William Lukens Elkins

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Husband William Lukens Elkins ^{1 2}

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           Born: 2 May 1832 - Virginia 1
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Wife

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Children

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1 F Elizabeth Chambers Elkins ²

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         Spouse: Lyon Harrison McCandless (      -      ) 2 3

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General Notes: Husband - William Lukens Elkins

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ELKINS, WILLIAM LUKENS, Oil Refiner, was born in Western Virginia, May 2d, 1832. He is of Quaker parentage, and the son of George W. Elkins, one of the earliest paper manufacturers of the country. When he was eight years old, he came with his parents to reside in Philadelphia, and obtained his education in the public schools, though he devoted his leisure hours to private study, and may almost be termed self-educated. At the age of fifteen, he left school and went into a store as entry clerk, where he remained about a year. He next engaged in the lumber business, but here he was unfortunate, a freshet occurring which swept away the fruits of his toil and industry. About the year 1851, he went to New York, where he embarked in the produce business, and was successful in this undertaking. In a year's time, he returned to Philadelphia, where he associated himself with Peter Saybolt, under the firm of Saybolt & Elkins, in a similar calling, with their establishment at Callowhill and Second streets, and where, in connection with their house in New York, they transacted probably the largest produce business in the country. The firm continued prosperously until 1860, when, by the purchase of his partner's interest, he became sole proprietor, and so remained until the "oil fever" broke out, when he repaired to Western Pennsylvania, having previously purchased certain shares in various oil companies. He then made an unbiassed investigation of the region where petroleum was said to abound, and became convinced that it would be a growing business; but he believed that his proper sphere was in the refining of the crude article. He accordingly returned to Philadelphia, and was the pioneer in this branch of the trade. He erected works at his present location, near Lancaster avenue and Fiftieth street, Hestonville, Twenty-fourth Ward, in March, 1862, and gave them the name of the "Belmont Oil Works." There was no other establishment of a similar character save the "Crescent" (since out of business) for some time, and he then had almost the whole field to himself. His buildings and yard scarcely occupied the extent of half an acre, and he was possessed of four or five stills of the small capacity of twenty-five barrels each, producing\emdash by the then slow process\emdash only about 150 barrels per week, and giving employment to about twelve hands. For the past twelve years, the business has wonderfully increased, necessitating enlargement of the buildings from time to time, as also of the area required to carry on the establishment to the large proportions it has assumed, so that at the present time (1874) it covers an area of two and a half acres. There are six stills in operation, each of the capacity of 300 barrels, and capable of refining about 10,000 barrels per month. The tankage capacity is about 20,000 barrels. The average time required to convert the crude article into a marketable commodity is about three days. The works give employment to over thirty hands. The crude oil is received in tank cars, which are run upon a siding directly into the works, and are so arranged that the contents can be spontaneously emptied into a large iron tank holding 5000 barrels. He has provided an abundant supply of water by sinking wells in various parts of the premises; it is raised by steam power. The engine is of fifteen horse power, and, besides being utilized as above noted, is also employed for the blowers used in agitating the oil in process of refining. The works are in operation night and day, never stopping for any purpose whatever. The first gasoline ever manufactured was produced at these works. Notwithstanding that the greatest care is exercised at these works, he has had the misfortune on three several occasions to be burned out, but each time he has rebuilt without delay, improving on the character of the buildings so destroyed. In 1866, he established the "Park Refinery," which he operated till March, 1869, when the property was sold to the Park Commission. It had a capacity of nearly 5000 barrels per month. He purchased, in March, 1867, of Bowers & Kitchenman, the Monument Oil Works, which he disposed of during the February following, to Taylor, Harbert & Co. While he was in possession of this property, he increased its capacity from 200 barrels to 11,000 barrels per week. In 1870, he purchased of James Miller the Riverside Oil Works, which are situated on the Alleghany river, at Willow Grove Station (Western Pennsylvania Railroad), about two and a half miles from Alleghany City. The capacity was about 500 barrels per week at the date of purchase, which has since been increased to 6000 barrels per month. In December, 1571, he associated with him George W. Elkins and David Bly, under the firm name of Elkins, Bly & Co., who now operate the works. He is also the part owner of some ten producing oil wells, and has, from time to time, assisted in sinking many others, at least fifty in number. He has now invested in his various oil enterprises about $300,000. When it is remembered that he embarked in business primarily with no capital, except his energy and ability, his present abundant means is an ample proof of what industry will accomplish. In the midst of his oil operations he found time to engage in another enterprise. In 1865, he purchased of Robert Culin an establishment at Coates and Third streets, where he manufactured alcohol and vinegar for four years, disposing of the concern in March, 1869, to George O. Beach. He is likewise an active promoter of various public enterprises, and is known everywhere as a thorough, active, energetic business man. He was appointed, in 1873, by Mayor Stokley, one of the Commissioners to represent the city of Philadelphia at the Vienna Exposition, and the results of his observations, together with those of his colleagues, are embodied in an able Report, containing most valuable suggestions for the management of our own Centennial Exposition.

1 —, The Biographical Encyclopedia of Pennsylvania of the Nineteenth Century (Philadelphia, PA: Galaxy Publishing Company, 1874), Pg 257.

2 Joseph A. Ferree, The McCandless and Related Families, Pioneers of Butler County, Pennsylvania (Natrona Heights, PA: Self-Published, 1977), Pg 34.

3 James A. McKee, 20th Century History of Butler and Butler County, Pa., and Representative Citizens (Chicago, IL: Richmond-Arnold Publishing Co., 1909), Pg 1344.