"George W. Ziebold has received his new car, one of the finest Oaklands, which he purchased from Jobb & Ruch. It is equipped with the latest improvements, electric light, etc."
Edward M. Murphy incorporated the Oakland Motor Car Company in 1904, an offshoot of his Pontiac Buggy Company. In 1908, the Oakland Motor Car Company and the Pontiac Spring and Wagon Works merged together under the Oakland Motor Car Company. "Later in 1908, the first Oaklands went to market. The first Oaklands used an unusual Alanson Brush designed two cylinder vertical engine, which rotated clockwise. The type of engine was common in French cars but not popular with American engineers. The engines worked fine, but the cars did not sell well."
In 1909, Murphy sold 50% interest in the Oakland Motor Car Company to William Durant of General Motors. Oakland also introduced new engines, new body styles and new models that year. In the Summer of 1909 Murphy died and the remaining 50% of the company was sold to General Motors.
In 1932 the Oakland name was dropped and it became the Pontiac Motor Car Company.
Oakland made a number of different models in 1912, there isn't enough information in the newspaper article to know which one George purchased. Here are some examples of adds and pictures of the 1912 cars.
Model "40" Sociable Roadster
Oakland 30 Runabout
1912 Oakland Model 40 Touring - "The Oakland was a quality-built car that offered excellent and reliable transportation, but it came at a price. The Model 40 for 1912 sold for $1,450 in 1912 when one of Henry Ford's Model Ts sold for $690."
Oakland Model 40 1912
1912 Oakland 45
President Taft in 1912 Oakland 45
Sources
1. Waterloo Republican, July 3, 1912.
2. Dragone website https://www.dragoneauctions.com/1912-oakland-model-40-touring
3. American Automobiles http://www.american-automobiles.com/Oakland-1909-1919.html
4. Brass Auto http://www.brassauto.com/brass-pages/oakland-photos.html
5. Detroit Public Library Digital Collection https://digitalcollections.detroitpubliclibrary.org/islandora/search/catch_all_fields_mt%3A%28oakland%2045%29%20OR%20catch_all_fields_et%3A%28oakland%2045%29
6. Heritage Center - Generations of GM History https://history.gmheritagecenter.com/wiki/index.php/Oakland_Motor_Car_Company
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