John Washington Steele
Encyclopedia
John Washington Steele (born in Sheakleyville, Pa. 1843; died in Fort Crook
, Nebraska in December, 1920), also known as Coal Oil Johnny, was one of the first oil millionnaires acquiring their wealth from the oil discovered in Pennsylvania in the mid-19th century. In 1864, soon after wealth came to him through inheritance from the McClintocks' oil, the orphan John Steele left the farm which he had inherited from his foster or adoptive family, the McClintocks, and began a lavish and picturesque life, rapidly spending his way through his fortune. He was often seen in Philadelphia riding in his carriage with "the picture of an oil derrick, an oil tank, and a flowing well" painted on its doors. Steele eventually sold his farm to William H. Wickham
.,,. In 1862, he had married Eleanor J. Moffett, who survived him by six years. After his lavish life-style, Steele fell into bankruptcy. He shuttled around, moving to the Mid-West, eventually becoming a railroad station agent. According to his autobiography, written in 1901, after his fall he was hounded by the public and the press and became a recluse to avoid them.
Fort Crook
Two posts of this name existed:Two posts of this name existed:Two posts of this name existed:: Fort Crook a post near Fall River Mills, California from 1857 to 1869.: Fort Crook in Nebraska, established in 1891, to replace Fort Omaha, now Offutt Air Force Base....
, Nebraska in December, 1920), also known as Coal Oil Johnny, was one of the first oil millionnaires acquiring their wealth from the oil discovered in Pennsylvania in the mid-19th century. In 1864, soon after wealth came to him through inheritance from the McClintocks' oil, the orphan John Steele left the farm which he had inherited from his foster or adoptive family, the McClintocks, and began a lavish and picturesque life, rapidly spending his way through his fortune. He was often seen in Philadelphia riding in his carriage with "the picture of an oil derrick, an oil tank, and a flowing well" painted on its doors. Steele eventually sold his farm to William H. Wickham
William H. Wickham
William H. Wickham was a New York mayor and anti-Ring Democrat who helped to topple corrupt politician Boss Tweed.-Biography:...
.,,. In 1862, he had married Eleanor J. Moffett, who survived him by six years. After his lavish life-style, Steele fell into bankruptcy. He shuttled around, moving to the Mid-West, eventually becoming a railroad station agent. According to his autobiography, written in 1901, after his fall he was hounded by the public and the press and became a recluse to avoid them.
Legacy
- "The Ballad of Coal Oil Johnny" by Angela Nuzzo. www.backtobradford.com/poetry/P3.html
- There are numerous stories that still circulate in Pennsylvania about him.
- Aites, Richard W. 2007. The Legend of Coal Oil Johnny. iUniverse: Lincoln, Neb. [Fictional account]
- His house has been preserved and moved.
- According to his autobiography, a brand of soap was named after him, much to his dislike.