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John B. Smithman |
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JOHN B. SMITHMAN, of Oil City, is one of the most prominent oil men of this region. He came here in 1864 and embarked in the oil business, both as dealer and producer, and for some years has been one of the conspicuous characters who have left their impress upon the business of the region and have caused it to be known as more prolific than perhaps any other for the development of men of financial daring and ingenuity. For a period covering several years he has held his own against a flood-tide of opposition, and time and again scored success where strong men have gone down. He was the organizer and president of the Manufacturers’ Gas Company of Oil City, and was also a director in the Columbia Gas Company, which became the purchaser of the stock of the former company, the whole being subsequently merged into the Natural Gas Trust. He was also connected with the Keystone Oil Company as manager of the pipe lines owned by that company. These pipe lines extended from Oil City to portions of Venango and Clarion counties, and when the refinery department of the Keystone Oil Company became embarrassed Mr. Smithman purchased these lines and operated them until they were sold in connection with the refinery under an arrangement with the receiver of that company. The Oil City Call, now the Oil City Blizzard, a spicy afternoon paper, if not original in the mind of Mr. Smithman certainly drew its first sustenance from his exchequer. He was also one of the incorporators of the Oil City Oil Exchange and the admirable system that governs the speculative oil trade is largely due to him, particular what is known as the clearing house. The fine edifice of the Second Presbyterian church, which adjoins Mr. Smithman’s beautiful residence in South Oil City, also largely owes its present existence to his generosity. Mr. Smithman was born in Clarion county, this state, December 31, 1884, and is a son of Henry Smithman, now of Piqua, Ohio. He was married to Miss Julia Hathaway, at Paterson, New Jersey, in 1874.
History of Venango County, Pennsylvania
: its past and present, including its aboriginal history, the French and
British occupation of the country, its early settlement and subsequent
growth, a description of its historic and interesting localities, its rich
oil deposits and their development, sketches of its cities, boroughs,
townships, and villages, neighborhood and family history, portraits and
biographies of pioneers and representative citizens, statistics, etc.,
etc. .
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