Robert Lee Slaughter
American rancher and oilman (1870–1938)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Robert Lee Slaughter (August 15, 1870 – September 29, 1938) was an American rancher and oilman. He was the owner of ranches in Texas and Sonora, Mexico.
Robert Lee Slaughter | |
|---|---|
| Born | August 15, 1870 |
| Died | September 29, 1938 (aged 68) |
| Resting place | East Oakwood Cemetery, Fort Worth, Texas, US |
| Occupations | Rancher, oilman |
| Spouse | Florence Harris |
| Children | Robert Slaughter, Jr. |
| Parent(s) | C.C. Slaughter Cynthia Ann Jowell |
| Relatives | George Webb Slaughter (paternal grandfather) William B. Slaughter (paternal uncle) Ira P. DeLoache (brother-in-law) |
Early life
Robert Lee Slaughter was born on August 15, 1870, in Palo Pinto County, Texas.[1][2][3] His father, C.C. Slaughter, was a large rancher.[3][4] His paternal grandfather, George Webb Slaughter, was a Baptist minister from Mississippi.
Slaughter grew up in Dallas, Texas,[1] where he was educated at an academy run by G. W. Grove in Dallas, Texas.[2]
Career
Slaughter became the manager of the Long S Ranch, a 1,000,000-acre ranch in Dawson County, Texas, owned by his father, in 1888.[4][5] By 1909, Slaughter joined the Soash Development Company, a real estate development company run by William P. Soash.[4] He helped develop the new town of Soash, Texas.[4] From 1915 to 1919, he managed the Lazy S Ranch in Hockley County, Texas, whose headquarters were located in Sundown, Texas.[4]
Slaughter acquired a ranch near Moctezuma in Sonora, Mexico with his brother-in-law, George T. Veal.[2] The ranch was heavily damaged by Yaquis, a Native American tribe, during the Mexican Revolution of 1910–1920.[2] They also acquired a ranch near El Paso, Texas.[2]
Slaughter co-founded the Lone Star Land Company with William P. Soash, his brother Dick Slaughter and his sister Minnie Slaughter Veal in 1924.[2] They founded the towns of Sundown and Vealmoor.[2] They also sold portions of land from their Long S Ranch and Lazy S Ranch for real estate development.[2]
By 1937, oil was discovered and drilled by Texaco on the Lazy S Ranch.[4] By the time of his death, Slaughter was the "owner of extensive oil property".[3][6]
Personal life
Slaughter married Florence Harris in 1893.[2] They had a son, Robert Slaughter, Jr.[2] They resided in Midland, Texas, until 1921, when they moved to Lubbock, Texas.[4][5]
Slaughter enjoyed driving cars fast on his ranches.[2]
Death and legacy
Slaughter became ill in 1937.[4][7] He received medical treatment in New York City, before returning to a hospital in Dallas.[7] He died on September 29, 1938, in Dallas, Texas.[1][3] His funeral was held in Dallas on October 1, 1938.[7] He was buried at the East Oakwood Cemetery in Fort Worth, Texas.[2]
Slaughter's son inherited his ranches, and died in 1969.[2]
His papers are held in the Southwest Collection/Special Collections Library at Texas Tech University.[8]
