Service Office Supply traces its roots to the founding of Bessers Sons Co. - a stationery store in Buffalo -in 1861, a year also distinguished by President Lincoln's pre-inaugural visit to Buffalo.

The Besser firm, founded by J.W. Ernst Besser, and continued by two succeeding generations of Bessers, prospered in Buffalo for over 100 years. In 1959, it merged with Swan Printing and Stationery Co., and became known as Besser-Swan, Inc.

In 1964, Howard E.R. Hutton, a former executive of the Bell Aircraft Corp., and a friend of Larry Bell, purchased control of the Besser-Swan company. Hutton was named president and treas¬urer. The name of the company was changed to Service Office Supply Corp. as it continued to service its customers from 267 Pearl Street in downtown Buffalo.

In 1970, in response to a growing need in the market place, S.O.S. formed a Wholesale Office Supply Division to service - except for New York City- office supply dealers throughout New York State and Western Pennsylvania. Employment had grown to 30.

Three factors significant to continuing growth occurred in 1972. First, S.O.S. acquired Frontier Office Supply Co., Inc. and consolidated its operations into the Pearl St. headquarters. Next, Howard E.R. Hutton Jr., a graduate of Amherst Central High School and Allegheny College, was named Vice-President. Third, S.O.S. moved its entire operation into larger quarters at 76 S. Long Street, Williamsville, where, by 1979, continuing growth required yet another move to its present location at 100 John Glenn Drive, Audubon Industrial Park.

It was also the year that Lola Besser Ahrens, granddaughter of Ernst Besser, retired from S.O.S., a veteran of more than 50 years in the office supply industry.

Two more acquisitions - Bison City Stationers, Inc. in 1978, and Hogan Office Supply Company in 1983 - brought S.O.S. to its present size and strength. Today approximately 50 employees are required to manage its smooth, efficient operation.

In reviewing their 22 years of stewardship of the 125-year-old company, the Huttons express a fond desire to equal or surpass the Besser family's record of leadership and longevity.

As Howard Sr. sees it - he's now in partial retirement - three generations of Bessers guided the firm from 1861 through 1963, an uninterrupted period of 102 years.

'With five grandsons coming along," he reasons, "the Huttons have an excellent chance of surpassing the Besser record, and continuing on as the oldest and largest office supplies dealer in Western New York, and as one of the largest in New York State.