Sheldon Gas Company. Celebrating 100 Years!

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Maude Lewis
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1 Sheldon Gas Company Celebrating 100 Years!

2 About Us Sheldon Gas Co. A natural gas distribution company Located in Dunkirk, OH Population 1,000 5 Generations of Sheldon family ownership

3 About Us Provide service to 5 towns and their surrounding areas Dunkirk Dola Forest Vanlue Kenton Serve 1375 customers Operate 47 miles of pipeline

4 About Us 9 Full Time Employees Back: Rod, Richard, Brock, Codee Front: Ben, Kathy, Pam, Justin, Cody

5 Our History The business began Sept. 1, 1914 as the Bert L. Sheldon Co. Granted a franchise by The Council of the Village of Dunkirk for the laying of pipes for natural gas Prior to this time (late 1880s to early 1900s), members of the Sheldon family, including Bert and his father, drilled gas wells throughout NW Ohio Many in the Dunkirk, Patterson, Forest, Kenton, and southern Hancock County areas Bert is credited with drilling 42 wells in the Dunkirk/Blanchard Township area

6 Our History Shooting the Well Photo of a gas well drilled by Bert L. Sheldon on the JR Wilson farm Hardin County

7 1916 B.L. Sheldon Co. Business ledger indicating profits for Our History

8 Our History Ledger entries showing customer accounts totaling $12.30 and $14.40 for the year 1916

9 Our History As more gas wells were drilled, pipelines connecting the wells were laid and run to Dunkirk and nearby Blanchard Township These local wells supplied Dunkirk and the surrounding area until 1956 when they could no longer keep up with the demand

10 Our History In 1956, under the name Sheldon Gas Company, an application was made to the Federal Power Commission to connect to gas lines operated by the Ohio Fuel Gas Co. to meet the increased demand

11 1956 Application to FPC (page 1)

12 1956 Application to FPC indicating 1955 Net Income of $38.83

13 Celebrating 5 Generations of Sheldon Family Ownership

14 Bert L. Sheldon 1 st Generation Company founder Born Aug. 10, 1880 Grew up around and worked for his father s drilling business Started the Bert L. Sheldon Co. in 1914 Owned and operated the business until his death in May, 1956 Drilled 42 gas wells in the Dunkirk area Laid pipeline to provide gas to the Dunkirk area, its residents and businesses

15 Bert L. Sheldon 1 st Generation Bert L. Sheldon at his desk in the company office located at 301 N. Main St., Dunkirk, OH. (1941)

16 Russell H. Sheldon 2 nd Generation Son of Bert L. Sheldon Joined the business after spending 2 yrs. at the Colorado School of Mining Took over business upon Bert s death in 1956 Contracted with Ohio Fuel Gas Co. to meet the growing demand for gas in Dunkirk Russell H. Sheldon Continued to drill gas wells into the 1960 s

17 Bert Sheldon 3 rd Generation Grandson of Bert L. Sheldon Son of Russell Joined Air Force after H.S. Served 4 yrs. in England and Texas Joined business after A.F. Assumed ownership after buying out Russell in 1970 Assisted by his wife Martha Martha and Bert Sheldon

18 Bert Sheldon 3 rd Generation Greatly expanded the business Purchased the Forest Gas Co Purchased the Vanlue Gas Co Built new (and present) company headquarters 1980 Expanded lines near Kenton 1988 Worked steadily at plugging abandoned gas wells in the 1970s and 1980s Sold last drilling rig in 1985 Transitioned that portion of the business to directional boring in 1994

19 Bert Sheldon 3 rd Generation Instrumental in forming the Ohio Gas Association in the early 1970 s Early OGA Meeting Bert Sheldon front row 3 rd from left

20 Richard Walden 4 th Generation Great-grandson of Bert L. Sheldon Grandson of Russell Nephew of Bert Current owner Has hung around the business all his life

21 Richard Walden 4 th Generation Upon graduating H.S., worked for the drilling portion of the business After the last drilling rig was sold in 1985, began working for Sheldon Gas Co. Assumed ownership of the business in 1998 when Bert and Martha retired Lindsay, Lisa and Richard Walden

22 Lindsay Marie Walden 5 th Generation Great-great-granddaughter of Bert L. Sheldon Great-granddaughter of Russell Great-niece of Bert Daughter of Richard Walden Senior at Ada H.S. Plays volleyball, basketball and track, class officer, student council member Searching for a college and a major!

Lindsay Marie Walden 5 th Generation Although she has hung around the business all her life and looks forward to one day owning the company, Lindsay is not sure if she

23 Lindsay Marie Walden 5 th Generation Although she has hung around the business all her life and looks forward to one day owning the company, Lindsay is not sure if she wants to be involved in the day to day operations like her dad. So Codee Morris was hired in 2013 as the Business Manager to begin learning the ropes Codee, Lindsay and Richard

24 Our Longevity How have we survived for 100 years? An innate love of the natural gas and drilling business We have grown up with it This is what we do We appreciate and enjoy working with others in the natural gas business The OGA! Regional and local business organizations

25 Our Longevity How have we survived for 100 years? A desire to support and serve our community 100 years of supporting: The Dunkirk/Dola Community Park Hardin Northern, Riverdale, and Vanlue Schools Numerous local athletic teams Community parades, festivals, and fundraisers Our friends and neighbors in need

26 Our Longevity In honor of Sheldon Gas Company s service to their community, the Blanchard Township Trustees named Blanchard Twp. Rd. 50, Sheldon Road In 1982

27 Our Employees A vital part of the Sheldon Gas Company Family We couldn t do it without them!

28 The Crew Justin Spooler (1 yr.), Cody Geiger (5 yrs.) Rod Thacker (20 yrs.), Codee Morris (9 yrs.), Brock Pore (9 yrs.), Ben Pore (8 yrs.), and Richard Walden

29 Administrative Staff The Brains of the Operation Pam Messmer (39 yrs.) and Kathy Schroeder (19 yrs.)

30 The Gas House Gang! Looking forward to the next 100 years!

31 Thank You! The Sheldon Gas Co. and members of the Sheldon family wish to thank the OGA and its members for the many years of support and encouragement given to our company! Thank you for your attendance and attention today!

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