1921
It all starts!! Frank and Johanna Cole moved from the Medford area to Lomira and became the Standard Oil agent for the area. Those were the days of horse and buggy or sleigh deliveries. If the roads were good in summer a truck was used. The storage tanks and buildings were located on South Pleasant Hill Ave.-which is still our Cole Oil Bulk Plant.
1940
John Cole joined his father, Frank, in the business. Around that time metered gas trucks came into use- previous to that they carried gas and kerosene in 5 gallon buckets to fill customer tanks.
1946
Frank died as the result of a truck accident while delivering fuel. John then took over the agency and his wife, Dorothy, did the bookwork. They proudly sold and delivered Standard Oil products to Lomira customers and the surrounding community for thirty years.
1976
John retired - Standard Oil made some changes and Ron purchased the business from his father and it then became known as Cole Oil Co., which seemed the right way to name it being the Cole's now served the area customers for a total of 55 years. At this time Ron owned two delivery trucks and a small bulk plant. Dick Haefs started on the delivery truck in 1976. Ron's wife, Karen, (who wasn't new to owning her own business because she ran her own beauty shop in Lomira for 13 years previously) did the bookwork now.
1983
Purchased and operated NFDL Amoco gas station and repair business at 550 Van Dyne Rd., NFDL, but sold it in 1994.
1987
Tony Cole, Ron and Karen's oldest son, joined the business as a driver.
1987
Purchased Cole's BP Lomira location from RC Luedtke. This building dates back to approximately 1925 and was built by Wm. Beitz. When Cole's purchased it was started as a car repair and gas station. Since then it has been remodeled three or four times. It is now a convenience store with gas, diesel, kerosene and propane for portable tanks. The latest remodeling has just been finished with a new restroom area and enlarged store and deli area. We have also added an ATM and 24 hour Pay at the Pump for customer convenience.
1988
Fondy Fuel Mart was purchased at 1305 S. Main St. in Fond du Lac. It was a greyhound bus station along with a gas and diesel station until 1994. This business has since been sold in 2002.
1990
Our office was moved out of our house to its present location at 819 Milwaukee St. In the office at this time are Traci Cole-Michaels, Janice Flitter, Karin Weiglein, and Kathi Weninger as well as Karen Cole to handle bookkeeping and dispatching trucks.
1990
Propane was added to our business. We added three large storage tanks to our existing bulk plant. We have 2 full time propane drivers, Tom Cole and Jim (Fuzzy) Flitter, and a part time service man Mike Holzman. Some of our other drivers also help out with propane during the busy time of year.
1991
Cole Oil Co. purchased fuel the oil business from Shefond Oil Co. in Campbellsport and expanded our delivery area. Five full time drivers are Bob Miller, Steve Schill, Fred Feucht, Dan Stoffel and Bill Lisko.
Dick Haefs and Orville Glass have retired.
1994
Cole's BP Brownsville was started in August. This location has gas, diesel, LP exchange for small tanks, an ATM machine, and 24hr "Pay at the Pump”, as well as a large convenience store with deli area, beer and grocery items.
We serve hot daily lunch specials Monday through Friday.
1995
The purchase of Youngbeck Oil Co., Mayville, came about. We were fortunate to have former owner John Youngbeck work for Cole Oil Co. for several years but he has since retired. We have a bulk plant in Mayville with an unattended cardlock system set up that communicates via computer to our home office.
1996
"A Unique Stop - The Hi Way Hop". This location consists of a very up to date station with card readers to purchase fuel and car washes 24 hours a day. Diesel islands with both on and off road diesel, two manual car wash bays, two touchless laser car wash bays, and a "Have it your way Burger King" are the features of this station. This location is a 50's and 60's classic look from the minute you enter the lobby where you are greeted by Laurel & Hardy or Elvis. There are special items on display such as a working Wurlitzer jukebox, a couple of old-time gas pumps, an extensive model car display, and a coca-cola display. There are also old-time items such as hula hoops, monkey doll, and Howdy Doody. We also have an ATM and inside payphones and credit card phones.
1999
Our most recent purchase is Caves Oil Co. from Mayville. It was formerly owned by Dennis and Bonnie Caves. Steve Caves stayed on for awhile as a driver, but has since moved on.
2007
Tony Cole is spending more time in the office helping his Dad, Ron, manage the business as well as delivering motor oil. Bill Lisko has taken over Tony's truck route.
2008
A new car wash, featuring a touchless laser bay, two manual car wash bays, and a dog wash room is being added to the Brownsville location. A new diesel island and canopy will be added in the near future.
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Ron and Karen are very proud of their family business. Their three children, Traci, Tony and Tom (the fourth generation of Cole's) all work in the business. Tony started on the delivery truck in 1987, Traci works in the office and Tom joined on as a propane driver, but all help out where needed. Traci and Tom and their families reside in Lomira, while Tony and his family live in Fond du Lac.
Ron and Karen at present have five granddaughters and three grandsons to help keep them busy along with business. We are very happy to continue to serve all of our customers in our business that continues with the motto "CUSTOMERS ARE ALWAYS FIRST"!!
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