Matthew Ewing
Matthew Ewing | |
|---|---|
| Born | January 10, 1815 Flloyd, New York |
| Died | December 31, 1874 (aged 59) Monroe County, New York |
| Occupations | Businessman, inventor, farmer |
| Spouse |
Sara Ewing (m. 1839) |
| Children | 4 |
Matthew Ewing (January 10, 1815 – 1874) was an American carpenter and inventor. He is known as the cofounder of the Vacuum Oil Company with business partner Hiram Bond Everest.
Biography
[edit]Ewing was born January 10, 1815, in Floyd, New York.[1] The Ewing family moved to Rochester, New York, in 1857. During the Civil War, he enlisted alongside his son in Co. G of the 108th NY Infantry.[1] Ewing was a carpenter by trade, and also an inventor. [2]
After the Civil War, Ewing invented a vacuum distillation method for producing kerosene from crude oil.[3] The byproduct of the process was a residue that became a superior lubricant.[4] His invention was patented and with the financial backing of Hiram Bond Everest, he founded the Vacuum Oil Company in 1866.[4] Ewing later sold his share in the company to Everest.[5]
Marriage and children
[edit]Matthew and Sarah Ewing married c. 1839 and had 4 children: Emma, Mary, George P. and Alma.
Death and afterward
[edit]Ewing died in 1874.[1] In 1879 the Standard Oil Co. purchased a three-quarters interest in Vacuum Oil Company for $200,000. As a lubricants pioneer, Vacuum Oil introduced revolutionary products, such as Gargoyle 600-W Steam Cylinder Oil. The Standard Oil company grew into what is today known as ExxonMobil.[6]
References
[edit]- 1 2 3 Evans, Edwin C. (2018). History of the Town of Floyd, New York. FriesenPress. p. 114. ISBN 978-1-5255-1514-9.
- ↑ "Baltimore Sun". December 2, 1998. Archived from the original on December 23, 2011.
- ↑ Kaszynski, William (January 2000). The American highway: the history and culture of roads in the United States. ISBN 9780786408221. Retrieved July 31, 2010.
- 1 2 Kaszynski, William (2000). The American Highway: The History and Culture of Roads in the United States. McFarland. p. 49. ISBN 978-0-7864-0822-1.
- ↑ "Business: Vacuum Standardized". Time. 1930-03-03. Archived from the original on July 16, 2010.
- ↑ "Exon Mobil website corporate history". Retrieved July 31, 2010.