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.

  1. 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
  • Box 1
    American Forestry Association

    • Folder 13
      Correspondence: Annual Meeting, 1964
    • Folder 14
      Correspondence: General, 1982-1958 and undated
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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
  • Box 4
    Forest Farmers Association

    • Folder 76
      General Correspondence, 1988-1978
    • Folder 77
      General Correspondence, 1977-1966
  • 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
  • Box 4
    Forest Products Research Society

    • Folder 82
      General Correspondence, 1958 and 1948
  • Box 4
    International Concatenated Order of Hoo-Hoo, Inc.

    • Folder 83
      General Correspondence, 1983-1946 and undated
  • Box 4
    Industrial Forestry Association

    • Folder 84
      General Correspondence, 1979
  • Box 4
    Lumber Trade Association

    • Folder 85
      General Correspondence, 1982-1976
  • 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
  • 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
  • Box 7
    Newcomen Society in North America

    • Folder 143
      General Correspondence, 1988-1980
    • Folder 144
      General Correspondence, 1976-1962 and undated
  • 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
  • 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
  • Box 7
    North Carolina Forest Industry Tax Study Committee

    • Folder 155
      General Correspondenc, 1979-1970 and undated
  • 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
  • Box 8
    Northeastern Lumber Manufacturers Association

    • Folder 165
      General Correspondence, 1978-1952 and undated
  • Box 8
    Northern Hardwood and Pine Manufacturers Association, Inc.

    • Folder 166
      General Correspondence, 1978-1974 and undated
  • Box 8
    Small Business Administration

    • Folder 167
      General Correspondence, 1982-1980
  • 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
  • Box 8
    Southern Appalachian Research/Resource Management Cooperative

    • Folder 183
      General Correspondence, 1987
  • Box 8
    Southern Forest Institute

    • Folder 184
      General Correspondence, 1977-1972
    • Folder 185
      General Correspondence, 1971-1968
  • Box 9
    Southern Forest Products Association

    • Folder 186
      General Correspondence, 1979-1973
    • Folder 187
      General Correspondence, 1972-1949 and undated
  • Box 9
    Southern Hardwood Producers, Inc.

    • Folder 188
      General Correspondence, 1977-1950
  • 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

 

Administrative Information

Access Restrictions

No restrictions.

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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.