Which company, later named Marathon, was the largest of Standard Oil's producing companies before the 1911 dissolution?

Which company, later named Marathon, was the largest of Standard Oil's producing companies before the 1911 dissolution?

• A. Ohio Oil Company
• B. Sunoco
• C. Mobil
• D. Amoco

Answer: (A)

The key idea is tracing Marathon Oil’s heritage to the largest Standard Oil producer before the 1911 breakup. That company was the Ohio Oil Company. It stood out as Standard Oil’s biggest producing arm, and after Standard Oil was dissolved in 1911, Ohio Oil continued as a major independent producer. In the following years it adopted the Marathon name, becoming Marathon Oil. The other names—Sunoco, Mobil, and Amoco—come from different Standard Oil lineages and did not become Marathon.

The key idea is tracing Marathon Oil’s heritage to the largest Standard Oil producer before the 1911 breakup. That company was the Ohio Oil Company. It stood out as Standard Oil’s biggest producing arm, and after Standard Oil was dissolved in 1911, Ohio Oil continued as a major independent producer. In the following years it adopted the Marathon name, becoming Marathon Oil. The other names—Sunoco, Mobil, and Amoco—come from different Standard Oil lineages and did not become Marathon.