1917 - 2017 

James B. Wilber (J.B.), Walter’s only child, worked in his father’s sawmill from an early age.  JB completed his Grade 9 education in Elmsdale.  To complete his Grade 12 education it was necessary for JB to travel by train to Halifax each weekday for the next three years.  He continued to work for his father on the weekends and school breaks.

 

In 1939, he branched out and accepted a job with Charlie McCulloch and began purchasing lumber from many small sawmills throughout Nova Scotia and supervised the loading of ships destined for Europe to serve the war effort.

 

Shortly following the war, he continued to market lumber locally as well as in Europe.

 

In 1950, J.B. and his close friend Fred Miller purchased his father’s sawmill for $25,000 and incorporated Elmsdale Lumber Company Limited.

 

In 1960, Fred Miller started his own planer mill, and sold his 50% share in Elmsdale Lumber to Luther Anderson.

 

Following Luther Anderson’s death, JB’s son Robin Wilber purchased Luther’s 50% shares in ELCO on March 10, 1976.