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STATE HISTORICAL MARKERS
~ VENANGO COUNTY ~

GALENA - SIGNAL OIL COMPANY This marker is located at corner of South Park and Liberty Street in Franklin. Administered by the Pennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission - 1999



Founded 1865. Under the leadership of Charles Miller and Joseph Sibley, it produced high-quality lubricants used by most U. S. railroads. Purchased 1878 by John D. Rockefeller's Standard Oil, which used Galena - Signal products to gain dominance over area railroads and a virtual monopoly of the U. S. oil industry. Independent after the breakup of Standard Oil in 1911. Absorbed 1931 by Valvoline. Headquarters located here, 1901 - 1931.

General Charles Miller was born June 15, 1843, in Oberhoffen, Canton de Highweller, Alsace, France, the son of Christian and Magdalena Voeltzel Miller. In 1854 the Miller family immigrated to the United States settling near Boston, Erie Co., NY. General Miller came to Franklin, Venango Co., PA in 1864, after his discharge from the New York National Guard. His brother-in-law, Joseph Sibley, came to the area and worked with Miller in the dry goods business. With the discovery of oil, General Miller started the Galena Oil Works that specialized in a railroad lubricating oil.

Donated by Penny Haylett Minnick
pictures Penny Haylett Minnick