Oscar Mueller

Mueller, a native of Decatur/Illinois, was co-owner of a company founded by his father in 1857, Hieronymus Mueller MFG. Co. and one of the first ever motorists in the United States. He competed in the first American races in 1895 in Benz vehicles. On 28 November, he lost out to his compatriot Frank Duryea, who drove his own car, in the endurance race from Chicago to Waukegan, which was held in wintry conditions.

For the gruelling 87 kilometres in ice and snow, Mueller needed one and a half hours longer than his rival, who was waved off after ten hours and 23 minutes and collected the prize money of 2000 dollars. A demonstration race organised three and a half weeks earlier only between Mueller and Duryea, which had been held under more favourable external conditions, was won by Mueller, while his rival landed in a ditch while trying to avoid a horse-drawn carriage.