The American Wood Reduction Company was founded in 1911 by Oscar Greely in Chicago, Illinois. Its industry was chemicals distilled from hardwood and its headquarters remained in Chicago, Illinois. On February 14, 1918, officials of the company established the Kingsport Wood Reduction Company in Kingsport, TN. for the purpose of manufacturing chemicals for the U. S. government. Shortly after its incorporation, the firm also became known as the American Wood Reduction Co. On June 6, 1920, the firm was purchased by the Eastman Kodak Company and was reorganized as the Tennessee Eastman Corporation.
EDITOR'S NOTE: The only mention of the firm prior to its move to Kingsport in 1918 is from an article from 1911. It states the American Wood Reduction Co. had just been established in Chicago and was planning on building a plant in Hattiesburg, Mississippi. Besides this, no other information could be found.