Over the years the product line of Acme increased. This 1940s catalog indicates they were also involved in the drilling of water wells. Acme Fishing Tool Co. was closed in the 1990s by its then president, David L. McKain, grandson of the founder. In 1994, David McKain coauthored the book, “Where It All Began,” with Bernard L. Allen. In 1989, McCain and Paul C. Hoblitzell founded the Oil and Gas Museum in downtown Parkersburg. McKain died in 2014. (Image Provided)

FISHING TOOL COMPANY FIRST IN THE STATE

McKain-Davis Fishing Tool Company Began Business in 1908 – Product Has a Great Reputation Wherever Oil Fields are Located – The Company Will Soon Move to New and More Suitable Location.

The McKain-Davis Fishing Tool Company, of this city, is the oldest manufacturing concern in West Virginia of oil well supplies and fishing tools, for it recently succeeded to the business of the J.B. McKain Fishing Tool Company, which was organized and began business in 1898.

J.B. McKain came to Parkersburg a few years before from the Pennsylvania oil fields, where he had been prominent in the business. While oil was found in large quantities in several pools of this section of the state, all the drilling supplies of every character were being supplied from Pittsburgh and other manufacturing cities outside the state. McKain saw that a local concern could better meet the demand and that Parkersburg would be the center of the oil and gas industry for many years. He built the plant in North Parkersburg, with the necessary shops, and began to manufacture all types of tools and supplies connected with the industry. His judgement was immediately justified because the oil and gas fields spread out practically all over the state, and the demands for his products steadily increased from year to year.

Company Reorganized.

But in March of this year [1924], the company was reorganized under the name of the McKain-Davis Fishing Tool Company, and preparations are now being made for a further expansion and growth of the business. J.B. McKain is president of the company, and Thomas H. Davis is secretary and treasurer. The new company will shortly move the shops from the present location to a more suitable one, but not yet absolutely decided upon. Though one thing has been settled, and that is that it will remain on the north side of the Little Kanawha, and will not go to the industrial South Side.

The products of this company, since its organization some 26 years ago, have been sent to all parts of the world where oil has been sought, due to the reputation of the company for furnishing high-class tools. That will stand the test of the most arduous service.

The Parkersburg News

May 19, 1924

More of the story. The former president of Acme Fishing Tool Co. was George L. McKain. J. B. McKain, mentioned in the item above, was his brother. George McKain died in July of 1918 when he attempted to save Clarence Kibler, an employee of the company, from drowning. Tragically, they both drowned. Kibler was a guest of McKain and his family at their weekend camp near Lock #1 in the Little Kanawha River. A display of tools and oil well items manufactured by the company can be seen at the Oil and Gas Museum.

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Bob Enoch is president of the Wood County Historical and Preservation Society. If you have comments or questions about Look Back items, please contact him at: roberteenoch@gmail.com, or by mail at WCHPS, PO Box 565, Parkersburg, WV 26102.