USA > Oklahoma > Tulsa County > Tulsa > The history of Tulsa, Oklahoma > Part 16
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CARL I. LARSEN.
Carl I. Larsen, who was with the American army as a member of the Seventieth Engineers in the World war and is now well known in oil circles in Tulsa, was born in Council Bluffs, Iowa, August 20, 1890. His father, Soren Christian, and his mother, Metta Marie Larsen, are natives of Denmark. The father came to the United States thirty-four years ago and for a considerable period was engaged in business with contractors and builders but is now living retired, he and his wife making their home in Council Bluffs, Iowa. They were parents of six children, three of whom have passed away.
In the acquirement of his education Carl I. Larsen attended the public schools of his native city and after completing his high school course was a student in a business college. He came to Tulsa in March, 1918, and has since been interested in oil as a jobber and in the refining branch of the business, becoming manager of the Oneta Refining Company, of which J. P. Howe is president. It is characteristic of Mr. Larsen that he accomplishes what he under- takes. He has never failed in anything and has always met with success in his
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business ventures. He is thoroughly honest and reliable and his efforts are put forth not only with the intention of benefiting his own fortunes but also of improving conditions for others.
In 1917 Mr. Larsen joined the army and his service was with the Seventieth Engineers. It has been since his return from the war that Carl I. Larsen has established a home of his own, having been married on the Ist of January, 1920, to Miss Louise M. Gertson, of Council Bluffs, Iowa. They have membership in the Lutheran church and take an active part in religious work. Mr. Larsen has done effective service in the Young Men's Christian Association and is inter- ested in all that safeguards young men and leads to their development along lines that build character and make for personal worth. He often addresses the public upon the Association activities and upon other questions of vital importance and is a clever and convincing speaker.
FAUN WILLIAM FREEBORN.
Faun William Freeborn, prominent in the engineering circles of Tulsa, owes his success and his advancement to perseverance in spite of all manner of obstacles, to great vision of future values in engineering projects and to thor- ough understanding of every proposition or interest with which he becomes con- nected. Mr. Freeborn is a native of Wellsville, New York, born April 14, 1875. His parents were D. L. and Emma (Cobb) Freeborn, the former a native of Pennsylvania, while the latter was born in the state of New York. The father is now living retired, making his home in Knoxville, Pennsylvania, but for many years followed the profession of teaching. He is a member of the Baptist church. The mother is deceased. The family numbered four children, and Faun William Freeborn, spending his youthful days under the parental roof. attended the public schools of his native state. He afterward matriculated in Cornell University, from which he was graduated with the M. E. degree as a member of the class of 1897. He was prominent in university affairs and at- tained eminence in athletics ; played tackle and guard on the football team and rowed on the varsity eight; was captain of the famous '96 crew which broke the world record on the Poughkeepsie, and captain of the crew Cornell sent to Henley, England. He has since served in the Athletic Council of the University. He entered upon professional duties as an engineer with the Portland Cement Company of Glens Falls, New York, with which he continued for three years, and later spent a similar period with the Cayuga Lake Cement Company. In 1906 he organized a company at Kansas City, and has since remained a resident of the southwest. During these years he followed general engineering and con- struction, from sewerage systems to office buildings. Many of the viaducts of the Kansas City Terminal system are his work. The Uncle Sam Port- land Cement Plant of Kansas City, The Bonner Springs Portland Cement Plant, and the Kosmos Plant in Kentucky are three of the many Portland cement plants he designed and built. Five years ago the office was removed to Tulsa and he has since practiced as a mechanical engineer in this section of the country, specializing in all forms of petroleum engineering; constructing refineries and making appraisals and valuations for oil companies, bonding houses, etc. He has solved many engineering problems in the matter of elimi- nating labor and in making short cuts in building cement plants. In this he has shown inventive ingenuity and has displayed marked ability in gathering around
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him men capable of assisting him in carrying out his own professional plans and visions. It is characteristic of Mr. Freeborn to talk little and listen much. In a word, his opinions are never hasty and ill-advised but are the result of care- ful consideration of the problem or a situation, and when he moves it is directly to the goal of his endeavor.
In 1902 Mr. Freeborn was married to Miss Louise Baldwin of Brooklyn, New York. They have four children: Faun William, Jr., seventeen years of age; David Davis, fourteen years; Jane, twelve; and Stephen, a lad of ten years. The two eldest are high school pupils. Mr. Freeborn finds recreation in tennis and in handball and is regarded. as an expert tennis player. He never allows anything, however, to interfere with the faithful performance of his pro- fessional duties, and aside from practicing as a consulting engineer he has other business interests in Tulsa. As a consulting engineer he maintains an office in Dallas, Texas, and in New York. The Freeborn Engineering Com- pany makes examinations and reports, valuations and appraisals, does designing and constructing for oil and gas industries. The business is today one of exten- sive proportions and those who come into contact with Mr. Freeborn feel that he is master of every situation with which he becomes associated.
CHARLES EDWARD BUSH.
The bar of Tulsa finds a worthy representative in Charles Edward Bush, who for twenty years has practiced in this state and entered the association of O'Meara, Bush & Moss, on the Ist of January, 1916, which became the firm of Bush, Moss & Owen in 1921. He was born in Bradford, Illinois, March 30, 1870, and is a son of James E. and Anna E. (Dyer) Bush, the former a native of Kentucky, while the latter was born in Connecticut. The father was but three years of age when his parents removed with their family to Illinois, and he was reared in Stark county, of the latter state. At the time of the Civil war he responded to the country's call for troops and joined Company E, One Hun- dred and Twelfth Illinois Infantry, rendering valuable aid to his country by the loyalty which he displayed to the Union cause. He was admitted to the bar in Stark county, Illinois, and there practiced until 1880, when he removed to Beatrice, Nebraska, and became a prominent representative of the bar of that section, serving for a time as district judge and in fact occupying the bench until death ended his labors. He was a supporter of the democratic party and a consistent member of the Baptist church. To Judge and Mrs. Bush were born eight children, six of whom are living.
Charles E. Bush pursued a high school education at Beatrice, Nebraska, and afterwards studied law in his father's office, being admitted to the bar on the 2d of April, 1891. He then began practice in Beatrice, in association with his father, and continued a member of the bar there for ten years. On the expira- tion of that period he removed to Stillwater, Oklahoma, where he resided for five years, and in 1906 he came to Tulsa and entered into active association with the firm of Wrightsman, Diggs & Bush. In 1911 a change in the partnership occurred and since that time other changes have been made, leading to the asso- ciation of O'Meara, Bush & Moss, on the Ist of January, 1916. In 1921 this firm became Bush, Moss & Owen. Through the intervening period of five years these gentlemen have been associated in law work and occupy a prominent position as representatives of the Tulsa bar. Mr. Bush is regarded as a most
CHARLES E. BUSH
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thorough student and a capable office lawyer, and ranks high in the opinion of his professional brethren. He belongs to the Tulsa County, the Oklahoma State and the American Bar Associations.
On the 8th of October, 1902, Mr. Bush was married to Miss Lillian Shoe- maker of Missouri, and they have become the parents of three children: James Edward, Charles Edward and William Franklin, usually known as Jack. They are fourteen, nine and seven years of age, respectively. Mr. Bush greatly en- joys the game of golf and belongs to the Country Club. He is also identified with the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. He is a well-informed man and a most fluent speaker, who always commands the attention of his hearers when addressing the public upon any question, professional or other- wise. Moreover, he enjoys the reputation of being a most upright, honorable man, of unimpeachable professional integrity, while his devotion to the interests of his clients is proverbial.
CHARLES LAYTON YANCEY.
Charles Layton Yancey, United States commissioner and member of the law firm of Owen, Yancey & Fist of Tulsa, comes to this state from the Atlantic seaboard, his birth having occurred at McGaheysville, in the Shenandoah valley of Virginia, February 25, 1886. His parents, Dr. L. B. and Virginia ( Hopkins) Yancey, are also natives of the Old Dominion and the father is now living retired in McFaheysville, Virginia, but for many years devoted his attention to the practice of medicine, in which connection he rendered valuable service to his fellowmen. He belongs to the Masons and is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, in which he is serving as steward. The family numbered four children.
Charles L. Yancey, the only son, was accorded liberal educational oppor- tunities. Following the completion of a course in the Randolph-Macon College with the class of 1908, whereby he won the Bachelor of Arts degree, he entered Georgetown University in preparation for the practice of law and the LL. B. degree was there accorded him in 1912. He was admitted to the bar at Musko- gee, Oklahoma, where he remained in active practice for five years and in the spring of 1917 removed to Tulsa, where he has since resided. Through the in- tervening period he has gained a most creditable position as a representative of the bar of this city and is now enjoying an extensive practice as a member of the firm of Owen, Yancey & Fist. The firm devotes itself almost exclusively to corporation and oil and gas matters. Mr. Yancey is also filling the position of United States commissioner through appointment of Federal Judge Williams.
In 1911 Mr. Yancey was married to Miss Eleanor White of Lexington, Vir- ginia, a daughter of Thomas S. White, and their children are three in number : Lois Cameron, Eleanor Virginia and Thomas Spottswood. Mr. Yancey is a Mason, belonging to Muskogee Lodge, A. F. & A. M., also to the consistory, while of Akdar Temple he is a Noble, and at all times is loyal to the teachings and purposes of the craft. His fondness for the game of golf is indicated in his membership in the Country Club. He is also identified with the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and his political endorsement is given to the democratic party, which he has supported since age conferred upon him the right of fran- chise. His belief concerning the moral responsibilities and duties of life is manifest in his connection with the Presbyterian church and at all times his aid
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and influence are given in support of those measures which make for the uplift of the individual and the benefit of the community. When leisure permits he turns to duck hunting for recreation but never allows this to interfere with the performance of any duty relative to his profession, his public office or his re- sponsibilities as a citizen.
J GARFIELD BUELL
J Garfield Buell, one of the oil producers of the Tulsa district and formerly an active member of the bar, was born in Greeley, Colorado, November 6, 1879, his parents being George W. and Henrietta (Clark) Buell, both of whom were natives of Ohio. The father was born in Kent, Ohio, and was an educator, devoting his entire life to that profession, in which connection he became widely known in the west. He has now passed away. Of the family of five children, but two are living.
Liberal educational advantages were accorded J Garfield Buell, who was reared in a home of culture and refinement. He supplemented his early educa- tional training by study in the University of Colorado and there won his LL. B. degree upon graduation with the class of 1903. In the same year he was admitted to the bar and soon afterward removed to Muskogee, Oklahoma, where he opened a law office and continued successfully in practice until 1912. He was also in Arkansas City, Kansas, from 1912 to 1914, and becoming interested in the oil business, he has for the past eight years been a successful producer in the mid-continent field. He was one of the most active participants in the open- ing of the deep-sand field at Blackwell, in Kay county. He has closely studied every phase of the oil business and his progressiveness and enterprise have brought him prominently to the front in this connection.
In 1908 Mr. Buell was married to Miss Ethel Peeples of Kansas City, Mis- souri, and they have one daughter: Betty Jane, who was born on the 15th of October, 1915. Mr. Buell and his wife occupy an enviable social position. He belongs to the Phi Delta Phi, a college fraternity, also to the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, to the Tulsa Petroleum Club and to the Country Club. He is appreciative of the social amenities of life and easily wins friendships, just as he gains the high regard of those with whom he becomes associated in busi- ness.
EDWARD M. WIEST.
Edward M. Wiest, a resident of Tulsa, is the manager of the Carbill Petro- leum Company. The development of the oil fields of this state opened up to young men many avenues of success, and marked enterprise and progressive- ness have been manifest by many young men who have utilized the advantages to be gained here. Among this number is Edward M. Wiest, who was born in Clarion, Pennsylvania, November 9, 1892, and was one of the three children of Joseph F. and Mary (Franzinger) Wiest, the latter also a native of the Key- stone state. The father, who has long operated in lumber, was born in Fryburg, Pennsylvania, and is now living in Philipsburg, Pennsylvania.
Edward M. Wiest pursued his early education in the public schools of Rey-
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noldsville, Pennsylvania, and afterward attended the St. Vincents College at Latrobe, that state. He started out in the business world as a clerk in the employ of the Pennsylvania Oil Products Refining Company at Eldred, and for seven years remained in the service of that corporation, being .advanced from a clerical position to that of refinery superintendent. On leaving the Keystone state he made his way to Sapulpa, Oklahoma, to accept the position of manager of the Sunland Oil Company. He continued with that concern until he became western manager of the Foco Oil Company of Franklin, Pennsylvania, with headquarters in Tulsa. The Foco Company was organized in February, 1914, for the purpose of establishing a market for the Franklin First Sand Crude, the company being formed by H. F. Grant and D. W. Grant of Franklin and Dohr- man J. Sinclair of Steubenville, Ohio. The business was incorporated for twenty thousand dollars, and in less than six months application was made for an increase of capitalization to a million dollars. A refinery was built at Frank- lin at a cost of one hundred and fifty thousand dollars, and the company developed an extensive marketing system with branches in Pittsburgh, New York, Chicago, Kansas City and Tulsa. The company occupied an enviable position in connection with the oil industry, in producing, refining and market- ing of heavy crude oil, and Mr. Wiest was an active factor in bringing about the desired results. He is now the manager of the Buffalo Refining Company of Oklahoma. On March 1, 1921, Mr. Wiest, Gordon W. Lillie ( Pawnee Bill) and Mr. Arch D. Grider organized the Buffalo Refining Company of Oklahoma, capitalized at one hundred thousand dollars, with a one thousand barrel plant at Yale, Oklahoma. Mr. Lillie is president, Mr. Grider, vice presi- dent and Mr. Wiest is secretary and general manager, and as such is widely known in oil circles in the southwest. The products of this plant are known as the "Buffalo oils." Mr. Wiest's entire life has been directed along this line and each change that he has made has marked an upward step.
Mr. Wiest was united in marriage to Miss Florence Green of Reynoldsville, Pennsylvania, a daughter of Thomas Green, and they have one child, Mary, now four years of age. The parents are communicants of the Holy Family Roman Catholic church and Mr. Wiest belongs to the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. He is also a member of the Petroleum Club of Tulsa, and he finds his chief diversion in baseball and general outdoor sports.
ROY LUNDY.
Roy Lundy, secretary-treasurer of the Tulsa Rig, Reel and Manufacturing Company of Tulsa, is a man of resourceful ability who has steadily worked his way upward in connection with the lumber industry and now occupies a place of prominence. A native of East Tennessee, he was born on the 16th of Decem- ber, 1877. His father, W. W. Lundy, is a native of Virginia but is now living in Arkansas and has retired from active business connections. His affairs were carefully and wisely managed and success in substantial measure crowned his efforts. He has long been an active member of the Methodist Episcopal church. His wife, who in her maidenhood was Miss Barbara Burkett, was born in North Carolina and by her marriage became the mother of six children, five of whom are living. The first Lundy to come to America was Richard Lundy, who came from Axminster, England, in 1676, and settled in Buck county, Pennsylvania. All other Lundys are his descendants.
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Roy Lundy obtained a public school education in Arkansas while spending his youthful days under the parental roof, and while living in that state became identified with the lumber trade and has since operated along that line. He dates his residence in Tulsa from 1910 and here engaged in the lumber business in connection with the Ingham Lumber Company, representing wholesale lum- ber interests for that corporation. In 1918 he became identified with the Tulsa Rig, Reel and Manufacturing Company and was elected secretary and treasurer in 1918. This company has eleven retail lumber-yards and does an extensive business in building operations in connection with oil work development in this state. They deal in lumber, timber, woodwork, rig irons, building materials and cement and their yards are located in Tulsa, Sperry, Bigheart, Avant, Wynona, Skiatook, Nelagoney, Hominy, Pulare, Slick and Kellyville. From these various trade centers their business reaches out in ramifying directions to many points of the southwest and is constantly growing in volume and impor- tance. The success of the enterprise has been attributable in recent years in no small measure to the efforts, keen discernment and progressive methods of Roy Lundy, who in his official capacity is active in framing the policy of the com- pany and directing its operations.
In 1901 Mr. Lundy was united in marriage to Miss Ola Garner of Arkan- sas, and they have become the parents of four girls : Lois, Klyde, Claire and Wil- lie. Mr. Lundy and his wife are consistent members of the Methodist Episcopal church, South, and take an active interest in its work, regularly attending its services and doing all in their power to promote its growth. Mr. Lundy is a democrat in his political views and is greatly interested in vital public ques- tions, expressing his views without reservations. He belongs to the Rotary Club, which is indicative of his progressiveness and his spirit of cooperation. During the war he was very active in all the drives. For recreation he turns to fishing and hunting. Those who know him speak of him as an energetic, de- pendable and trustworthy man, attentive to his business and with real knowl- edge of business conditions, combined with good judgment in determining the best course to pursue in any situation.
JERE P. O'MEARA.
Jere J. O'Meara, attorney at law of Tulsa, was formerly senior partner of the firm of O'Meara, Bush & Moss. Since entering upon active practice he has made steady progress and is today one of the strongest and ablest lawyers of the state. He was born in Hardin county, Kentucky, July 3, 1867, a son of Thomas and Mary (Daly) O'Meara. The father was born in County Waterford, Ireland, came to the United States at the age of twenty years, and established his home in Hardin county, Kentucky, where he followed the occupation of farming. His wife was also a native of Waterford, Ireland, and they became the parents of five children, three of whom are living. The father departed this life in Kentucky but the mother resides in Elizabethtown, that state.
J. P. O'Meara of this review, spending his youthful days under the parental roof, acquired his early education in Elizabethtown, Kentucky, and afterwards attended St. Joseph College in that state, winning the Bachelor of Arts degree upon the completion of a classical course in 1886. He then took up the study of law, reading under the direction of J. P. Hobson of Frankfort, Kentucky,
JERE P. O'MEARA
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and was admitted to the bar of Elizabethtown, after which he practiced in partnership with his former preceptor, who speaks of him as "honest, efficient and able, excelling in clearness of statements and grasp of real issues in a case." He remained a member of the Kentucky bar until 1907, when he re- moved to Bartlesville, Oklahoma, and here continued to practice for five years. He came to Tulsa in 1912 and for a time was a partner in the firm of Sherman, Veasey & O'Meara, but is now practicing alone. He devotes his attention to general practice and at all times has the courage of his convictions. His reason- ing is clear, his deductions sound and his logic forceful, and by reason of the ability that he has developed he ranks with the eminent representatives of the Oklahoma bar.
In 1908 Mr. O'Meara was united in marriage to Miss Nora Arnold of Kentucky, a daughter of Philip and Mary Arnold, and they have one child : Yvonne, ten years of age. Mr. O'Meara is a member of the Sacred Heart parish and is identified with the Knights of Columbus. In politics he is an earnest democrat and understands well the fundamentals of the party creed. He is fond of literature, possessing excellent taste in that direction, and is a broad minded man whose wide general information, as well as his knowledge of law, constitutes a forceful element in the attainment of his professional success.
JOSEPH WARREN SANDERS.
Various corporation interests have felt the stimulus of the sound judgment and active cooperation of Joseph Warren Sanders, who is president of the San- ders Oil & Gas Corporation, and also president of the Hancock Oil Company. He has studied the questions of oil production and development from every possible standpoint and is largely able to speak with authority upon the ques- tions of chief concern in connection with the operation of the oil fields. Mr. Sanders came to Oklahoma from Illinois, his birth having occurred in Marshall, Clark county, Illinois, August 8, 1861, his parents being August and Sarah ( McGuire) Sanders. The father was born in Bremen, Germany, and came to the United States in 1846, settling in Pennsylvania. He was employed in the paper mills of Harrisburg. At the outbreak of the Civil war he enlisted and went to the front, being killed at the battle of Fort Donelson in 1862. He was a comparatively young man when he gave his life for the country of his adop- tion. His wife was born in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, and passed away in 1901 at the age of sixty-eight years.
The boyhood days of Mr. Sanders were spent in Neosho, Missouri, to which place the family had removed in 1879. With only a common school education he began to make his own way at the age of sixteen years, securing a clerkship in a dry goods store in Neosho, a business which he followed for a decade. He then removed to St. Louis, Missouri, and became identified with the Kelly- Goodfellow Shoe Company, wholesale dealers in men's, women's and children's shoes. Mr. Sanders was a stockholder of the company and also acted as trav- eling salesman, in Indian Territory, Arkansas and other southwestern states. He sold shoes in Tulsa in pioneer times, coming in on a construction train, making a sale to Mr. Harry Hall, who was the first merchant in Tulsa. Mr. Sanders remained active in the shoe business until 1890 and then engaged in the retail dry goods business at Vinita as a member of the firm of Ratcliff and
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