"FRANKLIN S TARBELL DIED ON WEDNESDAY - Had Been a Resident Here for Thirty-six Years - Formerly Built Oil Tanks - But of Recent Years Had Engaged in Oil Production - Prominent Member of the Methodist Church - Franklin Sumner Tarbell is dead. He passed beyond the pale of mortality at 3:20 o'clock Wednesday afternoon. In his going the community loses a valued citizen, the family a devoted husband and father, the church a true Christian gentleman and the world a man of integrity and purpose. In the late afternoon the news of his death was known in all parts of the city. There was but one comment. He was an honest, whole-souled man, loved by those who knew him and respected by everyone. Until Dec 21 Mr Tarbell attended to his business personally and was in his usual health. Just before Christmas he and Mrs Tarbell went to Philadelphia to spend the holidays with their son, W W Tarbell. Within a few days Mr Tarbell became sick, some stomach trouble developing. At first it was believed that he was tired or only suffering from a temporary ailment. He was taken to Clifton Springs, NY, for treatment at a sanitarium in the hope that something might be done for him. He showed little improvement and the members of the family were informed by physicians that his illness would probably prove fatal. He expressed a desire to return to the family residence here and came two weeks ago. For a few days following he showed signs of improvement and early last week was considerably better. He suffered a relapse and since Saturday there had been no hope of saving his life. Mr Tarbell was born at Oxford, NY, Oct 21, 1829. His father, William Tarbell, was a native of New Hampshire, who served through the war of 1812. He was made a captain for services to his country at the battle of Lundy's Lane. Later, after his removal to Chenango county, NY, he was commissioned a lieutenant colonel by Governor DeWitt Clinton. A few years afterward Governor Polock appointed him a colonel in the New York militia. William Tarbell's wife was Asenath Howe of Oxford. He died in Beaver township, this county, at the age of 87 years. When F S Tarbell was 18 years of age he moved with his father's family to Wattsburg, Erie county. After graduating at the Jamestown academy, he taught school in Jamestown for a time. Later he engaged in the mercantile business on the Ohio river. His partner in the enterprise was the father of George B W Brown of Titusville. After leaving this business he was married on April 20, 1856, to Miss Esther Ann McCullough of Erie county. Within a short time of his marriage Mr Tarbell went to Iowa, where he prepared a home for his wife. He returned from Iowa about the time of the discovery of oil. It was his intention to return west immediately. Prompted as much by curiosity as by any other motive, in 1860 he came to the creek merely as a sight seeker. He became interested in the new development and set about devising a receptacle for storing oil. He erected the first large round wooden tank built on Oil creek. For ten years he carried on tank building, having shops at Rouseville, Pithole and Shamburg. During this period he lived at Rouseville. He manufactured wooden tankage on a large scale. As there were neither iron storage tanks nor pipe lines prior to 1865, he did a flourishing business. Mr Tarbell engaged in oil producing in 1867. He operated on the Shaw and Hess farms near Rouseville. Later he was interested on Cherry run, at St Petersburg, Clarion county, at Karns City and other points in Butler county. He operated extensively in the Bradford field. In 1885 he became associated with the Drake Petroleum company, developing the Drake property near Grand Valley. At the time of his death Mr Tarbell still owned an interest in this production. He spent almost his entire life in the oil business and was successful in his operations. In 1869 Mr Tarbell moved from Rouseville to Titusville, where he had built the house on East Main street which he and his family have since occupied. He was a member of the official board of the Methodist Episcopal church for over thirty years. For the last twenty-five years he had taught a class in the Sabbath school. He was always deeply interested in matters touching the church. From the inception to the final completion of the new Methodist church building he was one of the most interested and influential members of the congregation. Although an excellent business man, alert and active through a successful career, Mr Tarbell found his greatest happiness in his home. He was profoundly anxious that his children should be educated. Perhaps the greatest happiness of his life has been the success attending them in their chosen vocations. His son, William Walter Tarbell, is treasurer of the United States Pipe Line company. Until a few months ago he was located in the Titusville offices, but has recently removed to Philadelphia. His older daughter, Miss Ida M Tarbell, is one of the editors of McClure's magazine. She is the author of several successful historical works, including 'The Life of Abraham Lincoln' and 'A History of the Standard Oil Company.' The youngest daughter, Miss Sara A Tarbell, is an artist of recognized ability. She has but recently returned from studies in Paris. Funeral services in memory of Mr Tarbell will be held at the residence, East Main street, at 2 o'clock Friday afternoon. Rev W P Murray, pastor of the Methodist Episcopal church, will be the clergyman. Interment will be made in Woodlawn cemetery."
(Titusville Herald, Mar 2, 1905, p.2)