1921
It all started!! Frank and
Johanna Cole moved from the Medford area to Lomira and became the
Standard Oil agent for the area. Those were the days of horse and buggy
or sleigh deliveries. If the roads were good in the summer, a truck was
used. The storage tanks and buildings were located on South Pleasant
Hill Avenue, which is the current Lomira Bulk Plant.
1940
John Cole joined his father, Frank, in the business. Around that time,
metered gas trucks came into use. Prior to that, they carried gas and
kerosene in 5-gallon buckets to fill customer tanks.
1946
Sadly,
Frank died as the result of a truck accident while delivering fuel.
John took over the agency and his wife, Dorothy, did the bookwork.
They proudly sold and delivered Standard Oil products to Lomira
customers and the surrounding community for thirty years.
1976
John retired and Standard Oil made some changes.
John's son, Ron,
purchased the business and then it became known as Cole
Oil Company; which seemed the right way to name it, being that the Cole's
served the area customers for 55 years. At the time, Ron
owned two delivery trucks and a small bulk plant. Dick Haefs started on
the delivery truck in 1976. Ron's wife, Karen, (who wasn't new to
owning her own business as she previously ran her own beauty shop in Lomira
for 13 years) did the bookwork.
1983
Cole Oil Company purchased and operated the NFDL Amoco Gas Station and
Repair Business at
550 Van Dyne Road, NFDL. but later sold it in 1994.
1987
Ron and Karen's oldest son, Tony, joined the business as a driver.
1987
Cole Oil Company purchased the Cole's BP, located in Lomira, from RC Luedtke.
The
building is dated back to approximately 1925 and was built by William Beitz. When Cole's purchased it,
it was started as a car repair and gas station. Since then it was remodeled three or four times.
1988
Cole Oil Company purchased the Fondy Fuel Mart, located at 1305 S. Main Street, in Fond du Lac. It
was a greyhound bus station, along with a gas and diesel station until
1994. This business was sold in 2002.
1990
The Cole Oil Company Office was moved out of Ron & Karen's home to 819
Milwaukee Street, Lomira.
1990
Propane was added to the business.
1991
Cole Oil Company purchased the
fuel oil business from Shefond Oil Company, in Campbellsport, and
expanded the
delivery area.
1994
Cole's BP Brownsville was
started in August.
1995
Cole Oil Company purchased Youngbeck Oil Company, located in Mayville.
The Cole's were
fortunate to have the former owner, John Youngbeck, work for Cole Oil Company for
several years, but he has since retired. The Mayville Bulk Plan
was added.
1996
"A Unique Stop
- The Hi Way Hop". This location consists of a very up to date station.
Diesel islands with both on and off road diesel, two manual car wash
bays, two touchless laser car wash bays, and a "Have it your way Burger
King" are the features of this station. This location has a 50's and
60's classic look from the minute you enter the lobby, where you are
greeted by Laurel & Hardy or Elvis. There are special items on display,
such as a working Wurlitzer jukebox, a couple of old-time gas pumps, an
extensive model car display, a coca-cola display, old-time hula hoops,
a monkey doll, and Howdy Doody.
1999
Cole Oil Company purchased Caves Oil Company, in Mayville. It
was formerly owned by Dennis and Bonnie Caves. Steve Caves stayed on
for awhile as a driver, but has since moved on.
2007
Tony started dedicating more time in the office helping Ron manage the business.
Ron & Karen's daughter, Traci, took over many of Karen's
responsibilities and their other son, Tom, started taking care of the propane end of
the business.
2008
A new car wash,
featuring a touchless laser bay, two manual car wash bays, and a dog
wash room was added to the Brownsville location.
2009
Ron and Karen "semi" retired.
2010
A new
office was built located next to the Lomira bulk plant, at 310
Pleasant Hill Avenue, in Lomira. The building helped Cole Oil Company to be
more efficient and to meet all of the customers' needs.
2011
The propane business continues
to grow! Cole Oil Company purchased a portion of Fox Valley propane and
we are
pleased to have the opportunity to serve more customers in the
delivery area.
Although Ron and Karen still come in, and
each have an office at the new location, they are both taking more time
off. They are enjoying some of the things they worked so hard for all
of their lives. They also enjoy their 5-granddaughters and
3-grandsons, all whom keep them very busy. Their children, Traci,
Tony, and Tom (the fourth generation of Cole's) are now running the
business.
|
|
Family owned
and operated
since 1921! |
|
