USA > Oklahoma > Tulsa County > Tulsa > The history of Tulsa, Oklahoma > Part 13
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Delbert A. Koons pursued his education in the public and high schools of Ossian to the age of sixteen years and then became a railroad telegraph opera- tor. He worked on the New York Central for nine years, on the Lake Erie branch, and eventually became connected with the Indiana Pipe Line Company. Still later he was with the Du Pont Powder Company at Toledo, Ohio, subse- quently at Indianapolis, at St. Louis and at Tulsa. He came to this city on the Ist of February, 1910, representing the Du Pont interests for a year, and then organized the Central Torpedo Company, with which he has continued to be identified. He purchased the business of the Eastern Torpedo Company and has since been part owner and general manager of a growing business, now conducted under the name of the Eastern Torpedo Company, with offices in the First National Bank building of Tulsa.
In 1904 Mr. Koons was married to Miss Harriet Spear of Montpelier, Indiana,
DELBERT A. KOONS
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who passed away in November, 1913, leaving a daughter, Gretchen Elizabeth, now fifteen years of age, attending the public schools of Winona Lake, Indiana.
Mr. Koons is a Mason, having been initiated into the order at Ossian, Indiana. He has attained the thirty-second degree of the Scottish Rite in Indian Consistory and he belongs to Akdar Temple of the Mystic Shrine. He has never been a club man nor has he sought to figure prominently in any public connection outside of business. On the contrary he has concentrated his efforts and atten- tion upon his increasing duties and responsibilities and as the years have ad- vanced has progressed step by step until he is now at the head of important, growing and profitable interests as owner and manager of the Eastern Torpedo Company.
REV. LOUIS SAMUEL BARTON.
Rev. Louis Samuel Barton, who for seven years has been pastor of the Boston Avenue Methodist Episcopal church, South, at Tulsa, is classed with the most eminent divines of the southwest. The liberal educational advan- tages which were his in early life, his later study of a broad and comprehensive nature and his devotion to the highest ideals have made him a strong and force- ful representative of the ministry. A native of Arkansas, he was born in Falcon on the 30th of June. 1869, and is a son of James L. and Jane ( Stevens) Barton. The father was born in Marshall county, Tennessee, and during the Civil war served as a soldier of the Confederate army. His life was passed in Mississippi and in Arkansas and his death occurred in 1872. Both he and his wife were consistent members of the Methodist Episcopal church, South. The latter was a native of North Carolina and her mother was a member of the Houston family, related to Secretary Houston, who served as secretary of the treasury. The death of Mrs. Barton occurred in 1912. In their family were nine children. four of whom are living.
Dr. L. S. Barton, spending his boyhood days in Texas, acquired his early education in the public schools and afterward attended the University of Texas, from which in due time he was admitted to the bar. He pursued his studies in Vanderbilt University of Tennessee and later in the University of Chicago, and entered the work of the ministry at Wichita Falls, Texas, in 1893, as a clergyman of the Methodist Episcopal church, South. For twenty- one years he was connected with the North Texas conference and then came to Oklahoma, where for seven years he has labored untiringly as the minister of the Boston Avenue Methodist Episcopal church, South, of Tulsa. This church has a membership of twelve hundred and is the largest and strongest congregation of the denomination in the city, having among its representatives many of the wealthiest men of Tulsa. His extended pastorate is indicative of the high place which he occupies in the regard of his parishioners, who feel that he is doing a most splendid work, the membership of the church having greatly increased under his ministry. He is a forceful and convincing speaker, clear in his reasoning and logical in his deductions, indicating clearly to his auditors the great value of Christian teaching as a force in the life of every individual. While a man of scholarly attainments, he is also a man of the deepest human sympathy and is constantly extending a helping hand to assist a fellow traveler on life's journey. He possesses a large library, with the contents of which he is familiar, and his reading has covered a wide range
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of history and the best literature, as well as ecclesiastical subjects. His philan- thropic work has been of a most comprehensive and resultant character and in the educational field he is well known, having for several years been a member of the General Board of Education of the Methodist Episcopal church, South. He possesses business ability that results from thorough investigation before making a decision upon any vital question. His unswerving integrity and his unequivocal position have gained him the confidence of all people with whom he deals. Dr. Barton spent the greater part of 1919 in France in the welfare service connected with the Y. M. C. A. His work was that of speaker to the men of the American Expeditionary Forces, his church granting him a leave of absence for the time spent abroad.
Dr. Barton was united in marriage to Miss Maude Spalding, a native of Texas and a daughter of Dr. T. B. Spalding, of Greenville, Texas. She passed away July 4, 1918, her death being the occasion of the deepest and most wide- spread regret to a very extensive circle of friends. His second marriage, March 8, 1921, was to Mrs. Jane Murray of Austin, Texas.
Dr. Barton is a member of the Ad Club, of the City Club and of the Rotary Club. Fraternally he is a Royal Arch Mason and his political belief is that of the democratic party. Dr. Barton greatly enjoys a hunting trip and turns to this for recreation and diversion He is a man of splendid physique, with a resonant voice, well fitted by nature for the life work he has chosen. In modern parlance, he is a good mixer; in other words he has a clear under- standing of human nature and the ability to call forth the best in the individual. He was chosen as Tulsa's representative in the Rotary Club and through this organization and in other channels he is constantly studying the problems of today-the problems that deal with modern life, with the opportunities and the handicaps of the individual and with the chances for the attainment of the highest standards. He does not regard the ministry as a thing apart but believes that it should be a forceful factor in helping to solve the problems of the everyday world, and while holding to the highest ideals, he is constantly employing the most practical methods in bringing about their attainment.
ELI E. DIX.
Eli E. Dix, a man of high standards, with positive business genius, is today one of the distinguished figures operating in connection with the oil industry of Oklahoma. He has made his home in Tulsa since November, 1914, and for the past seven years has been prominently known as an oil producer. He was born in Sullivan county, Indiana, April 17, 1873. His father, Joshua E. Dix, was also a native of that county, his birth occurring on a farm there. Joshua E. Dix after reaching his majority acquired a large tract of land and was a progressive farmer and stock raiser. He also engaged in the grain business and in mercantile pursuits, his enterprise and activity bringing to him a gratifying measure of success. His last days were spent in Henry county, Missouri, where he died on the 30th of October, 1916, in the faith of the Christian church, of which he had long been a devoted and loyal member. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Ann E. Beard, was also a native of Sullivan county, Indiana, and she, too, has passed away. Their family numbered seven children, of whom five are living.
Mr. Dix was quite young when taken by his parents to Missouri and in that
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state he was reared, attending the public schools, while later he continued his education in the Clinton Normal at Clinton, Missouri. He then took up the pro- fession of teaching, which he followed for a time, and later became an employe of the Missouri, Kansas & Texas Railroad Company, serving in a clerical capacity for two years. He afterward engaged on his own account in the real estate and loan business at Clinton, Missouri, being very successful. Since 1914 he has been connected with the oil business and has been very active in develop- ing this field of labor, his efforts at all times being attended with gratifying results. He is manager of the Rockwell Petroleum Corporation.
On the 3d of September, 1899, Mr. Dix was united in marriage to Miss Eula L. Adkisson of Clinton, Missouri, and to them have been born two chil- dren : Thomas J., seventeen years of age, who is a senior in the high school ; and William B., a high school student, fourteen years of age.
Mr. Dix is a member of the City Club and also of the Chamber of Commerce and is a very prominent representative of the Christian church, serving at the present time as one of its elders and as chairman of the church board and taking very active and helpful part in all branches of the church work. He is likewise a trustee of Phillips University of Enid, Oklahoma. He has been remarkably generous with his time and his means in support of all interests tending to promote the moral progress and development of the community and his labors in the church have been far-reaching and resultant. He is splendidly philan- thropic but closely follows the admonition not to let the left hand know what the right hand doeth. He keeps abreast of the times on all matters of general interest and is a man of untiring energy, of quick, alert mind and of remarkable resourcefulness. His is a spirit that never says quit. He has the ability that inspires confidence in others and faithfulness to his friends and business asso- ciates is one of his marked characteristics. In a word he is alert and forceful. his sound judgment commanding confidence in every relation, and the interests and activities of his life have been splendidly balanced, so that while his busi- ness affairs have been carried forward to success he has been equally active and forceful in his relations to the public good and is eminently one of the public- spirited citizens of Tulsa.
FRANK O. CAVITT.
Frank O. Cavitt, a Tulsa attorney with large practice, was born on a farm in Iroquois county, Illinois, January 4. 1873. His father, Nelson Cavitt, was a farmer, who was born and reared near Dayton, Ohio, and afterwards removed to Indiana where he took up his abode in 1867. Later he became a resident of Illinois and continued to engage in agricultural pursuits. He passed away in 1901, in the faith of the Methodist Episcopal church, of which he had long been a devoted member. Mrs. Cavitt, who bore the maiden name of Esther Brown, was born in Attica, Indiana, and passed away July 2, 1911. The fam- ily numbered nine children, seven of whom are living.
In the attainment of his education Frank O. Cavitt attended the public schools of Illinois and afterwards the Illinois State Normal School. Determining upon the practice of law as a life work he then began study and after thorough prep- aration was admitted to the bar upon examination before the supreme court of Illinois, December 12, 1901. For a shore time he practiced in Watseka, Illinois, and then removed to Oklahoma, spending three years in Holdenville. In March,
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1906, he arrived in Tulsa, where he has since made his home, and through the intervening period has given his attention to civil law. His practice is large and of an important character and the capability which he displays in handling his cases is indicative of his thorough preparation.
On the Ist of January, 1900, Mr. Cavitt was married to Miss Minnie M. Decker, a native of Iroquois county, Illinois. They belong to the First Metho- dist Episcopal church of Tulsa, in the work of which they take an active and helpful interest, and Mr. Cavitt is now serving as chairman of the board of stewards. Politically he is a republican, but the honors and emoluments of office have had no attraction for him. His leisure time is given to general read- ing and he is a well-informed man. He belongs to the City Club, thus mani- festing his interest in community affairs, and he is a member of the Oklahoma State Bar Association.
JESSE FINSTON.
Jesse Finston, numbered among those men who are controlling extensive interests in the oil fields of Oklahoma, was born in New York city, December I, 1885, but was only six months old when taken to Cincinnati, Ohio, by his parents, Henry and Nellie Finston, both of whom are living in Tulsa. They reared a family of four children.
Jesse Finston, the eldest of the family, obtained his early education in the schools of Cincinnati, Ohio, and at twenty years of age moved to New York. He arrived in Tulsa in 1915, when thirty years of age, and here became connected with manufacturing interests. He is now a well known and promi- nent figure in connection with the oil industry and his operations of this character have constituted an important feature in the attainment of substantial success. He is the vice president of the Mid-Co Petroleum Corporation and the presi- dent of the Mid-Co Oil Sales Company. These two companies are very large oil producers and through his operations as a representative of these corpora- tions Mr. Finston has won a notable place as a progressive, alert and energetic business man.
Mr. Finston was married on the 2d of September, 1914, to Miss Pearl Aaronson. Mr. and Mrs. Finston have become parents of two children: Alice Cyrelle, five years of age; and Gladys, aged two. Mr. Finston finds his recrea- tion largely in baseball and is a devotee of the national game. He is well known in club circles, belonging to the Petroleum, Country and Automobile Clubs, and in their membership is ever warmly welcomed because of the sterling traits of his character and his genial disposition, which everywhere makes for popularity.
WALTER NEWTON CHITWOOD.
Said one who has been observing the record of Walter Newton Chitwood for a number of years: "My observation of him in the practice of law in the various courts of Tulsa county and elsewhere leads me to place him among the leading lawyers of his age." Mr. Chitwood is yet a young man and large opportunity lies before him in the future. He was born December 13. 1891, in what is now Delaware county, Oklahoma, formerly the Coocooweescowee
JESSE FINSTON
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district of the Cherokee Nation. His parents are Thomas N. and Lucy ( Eng- land) Chitwood. The father was born in Tennessee, while the mother was of the Cherokee Indian tribe, a native of the territory and a daughter of William England. She is related to Samuel H. Mayes and Joel Mayes, famous chiefs of the Cherokees, the Mayes family having played an important part in the development and progress of the Cherokee Nation. The great-grand- mother of Walter N. Chitwood, widely known as "Grandmother" Snell, came from Georgia to the Indian Territory in 1841 and was the owner of the hotel where the Cherokee tribal court held session on Honey Creek. Thomas N. Chit- wood, father of Walter N. Chitwood, was born at Estill Springs, Tennessee, in 1864, and was the son of a well known attorney. He was educated at Pea Ridge College at Pea Ridge, Arkansas, and afterward took up the profession of teaching in the Cherokee Nation, in which work he continued from 1884 until 1894. It was in 1890 that he wedded Lucy England, who was educated in the national schools of the Cherokees. Mr. Chitwood afterward followed farming in Craig county and became a most prominent and influential citizen there in connection with political interests and civic affairs. He is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and in many ways influenced public thought and action while a resident of Vinita. He now lives at Broken Arrow.
Walter N. Chitwood obtained his early education in the common schools of the Cherokee Nation and in the Vinita high school. He also spent three years as a student in the Cherokee Male Seminary at Tahlequah, attending there until that institution was destroyed by fire. Later he was for three years in the Southeastern State Normal School at Durant and during his college days was very prominent in athletics and in football, serving as captain of the 1913 championship team, an all normal team which was made an all state team, Mr. Chitwood being half back. He also won a reputation as a sprinter, as a tennis player and as a baseball player. It was in February, 1914, that he entered the law department and while pursuing his legal studies he was captain of the law football team. He likewise became a member of the Kappa Alpha fraternity during his college days and was key man of the Phi Alpha Delta in recognition of his general high scholarship and his oratorical ability. He was made chief justice of Harlan Chapter of the Phi Alpha and was chief of the Indian club known as Oklushe Degataga, meaning "tribes standing to- gether," composed of the Indians of six tribes.
While a student in the Oklahoma University Mr. Chitwood was also very active in Masonic circles and is a member of Norman Lodge, No. 38, A. F. & A. M .; Lion Chapter, No. 24, R. A. M .; and the commandery at Norman. He likewise became identified with India Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S., at Oklahoma City, and he now belongs to the Masonic Club of Tulsa.
Following the completion of his law course Mr. Chitwood entered upon the active practice of his profession in 1916 and now gives his attention to general law practice, making, however, a specialty of oil interests.
In December, 1913, Mr. Chitwood was married in Muskogee to Miss Beatrice Tiblow, a half Cherokee, who was educated in the nation schools and in Central College at Lexington, Missouri. She is a daughter of William S. and Lulu (Charley) Tiblow and the ancestral home is near Skiatook, Oklahoma. Mr. and Mrs. Chitwood have become parents of two children: Juanita Charlotte, her Indian name being Ka-lee-la, or songbird; and Walter Newton, Jr.
Mr. Chitwood belongs to the Acacia Club of Tulsa. He is active in demo- cratic politics, stanchly supporting the principles of the party, is much inter- ested in civic problems and at all times his aid and influence are on the side
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of progress and improvement. He was also very active in war work. He be- came one of the organizers of the University of Oklahoma Club at Tulsa, but all other interests in his life are made subservient to his law practice, which is of an important character, and it has been said that, "Mr. Chitwood is able to present the most complicated question in a concise, straightforward manner and in so doing gains the confidence and attention of all who hear him."
RALPH C. RILEY.
Ralph C. Riley, manager for the Oklahoma Central Oil Company at Tulsa, was born in Olean, New York, February 7, 1877, and is one of a family of six children, all of whom are living, the parents being M. F. and Martha (Wands) Riley, both of whom are also natives of the Empire state. The father was a wholesale grocer, conducting business along that line for many years, but is now living retired in Olean, enjoying the fruits of his former industry and effort. Both he and his wife are consistent members of the Methodist Episcopal church.
Ralph C. Riley obtained a public and high school education in his native town and starting out in the business world became identified with the oil in- dustry in the fields of West Virginia and of Illinois. In 1917 he came to Tulsa, where he has since remained, and his operations in connection with oil produc- tion of this section of the state have been carried on as the general superin- tendent of the Oklahoma Central Oil Company. He has made a close study of conditions, particularly production and marketing of oil. and is displaying marked capability in handling the duties of the office that devolve upon him.
In 1907 Mr. Riley was married to Miss Eva Wright of Sisterville, West Virginia, and they have become parents of a son, James W., ten years of age, and a daughter, Elizabeth, aged eight. Mr. Riley is a Scottish Rite Mason and a member of the Mystic Shrine and is a worthy follower of the teachings and purposes of the craft. He belongs to the City Club and Tulsa's welfare and advancement are a matter of deep concern to him. He cooperates in many measures for the public good and he occupies an enviable position as a citizen, in his business relations and in social circles.
GEORGE WATSON DAVIS.
George Watson Davis of Tulsa, was born in Emporia, Kansas, September 3. 1885. His father, W. W. Davis, living in Chelsea, Oklahoma, was formerly a railroad man, but is now living retired. He has long been an active member of the Methodist Episcopal church. He married Verna Smith, who was born in Grafton, West Virginia, and they have become the parents of two children, the daughter being Mrs. J. C. Taylor of Chelsea, the wife of a well known physician of that place.
George Watson Davis attended the public schools of Emporia, Kansas, and Raton, New Mexico, and afterwards completed a commercial course at Musko- gce, Oklahoma. Subsequently he occupied a position in connection with the Indian agency at Muskogee, Oklahoma, and in 1906 came to Tulsa. Ilere he entered upon the study of law, but the condition of his eyes made it impossible
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for him to continue his preparation for the bar. He spent five years in the courthouse as clerk of the court, and on the expiration of that period became connected with the oil industry, holding responsible positions with some of the largest oil companies. Taking complete charge of, reorganizing and refinancing the Parkville Oil Corporation, with which company he served two years, was his latest work. He drilled the first well at Ardmore, when Hewitt field was first discovered in 1920. It was a six hundred and fifty barrel well. He has suc- ceeded by reason of his ability and close application, and has always borne a high reputation for honesty and integrity, for punctuality and promptness.
In 1910 Mr. Davis was married to Miss Caroline Jones of Cameron, Missouri, and to them have been born five children : George Watson, Jr., twelve years of age ; Allen D. ; Louise ; Dorothy and Gordon. Mr. Davis has always been a con- sistent supporter of the democratic party, formerly taking a helpful interest in its work. Fraternally he is connected with Petroleum Lodge, No. 474. A. F. & A. M., and has attained the thirty-second degree of the Scottish Rite in the Con- sistory at McAlester, Oklahoma. He is fond of fishing and hunting and other phases of outdoor life, but never allows these things to interfere with the faith- ful control and management of the business interests in his care.
GREY MOORE.
Grey Moore (wife, Zella S.), member of the Tulsa bar, specializing in corporation law, was born in Wood county, Texas, November 7, 1879, and is one of a family of seven children, whose parents were Melville A. and Eliza- beth (Montgomery) Moore. Three of these children are living. The father was born in Tennessee and spent his entire life in the south, living for a time in Texas, and afterwards in Clarksville, Arkansas. He devoted his life to the occupation of farming and was also active in public affairs, serving as county clerk at Clarksville. He served under General Forrest in the Civil war. His religious faith was that of the Presbyterian church and its teaching guided his life till he was called to the home beyond in 1919. The mother, who was born in South Carolina, passed away in 1903.
Grey Moore largely obtained his public school education at Clarksville, Arkansas, where he attended high schools, and later in preparation for a pro- fessional career he entered Washington & Lee University in 1905 and was there graduated on the completion of a law course in 1907, at which time the LL. B. degree was conferred upon him. He also became a member of the Phi Kappa Psi, while attending the university. Mr. Moore was admitted to the bar in the year of his graduation, and began practice in Oklahoma the same year. He took up his abode in Tulsa in June, 1916, and entered into a partnership relation under the firm style of West, Sherman, Davidson & Moore. He has always been an earnest student and is a forceful and convincing speaker. Upon any subject which he discusses he is thoroughly informed, his utterances indicating careful preparation and painstaking investigation. One who has known him throughout his professional career speaks of him as one of the best informed young attor- neys of the state. He has in large measure concentrated his attention upon corporation law, and he is now associated with a firm that ranks with the most prominent in Oklahoma, representing large oil corporations. His standing among his professional brethren is indicated in the fact that he was in 1913 elected secretary of the Oklahoma State Bar Association. He also belongs to
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