Archives West Finding Aid
Table of Contents
Ralph O. Dietler papers, 1917-1974
Overview of the Collection
- Creator
- Dietler, Ralph O., 1890-1973
- Title
- Ralph O. Dietler papers
- Dates
- 1917-1974 (inclusive)19171974
- Quantity
- 1.60 cubic ft. (1 document box, 1 F24 Box, 1 MPT Map Box)
- Collection Number
- 06374
- Summary
- Papers document Ralph O. Dietler’s career and affiliations in the early stages of the crude oil purchasing industry.
- Repository
-
American Heritage Center, University of Wyoming
American Heritage Center
University of Wyoming
1000 E. University Ave.
Dept. 3924
Laramie, WY
82071
Telephone: 3077663756
ahcref@uwyo.edu - Access Restrictions
-
Access Restrictions
There are no access restrictions on the materials for research purposes, and the collection is open to the public.
- Languages
- English
- Sponsor
- The creation of the EAD-version of this finding aid was made possible through a grant from the National Historic Publications and Records Commission.
Historical NoteReturn to Top
A pioneer in the crude oil purchasing phase of the petroleum industry, Ralph Otto Dietler was born December 31, 1890 in Denver, Colorado, to Alioyese and Mary Ellen (Needham) Dietler. He was educated in Denver public schools. He married Christabel E. Scoville November 27, 1920, and had one son, Cortlandt S. Dietler. One of his first jobs was as a salesman of railway supplies for the A.T. Herr Supply Company of Denver, where he worked from 1907 to 1912. In 1912, he became a traveling secretary to the vice president of the Colorado and Southern Railway and, in 1916, was offered a similar position in Chicago for the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad Company, working there until 1918. Drafted into the U.S. Army to serve in the First World War, he served as sergeant 1st class in the Corps of Railroad Engineers from 1918 to 1919, then mustered out following the armistice and moved back to Denver.
Dietler began his oil industry career in 1919 with the Midwest Refining Company of Denver as a stenographer and private secretary to the director, Henry M. Blackmer. He was promoted to the position of assistant to the president in 1928. When Midwest Refining Company was dissolved, following its purchase by Standard Oil Company of Indiana, Dietler transferred to Tulsa to become vice president of Stanolind Crude Oil Purchasing Company, Indiana Standard’s crude buying affiliate. He served Stanolind as vice president from 1931 to 1940, president from 1940 to 1948, and chairman of the board from 1948 to 1955.
Dietler retired from Stanolind in 1955 to work as a private consultant and independent oil producer. He served on the executive committee of the Kansas-Oklahoma division of the Mid-Continent Oil & Gas Association from 1955 to 1956, and he was director of the International Petroleum Exposition held in Tulsa in May, 1959. Hailed as one of the foremost leaders in civic matters in Tulsa, he served on the board of Trustees of Tulsa University for several years and on various committees of the Chamber of Commerce. He was elected to the board of directors and as vice chairman of the Tulsa County chapter of the American Red Cross in 1951 and served as chairman from 1953 to 1956. Ralph O. Dietler died in Tulsa September 19, 1973, at the age of 80.
Content DescriptionReturn to Top
The Ralph O. Dietler papers document Mr. Dietler’s career and affiliations in the early stages of the crude oil purchasing industry.
Use of the CollectionReturn to Top
Restrictions on Use
Copyright InformationThe researcher assumes full responsibility for observing all copyright, property, and libel laws as they apply.
Preferred Citation
Preferred CitationItem Description, Box Number, Folder Number, Ralph O. Dietler papers, 1917-1974, Collection Number 06374, American Heritage Center, University of Wyoming.
Administrative InformationReturn to Top
Related Materials
Related MaterialsThere are no other known archival collections created by Ralph O. Dietler at the date of processing. For information on Dietler's son, Cortlandt S. Dietler, at the American Heritage Center, University of Wyoming, see:
Cortlandt S. Dietler papers, Collection Number 05329Acquisition Information
Acquisition InformationThe Ralph O. Dietler papers were given to the American Heritage Center in three shipments by his son, Cortlandt S. Dietler. The first shipment was received in October 1973, the second in January 1974, and the third in October 1976. The papers and artifacts were received in good condition.
Processing Note
Processing InformationThe collection was processed by Ronda Frazier in July 2002.
Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top
Series I.: Papers, 1917-1974Return to Top
Arranged alphabetically by folder title. Contains military papers, newspaper clippings, periodicals, photographs, transcripts of papers presented at meetings, and memoriams received by Mrs. Dietler after her husband’s death.
Container(s) | Description | Dates | |
---|---|---|---|
Box | Folder | ||
1 | 1 | Biographical |
undated |
1 | 2 | Correspondence |
1918-1964 |
1 | 3 | Interview Transcript |
1970-1971 |
1 | 4 | Memoriams |
September 1973-February 1974 |
1 | 5 | Military Papers |
1917-1942 |
1 | 6 | News Clippings |
1928-1973 |
1 | 7 | Newsletters |
June 1972, October 1973 |
1 | 8 | The Path Ahead for Oil |
October 22, 1954 |
Periodicals: |
|||
Box | Folder | ||
1 | 9 | Ethyl News |
December, 1951 |
1 | 9 | Mid-Continent News |
November-December, 1953 |
1 | 9 | Oil and Gas Journal |
December 26, 1955 |
1 | 9 | RMOGA News |
circa 1954 |
1 | 9 | The Tulsalite |
January 4, 1965 |
Box | Folder | ||
1 | 10 | Photo Album |
1956 |
1 | 11 | Photographs: Other |
1924-1964 |
1 | 12 | Photographs: Ralph and/or Christabel in photos |
1918-1963 |
1 | 13 | Programs |
1948-1973 |
1 | 14 | What Every Producer Ought to Know About Crude Oil Buying |
April 1956 |
Series II.: Oversized Materials, circa 1918-1963Return to Top
Arranged alphabetically by folder title. Contains large certificates and awards, photographs, scrapbooks, and service pins and medals.
Container(s) | Description | Dates | |
---|---|---|---|
Box | Folder | ||
2 | 1 | Certificates |
1947, 1953 |
2 | 2 | Photographs |
circa 1940, 1955 |
2 | 3 | Plaque |
undated |
2 | 4 | Scrapbooks |
circa 1918-1963 |
2 | 5 | Service Pins and Medals |
1920-1959 |
3 | Calfskin Award |
December 1955 |
Names and SubjectsReturn to Top
Subject Terms
- Petroleum industry and trade--Twentieth century.
Personal Names
- Blackmer, Henry M., 1869-1962.
Corporate Names
- Midwest Refining Company.
- Standard Oil Company (Indiana).
- Stanolind Oil and Gas Company.
Form or Genre Terms
- Scrapbooks.