John S. Wold papers, 1927-2017

John Schiller Wold (August 31, 1916 – February 19, 2017) was a geologist, Wyoming business leader, and a representative in both the Wyoming House of Representatives and U.S. House of Representatives. He attended Cornell University and Union College, receiving his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in geology. Wold first moved to Wyoming in 1949 with his wife, Jane, to work for Barnsdall Oil Company. The following year, he started his own outfit, Wold Oil and Gas. In 1956 Wold was elected to the Wyoming Legislature, becoming the youngest committee chairman in Wyoming history. In 1968 he was elected to the United States House of Representatives for Wyoming and served from 1969 to 1971. Wold was the first professional geologist to serve in Congress. His two sons, Peter and Jack, joined their father’s business in the ‘70s and ‘80s, and run it today.