USA > Oklahoma > Tulsa County > Tulsa > The history of Tulsa, Oklahoma > Part 23
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the largest and only exclusive manufacturers of rig irons, steel tankage, and drilling machines in the United States. This corporation conducts an immense business, maintaining warehouses in Tulsa and thirty-six other cities in Okla- homa, Kansas, Texas, Arkansas and Louisiana, over which Mr. Skeen, as west- ern manager, has supervision. Thus his position is one of responsibility. He is everywhere regarded as a man of sterling quality and of unusual business acumen and his success may be attributed in a large part to his genius for judg- ing human nature and to his habit of living up to every promise made on all occasions.
In 1897 Mr. Skeen was married to Miss Benedette Moore of Austin, Texas, a daughter of Edwin Moore of New Orleans, and they have one daughter, Mary, who is a graduate of Mary Institute and Washington University of St. Louis. The members of the family occupy a prominent and enviable social posi- tion and are interested in all matters connected with civic and philanthropic ac- tivities. They are members of the Episcopal church and are interested in all that makes for public welfare and cultural advancement.
Mr. Skeen reads broadly, keeps in touch with the trend of modern thought and is familiar with the best literature. He is a Knights Templar and Shriner. In Tulsa he is a member of the Petroleum Club and the Country Club. His in- terests and activities are at all times directed along those lines and in those chan- nels through which flows the greatest good to the greatest number.
EUGENE W. WRIGHT.
One of the well known and progressive business men of Tulsa is Eugene W. Wright, secretary and treasurer of The Oil Well Improvements Company, with offices at 623-24-25 Kennedy building. He was born in Franklin, Pennsylva- nia, on the 9th of December, 1895, a son of William and Margaret (Murphy) Wright, the former a native of England and the latter of Ireland. Both came to America at an early day, accompanied by their parents, he being four years of age at the time of his arrival in America, and she came when seventeen. The Wrights located in Franklin, Pennsylvania, where William was reared and edu- cated, leaving school at the age of twelve years to learn the iron business from the ground up. His energy and ability brought him constant promotion and until 1914 he occupied the position of general superintendent of the Bovaird & Seyfang Manufacturing Company. In 1914 he came to Tulsa and became as- sociated with the Oklahoma Iron Works, with which he is still actively con- nected as general manager, a director and stockholder. Mrs. Wright is also living.
Eugene W. Wright acquired his education in the schools of Franklin and Bradford, Pennsylvania, and on completing his studies entered railroading as chief clerk for the Erie road and for two years remained in that position, capa- bly and conscientiously performing every task assigned him. In 1914 he came to Tulsa with his parents and for five months was actively connected with the McEwen Manufacturing Company here. At the termination of that period he became accountant with The Oil Well Improvement Company, his spirit of initiative and marked ability bringing about his promotion as secretary and treasurer of the company in June, 1919. A. G. Heggem is president of the company and Mark E. Davis, further mention of whom is made on another page of this work, vice president. Their plant is located at Collinsville, Okla-
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homa, where they manufacture a control casinghead and roller oil saver which they sell all over the world, that is, in every vicinity where petroleum is produced.
On the 23d of June, 1918, Mr. Wright was united in marriage to Miss Elea- nor Essner, and to them one child has been born: Jean Louise, whose natal day is the 12th of February, 1920.
The religious faith of Mr. Wright is that of the Catholic church and politi- cally he is a stanch supporter of the republican party. He is fraternally iden- tified with the Knights of Columbus, of which order he is treasurer, and in the activities of which he takes a prominent part. Upon the outbreak of the World war Mr. Wright immediately offered his services and served as ordnance ser- geant with Company A, Third Regiment, and was stationed at Camp Hancock, Georgia. He received his discharge on the 17th of January, 1919. His business career has been one of continuous progress and his fellow townsmen attest his sterling qualities and personal worth as well as his business ability. Both Mr. and Mrs. Wright have an extensive circle of friends and their home at III8 West Second street is noted for its warm hospitality.
CHARLES C. CALVERT, JR.
Tulsa numbers among her prominent business men Charles C. Calvert, Jr., who is president of the Ensign Oil Corporation with offices at 27-29 Nebraska building. He was born at Calvert, Texas, in May, 1882, a son of Charles C. and Hannah (Hughes) Calvert, the former a native of the same town as his son and the latter of Asheville, North Carolina. At an early day the father of Charles C. Calvert, Sr., went to Texas and there founded the town which bears his name. He was a major in the Texas-Mexican army, being stationed between Texas and Mexico, and he also gained prominence as a successful cap- italist. His son received his education in the common schools of Texas and later entered the law department of the University of Tennessee, from which he was graduated in due time. He then became associated with the H. & T. C. and Frisco lines at Denison for a good many years, passing away in October, 1907, at the age of forty-five years. Mrs. Calvert is residing in Denison, Texas.
Charles C. Calvert, Jr., received his education in the schools of Texas and in 1904 graduated from Trinity College at Chocowinity, North Carolina, this school being conducted by Rev. Nicholas C. Hughes, an uncle of our subject. It might be here mentioned that Mrs. Calvert, the mother of Calvert C., Jr., is closely related to Charles Evans Hughes and President Warren G. Harding. Completing his studies, Charles C. Calvert, Jr., went to work for the old Waters Pierce Oil Corporation at Denison and removed with that corporation to Okla- homa City, Oklahoma, in 1905. He remained with them until 1908 and then became associated with the Continental Oil Company, with which firm he re- mained eight years. In 1916 he located in Tulsa as sales manager of the Pro- ducers & Refiners Corporation and he performed his duties in a most capable and efficient manner in that connection until on the 4th of February, 1919, he organized the P. & R. Marketing Company, later changing its name to the Ensign Oil Corporation. Since its organization he has served as president and in fact owns all of the stock with the exception of one share. They are produ- cers and marketers, owning thirteen hundred acres in Rogers, Waggoner and Carter counties, Oklahoma, and maintaining offices in Chicago and Kansas City.
On the 18th of June, 1907, occurred the marriage of Mr. Calvert to Miss
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Austa Cardiff and to them two children have been born: Charlotte Louise, whose natal day is the 15th day of February, 1910; and John Charles, born on the 26th of March, 1913.
The religious faith of Mr. Calvert is indicated by his membership in the Episcopal church and his political allegiance is given to the democratic party, having firm belief in the principles of that party as factors in good government. Fraternally he is a member of the Masons, holding membership in the chapter and council and he is likewise a Woodman of the World. Mr. Calvert possesses keen discernment and broad vision and is a firm believer in Tulsa and its oppor- tunities. He is keenly interested in all that pertains to the material, intellectual, social and moral welfare of his city and is readily conceded a representative citizen. Mr. and Mrs. Calvert reside at 1810 East Archer.
WALTER W. SHAW.
Walter W. Shaw is connected with one of the most important business enter- prises of Tulsa as manager of the bond department of the Exchange Trust Company. He was born in Owego, New York, on the 21st of November, 1880, a son of Charles E. and Ida M. (White) Shaw, both natives of Tioga county, that state, where the father gained prominence as a buckwheat miller, wholesale grocer, coal mine operator and banker. He resided in New York until 1889, when he went to Nebraska, residing in that state until 1897, when he removed to Denver. In 1907 he went to Salina, Kansas, and there operated coal mines until his death on the 27th of September, 1919, at the age of sixty-six years. Mrs. Shaw is living and still makes Salina her place of residence.
Walter W. Shaw is indebted to the schools of Lincoln, Nebraska, Denver, Colorado, and Kansas City, Missouri, for his early education, later entering the University of Michigan, from which he was graduated in law in the year 1902. In the fall of that year he commenced the practice of his profession at Kansas City and after two successful years spent in that city came to Oklahoma and located at Claremore. For eleven years he practiced in Claremore and for two years of that time served as county judge and likewise city attorney. He was nominated for district judge on the republican ticket but was defeated by two hundred and six votes. He had charge of the Taft and Harris forces in the district republican convention of 1912 at Tulsa and was offered nomination for congress. In 1915 he located in Shreveport, Louisiana, where he engaged in the bond business, likewise securing some oil interests, but in 1918 he left that city and came to Tulsa to take charge of the bond department of the Exchange Trust Company and also of the Exchange National Bank.
On the 6th of June, 1906, Mr. Shaw was united in marriage to Miss Mary A. Bullette and to them two children have been born: Walter W., Jr., whose natal day was the 17th of April, 1907; and Martha Helen, born August 8. 1908. Mrs. Shaw is prominently known in connection with the club and social affairs of Tulsa and is conceded a model mother.
The religious faith of the family is indicated by their membership in the Presbyterian church and they are prominent in all affairs of that organization. Politically Mr. Shaw is a republican and his fraternal affiliations are with the Masons, in which order he has attained the thirty-second degree, and he is a member of Akdar Temple of the Mystic Shrine and of the chapter; also the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks; Knights of Pythias ; Modern Wood-
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men of America; Woodmen of the World, and Sigma Alpha Epsilon, a Greek letter fraternity. Mr. Shaw is accounted one of the energetic, prosperous and capable business men of Tulsa, always ready to back all worthy and beneficial movements, and possessing the progressive spirit of the times, he accomplishes all that he undertakes.
JOHN Y. MURRY.
John Y. Murry, attorney at law, largely specializing in corporation practice, was born at Ripley, Mississippi, May 20, 1862. His father, John Y. Murry, a native of Tennessee, went to Mississippi with his parents when but three years of age. He became a physician and was a military surgeon of the Con- federate army, having the rank of captain. His professional position was one of prominence in Mississippi for many years and he served as president of the Tri-State Medical Association, comprising the states of Tennessee, Miss- issippi and Arkansas. He was prominent in Masonry, serving twice as grand master of the state and being for many years and until his death one of the trustees of the Mississippi Masonic Orphans Home. He belonged to the Meth- odist Episcopal church, South, was a recognized leader in Sunday school and church work and was for more than a quarter of a century president of the Tippah County Sunday School Association. The life of a devout Christian man was ended when in 1915 he passed away. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Mary Miller, was born in eastern Tennessee and was reared in Mississippi. She departed this life in 1910, in the faith of the Methodist Episcopal church, for like her husband she had been a loyal follower of its teachings.
John Y. Murry was one of a family of six children, all of whom are living. He pursued his education in his native state, winning the Bachelor of Philosophy degree upon graduation from the University of Mississippi and afterward pur- suing the law course there, which gained for him the LL. B. degree in 1884. He was then admitted to the bar and has practiced since 1889, devoting his attention largely to corporation law. During his residence in Mississippi he concentrated his attention upon civil law, especially upon chancery practice, and following his removal to Oklahoma he has given his time to corporation law and represents large corporate and banking interests in this state. At this time he is a member of the board of directors of the Exchange National Bank of Tulsa. From the beginning of his professional career he was accorded a place in the forefront of the profession by reason of his comprehensive knowledge of the principles of jurisprudence. He prepares his cases with great thorough- ness and care and his argument is always sound and logical. Moreover, he is an extremely safe counselor and his professional vision is at all times keen.
In 1887 Mr. Murry was married to Miss Sallie H. Hunt, who was born and reared in Mississippi. They are the parents of four children: Mrs. Mary H. Smith, now of Tulsa; T. M. and John Young, both prominent as Tulsa merchants; and Sarah H., who is in school. The elder daughter, Mrs. Smith, has one child, Allen Murry Smith, and John Young is the father of a son, John Stotts Murry.
Mr. Murry turns to golf for recreation. He belongs to the Beta Beta Chapter of the Beta Theta Pi and is widely known in Masonic circles, having served as deputy grand master in Mississippi and presided as acting grand
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JOHN Y. MURRY
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master of Mississippi at one grand communication of the grand lodge of that state by virtue of his office as deputy in the absence of the grand master. In politics he has always been deeply interested as a supporter of the democratic party and served for a term as a member of the Mississippi legislature, while for ten or twelve years he was secretary of the state senate. While he makes no claim to being an orator in the usually accepted sense of the term, he is a forceful and convincing speaker, and when called back to Mississippi to dedicate the Confederate monument in his home county he delivered an address re- garded as one of the most appropriate ever heard there. He has long been liberal in support of church and charitable work and has ever followed the injunction not to let the left hand know what the right hand doeth but has given liberally in case of need and without ostentation. He is a lover of the best literature and of music and to these turns for recreation and diversion.
CARL E. DUFFIELD.
Carl E. Duffield, senior member of the firm of Duffield & Howard, oil pro- ducers, and a member of the Oil State Gasoline Company, is numbered among the well known and progressive young business men of Tulsa. Born in Mckean county, Pennsylvania, in June, 1882, he was a son of Lewis C. and Etta (Blakely) Duffield, also natives of that state, where for many years the father occupied a prominent position in oil circles. They were the parents of four children : Clarence, Homer, Carl E., and Hazel. Lewis C. Duffield is now living in Caney, Kansas, and is engaged in producing oil in both that state and Okla- homa. Mrs. Duffield passed away in November, 1891. Later Mr. Duffield married Lois McCurry and to this second marriage two children were born: Merle and Earl, twins.
In the acquirement of an education Carl E. Duffield attended the common schools of Pennsylvania and in due time entered the University of Ohio. At the same time he worked for his father, driving a team, and after the completion of his studies went on tool work for his father, also doing some outside work. He capably and conscientiously performed every duty assigned him and for many years worked for his father in various capacities, becoming thoroughly familiar with the sawmilling business and agricultural pursuits. In 1905, how- ever, he accompanied his brother to Kansas, and leaving him there, came on to Tulsa, where he purchased a string of tools and began drilling for Charles Page. Since that time he has been active along that line, drilling mostly for himself, and he has been successful in producing in both Tulsa and Osage counties. The Oil State Gasoline Company, of which he is a member, operates a casing- head plant at Jenks and Beggs, and in addition Mr. Duffield is interested in the casinghead plant at Sperry, this state, which is known as the Rotary Gasoline Company. He is a stockholder in the Hinderliter Tool Company and likewise operates a farm or two in the vicinity of Tulsa.
On the 14th of February, 1911, occurred the marriage of Mr. Duffield to Miss Leo Laura Bates and to them one child has been born, namely, Carl E., Jr., whose natal day was the 22d of April, 1920.
Since age conferred upon Mr. Duffield the right of franchise he has been a stanch supporter of the democratic party, having firm belief in the efficacy of its principles as factors in good government. His religious faith is that of the Methodist Episcopal church, South, and in addition to being superintendent of
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the Boston Avenue Sunday school he is a member of the board of stewards of the church. He is a member and director of the Young Men's Christian Asso- ciation and also belongs to the Rotary Club, taking an active interest in the material and moral welfare of Tulsa. Mr. Duffield is a lover of the great out-of-doors and hunting is his favorite form of recreation. He owns a number of fine hunting dogs, bird dogs, English setters and pointers and he has one English setter that has won for three years in succession the all American chicken championship on prairie chickens and has competed throughout the United States. On his farms Mr. Duffield specializes in raising Rhode Island Reds and White Leghorns. In every undertaking with which he is identified he has displayed mature judgment, a spirit of initiative and marked executive ability in controlling his interests. Mr. and Mrs. Duffield reside at No. 1436 South Carson street and he has offices in the Kennedy building, 406-12.
LEONARD E. ROBERTS.
Through a period of a decade Leonard E. Roberts has been identified with real estate development in Tulsa and is also one of the oil men of the city. His activities have been a source of improvement and development here as well as a source of individual profit. His sound judgment and enterprise characterize his work at all times and he is steadily pushing forward toward the goal of success. He was born in Whitesboro, Texas, November 13, 1879, a son of William D. and Mary E. (Smithers) Roberts, who were natives of Virginia. In young manhood the father went to Texas and was a traveling salesman, rep- resenting cotton gin machinery. He traveled in Oklahoma in the early days and has intimate knowledge of the state during the period of its pioneer develop- ment.
Leonard E. Roberts obtained a public school education in his native city and when fifteen years of age began to earn his living by working in a drug and book store. He afterward entered the Railway Mail Service, with which he was connected for eight years, but was constantly watchful of opportunities for advancement and at length began building and selling medium priced homes at Fort Worth, Texas. He made substantial advance in that business and in 1910 removed to Oklahoma City, where he remained for about a year and then came to Tulsa. Here he owned the Lyric Theater for a short time, but afterward again engaged in building and selling homes, developing Stonebreaker Heights and Maple Ridge. In 1917 he became associated with L. C. Wells in the build- ing of Hotel Miami at Miami, Oklahoma, which is the finest hotel of its size in the state. On, the completion of this undertaking he again took up his abode in Tulsa, resumed his building operations and in 1919 erected the fine Roberts building, to which he built an addition in 1920. It is one of the thoroughly modern office buildings of the city, an added attraction to Tulsa's architectural adornment. From this property he derives a very substantial annual income and is also successfully engaged in the oil business.
At Forth Worth, Texas, Mr. Roberts was married to Miss Theodosia Primm, a daughter of St. John and Mary Primm, and they have become the parents of Roslyn, who is a very talented little daughter. Mr. Roberts has membership in Delta Lodge, No. 425, A. F. & A. M., and has attained the thirty-second degree in the Scottish Rite in Oklahoma Consistory, No. I, A. A. S. R., at Guthrie. He likewise belongs to Akdar Temple of the Mystic Shrine and is
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active as a member of the Patrol. He has membership in Elks Lodge, No. 946, and is ever a loyal follower of the teachings and purposes of these fraternities. His political support is given to the democratic party, with which he has been allied since age conferred upon him the right of franchise, but he does not seek nor desire political office, preferring to concentrate his efforts and attention upon his business affairs, which have been of a most substantial and profitable character.
A. THOMAS W. KERR.
One of the substantial and progressive business men of Tulsa and Sand Springs is A. Thomas W. Kerr, vice president and general manager of the Kerr Glass Factories, located at the latter place. He is a native of San Francisco, Cal- ifornia, where he was born in September, 1888, a son of Alexander H. and Amanda (Alison) Kerr, both of whom were born in Pennsylvania. The father went to Idaho as a young man and there operated a ranch for a short time, later removing to California and thence to Oregon, in which state he resided for some years. Locating in Portland he engaged in the wholesale grocery business as a member of the firm of Wadhams & Kerr Brothers and he still devotes some time to that business. In 1903, however, he removed from Portland to Kansas and established a glass factory at Altoona, with sales offices at Portland and subse- quently removed those offices to Chicago. In 1915 he moved his manufacturing interests to Sand Springs, Oklahoma, building a fine plant and there engages in the manufacture of fruit jars and preserve glasses, doing an extensive business all over the United States and Canada. He also operates a lamp chimney plant under the firm name of Kerr, Hubbard & Kelly, this being entirely separate from his other enterprise. During the World war Mr. Kerr served as a dollar-a-year man, being special assistant to Secretary Houston. In the spring of 1919 he took up permanent residence in Los Angeles, California, maintaining an office there, from which he directs his business in Oklahoma. Mrs. Kerr is also living and is a prominent woman in the social and club circles of Los Angeles.
In the acquirement of an education A. Thomas W. Kerr attended the private schools of Portland, Oregon, and in 1907 entered Harvard, from which university he was graduated with the class of 1910, with the A. B. degree. He at once be- came associated with his father in business, having charge of a department in the Kerr Glass Factories and his business ability was such as to win him constant promotion, until he became vice president and secretary of the business. He is also a partner in the Kerr, Hubbard & Kelly factory. The dominant characteris- tics of Mr. Kerr are pluck, energy and perseverance and by reason of his close application and thoroughness he has reached the creditable place that he occupies.
On the 23d of February, 1918, Mr. Kerr was united in marriage to Miss Alice Marian Smith, a daughter of Milton W. and Alice (Sweet) Smith, natives of Portland, Oregon. Her father is a prominent attorney in that city. To the union of Mr. and Mrs. Kerr one child, Jean J., has been born. Her natal day was the 18th of October, 1919.
Mr. Kerr gives his political endorsement to the republican party and at all times keeps well informed concerning the vital questions and issues of the day, but political preferment has no attraction for him. He finds his satisfaction and interest in the upbuilding of his business and his close application and thorough- ness constitute the important elements in his prosperity. Fraternally he is iden- tified with the Masons and Elks and his religious faith is that of the Presbyterian
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church. As a prominent and successful business man and one interested in the development and improvement of his community, Mr. Kerr holds membership in the Chamber of Commerce, Rotary Club, Petroleum Club, University Club and Country Club. In addition to his factory connections he is a stockholder in Wadhams & Kerr Brothers, wholesale grocers of Portland. At all times Mr. Kerr has borne his part in the progress and development of the community and like his father he possesses keen discernment and broad vision. Although the factories are located at Sand Springs Mr. and Mrs. Kerr make their home at 1812 South Cheyenne, Tulsa.
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