Standard Oil Trust signed by Lamon V. Harkness, Archbold, and Tilford - 1895 or 1896 dated Autograph Stock Certificate

Stock issued to and signed at back by Lamon V. Harkness. Also signed by Archbold as secretary and Tilford as attorney. Portraits and biographies of all included.

Wesley H. Tilford (1850-1909) was born on July 14, 1850, in Lexington, Kentucky. He attended Columbia College for a brief period; however, the allure of the business world compelled him to abandon his pursuit of a bachelor's degree. Drawn by the potential of the petroleum industry, Wesley left his studies and took a position as a clerk at his brother's firm, Bostwick & Tilford, located on Pearl Street. Following the dissolution of the firm, the brothers established their own partnership under the name John B. Tilford Jr. & Co., which experienced immediate success and continued to thrive. Eventually, during the era of Eastern oil consolidations, they received a lucrative offer from the Standard Oil Company, prompting them to align their interests with this dynamic organization. These were indeed pivotal times in the oil sector, and Wesley demonstrated his capabilities through a highly successful trip to the Pacific Coast in 1878, where he played a key role in organizing the oil trade across California, Oregon, Colorado, and neighboring states.

Upon his return to the East, he was greeted with a prominent position within the home office, where he energetically and effectively addressed the extensive transportation challenges. With the respect and trust of his colleagues firmly established, he maintained this standing until the end of his career. Tilford, who served as one of the Vice Presidents of the Standard Oil Company, left behind a distinguished legacy of over thirty years with the Company, along with several years in a petroleum enterprise associated with his family. Throughout his career, he navigated all levels of petroleum merchandising, consistently demonstrating loyalty, integrity, and insight in each role he undertook. Prior to his promotion to Vice President in 1908, he served as Treasurer of the Standard Oil Company for nine years and had been a Director since 1892. Despite his extensive and notable career, he remained relatively unknown outside the oil industry due to his unassuming nature. He was a man of few words, yet possessed a profound understanding of business matters, particularly excelling in organizational skills and possessing sound judgment. Additionally, he was well-read and knowledgeable across various subjects. His demeanor was courteous, compassionate, and generous. While ordinary qualities, enhanced by business experience, may suffice for navigating the intricacies of an established enterprise, achieving and maintaining a leading position in a dynamic and expanding business requires exceptional attributes. His colleagues attested that he consistently merited his advancements, a commendation from individuals who themselves were contemporaries of the titans of business throughout history.

John Dustin Archbold (born July 26, 1848, in Leesburg, Ohio; died December 6, 1916, in Tarrytown, New York) was a prominent American capitalist and one of the pioneering oil refiners in the United States. His modest oil enterprise was acquired by John D. Rockefeller's Standard Oil Company. Archbold quickly advanced within Standard Oil, managing numerous intricate and confidential negotiations throughout the years. By 1882, he had become Rockefeller's closest confidant and frequently served as the company's principal spokesperson. Following 1896, Rockefeller delegated business responsibilities to Archbold as he focused on his philanthropic endeavors; as vice president, Archbold effectively oversaw the operations of Standard Oil until his passing in 1916. Influenced by Rockefeller's strategies, Archbold prioritized stabilization, efficiency, and the reduction of waste in the refining and distribution of petroleum products. In 1911, the Supreme Court mandated the dissolution of the company into approximately thirty-six smaller entities, after which Archbold assumed the presidency of the largest, Standard Oil of New Jersey.

Lamon Vanderburgh Harkness (January 6, 1850 – January 17, 1915) was a prominent American businessman and one of the principal stockholders in Standard Oil. His connection to Standard Oil was established through his father, Stephen V. Harkness, who played a significant role as a silent investor in the company's inception. Born in Bellevue, Ohio, on January 6, 1850, Lamon was the offspring of Stephen Vanderburgh Harkness (1818–1888) and his first wife, Laura (née Osborne) Harkness (1815–1852). Tragically, Laura passed away in 1852 when Lamon was merely two years old. In 1854, Stephen remarried Anna M. Harkness (née Richardson).

The Harkness family relocated to Monroeville, Ohio, around 1860, and subsequently moved to Willoughby, Ohio, near Cleveland, in 1865. Stephen and Anna had two additional children: Charles W. Harkness, born in 1860 in Monroeville, and Edward Harkness, born in 1874 in Cleveland, Ohio. Lamon was ten years older than Charles and twenty-four years older than Edward. At the age of sixteen, Lamon acquired a ranch near Eureka, Kansas, and entered the cattle industry at nineteen. Around the same period, his father invested with J.D. Rockefeller to establish Standard Oil, a decision that would profoundly impact the Harkness family. Following the establishment of Standard Oil, Lamon relocated to Kansas City, Missouri, where he explored opportunities in the banking sector.

Read More

Read Less