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CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
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WHEREAS, W. E. Connell, a banker and pioneering figure in the |
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early development of the Permian Basin's oil and gas business, is |
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being posthumously inducted into the Petroleum Hall of Fame on |
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April 10, 2025; and |
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WHEREAS, Based at the Permian Basin Petroleum Museum in |
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Midland, the Petroleum Hall of Fame recognizes individuals who have |
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made outstanding contributions to the development of the petroleum |
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industry in the region; and |
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WHEREAS, Born in Bell County in 1858, Wilson Edward Connell |
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distinguished himself as a banker, cattleman, and property owner; |
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he recognized the need for financial infrastructure in West Texas |
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and in 1888 cofounded what would become the First National Bank of |
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Midland; his efforts later expanded to Fort Worth, where he led the |
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First National Bank of Fort Worth through critical periods such as |
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the Great Depression; and |
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WHEREAS, Often called the "Father of West Texas," Mr. Connell |
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supported many early oil ventures, including the first well drilled |
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in Ector County in 1926; he also served as vice president and a |
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stockholder of the Dublin Oil Mills, treasurer of the Texas and |
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Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association, director of the Texas and |
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Pacific Railway, and vice president of the Cicero Smith Lumber |
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Company; when he passed away on May 5, 1936, he left his heirs more |
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than 90,000 acres of undivided mineral ownership, further |
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supporting the region's petroleum industry development; and |
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WHEREAS, Admired for his vision, energy, and business acumen, |
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W. E. Connell was a pioneering figure in the early development of |
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the Permian Basin's oil and gas industry, and he is indeed a worthy |
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addition to the Petroleum Hall of Fame; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the 89th Legislature of the State of Texas |
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hereby honor the memory of W. E. Connell on the occasion of his |
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posthumous induction into the Petroleum Hall of Fame and pay |
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tribute to his life and legacy. |