Johnson Oil Co. Not to be confused with the highly collectiable Johnson Oil of Chicago, this company from Lakeview, Michigan was founded in 1926. It is thought to be an Imperial jobber during Imperial’s had refineries and marketing networks. They continue to market under the Imperial name in Michigan and Indiana and is not associated with Marathon marketing.
Port Oil Co. Marketer in North and South Carolina, purchased by Marathon/Emro in 1984.
Value-Webster Service Stations. North/South Carolina marketer purchsed by Marathon/Emro in 1984.
Ecol. Southeast regional marketer purchased by Marathon/Emro in 1984.
Globe Oil Company. Regional independent that marketed in Georgia and North/South Carolina. Globe was the originator of the “Starvin Marvin” convenience store operation. The name was adopted by Marathon/Emro after the 1985 purchase.
Rock Island Refining. Founded in the 1920's, Rock Island was a mid-continent marketer until WW2. Having shifted to war time refining, the company had abandoned all retail gasoline until the 1046 purchase by the Koch family. Now based out of Indianapolis, it became a major source of unbranded gasoline for independent marketers. Over the years, the company acquired several Indian and Michigan marketers including Colonial/Progressive, Tulsa, United, Naph-Sol and Golden Imperial. By mid 1980's “United” had become the primary brand replacing the others. In 1989 Marathon/Emro purchase Rock Island and many United locations were converted to the Speedway brand.
Golden Imperial. Purchased by Rock Island in the 1970's.
Colonial/Progressive. Independent marketer, founded in the 1930's, with Colonial stations in Indiana and Progressive stations in Michigan. Sold to Rock Island in 1960's.
Tulsa Oil Co. Old Detroit independent that was sold to Crystal Refining in the early 1970's, then purchased by Rock Island in 1978. The United brand name replaced Tulsa in 1985.
United. An Indianapolis based marketer, United was purchased by Rock Island in 1985 and became the brand name used to consolidate all of Rock Island’s marketing. Most of the United stations were rebranded Speedway in 1990 but some remain United.
Naph-Sol Refining Co. In 1932, Naph-Sol entered gasoline marketing with the intrduction of Zephyr gasoline. Continued marketing until the 1989 purchase by Rock Island Refining. Several Michigan jobbers continue to use the Zephyr brand today.
Osceola refining Co. Refiner/marketer purchased by United Refining in 1973. Then purchased by Naph-Sol after the oil embargo of the mid 1970's.
J.A. Hogshire Oil Company. Founded in 1926 as an original member of the Independent Oil Men of America, Hogshire operated under the Criteria brand. In 1937 the Wake Up brand was introduced. Marathon/Emro purchased Wake Up in the early 1990's and continues to brand stations with the wake Up name today.
Kwik Sak. Nashville, Tn. Based convenience store chain purchased by Marathon/Emro in mid 1990's.
Martin Oil Service. A division that expanded coast to coast in the late 1950's. Sold to Marathon/Emro in 1993 and operating stations continue in Illinois and Indiana.
