USA > Oklahoma > Tulsa County > Tulsa > The history of Tulsa, Oklahoma > Part 22
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34
In December, 1916, occurred the marriage of Mr. Vandever to Miss Mand Handley, a daughter of Richard G. and Elizabeth Handley. Her father operated
636
HISTORY OF TULSA
farms in Iowa until 1906, when he retired and came to Tulsa in order to give his children better educational advantages. Mr. and Mrs. Handley are still re- siding in Tulsa, where they are respected and representative citizens. Mr. and Mrs. Vandever have one daughter, Eleanor, who was born on the 10th of Sep- tember, 1917.
Mr. Vandever gives his political allegiance to the democratic party, in the activities of which he takes a prominent part. He is a member of the Masonic order, belonging to Tulsa Lodge, No. 71; Indian Consistory, No. 2, at Mc- Alester, Oklahoma, in which lodge he took the thirty-second degree; and Tulsa Lodge, No. 946, Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. His home is at 1711 East 14th street and is noted for its hospitality. Those who know Mr. Vandever, and he has many friends, esteem him highly as a man of genuine personal worth, as a business man of ability, and as a citizen who is ever loyal to the best interests of the community in which he has elected to make his home.
HARRY C. ASHBY.
Harry C. Ashby, a resident of Tulsa since 1906 and since 1914 engaged in the insurance business as secretary-treasurer of the Dickey-Ashby-Fountain Company, handling all kinds of insurance save life, was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, August 25, 1870. His father, Franklin Ashby, a native of Phila- delphia, was in early life connected with Dr. Jayne, a famous medicine manu- facturer. Later he was for a long period with N. W. Ayer & Sons advertising agency of Philadelphia, in which city he passed away in 1881. At the time of the Civil war he joined the Union army and rendered valiant aid to the country throughout the period of hostilities. He married Emma Beck, a native of Phila- delphia, and they became the parents of four children, two of whom are living. The mother still makes her home in her native city.
Harry C. Ashby obtained a public school education and after attending high school became identified with a wholesale notion business of Philadelphia, with which he was connected for a time and then removed to Topeka, Kansas, in 1887. There he was engaged in the wholesale coal business. In 1906 he came to Tulsa and was secretary and cashier of the Union Trust Company until 1911, after which he was president of the company for a year. On the Ist of Sep- tember, 1914, he became one of the organizers of the Dickey-Ashby-Fountain Insurance Company, of which W. L. Dickey is the president, A. T. Fountain, vice president, and Mr. Ashby, secretary-treasurer. They conduct an insurance, loan and bond business, with offices on the ground floor of 212 South Boston avenue. They handle all kinds of insurance except life and their clientage has become very extensive and important. In fact their business is today one of very gratifying proportions and its continued success is assured by reason of the enterprise and progressiveness of the men who constitute the company.
In 1914 Mr. Ashby was united in marriage to Miss Ruth Farnsworth of Topeka, Kansas, a daughter of J. W. Farnsworth, one of the early settlers of that city and vice president of the Bank of Topeka. Mr. and Mrs. Ashby have one child, Franklin. Fraternally Mr. Ashby is connected with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks and he belongs to the Tulsa Country Club and to the Chamber of Commerce and both he and his wife are members of the Episcopal church. Mrs. Ashby is now ex-state vice regent of the Daughters of the American Revolution and ex-regent of the local chapter and she was chairman of the
637
HISTORY OF TULSA
canteen service at Tulsa during the World war. Both have taken a most active and helpful interest in matters pertaining to public welfare and advancement and their influence and efforts are always given on the side of progress, improve- ment, reform and right.
THOMAS GAVIN.
In the passing of Thomas Gavin, Tulsa lost a progressive and representa- tive citizen, one who was well known among oil men all over the country, having followed the oil industry into each new territory as fields developed through the southwest and west. His death occurred on the 19th of February, 1921, at Los Angeles, while there on business, and the news of his demise caused a feeling of deep bereavement to sweep the communities in which he was so well and favor- ably known. He was born in Andover, New York, on the 25th of November, 1862, a son of James and Margaret (Maley) Gavin, both natives of Ireland, who came to America about 1840 and settled on a farm near Andover. The father followed farming until his death in 1913 and in that connection achieved a substantial amount of success. Mrs. Gavin passed away in 1914. Both were close to one hundred years of age at the time of their demise. James Gavin was a veteran of the Civil war, having enlisted in a New York regiment. Ten children were born to their union, all of whom are living but Thomas, whose name initiates this review.
Thomas Gavin received his education in the schools of Andover and in the country school near his father's farm. After leaving the farm he engaged in the pipe line business, working for others, and continued in that connection for several years, learning every phase of the business. After his marriage he became field superintendent in Ohio for the Western Gas Company and after five years in this service resigned to take up the work of contracting and producing at North Baltimore and Findlay, Ohio. After several years in that line of work he came west and located in Independence, Kansas, stopping on the way there near Warren, Indiana, where he drilled two dry holes. On arriving in Kansas he accepted a position as field superintendent with the Kansas National Gas Company, resigning at the end of four years to engage in contracting and drilling wells and in producing on his own account. He built numerous pipe lines and he and his brother were responsible for the Big Gulf Line which is now a trunk line. For nine years Mr. Gavin resided in Independence but in 1912 removed to Tulsa, continuing in the same line of work until his death. He had oil in- terests in Wyoming, Texas and Mexico and had important and extensive con- nections in the first named state at the time of his death. His demise occurred suddenly, caused by heart disease, while he was in Los Angeles, California, on a business trip.
In 1890 Mr. Gavin was united in marriage to Miss Mary McNamara, a daughter of Austin and Margaret (Reedy) McNamara, natives of Ireland who came to America in 1840 and located first in Canada and later in Erie, Pennsyl- vania. Some time later Mr. and Mrs. McNamara removed to Titusville. Mr. McNamara was an oil man and followed that business until his death at Fostoria, Ohio, in May, 1890. His widow passed away in Independence, Kansas, in June, 1911. Both were past eighty-seven years of age. Mr. McNamara was a veteran of the Civil war and served throughout the entire conflict as a member of a Pennsylvania regiment. Five children were born to the union of Mr. and Mrs.
638
HISTORY OF TULSA
Gavin: Thomas, whose death occurred August 2, 1892, when but five days old ; Marguerite M., a well known musician who has studied abroad; Thomas Austin ; James H., who married Marie I. Dunn of Chicago, a member of a prominent pioneer family of that city, and is now in the oil business for himself ; and Kathryn M., a graduate of the parochial schools at Independence and Tulsa, also of the Ursuline Academy at Paola, Kansas, with the class of 1920 and who received a gold medal for expression in elocution. Thomas Austin is an attorney at law. He studied at St. Mary's for seven years, receiving his A. B. and A. M. degrees from that institution in 1916 and then entered Georgetown for two years, when his studies were broken into by the World war. He volunteered, enlisting in naval aviation service, and was assigned to Boston Tech. After receiving his dis- charge he returned to Georgetown University, from which he was graduated LL. B. in 1920. In the state bar examination at Tulsa he stood highest out of a class of forty-three.
Mr. Gavin always gave his political allegiance to the democratic party, having firm belief in the efficacy of the principles of that party as factors in good government. His religious faith was that of the Catholic church and fraternally he was identified with the Knights of Columbus and the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. As a business man he supplied enterprise, hope, and enthusiasm to many substantial institutions and he was always regarded as safe and sane in his judgment on all matters of finance and investment. He devoted his life to the study of his business and was considered the best informed of all oil men. He was a big producer and to him belongs the distinction of putting out the fire that threatened destruction to an oil field at Caney, Kansas. He owned a beauti- ful residence at 802 South Cheyenne avenue, which is now in possession of his widow. Mrs. Gavin was indeed a helpmate to her husband. She is a prominent woman in the community and has many friends who share her deep sense of loss and grief.
CAPTAIN JOHN FRED CAPPS, M. D.
Captain John Fred Capps, M. D., who won his military title by service over- seas in the World war and who has since given his attention to medical practice in Tulsa, now specializes to a large extent in the treatment of children's diseases, and has been particularly successful in this department. He is one of the youngest members of the profession who is fast forging to the front. He was born in Talladega, Alabama, September 19, 1888, and his parents, William W. and Josephine (Horn) Capps, were also natives of that state. The father was a farmer and stockman and conducted extensive and important business inter- ests, owning a large plantation on which he engaged in raising high bred horses and also operated a turpentine still. He was a democrat in politics and was called upon to fill various offices, the duties of which he discharged with marked capability and fidelity. His religious faith, that of the Baptist church, prompted his allegiance to high standards in everything that he undertook.
Dr. Capps acquired a public and high school education and afterward matri- culated in the University of Alabama, from which he was graduated with the Bachelor of Science degree and during his student days there he became a member of the Kappa Sigma. He is also an A. B. graduate of the University of Indiana and his professional training was received in the University of Chicago, which conferred upon him the M. D. degree in 1914. He then put
7. Capps
641
HISTORY OF TULSA
his theoretical knowledge to the practical test by eighteen months service as interne in pediatrics in the Cook County Hospital and in fact entered upon his service as interne before completing his university course. In 1915 he came to Tulsa, where he has since engaged in general practice, although largely special- izing in the treatment of diseases of children.
The only marked interruption to his professional labors here came through his military service. On the 16th of August, 1916, he was commissioned a first lieutenant of the Oklahoma National Guard and was on duty on the Mexi- can border for ten months, there remaining until February 25, 1917, receiving his discharge on the Ist day of March, that year. He afterward became a first lieutenant of the Tulsa Ambulance Corps and his company was called into federal service on the 6th of August, 1917, as Ambulance Company, No. 166. On the 19th of August he was sent to Fort Sill and afterward to Camp Mills, Long Island, in September, as part of the Forty-second Division. He was with the Ambulance Company, No. 167, and went overseas on the 18th of October, 1917, with the Forty-second Division, with which he was on duty all through the Chateau Thierry defensive, where the American troops were thrown into the breach between the broken lines of the Allies and turned the tide of battle so effectively that the Germans were never again able to advance. He also partici- pated in the battles of the Marne, Ourcq. Toul and the great Meuse-Argonne offensives. He was chief of the surgical section of Ambulance Company, No. 167. of the Forty-second Division, was wounded on one occasion and was twice gassed. He received three citations in general orders for meritorious service under fire. After the armistice he was sent to Base Hospital, No. 17, at Dijon, Cote d'Or, France, where he did surgical work for a time and later was trans- ferred to Base Hospital, No. 114, at Beau Desseret, near Bordeaux, sailing for home on the 4th of March, 1919, having rendered most valuable aid to the country in her efforts to establish world-wide democracy. In May, 1919, Dr. Capps was appointed to the office of county physician and he is now successfully engaged in general practice, his ability being widely recognized.
Dr. Capps was married to Miss Rebecca Mcalester, a granddaughter of Colonel James J. McAlester, a Confederate veteran of the Civil war, who be- came one of the pioneer coal operators of Oklahoma, settling in this section of the country when it was Indian Territory in 1869. He founded the town of McAlester and has in many ways left the impress of his individuality and ability upon the history of the state. He was a member of the corporation commission from 1907 until 1911 and from 1911 until 1915 filled the position of lieutenant governor of Oklahoma. The parents of Mrs. Capps were James B. and Asa (Janet) McAlester. Her father, who was born in the city of McAlester, Okla- homa, is now a general merchant, a garage proprietor and a real estate dealer and has been very successful in the conduct of his business affairs. To Dr. and Mrs. Capps has been born one son, John Fred, Jr. Mrs. Capps was an active canteen worker throughout the World war period and was very prominent in the Red Cross. She is also well known in club life and in social circles, her position being an enviable one. Dr. Capps belongs to Delta Lodge, No. 425, A. F. & A. M., and also to Indian Consistory, A. A. S. R., at McAlester. He is a member of the American Legion and along professional lines is connected with the Tulsa County, Oklahoma State, American Medical, Tri-State and South- western Medical Associations and thus keeps thoroughly informed concerning the advanced thought and methods of the profession. He also has member- ship in the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. He gives his political allegiance to the democratic party and his religious faith is that of the First
Vol. III-14
642
HISTORY OF TULSA
Baptist church, being very active in the men's Bible class. Concentrating his attention upon general practice he has at the same time specialized to a con- siderable extent in pediatrics and his ability in that branch of the profession is widely acknowledged.
JAMES P. FLANAGAN.
James P. Flanagan, an oil producer until recently connected with the Sin- clair Oil Company, came to Tulsa in 1910 and through the intervening period has been identified with the phenomenal rise and development of the city. He is a native of the state that first came into prominence through oil production, for he was born at Bradys Bend, Pennsylvania, January 8, 1880, his parents being John and Anna (Boyle) Flanagan, both of whom were natives of Ireland. They" came to the United States in 1860 and the father was identified with the oil interests of Pennsylvania. In 1910 he removed to Oklahoma, where he operated in the oil fields until his death, which occurred in Tulsa in October, 1918.
James P. Flanagan obtained his early education in the parochial schools of Bradford, Pennsylvania, and since 1896 has been identified actively with oil in- terests, entering upon work of this character when a youth of sixteen as a repre- sentative of the supply and oil well business. In 1904 he went to Independence, Kansas, with the Bovaird Supply Company when it entered the western oil fields, and in 1910 he came to Tulsa as representative of the same corporation. He remained with the Bovaird Supply Company until 1912, when he resigned to become an independent operator. In 1917 he went to Houston, Texas, becoming connected with the Sinclair Oil Company, and in 1919 was made president of the Sinclair Oil Company of Louisiana, operating at Shreveport. He resigned from his position as president of the Sinclair Oil Company of Louisiana in June, 1921, to resume his operations on his own account.
Mr. Flanagan was active in the establishment of the Red Cross of Tulsa and the nature of his interests is further indicated in the fact that he was one of the building committee and a trustee of the Holy Family church. He is a director of the Exchange National Bank, belongs to the Petroleum Club and the Tulsa Country Club and is one of the best of Tulsa's progressive citizens.
EDWIN B. WILSON, M. D.
Tulsa numbers among her prominent and representative citizens Dr. Edwin B. Wilson, who since 1911 has been engaged in the practice of his profession here. He has offices at 318-19 Security building, well appointed and up-to-date in every particular and has built up a practice which covers a large proportion of the community. He is a Kentuckian by birth, born at Harrodsburg, January 21, 1891, a son of Homer T. and Annie F. (Fitzgerald) Wilson. His father was born in Kentucky and the mother in Alabama. Homer T. Wilson was a minister of the Christian church, having pastorates in Oklahoma, Texas, Mis- souri and Kentucky, and he was active in the ministry until his demise in Feb- ruary, 1915. Mrs. Wilson lived until May, 1918.
In the acquirement of an education Dr. Wilson attended the high school of San Antonio, Texas, the Brown Preparatory school at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania,
-
643
HISTORY OF TULSA
and then entered the University of Pennsylvania, where he took the medical course and was graduated with the M. D. degree in 1915. He then served as house physician at the Bellevue Hospital in New York city for two years, was for one year in the army as first lieutenant of the medical corps, attached to the British forces in England and France, and received his discharge in 1918. He cheerfully subordinated all of his personal interests at the outbreak of the World war and after the close of that conflict returned to New York city, where he practiced for one year, coming to Tulsa in 1919. His practice has been success- ful and is now extensive and of a most important character.
In February, 1917, Dr. Wilson was united in marriage at New York city, to Miss Margaret Turnbull, a daughter of Alex and Margaret (Llewelyn) Turnbull, who were natives of Carbondale, Pennsylvania. The father was a florist and in the conduct of his business achieved more than a substantial amount of success. His death occurred in 1915, while the mother is still living. Two children have been born to Dr. and Mrs. Wilson : Betty, who was born on the 12th of March, 1919; and Edwin B. Jr., born January 28, 1921.
In politics Dr. Wilson is an earnest democrat and stands for all that is pro- gressive in matters of citizenship. His religious faith is that of the Christian church and fraternally he is a member of the Masonic order. Along the line of his profession Dr. Wilson holds membership in the American Medical, Okla- homa State and Tulsa County Medical Societies and is likewise a member of the American Legion and Nu Sigma Nu, a college fraternity. Dr. and Mrs. Wilson reside at 1415 North Elwood street and their home is a center of culture and refinement. The success which Dr. Wilson has attained is the result of his laudable ambition and determined effort and he considers his profession worthy of his undivided fealty.
VORIS V. VANDEVER.
Voris V. Vandever, a member of the Vandever Dry Goods Company, is classed among the representative citizens of Tulsa. He was born at Irving, Illinois, on the 12th of May, 1887, a son of William and Sarah (Grantham) Vandever, further mention of whom is made in the sketch of William A. Vand- ever, appearing on another page of this work.
In the acquirement of an education Voris V. Vandever attended the schools of his native town and upon removing to Tulsa with his parents entered the schools here. being one of the first class to complete a course and graduate from Smith's Business College. After putting his textbooks aside he engaged with his brothers, William A., Gary Y., Vern N., and Charles S. in the conduct of a large dry goods store at 109-1I South Main street, the firm being known as the Vandever Dry Goods Company. This store has an extensive and high class trade and the company conducts it on the highest and most honorable principles. Mr. Vandever closely studies every phase of his business, formulates his plans carefully and carries them forward to successful completion. The present quarters of the store are proving insufficient and the firm is contemplating the erection of a larger building of six or eight stories, on the corner of Fifth and Boston streets. In addition to his mercantile interests Mr. Vandever is a stock- holder in the Vandever Investment Company, in the Hayner Petroleum Company and has other business associations of importance.
Since age conferred upon Mr. Vandever the right of franchise he has been
644
HISTORY OF TULSA
a stanch ,supporter of the democratic party, having firm belief in the efficacy of the principles of that party as factors in good government. He has neither sought nor desired public office as a reward for party fealty, preferring to devote his entire time to his business affairs. He is fraternally identified with the Masons, of which he is a member of the Scottish Rite, blue lodge and Shrine, and he likewise holds membership in the Elks. The religious faith of Mr. Vand- ever is that of the Christian church. In 1918 he enlisted for service in the World war and was stationed at Camp Travis, San Antonio, Texas. He was soon afterward sent to France and joined the Twentieth Engineers, Company D, Twelfth Battalion. He received his discharge on the 16th of July, 1919, at Camp Pike, Little Rock, Arkansas. Mr. Vandever is now residing at 14II South Terrace drive. Those who know him, and he has many friends, esteem him highly as a man of genuine personal worth, as a business man of ability and as a citizen who is ever loyal to the best interests of the community.
THOMAS C. SKEEN.
Thomas C. Skeen, western manager of the Parkersburg Rig & Reel Com- pany of Parkersburg, with local offices in the Kennedy building, has won a substantial measure of success, although all days in his career have not been equally bright. As a business man his optimism, perseverance, energy and sterl- ing qualifications have been the foundation on which he has builded and al- though he has at times been confronted with obstacles he has overcome these and has made notable progress from time to time toward the goal of success.
Mr. Skeen was born on a ranch in Cass county, Texas, May 20, 1871, and is a son of P. A. and Sallie (Whatley) Skeen, the former a native of Georgia and the latter of Alabama. The father was a prominent dentist in the south, practicing his profession successfully for many years. When a lad of but sev- enteen he enlisted in the Confederate army and being captured he was held as a prisoner of war for three years on Governor's Island. He belonged to the Masonic lodge and was long an active and devoted member of the Methodist Episcopal church, passing away in that faith in August, 1919. His wife is also deceased. In their family were two children, Thomas C. and S. P., the latter also a resident of Tulsa.
Mr. Skeen attended the public and high schools of Texas and then secured a position in a bank at Atlanta, Texas. For twelve years he devoted his atten- tion to the banking business in Atlanta and Texarkana, Texas, and for a con- siderable period acted as cashier of the First National Bank in the latter city. He then engaged as a manufacturer and wholesale dealer of lumber in Texas. He afterward spent fifteen years in the manufacturing and wholesale lumber business in St. Louis and was very successful in his operations there. By his earlier experience he brought to his St. Louis venture wide knowledge which contrib- uted to his progress as a wholesale lumber dealer of that city. Difficulties have confronted him, as they have every other individual. One who knows him well has said of him: "You could never keep him down, as his perseverance and dogged determination always overcame obstacles. He is a high-class business man of exceptional intellectual attainments."
Mr. Skeen came to Tu'sa in 1917 to assume his present position as western manager of the Parkersburg Rig & Reel Company, whose headquarters and manufacturing plants are located at Parkersburg, West Virginia. The firm is
THOMAS C. SKEEN
1
647
HISTORY OF TULSA
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.