The Founder Mr Carpenter Civic Leader and Geologist
The Founder Mr Carpenter a civic leader in Ottawa is noted for leadership roles in the Ottawa Chamber of Commerce and Rotary Club He helped found the Kansas Oil Men's Association and led it for 14 years He also served on the Ottawa Board of Education and the Kansas Academy of Science He holds an honorary Doctor of Letters from Ottawa University His lifelong passion for geology spurred rock hound clubs and his basement collection drawn thousands of visitors
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Carpenter
Ottawa Chamber of Commerce
Ottawa Rotary Club
Ottawa Board of Education
Kansas Oil Men’s Association
National Oil Men’s Association
Kansas Academy of Science
Ottawa University
Lest Oil Co Led Paola Growth From Kerosene Roots
The Lest Oil Co founded in 1910 in Paola Kansas by A C Carpenter and A J Lesh grew from kerosene sales to a broad wholesaling and service network. Starting with bicycle deliveries and wooden barrels, the firm expanded to bulk stations, service centers, a compounding plant, and multiple towns, adjusting operations as gasoline and tractors displaced horses. By 50 years, leadership shifted toward bulk wholesaling and allied petroleum lines.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Lest Oil Company
Paola
Kansas
A. C. Carpenter
A. J. Lesh
Lesh Oil Co
Lesh Oil Co expands wholesale reach in Kansas
Lesh Oil Co grows its wholesale distribution across eastern and southeastern Kansas. It now covers Lawrence to the Missouri line and Emporia to Council Grove, adding Pennzoil exclusive distributor rights in eastern Kansas south to the Oklahoma border. President Ray Schmidt leads three sales reps Bob Moore Ron Haug and Denny Gish.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Lesh Oil Co
Lawrence
Olathe
Kansas City
Emporia
Council Grove
Pennzoil
Kansas
Oklahoma
Bob Moore
Ron Haug
Denny Gish
Also Mentioned on This Page
Ottawa
Ray Schmidt Pres
Wilson and Locust Streets
Sales Rep
Dennis Gish
Mr. Carpenter
S. Main
Ogg
Lesh
LeMasters Garage
N. Main
Iola
Wilson
Locust
Golden Glow Auto
Anco Tractor
Eleanor Randel
Vera Weber
Max Ward
Earl Farris
Jim Corcoran
Conocoland Valvoline
B. F. Goodrich
Pennsylvania
Exide
Ray Schmidt
Mr. Ward
This is just the beginning! Our collection holds over 300 years of history, including rare newspapers, obituaries, marriage records, birth records, and so much more—most of which you won’t find anywhere else!