He well deserved his fortune.
It was in 1862 that the great oil wells of Pennsylvania attracted attention.

My friend Mr.William Coleman, whose daughter became, at a later date, my sister-in-law, was deeply interested in the discovery, and nothing would do but that I should take a trip with him to the oil regions.

It was a most interesting excursion.

There had been a rush to the oil fields and the influx was so great that it was impossible for all to obtain shelter.

This, however, to the class of men who flocked thither, was but a slight drawback.