New encyclopedia of Texas, volume 2, Part 4

Author: Davis, Ellis A.
Publication date: 1926
Publisher: Dallas, Tex. : Texas development bureau, [1926?]
Number of Pages: 1262

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Mr. Stedman was born at Kosse, Texas, the son of E. D. Stedman, for many years engaged in the wholesale fruit and vegetable business, and Maude Stedman. As a boy he attended the schools of Hous- ton, and at the age of fourteen began to help his father in his fruit business. His father gave him the ambition to establish a large fruit and vegetable business, and although his death occurred almost two decades ago, he witnessed the coming true of part of this ambition. After several years in the plant, Mr. Stedman began on the road, at that time the young- est travelling salesman in the state, and was very successful in that field. He then went with the firm of T. H. Thompson, at Houston, and later came to Beaumont where he went with the T. S. Reed Gro- cery Company, aiding in the opening of this business and its management. Later he left that firm and went with the new firm of Heisig and Norvell. Then with his brother, J. C. Stedman, he established a fruit business, in a small way, in a small building near the Southern Pacific right-of-way. Within a

short time, the company grew to such proportions that larger quarters were necessary, and the busi- ness was moved to the Langham Building, where headquarters were maintained until 1923, when the new plant, on Bowie and Park Streets, was occupied.

Mr. Stedman was married at Austin, in 1898, to Miss Lotta S. Finley, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. R. W. Finley. Mr. Finley is comptroller of the state of Texas, and one of the prominent men of Austin. Mr. and Mrs. Stedman live at Fifth and North Streets, where they have a very attractive home, and have one child, Ed Stedman, Jr., who, since his graduation from the University of Texas, has been with the firm, in charge of the candy and cracker department of the business. Mr. Stedman is vice president of the American National Bank, past pres- ident of the South Texas State Fair, past president of the Rotary Club, and is a member of the Beau- mont Club, Neches Club, the Beaumont Country Club, and the Port Arthur Tarpon Club. He, with his family, attends the Methodist Church, in which he has been a steward for many years. Fraternally he is an Elk and a U. C. T. The Stedman plant represents an achievement in the industrial world, and is one of the most interesting, as well as im- portant businesses at Beaumont. Mr. Stedman has, throughout his residence here, been the splendid type of citizen who takes an interest in the development and advancement of his city, as well as his own pri- vate interests, and few men have done more than he to insure the prosperity of Beaumont.

UBERT B. OXFORD, who has in the two decades of his residence at Beaumont been identified with commercial enterprises of wide scope, has for many years been one of a group of lumbermen who have taken a leading part in the development of this industry here, and has also been particularly active in civic work, en- joying the highest esteem of his fellow citizens. Mr. Oxford is vice president of the Gulf Manufacturing and Lumber Company, Incorporated, and as an executive has made a record for capable and effi- cient management that has placed this company among the leading lumber manufacturing companies in this section. The Gulf Manufacturing and Lum- ber Company was established in 1916, by a group of lumbermen of many years experience, and has since handled a large volume of wholesale and retail busi- ness. The company manufactures all kinds of mill work, operating a large plant, comprising three acres on the Santa Fe Railroad, and equipped with large modern buildings, and the finest and most modern type of machinery. The work done in this mill is largely detail mill work, for which expert workmen are employed, and only the highest grade of work turned out. No cheap or inferior work is handled, and every piece of mill work that leaves the plant must conform to the high standards that have been set and must pass a rigid inspection. The plant, located at the corner of North and Gulf Streets, is the largest of its kind at Beaumont, and furnishes employment to a force of forty operatives The Gulf Manufacturing and Lumber Company has done work for the San Jacinto Life Building, doing all the mill work on that building, and the Hotel Beaumont, and has also furnished the mill work for many of the finest homes in the city. In Houston

1054

Edi Stedman

MEN OF TEXAS

D STLUMIN one of a group of business men who have taken a prominent part in the development of Beaumont, is the lead. ing representative of the wholesale fruit and vegetable business in this city, and his name is well known throughout Southeast Texas and western Linasiane. Mr. Stedman is president of the Sted. mar Fruit Company. an enterprise representing an investment or more than a quarter of a million dol. lars, nd e upped with modern cold storage machin- y, and handle efficiently the wholesale frun ant optable business of Southeastern Texas and South- yof ru Louisiana. This modern plant one of the neugest in the country, is located at Buwie and Pork Streets, and is complete in every detail. Rooms maintaining & ternerature of forty degrees stave zete are used to ' me Compre

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Mr Stedmen was married at an fin in 1898, to Miss Lotta S. Finley, dangider v. Mr and Mrs. R. W. Finley. Mr. Finley is computador of the state of Texas, and one of the prominent nie? or Austin. Mr. and Mrs. Stedmian live at Fifth en! North Streets, where they have a very attractive home, and have one child, Ed Stedman, Jr, who, since his graduation from the University of Texas, has been with the firm, in charge of the candy and cracker department of the business. Mr. Stedman is vice edenr of the American National Bank, past pres- wh Texas State Fair, past president er hat a member of the Beau-

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on achevenicht in the water world, and is one of the most intere .i. Il as im-

portant businesses at Beaumont. Mr. Podran has, throughout his residence here, been an splendid type if ritien who takes an interest in the development atcement of his city, as well as his own pri- rs, mal Bw men have done more than he He He satiry of Beaumont.

IL. OXFORD, who has in the two - i Ges of his residence at Beaumont been worified with commercial enterprises of wil scope, has for many years been one a group of lumbermen who have taken a leading D' " in the development of this industry here, and has also been particularly active in civic work, en- joying the highest esteem of his fellow citizens. Mr. Oxford is vice president of the Gulf Manufacturing and Dumber Company, Incorporated, and as an executive has made : record for capable and effi- cient management that has placed this company among the leading hinib.r manufacturing companies in this section. The Cult Manufacturing and Lum- ber Company was established in 1916, by a group of lumbermen of many years experience, and has since handled a large volume of wholesale and retail busi- ness. The company manufactures all kinds of mill work, operating a large plant, comprising three acres on the Santa Fe Railroad, and equipped with luier modern buildings, and the finest and most wern type of machinery. The work done in this .0 is largely detail mill work, for which expert o. kmen are employed, and only the highest grade work turned out. No cheap or inferior work is det and every piece of mill work that leaves the . must conform to the high standards that have been set and must pass a rigid inspection. The plant, located, at the corner of North and Gulf Streets, is the largest of its kind at Beaumont, and furnishes employment to a force of forty operatives The Gulf Manufacturing and Lumber Company has done work for the San Jacinto Life Building, doing all the mill work on that building, and the Hotel Beaumont, and has also furnished the mill work for many of the finest homes in the city. In Houston

1054

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Ed Stedman

NEW ENCYCLOPEDIA OF TEXAS

they have done various jobs, among which are the Montrose Apartment Building and the Heights Li- brary Building. The officers of the Gulf Manufac- turing and Lumber Company, Inc., are, W. Clapp, president; Hubert B. Oxford, the subject of this sketch, vice president, and John Birdwell, secretary and treasurer.

Mr. Oxford is a native of the Lone Star State and was born at Sherman, the third of November, 1882. His father, William E. Oxford, for many years a resident of Sherman, was engaged in the mercantile business there, and has taken a promi- nent part in politics and in civic activities for many years. His mother, before her marriage was Miss Ada Burton. Mr. Oxford attended the public schools of Sherman, and after graduating from the high school there went with R. G. Dunn Company, re- maining with that concern for two years, at which time he went with the Wells Fargo Express Com- pany, and for the ensuing three years was with that company. He left that company to go with the Southern Pacific Lines and three years later turned his attention to the lumber business going with the Sabine Tram Company, and after three years with that company, was with the Gulf Lumber Company in Louisiana. Three years later he went with the Turnbow Lumber Company and was for five years with that organization, resigning to come with the Gulf Manufacturing and Lumber Company, acquir- ing a third interest in the company, in 1917. The Gulf Building and Loan Company with $30,000.00 capital stock was organized by Mr. Oxford and his associates in the Gulf Manufacturing and Lumber Company and builds and finances residences. He served as city councilman, taking an active part in the administration of the municipal affairs of Beau- mont, and advocating all progressive civic move- ments. Mr. Oxford served five years as captain in the State Militia.

Mr. Oxford was married at Beaumont, in 1909, to Miss Sadie Holmes, daughter of John Holmes and Sibal (Van Wormer) Holmes. They have one child, Hubert B., Jr. The Oxford home, four miles from Beaumont, on the Houston-Beaumont Highway, is one of the finest country homes in this part of the state, and the large grounds are beautifully im- proved and cared for, making the place unusually attractive. The family attend the First Methodist Church. Mr. Oxford is a director of the South Tex- as State Fair Association, vice president of the Texas Lumberman's Association and is a member of the Beaumont Country Club, the Beaumont Club, the Neches Club, the Port Arthur Tarpon Club, and the Rotary Club of which he is a charter member and of which he was the first secretary. He has many friends at Beaumont who have watched his progress in the business world with interest, and regard him as one of the coming men in the lumber business.

EO L. RYDER has been prominently iden- tified with merchandising activities at Beaumont for upwards of a decade, and his name carries a prestige in the business world that is a distinct asset to the community with which it is associated. Mr. Ryder is secretary, treasurer and manager of the Ryder Furniture and Carpet Company of Beaumont, one of the largest wholesale and retail furniture houses in the south- eastern part of the state, and a creditable addition

to the business world here. The retail store is well located in the heart of the business district, occupy- ing an attractive and modern building of ample pro- portions. The stock is unusually complete, giving the purchaser a wide range of price and styles. While Mr. Ryder has given special attention to his choice of finer furniture and has a stock that enables the residents of this section to furnish the finest homes completely, he has not neglected the lower priced furniture for the modest home, and has an excellent line of well constructed furniture at a nominal price. Every article in the Ryder establishment has been selected with a view to giving the customer a ster- ling value, and the patrons of the store shop with the assurance that their selections represent the utmost in quality and value. In addition to the re- tail house, a well located, three story warehouse is used for surplus stock, thus eliminating long delays in replacing stock in the retail store. A total of more than fifty thousand feet of storage space in the warehouse, with the large retail house, makes the business one of the larger commercial concerns of Beaumont, representing an investment of more than a half a million dollars. The company fur- nishes employment to a force of about fifty people. W. F. Ryder is president of the company.

Mr. Ryder was born at Cedar Vale, Kansas, the third of December, 1885. His father, William Fran- cis Ryder, prominent lumberman, for years with the Long-Bell Lumber Company and who has amassed a fortune in the business, is known throughout the Lone Star State for the part he has taken in the development of the lumber interests of this section. His mother, before her marriage was Miss Anna E. Mohler. Mr. Ryder received his early education in the public schools of Kansas, later entering the Uni- versity of Louisiana, where he studied for two years, after which he took a commercial course in a busi- ness college at Kansas City, Missouri, fitting him- self for his business career. He followed his father in the lumber business, going wtih the Long-Bell organization, and for the ensuing thirteen years he was in the logging and lumber camps of that com- pany. He then went with the Finkbine Lumber Company, at D'Lo, Mississippi, and spent two years building roads for them. He came to Beaumont in 1918, and started a mill for the manufacture of hard wood and pine lumber, later disposing of this interest in 1922, at which time he began his active connection with the Ryder Furniture and Carpet Company.

Mr. Ryder was married at Oyan, Arkansas, in 1907, to Miss Mattie H. Stuart, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. J. M. Stuart, of that state. Mr. Stuart is a farmer and landowner, and is well known in Arkansas for his agricultural activities. Mr. and Mrs. Ryder have one son, William Ford Ryder, and make their home at 2294 Broadway. Mr. Ryder is a member of the Beaumont, Neches and Lions Clubs and is an Elk and a Hoo-Hoo. He has taken an active part in the civic advancement of Beaumont, particularly from a commercial standpoint, and has done much to insure the prosperity of the city. As a business man he has advocated all progressive and forward looking steps, and is one of the leaders among the younger business men. Mr. Ryder con- tributes generously to every charitable and welfare organization, and few men have done more than he for the general welfare and prosperity of the city.

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MEN OF TEXAS

ALBOT FREDERICK ROTHWELL, vice president and superintendent of production of the Yount-Lee Oil Company of Beau- mont, has been associated with the pe- croleum industry of Texas for over sixteen years and his continued successes in the field manage- ment of his company has caused his name to be brought to the forefront of the oil fraternity. The Yount-Lee Oil Company is probably the leading independent oil company of Texas, and attention has been especially brought to it since its discovery of deep oil in Spindle Top in January, 1926, twenty- five years after the bringing in of the Lucas gusher and the discovery of Spindle Top. The first well completed in Spindle Top by the Yount-Lee Oil Com- pany in October, 1925, was not a producer, but gave encouraging indications. The second well, completed in January, 1926, came in with about fifteen hundred barrels per day. From then on the company has carried on an intensive drilling campaign. The third well at Spindle Top came in with about six thousand barrels, the fourth with about three thou- sand barrels, the fifth, completed on May 11th, 1926, brought about fifty-five hundred barrels, and the sixth, completed May 16th, 1926, came in with about six thousand barrels. The Yount-Lee Oil Company does not confine its operations to Spindle Top, but has been successful in other fields, such as Sour Lake, Hull and Hackberry, Louisiana. Mr. Roth- well became associated with the Yount and Roth- well partnership, which is the predecessor to the Yount-Lee Oil Company in the latter part of 1914, at which time he purchased the Pivoto interests of the Yount-Pivoto Oil Company. A year or two later the interests of the Yount-Rothwell partner- ship had developed to such an extent that it was thought advisable to incorporate, using the name of Yount-Rothwell, which had already become highly and favorably known; but it developed that under the laws of Texas, a partnership may not legally incorporate, under the same name, without much delay and extended legal requirements. In order to avoid this long delay and legal requirements, the name "Lee" was substituted for that of "Roth- well" in charter application, and the firm was con- tinued under the corporate name of Yount-Lee Oil Company. From the beginning the rise of the com- pany to major importance has been rapid and un- usual. In the oil fraternity the credit for this suc- cess is given to Mr. M. F. Yount, president, and T. F. Rothwell, vice president. These men are to- day considered two of the outstanding practical oil men of the industry. The company employs from fifty to one hundred people, own complete drilling equipment, and under Mr. Rothwell's supervision, does its drilling.

T. F. Rothwell was born in West Virginia, Feb- ruary 7th, 1887, son of T. J. and Mary Jane (Cross) Rothwell, both natives of West Virginia. T. J. Roth- well is now engaged in the oil business in West Vir- ginia, but for many years was a farmer in that State. Mr. Rothwell secured his early schooling in his native State, and at the age of sixteen went into the oil fields here, and later in Ohio, where he learned the rudiments of the profession. In due course of time he became a production man and learned cable tool drilling while employed by various oil companies and contractors. In 1910 he came to Saratoga, Texas, where he was employed in the

production department of the Sun Company, being promoted to the position of field manager. He re- signed this position to make his present association. Mr. Rothwell gives Mr. T. P. Lee a goodly measure of credit for his subsequent success, for it was Mr. Lee who not only suggested the change, but made it possible for him to make it. Mr. Rothwell is a director of the following: Citizens National Bank, Lake Tool Company and the Rex Supply Company, all of Sour Lake.

On August 13th, 1913, Mr. Rothwell was united in marriage in West Virginia to Miss Mabel Martha Lee, the daughter of T. P. and Elizabeth (Mann) Lee. T. P. Lee is the vice president and general manager of the American Republics Corporation and one of the outstanding men of the petroleum indus- try of the United States. To Mr. and Mrs. Rothwell were born three children-Mary Elizabeth, Virginia May and Essie Lee (deceased). The family attend the Methodist Church. Mr. Rothwell, like all good citizens, is interested in civic matters, but the nature of his work at this time is very exacting and he cannot give his personal attention to these good causes, although he otherwise contributes generously to them. He is primarily a family man and his spare moments are spent at home with his wife and children.

L. SAVOY, although one of the younger member of the business fraternity of Beau- mont, Texas, has had a wide experience in the men's furnishings and clothing busi- ness, to which he has devoted his entire business life. Mr. Savoy is vice president of the Kyle-Savoy Company, Inc., which is strictly a man's store and carries a full and complete line of very high class men's furnishings and clothing. The Kyle-Savoy Company, Inc. is the leading store of its kind in Beaumont, carrying in stock Society Brand of clothes, Manhattan shirts, and all other merchandise carried is of the best grades and carry the foremost trade marks of the entire country. This store is attractive both without and within, and the splen- did fixtures and lighting facilities form a setting that is at once pleasing to purchasers. Other officers of the Kyle-Savoy Company, Inc., which is located at 590 Pearl Street, are W. W. Kyle, Jr., president, and B. E. Kyle, secretary and treasurer. As a very young man, Mr. Savoy started his career in the clothing business at Houston, Texas, with the Ed Kiam clothing firm, which has since closed out this business, and he later became associated with the Mistrot and Munn Store of Houston, and remained with this firm until he came to Beaumont in 1914, where he was associated with various establishments in this city until the present firm was organized in 1922, and has had a wonderful growth since that time. Mr. Savoy believes in keeping all departments up to the standard, and in carrying nothing but the best merchandise, and makes promptness and effi- ciency the watchword of his establishment.

Mr. Savoy was born at Lake Charles, Louisiana, on November 17th, 1892. His parents, also natives of Louisiana, were members of prominent families of that state. His education was obtained in the pub- lic schools of Houston, Texas, which he left at an early age in order to enter the business world.

Mr. Savoy is popular in both the business and social circles of Beaumont and is a member of the B. P. O. E. and the Neches Club, in both of which

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Eng. by E.G Williams & Bro. NY.

T.F. Rothwell

NEW ENCYCLOPEDIA OF TEXAS

he takes an active interest. He is a firm believer in knowing thoroughly whatever business in which a man intends to engage, and a young man should at all times be willing to start at the bottom in any line, in order to learn the business and be able to merit promotions, which are sure to come to the man who pays strict attention to the affairs of the busi- ness of his employer. Mr. Savoy is regarded as one of the leaders among the younger generation of business men in Southeast Texas and has a sure claim to a brilliant future. He is optimistic as to the future of Beaumont and Southeast Texas, and be- lieves that this portion of the state is in better con- dition financially than ever before in its history.

WESTBROOK of Sour Lake, Texas, is well known to the oil fraternity of Texas where he has been engaged in the various branches of this industry since 1902. Mr. Westbrook is superintendent of drilling and production of The Texas Company at Sour Lake, and is also in charge of all drilling and production of this company at Liberty, Saratoga and Batson. He has been located here for two years, and The Texas Company is the largest producing company in this field, and has the largest acreage, with valuable leases and com- plete and modern equipment. This company has eight hundred acres in the Sour Lake field, with one hundred and seventeen producing wells, with a daily production of around 1750 barrels. The Texas Company was one of the first to see the necessity of building houses for their employees here, and they now have more than thirty houses, all of which are comfortable, for their employees.

About sixty people are employed by The Texas Company here. Mr. Westbrook is regarded as one of the successful oil well drillers in Texas, and his services are always in demand by the large oil com- panies in this line of work. He has during his career been associated with many of the State's biggest oil men, who are now rich, and many of them have left the oil business. Before he entered the oil business, Mr. Westbrook was for several years engaged in various lines of endeavor in South Texas. His first oil experience was at Spindle Top in 1902, where he remained for more than two years, after which he went to Humble, Texas, and became associated with Walter Fondren and was for a period of four years engaged in the various branches of the industry with Mr. Fondren. He then went with The Texas Company, and for seven years was asso- ciated with this company in the various fields of South Texas, after which he went with the Fondren Drilling Company, and for one year worked for this company in the field at Humble, Texas. He then came to Sour Lake and drilled two of the big- gest wells ever brought in in this field. These wells were located on the lease of the Humble Oil and Refining Company, and each made about twelve thousand barrels of oil, when first brought in. Mr. Westbrook engaged in drilling and contracting for himself, and also took contracts for pulling casing, and continued in this line of work for several years. In 1917 the company organized a school and Mr. Westbrook had charge of this school, and trained men in drilling and associated work, and has been with this company since that time as superintendent in the drilling and production departments.

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New encyclopedia of Texas, volume 2, Part 4

Author: Davis, Ellis A. Publication date: 1926 Publisher: Dallas, Tex. : Texas development bureau, [1926?] Number of Pages: 1262

Author: Davis, Ellis A.
Publication date: 1926
Publisher: Dallas, Tex. : Texas development bureau, [1926?]
Number of Pages: 1262