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acquired the Shell Station at Fifth and Georgia Streets from Dutch
Akers and Andy Cordes. The first five years were interrupted by
World War II, Ray being drafted in 1941, Alfred in 1942, and
Charles in 1943.
They retained control of the lease during the war years and on
March 1st, 1946 the brothers, now released from the Army, again
took over operation of the station. After buying it from the owners,
the Presbyterian church, it was operated as a Shell Station and
Desota Plymouth Agency until 1952 when the car agency was
discontinued.
Behind the station was a large wooden structure formerly used as a
livery stable. This later housed the Dunn & Creamer Oldsmobile Car
Agency. This was property acquired in the 1950's and was used for
several years as a warehouse. Between the station and the Post
office was a small brick building once used by Mr. Mitchell as a
monument works. This was also acquired and later was torn down
to provide additional space.
In 1951, the Duvall Bulk Plant and Agency at Clarksville was sold to
Abel Brothers. In 1952, they purchased the MoonWinx Shell Station
at Bowling Green from Mr. Claude Shaon and shortly thereafter the
Shell Station at Eolia
At this time, having become Shell agents and distributors the Abel
brothers incorporated and changed their identification to Abel Oil
Company and Abel Realty Company. Alfred was named president;
Charles, vice-president; and Ray, Secretary and treasurer.
Charles took charge of the Bowling Green operation, Alfred the Oil
Company, the bulk plants and the farm business, and Ray stayed at
Fifth and Georgia until he retired in 1961.
In 1957 the Shell Agency in Hannibal was acquired from Miller
Brothers along with their bulk plant in Oakwood, tank trucks and
equipment, farm and commercial trade. Subsequently, the three
Shell stations in Hannibal along with one at Palmyra were acquired.
In Louisiana they took over the Sinclair Stations at the bridge and on
South Highway 79, bought the Standard Oil bulk plants in Louisiana
and Clarksville, and built a new office, warehouse, and bulk plant on
property south of town on Highway 79.
Alfred retired and Charles became President and sole owner and
operator of Abel Oil Company. At this time, Nancy S. Abel became
secretary.
In the mid 1970's, Abel Oil Company began an expansion program
designed to acquire additional gasoline stations or to utilize presently
owned stations for the purpose of converting them for use as
"convenience stores". By September of 1980, with the opening of
business at a newly acquired and remodeled location at Elsberry,
Missouri, the company was operating six of these stores. Plans were
to continue the expansion program at the rate of approximately two
stores per year.
In 1980 James H. Redhage was made vice-president with Charles M.
Abel continuing as President and Nany S. Abel as secretary.
The 1980’s brought significant expansion for Abel Oil Company in
the relatively new convenience store industry. In the spring of 1982,
property was acquired and business began in Vandalia, Missouri.
Paris, Missouri followed in the fall of 1982. The balance of the 80’s
saw Abel Oil Company add 2 locations in Louisiana, 2 in Hannibal and
a location in Monroe City. In November of 1986, company co-
founder and owner, Charles M. Abel, died unexpectedly. Nancy S.
Abel continued as Corporate Secretary and sole owner. James H.
Redhage was named President and Charles and Nancy’s son, Mark M.
Abel was named Vice-President.
Continued expansion in the 1990’s added locations in New London,
New Florence and 2 locations in Mexico. In the late 90’s, all locations
were remodeled and re-imaged to the current Shell image standards.
These renovations included a complete rebuild of the Vandalia and
Palmyra locations. In 1993, Randall Anderson joined the
management of Abel Oil as the CFO and Corporate treasurer.
A location was added at Wright City in 2001 and a fourth location in
Hannibal opened in May of 2005. Currently, the company operates
19 convenience stores, a bulk plant at its home office in Louisiana, its
own fuel transportation fleet of 3 transports and has an employment
of over 200 people.
