Before 1859, people drilled wells in search of water, salt, or brine (saltwater). Salt was especially important to early settlers in America because it was used to preserve food. In Pennsylvania, wells often became contaminated with oil, a nuisance to salt producers. But in the mid-1800s kerosene, a product of crude oil, was discovered. Kerosene proved to be an excellent fuel for oil lamps, which were then an important source of illumination. Samuel Kier, a salt producer whose well had been ruined by the seeping oil, began selling oil-burning lamps to provide a market for his unanticipated product. He also promoted the use of mineral oil as a medicine.

About this time, two American businessmen, George Bissell (1821-1884) and Jonathan Elvereth, became intrigued with the possibilities of producing more oil for the lighting market. In 1854 they formed a partnership, the Pennsylvania Rock Oil Company...