USA > Oklahoma > Tulsa County > Tulsa > The history of Tulsa, Oklahoma > Part 30
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WILLIAM MERVIN BOVAIRD.
The marvelous development of Tulsa is largely attributable to the develop- ment of the oil fields in this section and in connection therewith opportunity has been offered to establish and conduct many successful business enterprises which are today important commercial features in the southwest. With a recognition of the attractiveness of this field and the chances offered for business progress, William Mervin Bovaird has become the secretary-treasurer of the Bovaird
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Supply Company, handling oil well supplies, with offices in the Kennedy build- ing in Tulsa. He is an alert, wide-awake and progressive young business man, who already has attained a point of success that many a man of twice his years might well envy. He was born in Bradford, Pennsylvania, May 21, 1890, his parents being William J. and Anna L. (Davis) Bovaird, both of whom are natives of the Keystone state, the mother's birth having occurred in Mercer county. They are now residing at Independence, Kansas, and have reared a family of seven children. Their religious belief is that of the Presbyterian church and in fraternal connections Mr. Bovaird is a Mason.
Having begun his education in the public schools of his native city, W. Mervin Bovaird continued his studies in the high school at Independence, Kan- sas, having accompanied his parents on their removal to the Sunflower state in early boyhood. He afterward entered the employ of the Bovaird Supply Com- pany in 1909, when a youth of nineteen years, and served that concern in vari- ous capacities, thus acquainting himself with the oil well supply business. He continued with the firm until January, 1914, as an employe and was then elected secretary and treasurer of the company to succeed J. P. Flanagan. He came to Tulsa in January, 1914, and throughout the intervening period has been connected with the oil well supply business, having as his patrons many of the leading oil corporations of the southwest. His energy and enterprise have con- tributed to the steady growth and development of the trade, which is now one of large and gratifying proportions.
Mr. Bovaird has an interesting military chapter in his life history, for he served as a sergeant of Company I of the Forty-fourth Infantry during the World war. He went to Camp Fort Logan, Colorado, was also at Camp Lewis, Washington, and at the Presidio in San Francisco.
Mr. Bovaird is a Mason, belonging to the lodge at Independence, Kansas. He has also taken the degrees of the York and Scottish Rites and is a member of Akdar Temple of the Mystic Shrine and belongs to its patrol. He is like- wise a member of the Tulsa Country Club and of the Petroleum Club and his position in the social circles of Tulsa is an enviable one. Moreover, he is rec- ognized as a dynamic force in business affairs, for every opportunity is to him a call to action and the wise use that he has made of his advantages has placed him in a prominent position in connection with those business affairs which have had their root in the development of the oil fields of the state. Mr. Bovaird gives his political allegiance to the republican party, while his religious faith is that of the Presbyterian church.
THOMAS FRANK BIRMINGHAM.
What Tulsa would have been without the oil discoveries of this section it is perhaps impossible to determine. It is definitely known, however, that its growth would have been much slower and less spectacular, for its advancement would have had to depend largely upon the development of the surrounding agricultural district. But when Tulsa "came in" as one of the richest oil fields of the entire country, the change was magical and to this district have come many of the most progressive and enterprising oil men of the United States. Thomas Frank Birm- ingham is now the president of the Margay Oil Corporation, a business organiza- tion which is a credit to the state. If it is true that opportunity knocks but once, he made immediate response to her summons, for since starting out in the business
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world his course has been marked by steady progress. He was born in White county, Arkansas, April 6, 1869, but when only three years of age was taken to Texas by his parents, Dr. E. L. and L. C. (Thomas) Birmingham. The father became a physician of Uvalde, Texas, and remained a resident of that state to the time of his death in 1882. He served as a member of the Confederate army dur- ing the Civil war and he was always a loyal follower of Masonic teachings. His wife, a native of Arkansas, became the mother of five children, four of whom - survive.
Thomas Frank Birmingham, after mastering the branches of learning taught in the public schools of Uvalde, Texas, continued his education in Baylor Uni- versity of that state. He then initiated his business career by securing a position in a bank at San Antonio, Texas, where he was receiving teller for a short time. He next went to Uvalde, Texas, where he engaged in merchandising for two years and then moved to Wylie, that state, where he remained for a number of years. He was very prominent in commercial circles in Texas and was recognized as one of the men of affairs in that state. In 1913 he came to Tulsa, where he has since resided. He had become identified with the oil industry, however, in Texas seventeen years ago and he is now active as one of the oil producers of the Tulsa fields, being at the head of the Margay Oil Corporation, a company composed of high-class business men engaged in oil production, with large capital and with attractive offices in the new Roberts building at Sixth and Main streets in Tulsa. In addition to Mr. Birmingham the officers are: John I. Taylor, treas- urer, who has been a lifelong friend and business associate of Mr. Birmingham ; and Arthur H. Mayginnes, who is now secretary.
In 1889 Mr. Birmingham was united in marriage to Miss Hattie Housewright, of Plano, Texas, a daughter of L. N. Housewright, one of the early settlers of the Lone Star state. Mr. and Mrs. Birmingham have become parents of three children : F. O. died at the age of twenty-one years ; E. L., twenty-seven years of age, is now associated with the Margay Oil Corporation. He married Cecil Daniel and has three children : Louis, Frank and Lolledge; the daughter, Elsie, married W. R. Cartwell, of Tulsa.
Fraternally Mr. Birmingham is connected with the Knights of Pythias and with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He largely derives his recreation and diversion from reading and he finds his greatest happiness at his own fire- side, his best traits of character being reserved for the home circle.
C. KENNETH ABBOTT.
C. Kenneth Abbott dates his residence in Tulsa from December, 1915, and is prominently known as the manager of the Independent Torpedo Company. Enterprise and progress have brought him prominently to the front in the business circles of this city, yet his attention is by no means confined to business activities. He recognizes his duties and obligations in other connections and finds keen joy in contributing to the happiness of poor children at Thanksgiving. Christmas Day and other times in the year, his humanitarian spirit being one of his marked characteristics. Mr. Abbott is a native of Bowling Green, Ohio. He was born March I, 1891, a son of Charles E. and Minnie (Cook) Abbott, who were also natives of the Buckeye state. The father, a dry goods merchant, is still active in business at Leipsic, Ohio, and is prominent in connection with local civic affairs, standing at all times for advancement and improvement in
C. KENNETH ABBOTT
Vol. 111-19
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everything related to the welfare of his city. His religious faith is that of the Methodist Episcopal church and he and his wife are loyal followers of its teachings.
C. Kenneth Abbott, one of a family of three children, began his education in the public schools of Findlay, Ohio, and passed through consecutive grades to his graduation from high school and from a business college. He was after- wards identified with a large clay pottery company of Findlay, Ohio, for six years, and then became representative of the Independent Torpedo Company of Findlay, Ohio. In this connection he came to Tulsa in December, 1915, acting as western representative of the company, which does an extensive business in the oil district. He is a most alert and energetic young business man, of whom those who know him speak in terms of the highest regard. He is likewise the president of the Associated Tin Company of Ranger, Texas, which has factories in Tulsa. In a business way he seems ready to meet any emergency with the strength that comes from a right conception of things and an habitual regard tor what is best in the exercise of human activity.
On the 25th of March, 1916, Mr. Abbott was married to Miss Helen Marvin of Findlay, Ohio, and they have one daughter, Mary Louise. Mr. and Mrs. Abbott have membership in the Methodist church and he is identified with the Elks lodge of Findlay, Ohio. His Christianity is of a most practical character, manifest in his active aid of many philanthropic and civic interests, and one of his personal charities is a gift of a Thanksgiving dinner to poor boys of Tulsa and a Christmas celebration to the children in the Detention Home, when a Christmas tree is prepared and gifts most liberally distributed. Mr. Abbott is a young man of high ideals as well as of marked business ability and is a citizen of whom Tulsa has every reason to be proud.
HON. JOHN O. MITCHELL.
Many and varied were the activities which brought John O. Mitchell to the position which he occupied in Tulsa. Here he was known as a most resourceful and forceful business man whose judicious investments and carefully directed interests gained him classification with the capitalists of the state. Moreover, he was regarded as a leading citizen and one whose devotion to the public good was never a matter of question. Many tangible evidences of his interest in the city and in the welfare of the state could be cited and not a little of Tulsa's growth and development is attributable directly to his labors. To him came the honor of serving as the first president of the commission plan of government in Oklahoma, for Tulsa was the first city of the state to adopt this method of municipal man- agement and control. As commission mayor he gave to the city a most business- like and progressive administration, the valuable benefits of which are still felt. He dated his residence here from 1904 and his course was at all times in harmony with the rapid progress and development of the city, whose growth seems almost magical when we remember that at the beginning of the present century Tulsa's population was less than fifteen hundred.
Mr. Mitchell was a native of Dade county, Missouri, his birth having there occurred on the 22d of October, 1858, his parents being DeWitt C. and Nancy (Carey) Mitchell, who were natives of Tennessee. The father was born on the Holston river. not far from Knoxville, Tennessee. in 1833, and he passed away in Missouri in 1880, when but forty-seven years of age. He became a resident of
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Dade county in 1855, there casting in his lot with the pioneer settlers who re- claimed that district for the purposes of civilization. His attention was given to farming and stock raising and the careful and wise management of his affairs made him one of the prosperous agriculturists of his community. His political allegiance was given to the republican party, but he never sought the honors nor emoluments of office. At the time of the Civil war, however, his patriotic spirit surmounted all other interests and he became a soldier of the Union army, par- ticipating in the battle of Wilson's Creek on the 10th of August, 1861, when General Lyons lost his life. The mother, Mrs. Mitchell, was born in Jefferson, Tennessee, and lived to an advanced age, passing away in 1908.
John O. Mitchell, who was the third in order of birth in a family of ten children, spent his youthful days in southern Missouri and after mastering the branches of learning taught in the public schools he became a student at Ozark College. He then took up the profession of teaching, which he followed for eight years in connection with various schools. but he did not regard this as his life work and as opportunity offered extended his efforts into other fields. He became connected with farming and stock raising and also conducted a general mer- chandise store. His farming interests proved very successful and he constantly added to his holdings until he was one of the leading agriculturists of his part of the state. For many years he was prominently known as a buyer of cattle, hogs and mules for the Kansas City market. His holdings in southern Missouri were extensive, including fourteen hundred acres of land near Lockwood, this farm being very productive and thereby constituting a source of substantial revenue. He became a stockholder and director of the Dade County Bank, remaining on its board until his removal to Tulsa in August, 1904, when he resigned. His busi- ness at all times was most carefully managed and the soundness of his judgment and his keen discrimination were manifest in the results achieved. Moreover, Mr. Mitchell became recognized as one of the prominent political leaders of Missouri during his residence in that state. Without seeking the nomination he was made a candidate on the democratic ticket for the office of general assemblyman in a county that normally gives a strong republican majority. His personal popularity and the confidence reposed in him by his fellow townsmen led to a marked reduction in the republican vote, his opponent winning the election by a plurality of but eighty. Mr. Mitchell served as a member of the convention which nominated David Francis for governor of Missouri at Sedalia. In various ways he swayed public thought and opinion in his community and shaped its political history, his influence being ever on the side of progress and improve- ment.
It was therefore with broad and valuable experience in life that Mr. Mitchell came to Tulsa and at once entered upon the task of developing the city. Here he not only became a prominent figure in business circles but was almost immedi- ately called upon for public activity, having in the year 1904-the year of his arrival-been selected as Tulsa committeeman in the delegation which went from Oklahoma to Washington for the purpose of advocating joint statehood. The decision of this committee was one of the influential factors in the delibera- tions of congress, which less than two years later enacted the statehood law for Oklahoma and the Indian territory. In 1906 Mr. Mitchell was elected mayor of Tulsa on the democratic ticket, filling the office for one term, and following the granting of a commission charter to the city by the state legislature in 1910, he was again chosen mayor and his personal influence was a strong factor in the equation that proved the success of the municipal experiment in Oklahoma. The example of Tulsa has since been widely followed and the commission plan of
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government is now largely used by the leading cities of the state. Upon all public questions Mr. Mitchell brought to bear the sound judgment and keen sagacity which he displayed in the management of his business interests. The latter were most varied and extensive and as a result thereof he was numbered among the capitalists of the state. He became identified with the Illinois Oil & Gas Com- pany of Red Fork, which built a brick plant, using for fuel some of the abund- ant natural gas produced in that section. This brick was shipped in large quantities to Tulsa during the great building boom of the city and was also widely used in the construction of important buildings in many other cities of the state. The Central National Bank of Tulsa is likewise a monument to the efforts of Mr. Mitchell and other progressive business men who effected the organization in 1907. He became the vice president and one of the large stockholders in the Barnes Oil Company, which in 1909 sold its interests for seven hundred and fifty thousand dollars to the Prairie Oil & Gas Company. At one time he was the owner of the Galbreath Oil & Gas Company of Tulsa, which subsequently was sold to the Oklahoma Natural Gas Company. Mr. Mitchell was an associate of Robert Galbreath, who was the pioneer in the development of the famous Glenn pool, and throughout life he retained large holdings in the oil and gas producing companies of northeastern Oklahoma. His property holdings included valuable real estate in Kansas City, together with a half interest in the Mitchell and Barnes addition on Grand avenue in the city of Dallas, Texas, a property valued at two hundred thousand dollars. Moreover, Mr. Mitchell laid out and developed the suburb of West Tulsa, and his real estate holdings in Tulsa proper were extensive. In fact it is said that he owned more property in the city than any other one man and all who know aught of Tulsa's history credit him with a large share in the development, upbuilding and progress of the municipality.
On the 25th of February, 1886, Mr. Mitchell was married to Miss Alice M. Young, who was born in Greenfield, Missouri, and they became the parents of six children, two of whom died in infancy, the others being: Velva L., the wife or Ralph H. Shaw of Tulsa; Garland C., a business man of Claremore, Oklahoma ; Young O., who is a graduate of the University of Kansas and is active in business circles of Tulsa; and Eudora, who was graduated from Fairmont Seminary and . is now the wife of John H. Harvey of Tulsa.
The Mitchell home is one of the finest residences in the city, and Mr. Mitchell's joy in his success largely came through the opportunity that it gave him to pro- vide liberally for his family and to extend a helping hand wherever aid was needed. His name usually headed the list of those who were contributing to the support of beneficial public projects and he was the promoter of many activities and interests which were of great value to the city. His was a genial nature and social disposition that enabled him readily to win friends, while their high regard was retained by reason of an upright life and the possession of all those qualities which make for strong friendship. He was prominent among those who promoted the Elks' home at Tulsa and was a past exalted ruler of Tulsa Lodge, No. 946, B. P. O. E. He also belonged to the Knights of Pythias fraternity and in 1885 became a Mason in Garrett Lodge, A. F. & A. M., at Arcola, Missouri. He was a member of the Consistory in McAlester and also of Akdar Temple of the Mys- tic Shrine at Tulsa. His active connection with the city dated back to the early days which read almost like a romance to those who have known only modern prosperity and conveniences here. He stood as a splendid representative of that class of substantial builders of a great commonwealth who have served faithfully and long in the enterprising west, having always done his full duty in establishing and maintaining the material interests of the state and in upholding its legal and
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moral status. When death claimed him July 1, 1921, Tulsa realized that she had lost a true friend, one devoted to her interests. Friendliness was one of his marked characteristics and his royal welcome to strangers was the induce- ment that brought many to Tulsa in the early days.
JUDGE ALBERT C. HUNT.
There are various reasons why Albert C. Hunt should be mentioned in a history of Tulsa. For a number of years he has been classed with the representative members of the bar of this state, especially in the field of civil law, and he is a splendid business man, efficient and thorough in all that he undertakes. Moreover, he is public-spirited to an eminent degree and everything that pertains to the public welfare is a matter of deep interest to him, his active support being given to all measures which he deems of direct value in promoting the progress and improvement of his city. There are few men that have the faculty of winning such true and enduring friendships as does Albert C. Hunt and the reason of this is perhaps found in the Emersonian philosophy that "the way to win a friend is to be one."
Judge Hunt was born in Clarksville, Arkansas, July 30, 1888, a son of W. T. and Mattie Hunt, and the eldest of seven boys. In April, 1895, he removed with his parents to Wagoner, Oklahoma, and resided there continuously until January 1, 1917, at which time he moved to Tulsa. He attended the public schools of Wagoner, passing through consecutive grades to the high school and afterward was a pupil for two years in the Missouri Military Academy of Mexico, Missouri, from which he was graduated in 1906, winning the scholarship medal offered the senior class. He next entered Vanderbilt University of Nashville, Tennessee, for the study of law and won his LL. B. degree in 1909. In December of the same year he was admitted to the bar of this state and has since devoted his atten- tion to the practice of law. During his college days he became a member of Malone chapter of Phi Delta Phi. With his admission to the Oklahoma bar Mr. Hunt engaged in the practice at Wagoner with his father, during which time he served four years as city attorney.
Upon locating in Tulsa in January, 1917, Mr. Hunt became associated with Judge Owen Owen and they were partners under the firm name of Owen & Hunt at the time Judge Owen went on the district bench in January, 1919. Since that time Judge Hunt has been associated with his father, who moved to Tulsa in the early part of 1919 to engage in the practice of law, and they have devoted their attention principally to civil cases and corporation interests.
On May 9, 1921, he was appointed by Governor Robinson district judge of the Twenty-first Judicial District of Oklahoma, composed of Tulsa and Pawnee counties, under the provisions of a bill passed by the 1921 legislature providing for two additional district judges for this district, and is now serving in that capacity and enjoys the distinction of being the youngest district judge in the state.
On the 24th of November, 1914, Mr. Hunt was married to Miss Essie Hayden, daughter of Clement Hayden of Choteau, Oklahoma; who was a pioneer banker and leading citizen of that place. They have two children: Elizabeth Hayden and Albert C., Jr. The parents are members of the Boston Avenue Methodist Epis- copal church, in which Mr. Hunt is serving on the board of stewards, and in the work of the church he takes active and helpful part. He is a Mason, belonging to Petroleum Lodge, No. 474, A. F. & A. M., and has also taken the degrees of
JUDGE ALBERT C. HUNT
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the York and Scottish Rites, being a member of the commandery at Tulsa, the consistory at McAlester and of Akdar Temple of the Mystic Shrine. He is like- wise a member of the Country Club and of the City Club and is president of the Kiwanis Club. In this connection he recognizes fully the weighty responsibilities the office carries with it, both as to the welfare of the club and the advancement of the city, for Kiwanis is one of the leading civic organizations of Tulsa. He is meeting his responsibilities in a most capable and efficient manner and civic prog- ress is being greatly promoted through his efforts. He takes the keenest interest in the general welfare and is a public-spirited young man in all that the term implies. Moreover, he brings splendid business principles to the solution of civic prob- Jems and enjoys to the utmost degree the confidence of all with whom he has had business or civic relations. He has always been a stalwart advocate of dem- ocratic principles and his position upon any vital question is never an equivocal one. He was the secretary of the Tulsa County Bar Association in 1920 and along strictly professional lines also has membership with the State and American Bar Associations. A man of high moral character and of splendid personal qualities he is loved and respected by all who know him and to an unusual degree he has the gift of making numerous and lasting friendships.
ROBERT C. SHARP.
Robert C. Sharp, vice president of the Oklahoma Natural Gas Company, was born in Lawrence county, Pennsylvania, December 28, 1874. His father, William J. Sharp, who was a well known lumberman, died December 21, 1918. The mother, who bore the maiden name of Martha Louise Cowden, is also a native of Pennsylvania and is still living. The family numbered four children, three of whom were daughters.
Robert C. Sharp, the only son, was educated in the public schools of his native county and in Westminster College. He afterward became claim adjuster for a company in New York city and when he had filled that position for several years he became interested in oil and coal production in Pennsylvania and in other states. His identification with Tulsa dates from September, 1910, and since that time he has been active in oil production in Oklahoma. In 1917 he became interested in natural gas production and distribution and was elected to the vice presidency of the Oklahoma Natural Gas Company, of which he is also a director. This company is a very large distributor of natural gas to many cities of the state, including Tulsa, and the business is now one of extensive and profitable proportions.
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