It was founded and owned by the Bemis family of Arkansas during the early 20th century, and was prominent during the 1930s and the Great Depression.
Bemis and his cousin Benjamin Whitaker opened a mill in Prescott, Arkansas, calling it the Ozan Lumber Company.
By the early 20th century, Benjamin Whitaker was no longer a part of the mills operations, having sold out to J.H.
Around the turn of the century, mill towns were developing all around Arkansas, most notably Graysonia, in Clark County, to harvest the pine forests.
By that time the logging camp had developed to a town of more than 1,000 people, with a movie theater, three hotels, numerous restaurants and cafes, a school and a church.
The Ozan Lumber Company by this time was operating in Whelen Springs, in Clark County.
Although the Great Depression had begun, the Ozan Lumber Company continued to operate, providing employment in that area.
At the time, the company was building another mill in Delight, Arkansas, but progress was slowed by the loss of the operating one.
Thomas Rosborough had closed down his operations there and moved his company, Caddo River Timber, to Springfield, Oregon.
Rosborough's company, Rosboro Lumber,[1] is today one of the largest private timber holders in the Pacific Northwest.
Through this merger, J.R. Bemis acquired mills in Hope, Prescott, Arkadelphia and Nashville, Arkansas, as well as more than 52,000 acres (210 km2) of timberland.
He provided for the long-term operations of the company, by constantly having their areas replanted following the timber being cut.
By replanting and selective harvesting, the Ozan Lumber Company created sustainable forests.