New encyclopedia of Texas, volume 2, Part 83

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

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A native Texan, Mr. Hammond was born at Kosse, Limestone County, July 22nd, 1873. His father came to Texas from Mississippi in 1856, and was engaged in farming on a large scale. His mother was a native of Alabama. The schooling which Mr. Ham- mond received was in the Kosse public schools, and his opportunities for securing an education were lim- ited, and the liberal education which he obtained in later years was through self help, and he has used this as a foundation upon which to build throughout the years that have brought him business success. Mr. Hammond has been engaged in many lines of endeavor and has traveled much throughout the country, and finally settled in Houston because he considered that this city had greater opportunities than any other city in the Southwest, and is still of the same opinion as regards the future of Houston. Mr. Hammond has been closely connected with the commercial interests of the city for many years and is interested in many of the local enterprises and in- dustries, and is a director of the Gibraltar Savings and Building Association. While serving as sheriff of Harris County from 1912 to 1918, he handled many troublesome men, during the early period of the World War, who did not want to serve in the Army, and Mr. Hammond established a record in the handling of these and many other characters.

Mr. Hammond was married in Houston, November 24th, 1895, to Miss Ila Pearl Winfield, a member of a well known family of Alabama. They have six children, E. H. Hammond, Marian Pearl, Gladys, Janice, Frank Pearl and Hope. The Hammond home is located at 202 West Main Street. In fraternal and social organizations, Mr. Hammond is a mem- ber of the A. F. and A. M. with membership in Blue Lodge No. 329 of Houston, is a member of the Scottish Rite body of this order and a Shriner of Arabia Temple, the B. P. O. E., and the Turnverein. He is a consistent member of the Baptist church. Mr. Hammond is optimistic as to the future of Houston and believes this city will have a popula- tion of 500,000 within a period of ten years.

1605

MEN OF TEXAS

AYMOND E. POWELL has for the past several years been a resident of that en- terprising oil center, Baytown, and since coming here has held a place of recognized leadership in refining activities and is considered an authority on this phase of industrial manage- ment. Mr. Powell is general superintendent of the refinery of the Humble Oil and Refining Company, and under his management this refinery, established in 1918, has made a record for growth and efficiency. The plant capacity, about forty thousand barrels a day, makes it a factor in the refinery world, and with a force of thirteen hundred employees offers many problems to the superintendent calling not only for expert knowledge of all phases of refinery operation, but of labor questions as well. The plant itself, one of the most modern in Texas, and one of the finest in the entire country, has been equipped to meet the demands of a diversity of refining ac- tivities. Products manufactured here include every thing in the refining line, manufactured, marketed and handled from the crude product to the finished, under the most modern conditions. As an industrial unit the plant represents one of the largest in this section, and a small city of two hundred and forty houses, with recreational and other utilities, is grouped around the refinery proper. Mr. Powell is thoroughly familiar with every detail of the opera- tion and management of this industrial center, and is always on the job, smoothing the wheels of opera- tion, and making improvements that will result in future expansions.

Raymond E. Powell was born at Wrightstown, New Jersey, the tenth of May, 1887, son of Alfred A. Powell, with the railroads of the East for many years, and Lillian H. Powell. As a boy he at- tended the public schools of Wrightstown, graduat- ing from the high school there, after which he en- tered Peddie Institute for a four years' course, in the scientific department, and which he completed in three years, graduating with highest honors. He also taught classes in mathematics at the Peddie Institute the last year he spent there, and in other ways demonstrated his exceptional scholarship. The three years after leaving Peddie Institute were spent in educational work, followed by six years with the United States government, in railroad service. He then went to Montreal, Canada, in 1916, where he spent three and a half years in the refinery of the Imperial Oil Company, Ltd., leaving that corporation as second assistant to the general superintendent. The two years following were spent in the refining department of the Standard Oil Company of New Jersey, after which he went to Charlestown, South Carolina, and supervised the construction of the asphalt plant there, in connec- tion with the refinery in that city. After a short period in South Carolina he came to Baytown, where he has since been in charge of the refinery of the Humble Oil and Refining Company as general super- intendent.

Mr. Powell was married at Wrightstown, New Jersey, in 1913, to Miss Daisy Belle Davis, daughter of Arthur A. Davis, a painting contractor of that city, and Annie G. Davis. Mr. and Mrs. Powell re- side at Baytown, and have one child, Alfred D. Powell. Mr. Powell is a Mason, Scottish Rite, and a member of Arabia Temple Shrine of Houston. Since coming to Baytown he has impressed all with

whom he has come in contact with his knowledge of refinery. His advancement in this industry, while rapid, has not been undeserved, and he is considered one of the men unusually well equipped to have un- der his direction industrial activities of the scope of the refinery of the Humble Company. The future would appear to hold for him further distinction in his chosen line, wherein his talent for men and af- fairs will find further outlet, and his name should be one to be reckoned with in refining matters.

IVIAN MORTIMER GILLETE DUKE, one of the real pioneers of Goose Creek, while growing up with this community has pros- pered as it has prospered, and has taken an important part in cultivating the lands of this section and in developing the natural resources here. Mr. Duke has from early boyhood made his home on his beautiful farm, overlooking Goose Creek, and at the landing which has for six decades been known as Duke's Landing. Mr. Duke's chief interests have been agricultural, and while he has had some in- terests in the cattle industry, it is as a farmer that he is better known, and it is doubtful if there are today many men in his community who have had so wide an influence for good and for the advance- ment of the farmers of this section.

Vivian Mortimer Gillete Duke was born at Rich- mond, Fort Bend County, Texas, the twenty-eighth day of May, 1857. His father, William Henry Duke, was for a number of years a bookkeeper in a mercan- tile establishment there, and later was a factor in the political life of the day. His mother was, prior to her marriage, Miss Elizabeth Gillete. Mr. Duke spent his boyhood in Harris County, to which place the family removed in 1861. At this time public schools were not as common as they are now, and he had little chance to attend school, until 1870 when has was sent to Granby, Conn., where he at- tended a preparatory school for four years. He then returned to the farm, near Goose Creek and has spent most of his time since then in farming activities, although he spent a few years with the Southern Pacific Railway.

The Duke farm, consisting of one nundred and twenty-three acres in the tract known as the old homestead, is one of the land marks of this part of Harris County, since the days of the early settlers. Mr. Duke recalls those days when all provisions were brought in from Galveston, up the channel, and to Goose Creek to Busch Landing, and when farming was a much more laborious occupation, working with crude implements, and in new soil than it is today when a tractor and the many improvements which have come in its wake can do the work of half a dozen men.

Since the oil fields of this section have been de- veloped the land owned by Mr. Duke has increased very much in value, and on his home place a num- ber of wells have been drilled. A good part of his land still remains to be developed, however, and it is the belief of geologists here that the indications for big wells are favorable, and that the next few years will see operations on an extensive scale here, with the bringing in of a number of important wells.

Mr. Duke was married first to Miss Eleanor Abny of South Carolina, in October, 1885, her death occurring two years later, in 1887. There was one child born to this union, Henry Gillete Duke. Mr. Duke was married again in August, 1894, to Miss

1606

P.E. Towel

0 11 Towler

NEW ENCYCLOPEDIA OF TEXAS

Hattie Riggs, daughter of Samuel Merritt Riggs, a carpenter, boat builder and cattle raiser of Goose Creek, and Sarah Jacinto Penn Riggs. Mr. and Mrs. Duke have since made their home on the farm, at Duke's Landing, near Goose Creek, and have two children: Elsie Pettitt Duke, and Marybelle Duke. The family are members of the Episcopal Church. Fraternally Mr. Duke is a Woodman of the World, and an Odd Fellow, and has a wide acquaintance in both these lodges. He is one of the older men of his community, a man of sterling quality and re- spected by all who know him. An ever kindly man- ner and a real interest in the welfare of his fellow men has made him one of the most beloved men of his community, and he counts his friends by the hundreds.

VID K. TOWLER has had an experience in in the pipe line and production departments of the oil industry that probably exceeds that of any other man in these branches in South Texas. Mr. Towler is superintendent of pro- duction and drilling at Goose Creek for the Sun Com- pany and is one of this oil company's oldest and best men. He became associated with the Sun Company in 1906, and came to Goose Creek and his present posi- tion with the company in the spring of 1923. The Sun Company has fourteen producing wells in this field, with an average daily production of eight hun- dred barrels. They have a large stock of materials always on hand, and a very complete organization in all departments. From forty to fifty men are in Mr. Towler's department, and the Sun Company has twenty-five acres of ground in this field. Mr. Tow- ler has had a vast practical experience and acquired his knowledge by a complete, careful and painstak- ing study of the business, and since coming to Goose Creek increased the Sun Company's production, besides completing one of the best organizations in the Coastal fields.

Mr. Towler was born at Henderson, Kentucky, on February 10th, 1884. His father, David Towler, was a farmer and large land owner of Kentucky. His mother was Miss Sallie Keach, a member of a well known Kentucky family. His education was obtained in the public and high schools of his native state. Mr. Towler came to Texas in December, 1898, and settled at Dayton, where he was engaged in rice farming until 1906, when he came with the Sun Company at Dayton in the pipe line department. In 1907, he went to Batson in the production depart- ment where he remained until 1911, when he was transferred to Dayton in the pipe line department, and in 1913 was again transferred to Batson in the production department, and then to Vivian, La., where he remained until 1915, when he was sent to Beaumont with the pipe line department. From there he was sent to Orange, Texas, with the pro- duction department, and in 1922 was sent to West Columbia, with the production department and in 1923 came to Goose Creek in charge of the produc- tion and drilling of this field. Mr. Towler has during all his experience in the oil industry been with the Sun Company, and helped to move the second drilling rig that drilled in the old Sour Lake field.

Mr. Towler was married at Beaumont to Miss Daphna Davis, a daughter of Vester R. Davis, a pioneer oil operator of the South Texas fields, and

who has for many years been with the Magnolia Refining Company at Beaumont. They have one daughter: Sadie Towler. Mr. and Mrs. Towler are residing at Goose Creek, Texas. In fraternal or- ganizations, Mr. Towler holds membership in the St. John's Masonic Lodge, Columbia, Knights of Pythias, in Batson Lodge No. 247, and in the I. O. O. F. at Beaumont. Mr. Towler has many friends among the oil fraternity, and is regarded as one of the leaders in his line.

OY BLACK, pioneer oil man has had an experience in drilling and production which has extended to the various states where oil has been produced, and knows the pro- ducing end of this great industry as few men know it. Mr. Black came to Goose Creek in 1916, and is superintendent of production of this field for the Humble Oil and Refining Company. This company has more than one hundred producing wells in this field, and are the largest operators here. Mr. Black has charge of all production and maintenance of the Humble Oil and Refining Company in this field and at Barbers Hill. From forty to fifty men are em- ployed in the production department, of which Mr. Black is superintendent, and where he has been lo- cated and made a close study of conditions since this field was drilled and developed to be one of the greatest producing oil fields in the Lone Star State.

Mr. Black was born in Butler County, Pennsyl- vania, September 4th, 1879. His father, W. C. Black, was for many years a well known independent oil operator in Pennsylvania. His mother was Mrs. Sarah Black, a member of a prominent family of Pennsylvania. His education was obtained in the public and high schools of his native state. Soon after leaving school, Mr. Black started his business career in the general mercantile business which he continued for five years. He then went to Ohio and entered the oil fields of the state, and from there went to the oil region of West Virginia, and in the two states, he spent about eight years and during this period he learned the practical side of the drill- ing and producing business. He then returned to Pennsylvania and remained there in the various oil fields for two years, when he came to Texas and to Sour Lake in 1903. He remained in this field with the Texas Company in the producing and drilling department for two years and then went to Batson with the Gulf Production Company and remained with this company at Batson for a period of four years. He then came to Goose Creek for the first time and remained here for one year and then went to the Humble field where he remained for one year with the Texas Company, after which he re- turned to Goose Creek for the Humble Oil and Refining Company, where he has since remained in his present position, and is regarded as one of the most valuable employees of this company.

Mr. Black was married in West Virginia in 1901 to Miss Gertrude May Wise, a daughter of Jack Wise, a well known oil operator of that state. They have one daughter, Maude Elizabeth Black. Mr. and Mrs. Black are residing at Goose Creek. Mr. Black is a member of the Scottish Rite body of the Masonic fraternity and is a Shriner of Arabia Temple. He is popular in the oil circles of South Texas and has a host of friends in the oil country.

1609

MEN OF TEXAS

ILLIAM R. BRISON for several years asso- ciated with the oil industry in Texas, has made a record of distinction in the science of chemistry as pertaining to this indus- try, and is regarded as one of the foremost authori- ties in this line. Mr. Brison is chief chemist of the Humble Oil and Refining Company, and for the three years that he has been identified with this company, has maintained his headquarters at Bay- town, Texas, where the main plant of the company is located. He has a well organized department with a large force of thoroughly experienced operators under his supervision. Many improvements both in management as well as equipment have been in- stalled by him since taking charge of the work. Mr. Brison has, in this laboratory and under his per- sonal attention, three departments, grouped under experimental and research, analytical, and routine refinery work. His laboratory is complete in every detail, all of the equipment being of the finest type and best procurable. He has in his organization some of the best men in this field, and has done some exceptional work, especially in the research and ex- perimental line. His position demands the utmost, both in responsibility and training, and Mr. Brison is one of the few men who have the qualifications to fill the position.

William R. Brison was born at Newark, New Jersey, in November, 1878. His father, James W. Brison, was a life long resident of that state, rear- ing a large family of boys and girls and died while most of the children were still under 21 years of age. Under the circumstances it was necessary for the family to each one make his own way in the world, and no educational advantages were available except those that might be acquired while gaining a livelihood. A grammar school education was gained by William and from that point through daily work and diligent application to study through the evenings he prepared himself for greater things. Starting to work at the age of eleven Mr. Brison shortly afterward became laboratory boy in a metal- lurgical laboratory where the assaying of gold, sil- ver, platinum and other metals was conducted, and eventually took charge of the laboratory as well as control of the operating end of the business. After 12 years service in this field with one company, he became associated with the Vacuum Oil Company of Rochester, New York, in special work at their re- search laboratory. Fifteen years were spent in the service of this company-part of the time at Rochester and part of the time at their seaboard plant at Bayonne, Mr. Brison having full control of all technical work at the Bayonne plant for about seven years. Leaving the Vacuum Oil Company after fifteen years of service, the following two years spent in the Mid-Continent fields where he engaged in various phases of the petroleum indus- try. Considerable special work for the Van Om- meren Corporation of Rotterdam, Holland, and the International Oil Corporation (Stinnes interests), Hamburg, Germany, including laboratory work, handling and shipping of export oil, and general business for the corporations was taken care of dur- ing this period. Leaving this work he came with the Humble Oil and Refining Company as chief chemist in charge of all technical problems of the company, and has since been with this company with head- quarters at Baytown.

Mr. Brison was married at Geneseo, New York, to Miss Rose E. Turbefield, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. William Turbefield, the father, a farmer and land- owner of New York State. Mr. and Mrs. Brison have made their home at Baytown since Mr. Brison's business connections have been centered here, and have made many friends in this city. They have two children, William, a student at Rice Institute at Houston, and Janet. Fraternally Mr. Brison is a Mason and an Odd Fellow. He is a member of the American Society for Testing Materials and the American Association for the Advancement of Science, and is well known through these societies for his work along technical and scientific lines. Mr. Brison has had a vast experience in his chosen work, and this, with a natural mental endowment, and complemented by years of study, has advanced him to a place of distinction.

He is considered an authority on matters pertain- ing to the oil industry, particularly as to the branch concerned with lubricants and their production, and the future promises further recognition as his work becomes more generally known.

LLIS P. ABBOTT, whose familiarity with the refining department of the oil business from a technical standpoint, has made him a well known figure in the engineering

world. For the past several years he has been located at Baytown, as chief engineer of the refining department of the Humble Oil and Refining Com- pany, and has charge of the designing for the various plants of the company and the construction work and the mechanical department at Baytown. He has under his direct supervision from eight hun- dred to nine hundred men and has a skill in the handling of men that has been largely responsible for advancement of his departments since he as- sumed control. The refining plant of the company at Baytown is one of the most modern, up-to-date and best equipped plants in the country, and with the constant expansion that is in progress at all times, presents an industrial problem that has called for careful consideration, as well as a thorough knowl- edge of refinery operation on the part of Mr. Abbott. The past year has seen over four million dollars expended on the development and extension of this plant, and this work has been under the direct super- vision of Mr. Abbott. His department is well or- ganized and reflects much forethought as well as an expert knowledge of the conditions under which it operates, and has under the present management handled an unusually large volume of work in an efficient manner.

Mr. Abbott is exceptionally equipped for a position demanding the utmost in qualifications and experi- ence, of the incumbent, and as chief engineer of the refinery department of the Humble Oil and Refining Company has added to an already excellent reputa- tion. A graduate in civil engineering, with the B. S. degree, Mr. Abbott has further qualified himself by constant study of the problems incident to the technical side of the oil industry, and has had the advantage of more than sixteen years of varied experience. He was for a number of years in rail- road engineering work, and subsequent to that has been active in various branches of engineering, in- cluding construction, estimating, and designing, and is one of the few men thoroughly competent in all branches of his calling.

1610

W.P. Prison

NEW ENCYCLOPEDIA OF TEXAS

Ellis P. Abbott was born at Madison, Wisconsin, March 3rd, 1886, son of Charles F. and E. Estella Abbott. Mr. Abbott was entered in the public schools of his native city and after graduating from the high school there entered the University of Wis- consin. After four years in that institution, he was graduated in 1908, with the B. S. degree in civil engineering. Immediately after taking his degree he went to Montana, and later Washington, where he was engaged in irrigation and railroad work. He spent two years in the bridge department of the City of Spokane, Washington, on the design of steel and concrete bridges, and later went with A. Gutherie & Company. Inc., railroad and general con- tractors, as estimating and construction engineer. During the war he was with the United States Bu- reau of Yards and Docks and had charge of the de- sign of all naval air stations in this country and abroad. In 1919 he came to Houston, and after a year with Horton and Horton, contractors, he went with the Humble Oil and Refining Company at Bay- town, as construction superintendent, and at the end of one year was made chief engineer.

Mr. Abbott has made his home at Baytown, where he is prominently identified with refining activi- ties, and takes a deep interest in the various affairs incident to life in that community. He is a master Mason, and is regarded as one of the men in his profession with a bright future.

ERRYMAN S. MOORE of Houston, Texas, became active in the development of the Gulf Coast oil fields in 1910, and has oper- ated in practically all the fields of the Gulf Coast region since that time. Mr. Moore is an independent oil operator, dealer in royalties and production, and is also an active driller. He is president of the Clem Oil Company, which was or- ganized in 1910 to operate and develop acreage in the Markham oil fields. Mr. Moore has production in that field, and is one of the discoverers of oil in the section which placed Markham on the oil map of Texas as a proven field. He has royalties and production in several of the Gulf Coast fields, and is regarded as one of the successful as well as one of the conservative operators operating in this region. Mr. Moore started his business career in the real estate business at San Antonio, Texas, but the fact that his father was engaged in the oil industry and that he had made a special study of geology in college were perhaps the main reasons for his leaving the real estate business and engaging in the oil industry. He has been associated with his father in many of his operations.

A native Texan, Mr. Moore was born at Valley Mills, Bosque County, on April 18th, 1887. His father, W. C. Moore, is a pioneer in the oil devel- opment of Texas, and has been active in all the Gulf Coast fields, and is still a factor in develop- ment work in this portion of the State. An article dealing with his life and activities is found in this volume. Mr. Moore's education was obtained in the public schools of San Antonio, the West Texas Mil- itary Academy, of which he is a graduate, and the University of Texas, where he specialized in law and geology. During the World War he served in the United States Army for about one year and was stationed at Camp Travis.

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New encyclopedia of Texas, volume 2, Part 83

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