"My great-great-great-grandfather was a lumberjack but more importantly he was a man with vision. He changed the way the business operates. Jobs that used to take several people a day now is left in the river's hands. I wish to carry on this vision and find new ways to make our lives easier."— William Balsam
A Burgeoning Industry
Georges Balsam was not the first to work in the lumber business in the
Deer River Valley but he certainly became the most successful. The innovation that began his rise to regional lumber baron was the two-man saw, a tool that greatly increased the efficiency of lumberjacks.
Seeking greater efficiency in his work, he found an investor to fund his construction of his first sawmill in the town of
Pine Mills. Since the river could power flour production, he figured it would also be able to cut logs for him. This sawmill - known as the
Balsam-Hughes Sawmill after the creator and investor - became the centre for the Balsam Timber Company which was officially founded on the 18th of Sabah in 24CE.
Timber Towns
As the business expanded and more people came to the
valley seeking work, many of the lumber camps started by the company would go on to become small towns after the employees families arrived in the region after them. This has led to the term timber town.
A Family Business
Georges Balsam would only be the head of the Balsam Company for seven years when his life came to an end during an outbreak of an unknown disease then called the
red menace. His children took over the business and passed it down to their children. Presently, the business is headed by
William Balsam.
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