Francis "Tug" Nadeau Irving
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Francis Nadeau "Tug" Irving | |
|---|---|
 An Oil Well Shooter | |
| Born | June 30, 1903 Temple, Texas, U.S. |
| Died | May 28, 1952 (aged 48) Oklahoma City, Oklahoma |
| Resting place | Rose Hill Burial Park, Abbey Mausoleum in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma |
| Occupations | Oil Well Shooter and Driller |
| Spouse | Zelma Harmon Irving (m. 1937; died 1988) |
| Children | 1 |
Francis Nadeau "Tug" Irving (June 20, 1903 - May 28, 1952)[1][2] was a prominent oil well shooter and operator in Oklahoma during the 1930s and 1940s oil rush.[3][4] Born in Temple, Texas, he grew up in El Reno, Oklahoma.[2] Prior to his career in the oil industry, Irving was a semi-professional boxer who used his earnings to finance his education at universities in Oklahoma and Oregon.[5] While attending the University of Oregon, he became the Pacific Coast amateur lightweight champion.[6]
Irving began his career in the oil well shooting business working for veteran shooter Roy Lightner. Later, he purchased Lightner Torpedo Co., renaming it Lightning Torpedo Co.[5] Under his leadership, the company expanded throughout Oklahoma and Texas. In addition to his work as a torpedo operator, Irving manufactured his own nitroglycerin for use in shooting oil wells.[7]
Because of the unique and high-risk nature of his profession, Irving gained both business and political recognition during his lifetime.[8] Additionally, he was an oil well drilling contractor as the owner of Irving Drilling Co., which drilled wildcat oil wells for wildcatters in Oklahoma.[5]
Tug Irving, originally named Francis Irving, was born in Temple, Texas, on June 20, 1903.[9] In approximately 1911, the family relocated to El Reno, Oklahoma.[10] During his high school years, Tug Irving excelled in both sports and extracurricular activities. He lettered in football and track and field while participating actively in DeMolay and Delta Sigma fraternities.[11][12][13]
By the fall of 1920, Francis began to go by his nickname Tug Irving,. He became widely known and conducted business under this alias.[14]
Education
During his college years from 1923 to 1926, Tug Irving attended the University of Oklahoma and later the University of Oregon.[15]
In November 1923, he was elected Vice-President of the Battle Ax honorary freshman fraternity at the University of Oklahoma.[15] He also secured a position on the university's freshman football team as an end or quarterback with hopes of being promoted to the varsity squad the following year.[15][16]
In February 1924, Irving ran for Secretary of the Freshman Class.[17] Later that year, he decided to transfer to the University of Oregon.[18]
Upon his arrival at the University of Oregon, Irving quickly made a mark, securing a place in the freshman football squad as an end.[19] He also emerged as the premier boxer for the university and the Multnomah Amateur Athletic Club.[20] Later he went to Portland to enter the 1925 Pacific Northwest Championship.[21][22] Although he lost the four-round match in a decision. Later, Irving became the Pacific Coast amateur lightweight champion.[23]
In June 1925, Irving went out for the Multnomah Amateur Athletic Club football team at the end position.[24][25] He returned to El Reno in January 1926 and then returned to the University of Oklahoma, where he pledged to the Kappa Sigma national fraternity.[26]
Upon returning to OU, he sought to coach a boxing team that he hoped would become a lettered sport.[23]
Irving graduated from the University of Oklahoma in 1926.[27] This period marked the foundation for his future endeavors.
