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Edward L. Doheny (1856-1935), sometimes a controversial individual, made millions in the Kern County oilfields.

William E. Youle (1847-1926) came to California in 1877 and helped drill the first commercial oil well in the state, in Bakersfield. He was active in the Maricopa and McKittrick oil fields, and he drilled the first oil well in the Midway field.

F. B. Henderson was active in the Taft oil industry in the early years of the 20th century. In 1903, he represented the Associated Oil Company at a state-wide oil industry conference.

Stanley Abel (1892-1975), who served as Kern County's Fourth District Supervisor for 24 years. He served as publisher of Taft's Oilfield Dispatch. Mount Abel (Cerro Noroeste) and Abel Canyon were named after him. He resided in Kern County…

Harry A. Hopkins (1882-1957), a prominent Bakersfield businessman and oilman of the Taft area. He was elected to the first board of trustees upon Taft's incorporation in 1910.