The Gebhardts' United Oil Company The Story of an American Business

Abstract

When one thinks of the industrial history of America the dominant images are of giant companies such as Henry Ford’s Ford Motor Co. or John D. Rockefeller’s Standard Oil. These are held up as the jewels of capitalism, the most glorious examples of American free enterprise, and yet, the stories of a thousand other businesses that contributed to U.S. economic success in their shadow include G.J. Gebhardt’s United Oil Manufacturing Co., a venture founded with an entrepreneurial spirit. It was driven by determined young men and was characteristic of the area in which it developed. In fighting to survive in a competitive field, the Gebhardts experienced fleeting triumphs and defeats but always maintained a dogged will to succeed. United Oil’s history is one that mirrored the heart and soul of this country’s businesses. It involves a family, a region and the unique characteristics of the industry it represented.