Robert Lee Slaughter
Robert Lee Slaughter | |
|---|---|
| Born | Error: Invalid birth date for calculating age Palo Pinto County, Texas, U.S. |
| Died | September 29, 1938 (aged 68) Dallas, Texas, U.S. |
| Occupation(s) | Rancher, oil entrepreneur |
| Known for | Ranching properties in Texas and Sonora, Mexico; oil business |
Robert Lee Slaughter (August 15, 1870 – September 29, 1938) was a notable American rancher and oil entrepreneur who possessed ranching properties in both Texas and Sonora, Mexico.
Early life
Slaughter was born in Palo Pinto County, Texas as the son of the distinguished rancher C.C. Slaughter. His upbringing and education took place in Dallas, Texas.
Career
In 1888, he assumed the role of manager at the Long S Ranch, a vast estate covering 1,000,000 acres in Dawson County, Texas owned by his father. By 1909, he became involved with the Soash Development Company under the leadership of William P. Soash, participating in the establishment of Soash, Texas. Between 1915 and 1919, Slaughter oversaw operations at the Lazy S Ranch located in Hockley County, Texas, with its base in Sundown.
Alongside his brother-in-law George T. Veal, Slaughter purchased a ranch near Moctezuma, Sonora. This property endured damage amid the Mexican Revolution. Additionally, they held land holdings close to El Paso, Texas.
In 1924, Slaughter partnered with William P. Soash and relatives to establish the Lone Star Land Company. This enterprise was responsible for developing Sundown and Vealmoor and facilitated the sale of segments from the Long S and Lazy S Ranches for real estate purposes.
By 1937, oil reserves were discovered on the Lazy S Ranch by Texaco. At the time of his passing, Slaughter owned substantial oil assets, reflecting a strategic expansion from traditional ranching into the petroleum sector.
Personal life
In 1893, Slaughter married Florence Harris. The couple had one son named Robert Slaughter, Jr. Their residence was initially in Midland, Texas until 1921 when they moved to Lubbock, Texas. Slaughter was reputed for his fondness of high-speed driving across his ranch properties.
Death and legacy
After becoming ill in 1937, Slaughter sought medical care in New York City before returning to a hospital in Dallas. He passed away on September 29, 1938, in Dallas, Texas. His funeral took place there on October 1, and he was interred at East Oakwood Cemetery in Fort Worth, Texas. His son inherited the family ranches and died in 1969.
The business documents and personal archives of Slaughter are maintained at the Southwest Collection/Special Collections Library at Texas Tech University.