USA > Oklahoma > Tulsa County > Tulsa > The history of Tulsa, Oklahoma > Part 7
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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
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mercantile pursuits at Shawnee. He has always been very active, not only in commercial circles but in other connections as well. He is a member of the Confederate Veterans Association, gives consistent support to the democratic party and is an active worker in the Universalist church. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Lee Anna Emerson, was born in Alabama and died when their son Henry was but five years of age.
Dr. Childs of this review obtained his public school education in Canton, Texas, and afterward took up the study of art and science in the University of Oklahoma before entering Tulane University, in which he pursued his medical course, winning his professional degree in 1905. He then located for practice at Norman, Cleveland county, Oklahoma, where he successfully followed his profession for several years and then in 1913 returned to the Tulane Medical College for postgraduate work. In 1914 he came to Tulsa and while continuing in general practice is also well known as an obstetrician, having largely special- ized in that branch of professional work. He was the vice president of the Tulsa Medical Society in 1916 and also belongs to the State and American Medical Associations.
Dr. Childs was married to Miss Leona Kytle, who died in 1908, leaving two children : Vernon and Darwin. He later wedded Miss Lulu Leslie, a daughter of William A. Leslie, who in his boyhood came into Indian Territory and was one of the early settlers of Norman, serving as United States marshal when this entire section of the country was largely a wild and undeveloped region. In his political views Dr. Childs is a democrat and an earnest worker in behalf of party principles. He belongs to the Kiwanis Club, is vice president of the Automobile Club of Tulsa for the year 1921, is a member of the City Club and has membership in Tulsa Lodge, No. 71, A. F. & A. M., and in the Scottish Rite Consistory at McAlester. He finds his recreation largely in research work and is constantly carrying forward his study and his investigation.
LEE L. LEVERING.
Lee L. Levering, a clothing merchant of Tulsa, belongs to that class of men to whom progressiveness spells success. Energetic, wide-awake, alert and deter- mined, he carries forward to a logical conclusion whatever he undertakes and the results of his labors are gratifying. It is by this method that he has attained a prominent place in the business circles of his adopted city. He was born in St. Marys, Ohio, May 2, 1880, and is a son of Howard and Ellen (Heap) Lev- ering, the former a native of Ohio, while the latter was born in Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, being a daughter of Henry Heap, who afterward became a resi- dent of St. Marys, Ohio. Howard Levering followed the occupation of farming to the time of his death, which occurred about twelve, years ago. He was a member of the Baptist church and a highly esteemed citizen of his community. To him and his wife were born eight children, but two of whom are living.
Lee L. Levering completed his education in the high school at St. Marys, Ohio, and then entered a clothing store as a clerk, spending four years in that connection. He afterward attended the United States Naval Academy and sub- sequently was identified with business interests in Baltimore, Cincinnati and Chicago. He established business on his own account at Montpelier, Indiana, and devoted seven years to the clothing trade. He afterward went to Chicago and for six months was employed in the Hub, one of the leading clothing houses
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of that city. With his removal to the southwest he settled in Muskogee, where for five years he was connected with the clothing trade. In 1913 he removed to Tulsa and established business in a little room, twelve by fifteen feet, in the Robinson Hotel. He remained at Third and Main streets for a year and then moved to his present location. Here he has developed a large clothing store, meeting the requirements of a constantly increasing patronage. He carries an attractive line of goods and the reliability and thoroughness of his business methods have been important elements in the attainment of his present success.
In 1906 Mr. Levering was united in marriage to Miss Lillian A. Seigmund of Huntington, Indiana, daughter of J. F. J. Seigmund. They have become the parents of a son, Jack, thirteen years of age.
Mr. Levering is a member of the Chamber of Commerce of Tulsa and is now serving as one of its directors. He is also a member of the Rotary Club and of the Ad Club. Fraternally he is a Mason, having membership in Delta Lodge, No. 425, A. F. & A. M., and he has also taken the Scottish Rite degrees, while with the Nobles of Akdar Temple of the Mystic Shrine he has crossed the sands of the desert. He belongs to the Baptist church, which is indicative of his religious faith, and in the work of the church he takes quite an active interest, serving as a teacher in the Sunday school, while in the Young Men's Christian Association of Tulsa he is a director. He finds his recreation and diversion in tennis and is an enthusiast concerning the game. He has been very active and successful as a merchant and his store in the Hotel Tulsa is one of the finest commercial establishments of the city. Aside from this he was the director of the War Stamp Bank. His sound judgment is manifest in everything that he attempts and his course has been so wisely directed that he never stops short of the successful accomplishment of his purpose.
HARRY CLYDE FAIR.
Harry Clyde Fair is the attorney for the Mid-Co Petroleum Company. His ability is based upon thorough preliminary training and the development of his powers through wise study and broad experience. He was associated with one of the prominent law firms of St. Louis before coming to Tulsa, and through the period of his residence here has made steady professional progress. More- over, he is entitled to mention in this volume as one of the veterans of the World war. He was born in New Haven, Missouri, June 28, 1890, a son of Walter H. and Mary ( Murphy) Fair, the former a native of New Haven, Mis- souri, while the latter was born in Culpeper county, Virginia. They still reside in New Haven, where the father has for many years successfully engaged in the nursery business. They reared a family of two sons, the younger being Robert, who is still living in New Haven.
Harry Clyde Fair obtained his education in the public schools of his native city and in Washington University of St. Louis, in which he pursued a classical course, winning the A. B. degree, while later he took up the study of law in the same institution and secured his LL. B. degree in 1914. In the same year he was admitted to the bar and entered upon active practice in St. Louis in connection with the firm of Nagel & Kirby, the senior partner having been secretary of commerce and labor under President Taft. Mr. Fair continued with that firm until the 30th of January. 1916, thus gaining broad and valuable experience, and at the date indicated he came to Tulsa, where he has been engaged in gen-
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eral practice, although specializing in corporation law of which he has intimate and accurate knowledge. He belongs to both the Tulsa County and the Mis- souri State Bar Associations.
On the 28th of June, 1919, Mr. Fair was married to Miss Margaret Hocker, a daughter of G. C. Hocker, a pioneer of Fayette, Missouri. Mr. Fair's political allegiance is given to the democratic party. In lodge circles he is well known, having membership in Evergreen Lodge, No. 27, A. F. & A. M., in Oklahoma Consistory and in Akdar Temple A. A. O. N. M. S. of Tulsa. He likewise be- longs to the Kappa Alpha, and to the Phi Delta Phi fraternities. A most inter- esting chapter in his life record covers his connection with the aviation service of the United States army. Entering the air service he became a first lieutenant, being on duty at Ellington Field, near Houston, Texas. He is progressive in all of his relations to the public welfare, supporting all those interests which seem to promise benefit for the community, the commonwealth and the country.
RONALD ROBERTSON SMITH, M. D.
Dr. Ronald Robertson Smith, urologist. Along strictly professional lines his membership is with the Tulsa, the Oklahoma State and the American Med- ical Associations and through the proceedings of these societies he keeps abreast with the most advanced thought, purposes, ideals and methods of the profes- sion.
WILLIAM STRYKER.
Various lines of business claimed the attention and benefited by the coopera- tion and sound judgment of William Stryker while he was still an active factor in the world's work and at his death Tulsa lost a representative citizen whose interests were of importance in her upbuilding and progress. He long figured prominently in newspaper circles in the west, and while he withdrew from news- paper publication in the later years of his life, he was still the owner of a printery and bindery to the time of his demise and was also extensively engaged in the real estate business in Tulsa. He came to the southwest from Strykersville, New York, where his birth occurred March 24, 1858, his parents being Alfred and Mary (Warner) Stryker, who were also natives of the Empire state. The father there engaged in the dairy business until 1872, when he removed to Blue Rapids, Kansas, where he took up land and also purchased large tracts, con- tinuing the cultivation and improvement of his farm holdings to the time of his demise. Both he and his wife have now passed away.
William Stryker was reared and educated in New York and in Kansas, remov- ing to the Sunflower state with his parents when a youth of fifteen years. The family home was established at Waterville, Kansas, where he remained on a farm to the age of twenty-one years, except that during this period he spent a few terms as teacher in a rural school during the winter seasons. On attaining his majority he entered the Kansas State Normal College at Fort Scott, Kansas, and there completed a classical course. Later he accepted a position as instructor in the college there and conducted teachers' institutes through the summer months. Subsequently he owned and managed the Central Normal College at
ゃ.
W. Stryker.
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Great Bend, Kansas, and it was from there that he was elected to the position of state superintendent of public instruction. It was largely through his efforts while in this office that the textbook law was enacted. No man who ever filled the office of state superintendent kept in closer touch with the teachers and edu- cational workers than Mr. Stryker. Upon the expiration of his term of office he became engaged in journalism, owning and publishing "The People's Voice," a weekly paper of Wellington, Kansas, and also "The Daily Tribune," published at Winfield, Kansas. In 1904 he removed to Tulsa, Oklahoma, where he founded the "Daily Democrat," of which he continued editor and manager until the paper was sold in the autumn of 1916. Thereafter until his death he divided his attention among various business enterprises. He was the owner of the Democrat Printing Company, also of the Quality Engraving Company and the new Jeffer- son Hotel on South Boulder aventie. When he cast in his lot with Tulsa in 1904 and purchased the Democrat, it marked the transformation of a village weekly into a city daily newspaper. The strenuous life of one who devotes his time, energy and resources to the building up of a great daily paper is perhaps fully realized only by those who have carried the burden. The growth and develop- ment of Tulsa was the ideal of the Democrat rather than the personal popularity or financial success of its owner. The champion of law and order, he was the target of the lawless element. His physical and moral courage was admired by his friends and admitted by his critics. Always ready to lead in political rivalry, he was ever bold and aggressive to denounce evil and hold up the standards of civic life. His entire career in Tulsa was one of usefulness and uplift to the community in which he lived. Tulsa owes to the memory of William Stryker the benediction of approval of his life as a builder of Tulsa. He wronged no man, he gave more to than he drew from the field of his activity and in many ways he championed and promoted the interests of his city. With his retirement from the field of journalism he concentrated his attention upon the real estate business and the oil industry. He began the construction of the Jefferson Hotel, which is to be a ten-story building when completed, and he likewise erected a number of apartment houses and residences in the city, wisely and carefully conducting his real estate interests, so that sticcess attended his efforts. He like- wise was interested in the oil fields and he was particularly successful as a real estate dealer, his judgment being ever sound, his sagacity keen and his enterprise unfaltering.
On the 23d of December. 1903, Mr. Stryker was married to Miss Effie Owens, a daughter of J. H. and Jane ( Marquis) Owens, who were natives of New Harmony, Indiana, and removed to Kansa's in 1875. There they took up land and the father engaged in farming and stock raising, continuing to reside in the Sunflower state until called to his final rest on the 25th of February, 1915. His widow survived him for only about three months, passing away on the 24th of May of the same year. Their daughter, Mrs. Stryker, was born in Illinois and by her marriage has become the mother of one child. William James, born July 13, 1908.
Mr. Stryker was interested in Christian Science and his political belief was that of the democratic party. Throughout his entire life he was a man of studious habits, reading broadly and thinking deeply, and moreover was a most public-spirited citizen, standing stanchly in support of everything that pertained to the betterment, improvement and upbuilding of city, county and state. He worked untiringly to secure Oklahoma's admission into the Union and was a man of wide influence in Tulsa, his fellow townsmen recognizing his worth, his fidelity to principle and his strict adherence to high standards. It was on the Vol. III-5
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25th of February, 1918, that he was called to his final rest and in his passing Oklahoma lost a citizen whose worth was widely acknowledged and whose con- tribution to the improvement of the state was ever of a most substantial and tangible character.
NORRIS G. HENTHORNE.
Norris G. Henthorne is treasurer of the Tulsa Daily World, and as one of the officials of this paper is displaying in its conduct the spirit of progress which has been a dominant factor in the rapid upbuilding of Tulsa, making it the lead- ing paper of the city, while it is an exponent of the most advanced ideas of journalism. Mr. Henthorne came to Oklahoma from the state of Ohio, his birth having occurred in Ironton, March 22, 1891. He is one of a family of four children, whose parents were L. H. and Benella Henthorne, the latter de- ceased. Both parents were natives of Ohio, the mother having been born in Ironton as was her son. The father still makes his home there and has for many years been connected with the business interests of the city as a merchant. He has membership in the Christian church, and he is a consistent supporter of the republican party.
Norris G. Henthorne pursued his public school education at Ironton and Columbus, Ohio. When a youth he became a page in the Ohio state legislature, and afterward was identified with publicity and banking business in that state. His residence in Tulsa covers a period of nine years.
In 1914 Mr. Henthorne was married to Miss E. Gladys Roberts of Tulsa, formerly of Findlay, Ohio, a daughter of W. W. Roberts, and they have be- come parents of two sons: N. G., Jr., and John R. Mr. Henthorne is well known in Masonic circles, belonging to Delta Lodge, No. 425. A. F. & A. M .; Tulsa Chapter, R. A. M .; Trinity Commandery, K. T .; and Akdar Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S. He is a prominent figure in club circles, belonging to the Au- tomobile Club, to the Country Club and to the Kiwanis Club. Of the last named he has served as president. He is also identified with the Chamber of Commerce and is the president of the Board of Park Commissioners of Tulsa. He is keenly interested in all civic affairs and gives stalwart support to all those interests which have to do with the upbuilding of the city and with the mainte- nance of the highest municipal standards.
THOMAS WESLEY STALLINGS, M. D.
Comparatively few who enter the medical profession attempt to cover the entire field of practice, but usually concentrate upon one or more lines and thus develop a degree of efficiency that could not otherwise be attained. Scientific investigation has revealed to the profession so many truths that the practice is now of a most complex nature and thoroughness and ability can only be acquired by close study and concentrated efforts. Recognizing this fact Dr. Thomas Wes- ley Stallings is giving his attention to diseases of the eye, ear, nose and throat and in his specialty has won renown and success. Dr. Stallings is a native of Texas, his birth having occurred in Lamar county, July 10, 1877, his parents being Joseph E. and Nancy Stallings, the former a native of Mississippi and
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the latter of Kentucky. The father was a Civil war veteran, who in young manhood went to Lamar county, Texas, where he engaged in farming and became prominent as an agriculturist. He has been actuated at all times by a most progressive spirit and has done much to further development and im- provement in the region in which he lives. He has membership in the Christian church.
Dr. Stallings attended the district schools and also the town schools of Lamar, Texas, while later he pursued a course in the preparatory school at Paris, Texas. He has made his own way in the world from the age of twenty years. He came into Indian Territory in 1899, settling at Tishomingo in the Chickasaw nation and he knew personally all the chiefs and officials of that district. At length he determined to engage in the practice of medicine and ac- cordingly entered the medical department of the Louisville Medical College at Louisville, Kentucky, from which he was graduated in 1905. He then devoted his attention to general practice in Tishomingo until 1917 and while there filled the office of county health superintendent for several terms. In 1917-18 he did special work in the Bellevue Hospital and other special clinics in New York city, studying the eye, ear, nose and throat at St. Bartholomew's clinic and the New York Eye and Ear Infirmary, and thus he greatly benefited by his thor- ough preparation for his specialty. In August, 1918, he came to Tulsa and has since confined his practice exclusively to diseases of the eye, ear, nose and throat, his efforts being attended by substantial success.
Dr. Stallings was married to Miss Lillie Bryant Leavell, who was born in Garrard county, Kentucky, a daughter of James Bryant Leavell, a prominent man of affairs and a leading agriculturist and stockman who was particularly well known as a breeder and raiser of horses. Dr. Stallings belongs to the Kiwanis Club and to the City Club of Tulsa, but gives the major part of his time and attention to his professional interests.
CHARLES E. DENT.
Charles E. Dent, whose eminent position in financial circles is the outcome of unabating industry and energy that never flags, combined with sound judg- ment and sagacity in placing investments, is justly entitled to rank with the leading business men of Tulsa, where he has made his home since 1906. Within this period he has seen the city develop from a small town to one of metropolitan proportions, its growth reaching almost a seventyfold development within a period of twenty years.
Mr. Dent came to Oklahoma from Kansas, his birth having occurred in Parkersburg, West Virginia, on the 20th of October, 1876, his parents being James A. and Martha ( Horner) Dent, who were also natives of West Virginia. The father, who devoted most of his life to merchandising, is deceased. The mother was born in Morgantown, West Virginia, and by her marriage had four children.
Charles E. Dent pursued his education largely in district schools of Kansas, continuing his studies to the age of sixteen years. He afterward went upon the road as a traveling salesman and spent ten years in that connection. He gained experience of a valuable nature and made steady progress in the business world. At length he came to Tulsa, where he took up his abode in 1906, and here was made business manager of the Tulsa World, of which he later became
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president and half owner, continuing the publication of Tulsa's leading news- paper until about three years ago, when he retired from the newspaper field to concentrate his efforts and energies upon financial interests. He has since handled bonds and mortgages and his clientele is extensive and his business of an important character. While president of the Tulsa World Mr. Dent built the World building on West Fourth street and later on the World building on South Boulder, as well as a number of residences in Tulsa.
In 1904 Mr. Dent was married to Miss Evangeline Price of Joplin, Mis- souri, a daughter of Dr. S. C. Price, one of the first practicing physicians of that city. He is a Scottish Rite Mason and belongs to Akdar Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S. He is likewise a member of the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks and is connected with the City Club. His wife is an active member of the Epis- copal church. They are widely known in Tulsa, where they have resided for many years, and in the social circles of the city their position is a most enviable one. The life record of Mr. Dent indicates what can be accomplished through individual effort, when energy and ambition lead the way. Moreover, his record proves that success and an honored name may be won simultaneously.
MRS. MINNETTE HEDGES.
Mrs. Minnette Hedges, county superintendent of schools in Tulsa county, whose recognized ability in the educational field brings her heavy responsibilities in this connection, owing to the very rapid growth in attendance at the Tulsa county schools, is a native of Bloomington, Illinois, and a daughter of Julius C. and Romaine (Harford) Miller. Her father was a building contractor, who was born in Zanesville, Ohio, and is now living retired, making his home with his daughter, Mrs. Hedges. He is a veteran of the Civil war, having served with the Sixty-sixth Illinois Infantry and for ten months he was incarcerated in Andersonville prison. His birth occurred September 22, 1845, so that he has now passed the seventy-fifth milestone on life's journey. He belongs to the Masonic fraternity and also to the Methodist Episcopal church. His wife was born in Washington, Pennsylvania, and is also living. Their family numbered five children, three of whom survive.
In the acquirement of her education Mrs. Hedges attended the Central high school of Kansas City, Missouri, was also a student at Normal, Illinois, and at the State Normal School at Emporia, Kansas. She early took up the profession of teaching in Kansas and thirteen years ago came to Tulsa, arriving here in 1908. She was married in Garnett, Kansas, to Rufus H. Hedges, who was born at Whitehall, Michigan, and was a railroad man. Theirs was a happy married life, but death terminated the relationship in 1909, when Mr. Hedges was called to his final rest, passing away soon after the removal to Tulsa.
Becoming identified with the educational interests of Tulsa county Mrs. Hedges made a splendid record as assistant county superintendent and was then called to the position of county superintendent of schools. There are three hundred and fifty teachers in the country schools of Tulsa county and she visits each school at least twice a year and some as many as four or five times yearly. Very high salaries are paid to teachers in this county and the schools are of superior grade. Mrs. Hedges has introduced many improved methods and is constantly assisting teachers by her helpful suggestions and practical ideas. She has been very prominent in church, club and social circles
MRS. MINNETTE HEDGES
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and was one of the charter members of the Tulsa Women's Club. She belongs to the First Methodist Episcopal church, has aided in Sunday school work and has been treasurer of the Ladies' Aid Society of the church for the past thirteen years. She was also county chairman for women in the Victory loan campaign and was a member of the Tulsa county fuel board, chairman of the junior Red Cross chapter and chairman for the county in the War Savings Stamps drive in the schools. Thus she did everything in her power to assist in the war activities, whereby the home defenses were maintained for the support of the soldiers in camp and field. Her influence has been a potent force for good along many lines of development in Tulsa and at all times she holds to the highest ideals.
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