During a period of connection with the Standard Oil Company dating from 1897, J. C. Black has become known as one of the most capable and reliable representatives of that great corporation. He has risen in its service until he is now chief engineer at the large refining plant at Point Richmond. He was born in Indiana and reared in Chicago, Illinois, acquiring his education in the public schools of that city and in Armour Institute.
Following the completion of his studies J. C. Black entered the employ of the Standard Oil Company, a concern with which many of the members of his family had previously been identified. He first joined the company in 1897 at the refinery at Whiting, Indiana, and so quickly proved his ability that when they decided to erect a mammoth refining plant at Point Richmond in 1901 he was chosen to take charge of this work. He arrived in Point Richmond October 7, 1901, and has since remained a resident, witnessing the development of a little village into a prosperous community of sixteen thousand inhabitants. Mr. Black had charge of all the construction work at the plant, which is one of the largest oil refineries west of the Mississippi river. It was erected at a cost of many millions of dollars and has since made Point Richmond famous as an oil-shipping center, the shipments averaging over one and one-half million tons a year. The capacity of the plant, which now covers three hundred acres of land and gives employment to two thousand men, will be doubled in the near future. Thus the importance of Mr. Black's position as chief engineer may readily be seen. Through seventeen years' connection with the Standard Oil Company he has proven his capability in positions of trust and responsibility as well as his integrity of character and his superior professional attainments.
Mr. Black is a director in the First National Bank of Richmond and has become well known in business circles of the city, where his ability and honesty are recognized and respected. He commands and holds the confidence and regard of all who are in any way associated with him.
Past and Present of Alameda County California, Vol. II
Published in Chicago by The S. J. Clarke Publishing Company
1914
Transcribed by Linda Jackson 8/10/2008, Pages 561-563
Alameda County Biographies ~ Archive Biography Index ~ Archive Index
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