Standard Oil Trust Issued to and Signed by J.D. Rockefeller - Stock Certificate - Also signed by Archbold, Tilford and Rogers

Stock issued to and signed on back by John D. Rockefeller. Also signed by John D. Archbold as secretary, Wesley Hunt Tilford as attorney and George D. Rogers on stub.

John Davison Rockefeller (1839-1937) Founder and one of the original partners of Standard Oil; Oil industry pioneer; Capitalist. At one time reputedly the world's richest man, Rockefeller began his career in Cleveland, Ohio as a successful merchant, prior to the Civil War. In 1863, he and his partners built a refinery which grew into a business that eventually absorbed many other Cleveland refineries and expanded into Pennsylvania oil fields to become the world's largest refining concern. During this time, he was able to expand his operations while others were failing due the talented people with whom he had surrounded himself, to the efficiency of his operations, and to a variety of what are now considered unscrupulous business practices for which he became famous. In 1870, Rockefeller organized the Standard Oil Company of Ohio in order to improve the efficiency with which his operations were being run. In 1882, in part to streamline operations, and in part to avoid state controls, Rockefeller took a step which had a profound significance for American business by creating the Standard Oil Trust. Under this arrangement, a board of trustees took the stock of both the Standard Oil Company of Ohio and of all of its subsidiaries, and ran the combination through the board's executive committee. By this time, public criticism of Rockefeller and his methods was running at near-fever pitch and, in 1892, the Trust was dissolved by the Ohio Supreme Court. The Trust was divided into some 18-later over 30-corporations before being folded into another holding company, Standard Oil of New Jersey (1899). In 1911, the U.S. Supreme Court ordered this latter company dissolved, declaring that it was "a monopoly in restraint of trade," and thus illegal under the Sherman Anti-Trust Act. By this time Rockefeller had almost completely removed himself from business concerns, and was concentrating solely on his philanthropic projects. While the extent of his philanthropies are too numerous to list, among the most prominent are his founding of the University of Chicago (1889), the Rockefeller Institute for Medical Research (1901), the General Education Board (1902) and the Rockefeller Foundation (1913). It is estimated that Rockefeller gave away some $550 million during his lifetime.

John Dustin Archbold (1848-1916) Capitalist. Speculator in Pennsylvania oil fields, 1866. When the South Improvement Co., whose membership included John D. Rockefeller, blocked the advance of Pennsylvania oil producers by obtaining railroad freight rebates, Archbold united the leading men of the Titusville region and defeated this strong Cleveland group. He then joined the Cleveland combination in working out a national organization to control the oil industry. John Dustin Archbold was a key executive in the growth and success of the Standard Oil Company. He became a Director of Standard Oil of Ohio Company in 1875 and by 1897 was functionally in charge of the company. As president (1896-1911) of Standard Oil Company of New Jersey (founded 1882) he was largely instrumental in building up that corporation’s business. From 1882 until his death he was dominant in Standard Oil Company policy, acted as spokesman for the company, and improved the product and it’s distribution. Over 30 years (1893-1914) he contributed funds (nearly $6,000,000) for 8 buildings at Syracuse University, including the full cost of the Archbold stadium (opened 1907, demolished 1972), Sims Hall (men's dormitory, 1907), the Archbold gymnasium (1909, nearly destroyed by fire in 1947 but still in use), and the oval athletic field. A bequest from his estate gave an additional $500,000 to the university. Among his other charities was the New York Kindergarten Association, for which he built its headquarters building, in memory of his deceased daughter, Frances Dana Wolcott, and for which he also provided an endowment fund of $100,000. His grandson, Richard Archbold, founded the Archbold Biological Station in 1941 In 1911, at the dissolution of the original company, he became president of Standard Oil of New Jersey.

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.

More research needed on George Davidson Rogers.

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