Major Lumber Company was established in 1896 by Reuben H. Major. Originally the business was located on the south bank of the Little Platte River near the old Patterson Mill. It was one of the two lumber yards owned by Reuben Major and his brother, Weeden Major. The other was located in Kearney, MO. Originally much of the lumber came from Arkansas lumber mills owned by the Major family who had moved to this area from Arkansas.