William Lamon Harkness

Biography

William Lamon Harkness, born in 1858, played a prominent role in America’s industrial age through his leadership at the heart of Standard Oil and other enterprises shaped by the era’s remarkable expansion. Known for his business acumen and careful stewardship of resources, he became a key figure in the complex economic forces shaping the nation.

His philanthropic interests, including support for education and civic institutions, reflected a sense of responsibility toward the communities that bore witness to industrial growth. Buried in Woodlawn Cemetery, Harkness is remembered as an industrialist who guided industry with a thoughtful hand.