Page:The History of the Standard Oil Company Vol 1.djvu/25



Born July 8, 1839.

In 1859 Drake drilled near Titusville, Pennsylvania, the first artesian well put down for petroleum. He is popularly said to have "discovered oil."

Secretary of the South Improvement Company.

President of the South Improvement Company.

A member of the South Improvement Company, and later of the Standard Oil Company. At his death in 1904 the oldest living oil operator.

Active partner of John D. Rockefeller in the oil business since 1867. Officer of the Standard Oil Company since its organization in 1870.

The contract of the South Improvement Company with the Pennsylvania Railroad was signed by Mr. Scott, then vice-president of the road.

The contract of the South Improvement Company with the New York Central was signed by Mr. Vanderbilt, then vice-president of the road.

President of the Erie Railroad in 1872. Signer of the contract with the South Improvement Company.