S.R. Dickey, nephew of the famous Dickey family whom many buildings in town bear their name, began dealing grain, hay, lumber and farm supplies in 1865. The Historic red brick mill and elevator was built in 1880. The Founder purchased grain and hay from local farmers, and shipped by rail to the horse stables as far as Philadelphia and Baltimore. Seeds, fertilizer, lumber and coal were sold to local townsfolk. Record books of these transactions are kept in the display case at the new Oxford Feed & Lumber store.

 
   Through the early 1900's the business changed hands several times. Dickey sold the business to C. Raymond Kirk in 1915 and Kirk subsequently sold to W. Maurice Bunting in 1917. Bunting sold the business to J.C. Hayes and L.E. Shoemaker in 1919.
 
   The Drennen family became involved when our grandfather Lawrence C. Drennen was hired as the bookkeeper in 1919. Lawrence was 2nd generation Drennen's to be involved in the Country Store business as his father operated the Fairmount General Store in Lancaster County until it was destroyed by fire. After many years of expanding responsibilities at the mill, Lawrence became a partner in 1946 with Shoemaker.
  

Lawrence C. Drennen circa 1920 with a large supply of Purina feed.
 

  Lawrence's sons Donald and Lawrie joined the business upon graduating from high school. Many new improvements were made to the business as a flourishing dairy feeds and lumber business kept everyone very busy. A home heating oil business was added in the 1950's.
 
   Third generation family members began working at the lumber yard in the 70's and 80's. Lawrie's & Donald's sons and daughters were involved during their summers while attending high school and college. Chris Drennen became full time in 1982 as the lumber and feed business had grown with the springing up of horse farms and housing developments. He became a partner through purchase of shares from Lewis E. Shoemaker after his death.
 
   Lawrence continued to be active in the business well into his 90's. Although his eyesight was failing, he could still recognize customers by their voice and was able to greet them by first name. Pop-pop had a slip and fall in the winter and 2 month's later passed away at the age of 98. He had been working everyday up to that point.
 
   Donald Drennen decided on retirement in 1997 and Lawrie Jr. left a position in the corporate world to buy Uncle Don's ownership. It was decided in 1998 to expand the retail business in order to provide a broader supply of Pet, Home and Farm supplies for the local community. After a year of careful business planning, the new store plan was finalized and construction began in 1999 on the America's Country Store.

   The new Oxford Feed & Lumber store opened it's doors in January of 2000, with a broad array of Pet Feeds and supplies, horse, wild bird, lawn and garden and builders hardware. A selection of country and theme gifts, books and cards. Wide community support, a complete selection of products and outstanding employees has made for a successful start up.
 
   Oxford Grain & Hay is proud of it's history as the oldest continuously operating business in the Oxford Area and as the 2nd oldest Purina dealer in the USA. Now 5th generation Drennen's are found working the customer service counters in the new store.