It is with great pleasure that The Freedom Oil Works Company submits for your consideration this history of its fifty years of growth, and presents to you the interesting story of the individuals who made Freedom the good gasoline that it is.
We trust that you will receive both pleasure and profit from the reading of this book; that your interest in Freedom and its many branches will be quickened; that you will come to recognize us in a more friendly manner than ever before and realize that every member of the Freedom organization is yours one hundred per cent for service.
Less than a decade after the discovery of oil
in Western Pennsylvania, a practicing physician, Dr. Stephen A.
Craig, working in his crude laboratory on the banks of the Ohio
river, laid the foundation for what is now one of the largest
independent oil refining companies in the Pennsylvania Region.
In the year 1879, little was known of the science of refining crude petroleum. Dr. Craig, however, through his thorough study of the subject, and his many experiments, sensed to a greater degree than many others of his time, the vast possibilities that Nature's liquid gold might hold. In that year, he, together with H. S. McConnell and George S. Griscom, organized the Freedom Oil Works, Ltd. Together, this little band of pioneers piloted the young company through the tortuous channel that marked its earliest history. As time went on, Dr. Craig was forced to decide between his affiliation with this oil Company, and his professional practice. The demands of his patients finally won him away from the institution he had brought into existence as an outlet for his scientific leanings.
When this change was made, another far sighted young man, then employed in the office of the Company, had the good judgment to realize that opportunity was presenting herself at his door. He opened the door, purchased the holdings of Dr. Craig and in a very short time acquired control of the Company. This man was August J. Minke. To the still struggling venture, he brought his all-youth, enthusiasm, knowledge, judgment an ability to work hard day after day.
Years of work, years of expansion followed. The Freedom Oil Works, Ltd. grew and prospered. The dreams of the founders were slowly being realized. Through hectic years of mergers and consolidations in the industry, Freedom retained its identity.
In 1889, Joseph W. Craig obtained control of the Company. At this time, a reorganization was effected under the corporate name, The Freedom Oil Works Company, with John J. Minke, President; A. J. Minke, Vice President and Treasurer; William H. Baker, Secretary; and Charles Mohr, Superintendent.
A year later, Mr. J. J. Minke resigned as President and his place was taken by the principal stockholder, Joseph W. Craig, who served until his death twenty-two years later in 1912.
Immediately following his death, Percy L. Craig, of New Castle, Pa. was elected to the presidency, a position which he has occupied until the present time.
During all these changes, A. J. Minke continued to serve as Vice President. Charles Mohr served continuously as Superintendent until his death ten years ago. E. J. Bishoffberger, one of the incorporators, also served almost continuously and is still Manager. Together with several others, these men worked unceasingly and watched the enterprise become a power in a giant industry.
Today The Freedom Oil Works Company continues to serve and to grow. Its destinies are bound up with those of its present officers: Percy L. Craig, President August J.Minke, Vice President Earle M. Craig, Vice President J. G. McCaw, Assistant to the Vice Presidents C. E. McKee, Secretary and Treasurer George J. Mohr, Assistant Secretary and Assistant Treasurer.
It is a far step from the tiny laboratory of Dr. Craig, with its crude equipment of bottles, test tubes and retorts, to the mammoth present day refining plants of the Freedom Oil Works Company.
The first small plant was built in 1879 at Remington, Pa., near what is now known as Conway. The site of this original plant is, in fact, now occupied by a part of the Conway Yards of the Pennsylvania Railroad.
Soon after A. J. Minke took over Dr. Craig's holdings, he gave up the original plant and purchased the site of the Excelsior Refining Company, whose plant had been totally destroyed by fire. This property was located near the western end of the Borough of Freedom. Here a new plant was built to refine 100% Pennsylvania Crude. What share of the Petroleum Products produced in the United States in that year, could be credited to the new plant, we have no way of knowing, but it must have been a minor part, because the plant, while representing the best in refinery design in those early days, was of very modest proportions. However, that its founders acted wisely in the selection of the location is demonstrated by the fact that the Freedom plant still occupies its original site, and has now grown until it occupies 15 acres of ground, bordering both sides of the main line of the Pennsylvania Railroad for almost a quarter of a mile, and with a valuable frontage on the now navigable Ohio River. This plant has a capacity of 2,000 barrels of crude per day, while another refinery purchased in 1925, located at Coraopolis, across the river from the parent plant has a capacity of 1,000 barrels daily.
When the Freedom Oil Works, Ltd. came into existence, not even the most optimistic of prophets could have foreseen the developments that have in large measure been responsible for its phenomenal growth. In 1879, it was one of eightysix refineries. Today the United States boasts of over four hundred. In 1879, the oil fields of he country produced 9,194 barrels of :rude petroleum from 3,049 wells. In 1929, he country's output will be in the neighborhood of one billion barrels, with about 25,000 wells sharing in the production.
All this activity has been brought about through the amazing scientific and industrial development of less than two decades. With the invention of the electric lamp by Thomas Alva Edison in 1879, the decline of kerosene as a light producing medium started in the United States. It was not until the commercial development of alternating current electricity some years later that the real effects of the new light began to make its presence felt in the reduced sales of kerosene. Fortunately, about this time the automobile was presented to a waiting public. Its growth is a story so well known to the present generation that little need be said here about it. However, a few figures may be interesting.
The earliest records of the country show that in 1895, there were four automobiles registered. During the next four years the number increased slowly, but steadily. New makers entered the field. Improvements, simplification, dependability worked their way into design and construction. Prices went down as values went up. Modern business appreciated the speed that the new vehicle made possible. Workers of every station in life appreciated the freedom it brought to enliven a drab and monotonous existence. Sales went up and up. A motor conscious public gave up funds gladly for more and better highways. Sales continued to soar to new and undreamed of heights. The United States became a nation on wheels. Over 25,000,000 cars will be registered in 1929, it is estimated.
And during this time, what was happening to the oil refining industry?
With a diminishing market for its kerosene, it turned to science to find ways and means by which it could produce from the crude petroleum a greater proportion of the gasoline and lubricating oils so greatly in demand by the motoring public. Science produced the answer.
Old refinery methods were thrown into the discard. New cracking methods were evolved. Closer control during distilling operations gave higher quality and increased yields of the more valuable products. The result has been a growth in the value of petroleum products from $43,705,000 in 18 79 to the staggering total of over $2,000,000,000 in 1929. And what of the products produced? In 1879, crude petroleum by simple distillation yielded 10.3 percent Gasoline, 75.2 percent Kerosene, and 2.1 percent Lubricant. Today through modern processes, Freedom produces 39 percent Gasoline, 20 percent Kerosene, 10 percent Gas Oil, 26 percent Lubricants and 1 percent Wax.
It may not be amiss to note here that while the products of The Freedom Oil Works Company have changed during the last fifty years to keep pace with the needs of its buyers, one very vital factor in the ultimate success of this business has not changed-its attitude toward the quality of the products it produces. Freedom has always been proud of what it had to sell. Never has it forgotten that it is a public servant-caring for the daily needs of thousands of enthusiastic customers, many of them necessarily unknown to the Company, and for that reason more worthy of the best that could be refined.
Fifty years has produced a consumer demand for Freedom products that is perhaps best reflected by the steady growth of the Company itself, a growth to two refineries having a total output of 3,000 barrels daily.
The changes that have come about in the products and the output of petroleum refineries are no more striking than the changes that have been made in distributing methods during the span of years between 1879 and 1929.
Kerosene, of course, during its days of popularity as an illuminant, was sold very generally the country over by merchants, grocers, farm implement dealers, hay and grain stores, and hardware stores. All carried it in stock because of its very wide sale. It was a convenience item and as such was welcome in almost every type of retail outlet. It was delivered from the refinery and carried in stock by the dealer in barrels and kegs. Owing to its high flash point, it was not looked upon as a particularly hazardous commodity.
With the coming of the automobile and the demand for gasoline and lubricating oils, naturally the refiners turned for an outlet for their products to the already established channels of distribution. The same barrels and kegs also continued in use for the new products. This practice continued until about .1907, the patient motorist of that day purchasing his oil and gas in cans of his own at various sorts of stores. This situation naturally could not continue to exist for two reasons. The new product, gasoline, had a much lower flash point and required greater care in the handling, and old methods of distribution were not economical as demand pyramided with the rapid increase in the number of automobiles in use. Consequently, inventive genius produced the gasoline pump and it was not long until the more travelled highways began to be dotted here and there with what was the forerunner of our modern service station.
How fast has been the growth of this retail marketing section of the industry may best be judged by this fact. In a little over twenty years, the number of filling stations has grown until today it numbers over 300,000 separate establishments. These range from a single pump operated alone or in conjunction with food dispensaries or garage services, to super service stations where the motorist may obtain not only gasoline, but complete oiling, greasing, washing and interior cleaning, battery and tire service with the minimum outlay of time.
During this period of change, Freedom has kept abreast of the demands of the times. Originally its products were sold from wagons on the street and delivered direct to users. Later, its products were sold to dealers in barrels and kegs delivered from wagons. As its trade grew, its radius for deliveries expanded and more horses and wagons were added from time to time.
With the advent of the automobile came also the truck which delivered the barrels and kegs. Then came the first crude tank truck, from which our present day delivery vehicles are directly descended.
Today, two hundred large automobile tank trucks are busily engaged in distributing Freedom products. In addition, two hundred and sixty-five large capacity railroad tank cars are operated by the Company in supplying its distributing branches, located at strategic points in the territory served.
Freedom Products enjoy national and international distribution. More than threefourths of the States are covered by distributors, and many orders are received for export to Canada, England, Germany, Switzerland and far away Java and India.
It may be of interest here to recount a recent happening. When Trans-Atlantic telephone service between America and England was first inaugurated, a customer in London telephoned the Company offices and gave an order for Freedom Products to be delivered in London, the first event of its kind in history.
Nineteen twenty nine marks the Golden Anniversary of The Freedom Oil Works Company. From the original modest little structure, its plant has expanded until it now requires two refineries occupying 22 acres and with a daily capacity of 3,000 barrels of oil to care for the needs of Freedom's many friends. From a little band of four men in 1879, its personnel has grown until today, over 3 00 names of men and women appear on the roster of loyal employees. From a small retail crew in its earlier years peddling kerosene for flickering oil lamps, its distributing force has grown to a well-trained staff of sales specialists who understand the needs of the buyers of petroleum products. Backing up the sales force is an army ready to man the Company trucks and rush day or night Freedom Products to any one of the thousand dealers who now so proudly display the Freedom Sign of Quality.
At such a time as this, is it to be wondered that the entire Freedom organization is exerting itself to the utmost that this, its fiftieth year in business, might be its most successful? And from all indications, nineteen twenty-nine will go down in the records as a year of glorious achievement.
Take August, for example, surpassing all previous months, when a total of 366 cars of gasoline, lubricating oils, and greases were shipped. Of these 119 cars were gasoline, 80 cars of refined oil, 132 tank cars of lubricating oil, 3 5 box cars loaded with lubricating oils and industrial greases.
Oil as it comes from the well is known as "crude." For the majority of commercial uses it is of little value. Consequently it must be refined before it is brought to the many markets in which it plays such important roles.
To understand the refining of crude oil, it must first be understood that crude oil does not have one boiling point. It is, in this respect, different from water, which boils at 212 degrees Fahrenheit. Every particle of crude has a slightly different boiling point and the primary function of the refining of petroleum is to divide it into fractions which boil within certain given temperature ranges.
The original method of dividing crude into its parts was to boil or distill it first at low temperatures in what is now called a batch still, the still being merely a tight tank under which a fire could be built and out of which was one opening. From this opening, the vapors were conducted by a pipe to a pipe coil submerged under water. This apparatus was called a condenser, and condensed the vapors into a liquid. The first liquid which boiled off the still was then run into one so-called rundown tank. Then the next group of condensed vapors were run into another rundown tank and so on until the desired amount of distillation and fractionation had taken place and the heaviest part of the crude which would boil only at very high temperatures was left in the bottom of the still.
This method did not give the best results in that no sharp separation took place and now much better results are obtained by the use of pipe stills and bubble towers.
The pipe still consists primarily of a fire box which is nothing more than a room having four walls, ceiling and floor. Fuel oil burners are inserted through one and sometimes two walls. just below the ceiling a series of pipes are placed with their ends sticking out through the walls. On the outside, each pipe is connected with the one adjoining so that the system is continuous and in some stills pipes are also placed along two of the walls of the room and sometimes in a lean-to at the rear or at the side, the whole group of pipes being connected continuously so that oil can be pumped through all the pipes in a series, starting at one point and coming out at another. The whole still, is designed to handle a given quantity of oil, raising it from a given temperature to a higher temperature in a given time.
From the outlet of the pipe still the heated oil is conducted to the inlet of a tower which is usually above the top of the pipe still. The tower is nothing more than a very long tank set on end. Inside, the tower is divided into stories or "trays," each tray having a great many openings in it into which are fitted nipples or other supports for the bubble caps. These trays are oil tight and when the still and tower are operated have oil on them up to the level of the down-spout which is located on each tray and which is merely an opening in the tray with a piece of pipe fitted into it. This pipe extends above the level, of the tray a given distance and extends down to within a fraction of an inch of the tray below, so that the oil from the upper tray will flow down the down-spout into the oil on the next lower tray but no vapors can go up the down-spout because the down-spout is below the level of the oil on the lower tray and no down-spout is immediately above the one of the next lower tray.
As was stated above, the bubble caps are fitted on top of the nipples, these bubble caps being shaped somewhat like bells, with their lower edges notched or having small holes in a row around the lower edge of the cap. In practice, the notched edges of the caps, or the holes in the caps, are below the level of the oil on the tray, so that vapors coming up through the nipple "bubble" out through the liquid on the tray and, of course, the vapor is cooled by the liquid on the tray so that a portion of the vapor is condensed and stays on the tray as a liquid.
In the process of refining, the oil is pumped through the pipe still where it is heated to the temperature desired and all of the oil, except perhaps 10 percent, is vaporized, the combined vapor and oil going into the tower. The 10 percent that is not vaporized drops down into the bottom of the tower and the vapors start up, the very top of the tower being open and connected by a pipe line, called the vapor line, through which vapors that eventually get up that high are conducted through a condenser from which the liquid gasoline flows into the rundown tank. On the way up the tower, most of the vapor has been condensed and remains with the liquid on the trays. The surplus liquid from each tray then drops to the next lower tray so that continuously vapors will go up the tower and liquid will drop down.
Due to the high temperature at which oil and vapors enter the tower, any liquid dropping down the tower any distance may come in contact with vapors of such high temperatures that a portion of the liquid will be vaporized again and started up the tower. This will happen on all trays so that in actual practice it has been found that the material on each tray has a given boiling range and therefore the desired result of separating the crude into products of definite boiling range, has been accomplished. These products can be drawn off the trays through the sides of the tower, openings being provided for the purpose. This is done continuously, care being taken never to draw off more liquid than is formed on the tray and sufficient is left to maintain the liquid level necessary to seal the bubble caps.
The greatest possible efficiency is necessary in the operation of any industrial plant. The distilling of crude is no different from any other in this respect. Therefore, heat exchangers are in use. These exchangers are bundles of pipe, enclosed in a jacket, the pipe being so arranged that cold crude is pumped through the coil and hot vapors or hot oils which are coming off the tower are pumped through the spaces outside of the coil so that the cold crude absorbs some of the heat from the hot vapors or hot oils. Air pre-heaters are also used for the air going into the pipe still and some stills are operated under a vacuum so that they can be run at low temperature and not crack or break up some of the desirable fractions of the crude. Other stills are operated under high pressure where it is desired to crack or break up oils of little value into products of greater value, principally gasoline.
The refinery located at Freedom has three pipe stills. constructed during 1928 and 1929. They are of the very latest design, the third still being the vacuum still used in producing the stocks for the making of highest quality lubricants. The use of vacuum in distillation is the most modern known in the industry today. Other stills at the Freedom and Vulcan plants are equipped with bubble towers in order to make perfectly fractionated products.
OFFICERS
Percy, L. Craig President
August J. Minke Vice President
Earle M. Craig Vice President
J. G. McCaw . Assistant to the Vice Presidents
C. E. McKee Secretary and Treasurer
George J. Mohr Asst. Secretary and Asst. Treasurer
E. J. Bischoffberger Manager
DIRECTORS
Percy L. Craig New Castle, Pa.
August J. Minke Fair Oaks, Pa.
George L. Craig Sewickley, Pa.
Pressly T. Craig Sewickley, Pa.
Albert B. Craig Sewickley, Pa.
Earle M. Craig Beaver, Pa.
George L. Craig, Jr Pittsburgh, Pa.
Scientists tell us that only one-eighth of an iceberg is visible, while seven-eighths are hidden below the surface. So it is with an oil refinery. The visitor at the plant sees the huge tanks for storage, the stills, the condensers, the miles of piping, the pumps, the incoming and outgoing cars and trucks. But he sees only a small part of the entire machinery of manufacturing and getting theproducts to market. He cannot see the hundreds of trucks and cars scattered over highways and railroad lines in practically every State in the Union. He cannot see the huge storage tanks at the bulk distributing stations.
To complete a personal visit to all of the stations of The Freedom Oil Works Company would require many, many days. There are twenty bulk stations on railroad lines and located at the following points:
From these distributing points, Freedom tank trucks supply all retail outlets in the immediate territory and render a service that would be impossible without such facilities.
No organized effort for fighting fires was attempted previous to the early part of 1920. It was at this time that the present Fire Department was organized and equipment purchased to scientifically fight fires. The equipment at that time was placed at strategic points throughout the plant, and no other use was permitted to be made of the fire equipment than for the sole purpose of fighting fires.
The equipment consisted of the necessary carriage apparatus and several fifty foot sections of steam hose, two soda and acid chemical carts, each of forty gallon capacity, and a number of one quart pyrene extinguishers.
With the organization of the Fire Department in 1920, the Faraday Pull Box Alarm System was installed. Fourteen pull boxes were located in various sections of the plant, with a control box situated in the boiler house. When a box was pulled, the person in charge of the boiler house immediately blew the plant whistle which was a general alarm.
An electric siren was installed during the same year. The siren fitted nicely into the general fire fighting scheme.
The Fire Department has kept pace with the times and 1929 finds the plant very efficiently equipped for fighting the Great Destroyer.
The equipment at the present time consists of three water hose carts with six hundred feet of steam hose, two regular hose carts with five hundred feet of five-ply steam hose, four foam generators and a foam installation protecting all tanks in the north tank yard.
This equipment is housed in three special buildings and everything is supplied that is needed for the efficient fighting of fires.
The entire personnel of the plant constitutes
the Fire Department. Each man has been instructed and assigned
to his special work at every fire. The Department is composed
of six companies. The officers are a chief, two assistant chiefs
and six captains, four traffic officers and forty-eight men. Beyond
this, all employees stand by subject to call.
Fire drills are held monthly and the alarm system and siren is
tested weekly. This procedure accustoms the men to the importance
of their work, makes them alert and active, with the result that
the Fire Department has functioned in a most satisfactory manner.
Since the organization of the Fire Department, there have been twelve fires, six of which were minor fires, but the department was summoned as a precautionary measure.
It is a source of great pleasure to every member of the organization to look back over these nine years and see with what efficiency the Department has functioned, and to recall the fine spirit of co-operation and bravery shown by the members of this wonderful Fire Department.
Some may smile at terming it more than bravery to do some of the things these men have done, but it does take a brave and courageous man to do the things they have done, and it is because of these acts of bravery, loyalty and efficiency that the Fire Department is held in such high esteem by every person associated with Freedom.
To close this story of the Fire Department without paying tribute to the Safety Committee would be a grave error indeed, for so well has the safety job been done that in all the fires and in all the work of the Fire Department, not a single accident has occurred. This is a record of which any group can well boast.
We believe in giving credit where credit is due. To the Safety Committee of Freedom, we are truly indebted.
In 1925, the Vulcan plant became a part of the Freedom organization and with the acquisition of this plant came another Fire Department and another Safety Committee.
Although only a short time has intervened since the addition of these units to our organization, they have demonstrated in a most convincing way that there is to be considerable rivalry between the Departments and Committees of the several plants.
And so ends this little story "Fifty Years of Freedom." If in the telling we have brought nearer to you the lives and story of Freedom and made you feel a little more friendly toward the organization which is constantly serving you, then this book will not have been in vain.
To our many friends and users of our products who are today lending us their loyal support and continued patronage, we enthusiastically dedicate this book and close with the wish that the fiftieth year of Freedom shall truly be a year of increased satisfaction to you.