Waite phillips biography meaning

Conoco Oil Pioneers of Oklahoma Plaza

The history of the state of Oklahoma is inextricably linked with the remarkable history of the oil industry. The individuals identified here are true Oklahoma Oil Pioneers whose work laid the groundwork for the oil and gas industry in a young state. Their stories are not only inspirational, but serve as testaments to the extraordinary opportunities the early oil industry provided for individual achievements and public good. Although these individuals are now deceased, their stories of hard work, foresight, courage and accomplishment against overwhelming odds speak to generations of Americans. Thanks to University of Oklahoma President David L. Boren, Museum Director Michael Mares and Vice President for University Development David L. Maloney, this plaza reflects the museums mission of celebrating Oklahoma’s history. So whether you’re enjoying lunch outside the cafe, pausing for a quick photo or strolling through our gardens, take a moment to reflect upon the beautiful Conoco Oil Pioneers of Oklahoma Plaza and the people who inspired it.

Jack H. Abernathy (1911-1996)Born in Shawnee, Jack Abernathy earned his degree in petroleum engineering at the University of Oklahoma in 1932. As Chief Engineer for Sunray Oil, Abernathy was instrumental in the discovery of the Wilcox Pool, a major oil field located directly under the State Capitol Building in Oklahoma City. As President of Big Chief Drilling Company, Abernathy was responsible for a number of major oil and gas discoveries, technological innovations, and drilling depth records. Abernathy was a long-time proponent of adequate benefits for oil field workers and, under his leadership. Big Chief was a pioneer in creating an insurance and retirement plan specifically for field and operating personnel and in establishing an outstanding safety record. Active in the organizational structure of the petroleum industry, Abernathy was President of the International Association of


'Villa Philbrook'

The Phillips family was, perhaps, considered one of Tulsa's first families. Waite Phillips, the Patriarch of the family, was an ambitious millionaire who had made many fortunes in coal and oil. The saying "Go big, or go home" justly fits him, for nothing Waite did was small. When he sold his gas company in 1925 to a New York investment firm, he walked away with a cool $25 million ($330 million in today's money). Even when he died in 1964, he went out with a "bang", donating a substantial fortune to the University of Southern California, who named one of their buildings after him. In sharp contrast, his wife, Genevieve Phillips, was a shy and quiet lady, who looked away from society. 

Waite Phillips, 1933.

Originally occupying a large house in the Tulsan suburbs, the Phillips, Waite in particular, decided to construct a much larger estate farther uptown to house the family's growing art collection and with more land for the family to pursue their gardening interests. Construction began in 1926, with Kansas City-architect Edward B. Delk supervising the design and building of the home. The mansion was finished in 1927, at a total cost of $1.5 million ($15 million in today's money). It would quickly become a Tulsa icon. 


The Phillips family at their Villa: Waite, daughter Helen, son Elliot and Genevieve. 

The Phillips family prepares for dinner at Villa Philbrook. 

Occupying 23 acres of lush gardens and lawns, inspired by the gardens at the Villa Lante in Italy, designed in 1566, the Italian Renaissance mansion is the centerpiece of the estate. With 73 rooms, each possessing a view of the gardens and lawn, the home was designed to entertain, with the main focus of the mansion however being to accommodate the family's art collection. The ground floor held the formal rooms. At the center of the mansion, was the long hall, which opened up to each room. Perhaps the largest room, is the drawing room/bal

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  • Phillips Petroleum Company

    American oil company, predecessor of ConocoPhillips

    Phillips Petroleum Company was an American oil company incorporated in 1917 that expanded into petroleum refining, marketing and transportation, natural gas gathering and the chemicals sectors. It was Phillips Petroleum that first found oil in the North Sea on December 23, 1969, at a position that was later named Ekofisk.

    On August 30, 2002, Conoco Inc. merged with Phillips Petroleum to form ConocoPhillips, becoming the third largest integrated energy company and second-largest refining company in the United States. The company moved its headquarters to Houston.

    In 2012, ConocoPhillips split into two separate companies. The legacy company kept its name, and spun off the midstream and downstream portions of its business. The new company, which owns the refinery, chemical and pipeline assets formerly held in ConocoPhillips, is named Phillips 66, the brand name and trademark used by the original Phillips Petroleum from 1930 until the 2002 ConocoPhillips merger.

    History

    The Phillips Petroleum Company was incorporated on June 13, 1917, by brothers Lee Eldas ("L.E.") Phillips and Frank Phillips, of Bartlesville, Oklahoma, United States. Their younger brother, Waite Phillips, was the benefactor of Philmont Scout Ranch. The company was headquartered in Bartlesville, Oklahoma.

    Phillips Petroleum rapidly became a fully integrated oil company that included oil and gas production, crude oil pipelines and refineries, and marketing of petroleum products.

    Phillips Petroleum became heavily involved in the natural gas industry immediately after the discovery of the Panhandle gas field of Texas and the Hugoton field in Kansas. By 1925, it was the largest producer of natural gas liquids (NGL) in the United States.

    In 1927, Phillips started up its first petroleum refinery in

      Waite phillips biography meaning


    WAITE PHILLIPS. In the amazing increase of America's national wealth during the past quarter century, no single factor has been more important than the development of the oil industry. From relative insignificance it has risen to a position of predominance in the economic conditions which have brought world leadership to the United States and to
    the men of this industry, who by their abilities, their vision, and untiring efforts have made this possible, we owe a debt that can never fully be discharged.

    Waite Phillips, a leader in the Mid-Continent field, was attracted in early life by the almost unlimited possibilities which the Oklahoma oil industry offered to those who were able to take advantage of the opportunity, and the record of his success is one of the outstanding chapters in Oklahoma's industrial history. Born on January 19, 1883, at Conway, Iowa, he is a son of Lewis F. and Lucinda Josephine (Faucett) Phillips, who lived both in Nebraska and Iowa. He attended the public schools of his birthplace, and later entered the Shenandoah Normal College, from which he was graduated in 1903. Beginning his business career, he became associated with the Hawkeye Coal Company at Knoxville, Iowa, and later entered the employ of the Rex Coal and Mining Company, spending about two years in all in the coal business. At that time Mr. Phillips decided to make oil development his life's work, and coming West to Oklahoma, where his brothers, Frank and Lee Phillips, had preceded him, he joined with them in developing oil properties. In 1914 Mr. Phillips left Bartlesville, where he had settled, and removed to Fayetteville, Arkansas, taking over the management of the North Arkansas Oil Company and having special charge of the marketing end of the business. While not denying the importance of this phase, he felt that he preferred to be in direct contact with the oil fields, and had in mind especially an independent venture which he had been considering fo