Inventory of the John Bemis Veach and John Bemis Veach, Jr. Papers, 1926 – 1991
Descriptive Summary
Abstract: John ("Jack") Veach (1899-1995) and his son, John Veach, Jr. (born 1927), were American lumbermen prominent in the Appalachia region and leaders in professional forester societies throughout the twentieth century.
The collection includes materials generated, received, and collected primarily by John B. ("Jack") Veach, Sr., but also by John B. Veach, Jr., throughout their careers in the hardwood lumber industry. Many of the papers pertain to legislative and public relations issues affecting the lumber industry, especially in western North Carolina. Major groups and industry organizations represented in these papers include: American Forest Institute (formerly American Forest Products Institute); Appalachian Hardwood Manufacturers, Inc.; National Forest Products Association; National Hardwood Lumber Association; North Carolina Forest Advisory Council; North Carolina Forestry Association; Southern Appalachian Multiple Use Council; and Bemis/Veach family owned enterprises. Major topics include issues relating to the hardwood lumber industry, especially the Monongahela clearcutting issue, forest management practices and policies, and efforts to prevent the establishment and expansion of wilderness areas in which logging would be prohibited or severely restricted.
Title: John Bemis Veach and John Bemis Veach, Jr. Papers, 1926 - 1991
Creator: Veach, John Bemis, 1899-1995; John Bemis Veach, Jr., b. 1927
Repository: Forest History Society Library and Archives
Call Number: 4347
Language of Material: Material in English
Extent: 15 linear feet (10 record cartons)
Biographical Note
John ("Jack") Veach (1899-1995) and his son, John Veach, Jr. (born 1927), were American lumbermen prominent in the Appalachia region and leaders in professional forester societies throughout the twentieth century.
John Bemis ("Jack") Veach
John Bemis ("Jack") Veach was born December 12, 1899 in Oil City, Pennsylvania. Upon graduating from Yale University in 1923, he joined his father, George J. Veach, in a retail furniture and home furnishings business in Oil City. In 1935, he was elected president of Bemis Hardwood Lumber Company of Robbinsville, North Carolina, a company founded by his grandfather in the 1850s. Jack served as president of this company until 1960, when he began a twelve-year stint as the company's chairman of the board. Jack Veach held numerous other positions in the hardwood lumber industry throughout his long and industrious career, including president and chief executive officer (1946-1984) of Veach-May-Wilson, Inc., in Alcoa, Tennessee; director (1946-1956) of the National Hardwood Lumber Association; president (1948-1949) of Appalachian Hardwood Manufacturers, Inc.; president (1951-1952) of National Lumber Manufacturers Association (National Forest Products Association); president (1958-1960) of American Forestry Association; president (1960-1962) of American Forest Institute; and president (1966-1968) of North Carolina Forestry Association. Veach was a founder of the Hardwood Corporation of America in 1945 and was a member of the Economic Council of the Forest Products Industry during the 1960s and 1970s. He also served the forest products industry in a number of governmental capacities. From 1942 to 1949 Jack was in charge of procuring hardwood lumber for the U.S. Navy, and in the 1970s and 1980s he represented the industry in North Carolina by serving as a member of the N. C. Forest Advisory Council and as a member of the governing board of the N. C. Department of Natural Resources and Community Development. Additionally, he was active in civic associations in his home town of Asheville, North Carolina. John ("Jack") Veach died June 15, 1995.
John Bemis Veach, Jr.
Jack's son, John Bemis Veach, Jr., was born July 21, 1927 and graduated from Yale University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1949. In 1952, John (Jr.) began working for Bemis Hardwood Lumber Company in Robbinsville, North Carolina, and he served as its president from 1965 to 1973. In 1965 he became executive vice president (and later was president) of Veach-May-Wilson, Inc., in Alcoa, Tennessee, a company associated with Bemis Hardwood Lumber Company. In addition to working for Bemis and its associated companies, John served as president of Appalachian Hardwood Manufacturers, Inc., and National Hardwood Lumber Association. He also held numerous leadership positions with other forest products industry associations during his career, including National Forest Products Association.
Collection Overview
The collection includes materials generated, received, and collected primarily by John B. ("Jack") Veach, Sr., but also by John B. ("John") Veach, Jr., throughout their careers in the hardwood lumber industry. Many of the papers pertain to legislative and public relations issues affecting the lumber industry, especially in western North Carolina. Major groups and industry organizations represented in these papers include: American Forest Institute (formerly American Forest Products Institute); Appalachian Hardwood Manufacturers, Inc.; National Forest Products Association; National Hardwood Lumber Association; North Carolina Forest Advisory Council; North Carolina Forestry Association; Southern Appalachian Multiple Use Council; and Bemis/Veach family owned enterprises. Major topics include issues relating to the hardwood lumber industry, especially the Monongahela clearcutting issue, forest management practices and policies, and efforts to prevent the establishment and expansion of wilderness areas in which logging would be prohibited or severely restricted.
Collection Arrangement
The papers are housed in ten cartons. The series comprising this record group consist of the various associations, groups, and organizations with which the Veaches were either formally or informally associated. The series are arranged alphabetically, with a miscellaneous series at the end. Series are underlined in this finding aid. File folders are numbered consecutively, and box numbers are also indicated on folder tabs. Files labeled "General Correspondence" may also contain small quantities of miscellaneous materials, such as newsletters, news clippings, meeting agendas, minutes of meetings, photographs, and pamphlets, in addition to correspondence. Materials within file folders are arranged in reverse chronological order.
- Materials Related to the Hardwood Lumber Industry, 1926-1991
Subject Headings
- American Forest Institute
- John Bemis Veach, Jr., b. 1927
- Forest management -- United States -- Southern States
- Forest products industry -- United States -- 20th century
- Hardwoods -- Appalachian Region
- Monongahela National Forest (W. Va.)
- National Hardwood Lumber Association
- National Forest Products Association
- Veach, John Bemis, 1899-1995
Detailed Description of the Collection
1. Materials Related to the Hardwood Lumber Industry, 1926-1991.
- Box 1
American Forest Products Industries, Inc.- Folder 1
Financial Statements, 1982-1960 - Folder 2
Programs Agenda, 1962 - Folder 3
Retirement Plan, 1975-1949 - Folder 4
Women's Affairs Advisory Committee, 1971-1963 - Folder 5
Board of Trustees, 1985-1945 and undated - Folder 6
Tree Farms: General, 1970-1948 and undated - Folder 7
Tree Farms: Anniversaries and Dedications, 1966-1960 and undated - Folder 8
Tree Farms: Anniversaries and Dedications, North Carolina, 1966 - Folder 9
Tree Farms: Anniversaries and Dedications, West Virginia, 1960 - Folder 10
Smokey Bear Award, 1958 - Folder 11
Miscellaneous, 1984-1970 - Folder 12
Miscellaneous, 1969-1949 and undated
- Folder 1
- Box 1
American Forestry Association- Folder 13
Correspondence: Annual Meeting, 1964 - Folder 14
Correspondence: General, 1982-1958 and undated
- Folder 13
- Box 1-3
Appalachian Hardwood Manufacturers, Inc.- Folder 15
Organization/Function of AHMI, 1972 and 1955-1948 - Folder 16
Financial Statements, 1978-1976 - Folder 17
Financial Statements, 1975-1974 - Folder 18
Financial Statements, 1973-1966 - Folder 19
Executive Committee, 1973 - Folder 20
Executive Committee, 1972 - Folder 21
Executive Committee, 1971 - Folder 22
Executive Committee, 1970-1962 - Folder 23
Board of Trustees, 1977 - Folder 24
Board of Trustees, 1976 - Folder 25
Board of Trustees, 1975 - Folder 26
Board of Trustees, 1974-1971 and undated - Folder 27
General Correspondence, 1989-1977 - Folder 28
General Correspondence, 1976 - Folder 29
General Correspondence, December 1975 to June 1975 - Folder 30
General Correspondence, May 1975 to January 1975 - Folder 31
General Correspondence, December 1974 to September 1974 - Folder 32
General Correspondence, August 1974 to April 1974 - Folder 33
General Correspondence, March 1974 to January 1974 - Folder 34
General Correspondence, 1973 - Folder 35
General Correspondence, 1972 - Folder 36
General Correspondence, 1971-1969 - Folder 37
General Correspondence, 1968-1948 and undated - Folder 38
Membership Campaigns/Drives, 1974 - Folder 39
Membership Campaigns/Drives, August 1972 to April 1972 - Folder 40
Membership Campaigns/Drives, March 1972 to February 1971 and undated - Folder 41
Yearbook/Membership Directory, 1972-1953 - Folder 42
Territory/Trademark, 1975-1951 and undated - Folder 43
Hardwood Improvement Program, May 1967 to December 1966 - Folder 44
Hardwood Improvement Program, November 1966 - Folder 45
Hardwood Improvement Program, October 1966 to 1964 and undated - Folder 46
Colonial Oak and Poplar, 1973-1963 - Folder 47
Lab Tests, 1970-1934 - Folder 48
Newsletters, 1985-1980 - Folder 49
Newsletters, 1979 - Folder 50
Newsletters, 1978-1974 - Folder 51
Newsletters, 1973-1971 - Folder 52
Newsletters, 1970-1952 and undated - Folder 53
Pamphlets/Brochures, undated
- Folder 15
- Box 3
Bemis (and Associated Companies)- Folder 54
Minute Book, 1936-1926 - Folder 55
Preferred Stock, 1936-1925 - Folder 56
Sale of Assets and Dissolution, 1937-1936 and undated - Folder 57
Correspondence: Family, 1931-1929 - Folder 58
Correspondence: General, 1973-1946 - Folder 59
Correspondence: General, 1931-1929 and undated - Folder 60
Tree Farm Dedication, 1955-1953 and undated - Folder 61
Haywood Technical Institute, 1983-1968 - Folder 62
Bemis Memorial Library, 1986-1961 - Folder 63
Bemis Memorial Library, 1960-1956 - Folder 64
Employee Banquets, 1970-1949
- Folder 54
- Box 3-4
United States Department of Agriculture- Folder 65
General Correspondence, 1988-1978 - Folder 66
General Correspondence, 1977-1975 - Folder 67
General Correspondence, 1974-1952 - Folder 68
Forest Products Lab, 1979-1948 - Folder 69
Northeastern Forest Experiment Station, 1979-1963 - Folder 70
Northeastern Forest Experiment Station, 1962 and undated - Folder 71
Southeastern Forest Experiment Station, 1988-1954 and undated - Folder 72
National Forests: Asheville, North Carolina, 1988-1979 - Folder 73
National Forests: Asheville, North Carolina, 1977 - Folder 74
National Forests: Asheville, North Carolina, 1976-1972 - Folder 75
National Forests: Asheville, North Carolina, 1971-1961 and undated
- Folder 65
- Box 4
Forest Farmers Association- Folder 76
General Correspondence, 1988-1978 - Folder 77
General Correspondence, 1977-1966
- Folder 76
- Box 4
Forest History Society- Folder 78
General Correspondence, 1991-1984 - Folder 79
General Correspondence, 1983-1982 - Folder 80
General Correspondence, 1981-1974 - Folder 81
General Correspondence, 1959-1955 and undated
- Folder 78
- Box 4
Forest Products Research Society- Folder 82
General Correspondence, 1958 and 1948
- Folder 82
- Box 4
International Concatenated Order of Hoo-Hoo, Inc.- Folder 83
General Correspondence, 1983-1946 and undated
- Folder 83
- Box 4
Industrial Forestry Association- Folder 84
General Correspondence, 1979
- Folder 84
- Box 4
Lumber Trade Association- Folder 85
General Correspondence, 1982-1976
- Folder 85
- Box 4-6
National Forest Products Association- Folder 86
Annual Meetings, 1991-1979 - Folder 87
Annual Meetings, 1978-1961 - Folder 88
Annual Meetings, 1953 - Folder 89
General Correspondence, 1986-1981 - Folder 90
General Correspondence, 1980-1976 - Folder 91
General Correspondence, 1975-1973 - Folder 92
General Correspondence, 1970-1946 and undated - Folder 93
Executive Committee, 1975-1956 - Folder 94
Committee on Employee Retirement, 1984-1982 - Folder 95
Committee on Employee Retirement, 1981-1975 - Folder 96
Committee on Employee Retirement, 1974-1973 - Folder 97
Committee on Employee Retirement, 1972-1963 - Folder 98
Committee on Employee Retirement, 1962-1959 - Folder 99
Committee on Employee Retirement, 1958-1945 - Folder 100
Committee on Forestry Affairs, 1984-1975 - Folder 101
Committee on Forestry Affairs, 1973-1970 - Folder 102
Committee on Forestry Affairs, 1969-1961 and undated - Folder 103
Committee on Hardwood Research, 1968-1951 and undated - Folder 104
Committee on Fire Insurance, 1982-1980 - Folder 105
Committee on Fire Insurance, 1979-1978 - Folder 106
Committee on Fire Insurance, 1977-1966 - Folder 107
Resource and Environment Program Management Committee, 1982-1976 - Folder 108
Committee on Industry Needs, 1965-1964 - Folder 109
Lumber Survey Committee, 1973-1960 - Folder 110
Lumber Grade Standards, 1971-1968 - Folder 111
Lumber Grade Standards, 1967 - Folder 112
Lumber Grade Standards, 1966-1962 and undated - Folder 113
"Fingertip Facts & Figures," 1984-1980 - Folder 114
"Fingertip Facts & Figures," 1979-1976 - Folder 115
"Fingertip Facts & Figures," 1975-1966 - Folder 116
Economic Council of the Forest Products Industry, 1981-1973 - Folder 117
Economic Council of the Forest Products Industry, 1971-1967 - Folder 118
Economic Council of the Forest Products Industry, 1966-1963 - Folder 119
International Trade, 1982-1981 - Folder 120
International Trade, 1980-1979 - Folder 121
National Wood Promotion Program, 1980-1965 - Folder 122
National Wood Promotion Program, 1964-1958 and undated - Folder 123
Redwood National Park, 1977, 1968-1965 - Folder 124
Tropical Forests, 1981-1980 - Folder 125
Wood Products Industry Careers, 1968 - Folder 126
Financial Statements, 1982-1978 - Folder 127
Financial Statements, 1977-1955 - Folder 128
Industry Awards, 1984-1962 - Folder 129
NLMA Statements Before Congress, 1950 - Folder 130
Miscellaneous, 1983-1947 - Folder 131
Miscellaneous, undated
- Folder 86
- Box 6
National Hardwood Lumber Association- Folder 132
Constitution/By-Laws, 1981-1980 - Folder 133
Board of Managers, 1991 and 1982-1981 - Folder 134
Meetings, 1988-1981 - Folder 135
Meetings, 1980-1978 - Folder 136
Pension Plans, 1981-1975 - Folder 137
Membership Committee, 1984-1979 - Folder 138
Daphne Furniture Design Awards, 1983-1979 and undated - Folder 139
Inspection School, 1982-1948 and undated - Folder 140
Kiln Drying, 1977-1975 - Folder 141
Weekly Updates, 1991 - Folder 142
Miscellaneous, 1991-1953
- Folder 132
- Box 7
Newcomen Society in North America- Folder 143
General Correspondence, 1988-1980 - Folder 144
General Correspondence, 1976-1962 and undated
- Folder 143
- Box 7
North Carolina Department of Natural Resources and Community Development- Folder 145
Minutes of Meetings, 1980-1975 - Folder 146
General Correspondence, 1987-1980 - Folder 147
General Correspondence, 1979-1978 - Folder 148
General Correspondence, 1977-1976 - Folder 149
General Correspondence, 1975-1973 and undated
- Folder 145
- Box 7
North Carolina Forest Advisory Council- Folder 150
Weekly Activity Reports, 1989-1988 - Folder 151
General Correspondence, 1991-1988 - Folder 152
General Correspondence, 1987 - Folder 153
General Correspondence, 1986-1979 - Folder 154
General Correspondence, 1978-1976 and undated
- Folder 150
- Box 7
North Carolina Forest Industry Tax Study Committee- Folder 155
General Correspondenc, 1979-1970 and undated
- Folder 155
- Box 7-8
North Carolina Forestry Association- Folder 156
General Correspondence, 1991-1983 - Folder 157
General Correspondence, 1982-1979 - Folder 158
General Correspondence, 1978 - Folder 159
General Correspondence, 1977-1958 and undated - Folder 160
Activity Reports, 1985-1978 - Folder 161
Tree Farming, 1984-1977 and undated - Folder 162
Newsletters, 1991-1983 - Folder 163
Newsletters, 1982-1977 - Folder 164
Newsletters, 1976-1958
- Folder 156
- Box 8
Northeastern Lumber Manufacturers Association- Folder 165
General Correspondence, 1978-1952 and undated
- Folder 165
- Box 8
Northern Hardwood and Pine Manufacturers Association, Inc.- Folder 166
General Correspondence, 1978-1974 and undated
- Folder 166
- Box 8
Small Business Administration- Folder 167
General Correspondence, 1982-1980
- Folder 167
- Box 8
Southern Appalachian Multiple Use Council- Folder 168
Minutes of Meetings, 1984-1973 - Folder 169
General Correspondence, 1988-1987 - Folder 170
General Correspondence, 1986-1985 - Folder 171
General Correspondence, 1984-1977 - Folder 172
General Correspondence, 1976-1975 - Folder 173
General Correspondence, 1974 - Folder 174
General Correspondence, 1973 and undated - Folder 175
Financial Statements, 1986-1973 and undated - Folder 176
Legal Motions, 1981-1975 - Folder 177
Forest Management Bills: National, October 1976 to June 1976 - Folder 178
Forest Management Bills: National, May 1976 and October 1975 - Folder 179
Forest Management Bills: North Carolina, 1975 and undated - Folder 180
Forest Industries Transition Committee, 1980 - Folder 181
Federal Timber Purchasers Association, 1976-1972 - Folder 182
Newsletters, 1987 and 1976-1973
- Folder 168
- Box 8
Southern Appalachian Research/Resource Management Cooperative- Folder 183
General Correspondence, 1987
- Folder 183
- Box 8
Southern Forest Institute- Folder 184
General Correspondence, 1977-1972 - Folder 185
General Correspondence, 1971-1968
- Folder 184
- Box 9
Southern Forest Products Association- Folder 186
General Correspondence, 1979-1973 - Folder 187
General Correspondence, 1972-1949 and undated
- Folder 186
- Box 9
Southern Hardwood Producers, Inc.- Folder 188
General Correspondence, 1977-1950
- Folder 188
- Box 9-10
Miscellaneous- Folder 189
Correspondence: U.S. Presidents, 1979 and 1954 - Folder 190
Correspondence: U.S. Senators, 1991 and 1982-1949 - Folder 191
Correspondence: U.S. Congressmen, 1982-1947 - Folder 192
Correspondence: U.S. Secretary of Interior James Watt, 1982-1981 - Folder 193
Correspondence: State Governors, 1982-1966 - Folder 194
Correspondence: North Carolina General Assemblymen, 1981 and 1973 - Folder 195
Correspondence: George S. Dunlop, 1988-1977- Includes correspondence with George S. Dunlop, a former U.S. Department of Agriculture official.
- Folder 196
Correspondence: Miscellaneous Government Officials, 1991, 1981-1963 - Folder 197
Correspondence: James R. Bemis, 1983-1955 - Folder 198
Correspondence: J. E. Broyhill, 1988-1951 and undated - Folder 199
Correspondence: Walter W. Kellogg, 1986-1945 - Folder 200
Correspondence: Champion Paper Mill, 1988-1987 - Folder 201
Correspondence: Colleges, General, 1986-1980 - Folder 202
Correspondence: Colleges, General, 1979-1973 - Folder 203
Correspondence: Colleges, General, 1972-1957 and undated - Folder 204
Correspondence: Colleges, Yale University, 1983-1966 and undated - Folder 205
Hardwood Lumber Statistics: Hardwood Market Report, 1987-1965 - Folder 206
Hardwood Lumber Statistics: Prices/Supply and Demand, 1972-1951 and undated - Folder 207
Monongahela: Correspondence, 1977 to May 1976 - Folder 208
Monongahela: Correspondence, April 1976 - Folder 209
Monongahela: Correspondence, March 1976 - Folder 210
Monongahela: Correspondence, February 1976 to January 1976 - Folder 211
Monongahela: Correspondence, December 1975 to November 1975 - Folder 212
Monongahela: Correspondence, October 1975 - Folder 213
Monongahela: Correspondence, September 1975 - Folder 214
Monongahela: Correspondence, August 1975 to July 1975, 1970, and undated - Folder 215
Monongahela: Statements/Speeches, 1976-1975 and undated - Folder 216
Monongahela: Briefs/Lawsuits, 1976-1974 - Folder 217
Monongahela: Clippings, 1986-1970 and undated - Folder 218
Multiple Use Forest Management: Pisgah and Nantahala national forests, 1991-1982 and undated - Folder 219
Multiple Use Forest Management: Wilderness Areas, Alaska, 1978 - Folder 220
Multiple Use Forest Management: Wilderness Areas, California, 1977-1976 and undated - Folder 221
Multiple Use Forest Management: Wilderness Areas, Washington, 1976-1975 - Folder 222
Multiple Use Forest Management: U.S. Forest Service, 1991 and 1988 - Folder 223
North Carolina Tree Farm Dedication (October 14, 1959), October 1959 - Folder 224
North Carolina Tree Farm Dedication (October 14, 1959), September 1959 to May 1959 and undated - Folder 225
Political Action Committees: Forest Industries Political Action Committee, 1986-1984 and 1973 - Folder 226
Political Action Committees: Appalachian Hardwood Fund, 1968-1967 - Folder 227
Political Action Committees: North Carolina Legislative Breakfasts and Luncheons, 1986 - Folder 228
Political Action Committees: North Carolina Legislative Breakfasts and Luncheons, 1985-1982 and undated - Folder 229
Political Action Committees: Miscellaneous, 1983-1979 - Folder 230
Speeches/Articles, 1982-1961 - Folder 231
Speeches/Articles, 1960-1955 - Folder 232
Speeches/Articles, 1954-1945 and undated - Folder 233
Speeches/Articles: Source Materials, 1960-194 and undated - Folder 234
Veach Biographical Data
- Folder 189
Administrative Information
Access Restrictions
No restrictions.
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The materials from our collections are made available for use in research, teaching, and private study, pursuant to U.S. Copyright law. The user must assume full responsibility for any use of the materials, including but not limited to, infringement of copyright and publication rights of reproduced materials. Any materials used for academic research or otherwise should be fully credited with the source.
Preferred Citation
[Identification of item], John Bemis Veach and John Bemis Veach, Jr. Papers, Library and Archives, Forest History Society, Durham, NC, USA.
Acquisitions Information
Received from John B. Veach, Jr. in March 1995.
Processing Information
Processed by Michele Justice, May 1995
Encoded by Amanda Ross, October 2008
Funding from the National Historical Publications and Records Commission supported the encoding of this finding aid. Support for digitization and outreach provided by the Alvin J. Huss Endowment.
