man,” says Jensen, “thoughtful of families and of his employees.

Jim and Tom Hoak, sons of Percy Hoak, were both back from Naval service in 1945 and Wheeler required supervisory help.

They moved from the Lumber Exchange Building in Minneapolis to their new offices in 1951.

In 1959 the Des Moines yard was moved to a larger facility in West Des Moines.

In the mid-1960’s, Wheeler acquired a wood treating plant in Whitewood, South Dakota.

The distribution yards experienced growth through the 1970’s.

After a slow start the truss business took off and in 1980 production was added in Rock Island.

Late in 1984, St Regis was purchased by Champion International Corporation.

In 1985, the Cass Lake plant was closed.

A plant was added at the existing facility in Shakopee in 1998.

In 2000, Southern Culvert was sold when Kell Williams chose to retire.

The need for larger and updated office space brought an end to the St Louis Park location in 2002.