The importance of teaching the mainstream - and refuting it

Keep in mind that even if Standard Oil in no way benefited from specific government privileges, all large companies benefit in various indirect ways from regulations, especially corporate personhood.

A case could probably be made that without a state no company would have gotten so large at that time in history. The state’s hand was in it in some way, hence it would be counterproductive to hold Standard Oil or any very large company up as a spotless example of the free market in action.

Unfortunately, these kinds of evidence-based arguments can never be fully slam-dunk, because the state - like a cancer - infects everything with its distorting effects. There is no fully clean, fully free market example to point to. We should expect any company to be a little “evil” once it gets large enough, its bloat being fueled in some way or other by the tumor of the state.

all large companies benefit in various indirect ways from regulations

I should add the fact that it benefitted from railroad rebates (at least initially) which were subsidized by the government.

corporate personhood

You mean LLC?

If you have not read Triumph of Conservatism by Kolko then you really should. Surprisingly all of your questions can be discussed in there. I can also recommend some other progressive era books if you are interested. I just need to know what topic you are covering.

That books is on my list. I would appreciate other books on the topic of meatpacking (currently), but in general standard oil and railroads as well.

Railroads & Regulation by Gabriel Kolko

The Search for Order & Businessmen and Reform by Robert Wiebe \

The Corporate Ideal in the Liberal State by James Weinstein

That should help you get going.