Ross S. Sterling

Early years

Sterling was born in Anahuac in Chambers County near Houston, Texas. He grew up on a farm and, after little formal education, began working as a clerk at the age of 12.

Career

At the age of 21, Sterling launched his own merchandising business. In 1911, his brother Frank Sterling, other oilmen, and he formed the Humble Oil Company, a predecessor of present-day Exxon-Mobil. They were joined in the venture by their sister, Florence M. Sterling. Sterling and his brother Frank and his sister, Florence, were referred to as the "Trio".

In addition to the oil industry, Sterling was involved in a railroad company, the former Houston Post newspaper, banking, and real estate in the Houston area. He was a member of the Houston Port Commission. He served as chairman of the Texas Highway Commission under his predecessor, Governor Dan Moody.

Public service

A Democrat who has been described by one observer as “a successful business man and a devotee of laissez-faire,” Sterling defeated former Governor Miriam "Ma" Ferguson and several other candidates in the 1930 primary race for governor. During Sterling's term in office, the East Texas oil fields experienced rapid and uncontrolled development. The Railroad Commission of Texas attempted proration, but the courts struck down the plan. Because of the chaotic situation, Sterling declared martial law in four counties for six months. National Guard troops were sent to the oil fields to limit waste and control production. This action was later declared unwarranted by the federal district court and the U.S. Supreme Court, and the Railroad Commission's plan for proration was accepted. Cotton prices continued to decline during Sterling's term in office.

Sterling's loss in the 1932 Democratic primary is the closest primary defeat for an incumbent governor in United States history. He lost to Miriam Ferguson in the run-off election by a margin of 50.2% to 49.8% with less than 4,000 votes separating the candidates.

Personal life and death

He wed Maud Abbie Gage on October 10, 1898.

Sterling died in Fort Worth on March 25, 1949, and is buried at Glenwood Cemetery in Houston.

Three Texas schools are named after him, Sterling High School in Baytown, Sterling High School in Houston, and Ross Sterling Middle School in Humble, Texas. In addition, his grand-nephew, Ross N. Sterling, a Republican, became a United States federal judge in Texas under appointment of U.S. President Gerald R. Ford Jr.

In 1925, Sterling's daughter Mildred married the prominent architect Wyatt C. Hedrick of Fort Worth.

Sterling's former house, built about 1910, was moved in 1999 from 106 Westheimer Road to the intersection of Bagby and Rosalie to undergo restoration. In 2015 it opened as a bar & restaurant called Sterling House

References

References

1. (August 2013). "Designs for the 'Sterling Hotel' in Houston".
2. "Ross Shaw Sterling". Texas STate Historical Association.
3. McArthur, Judith N.. (15 June 2010). "Sterling, Florence M.". Texas State Historical Association.
4. (January 1920). "From Anahuac to Millions". Petroleum Age.
5. "Jessie Ziegler and Governor Ross Sterling," [[East Texas Historical Association]] and [[West Texas Historical Association]], annual meeting in [[Fort worth, Texas]], February 26, 2010
6. The Chief Executive In Texas A Study in Gubernatorial Leadership By Fred Gantt, Jr., 2014, P.304
7. {{cite court. link. (1932)
8. {{cite court. (1932). link
9. (9 August 2018). "A Failure to Launch? Kansas' Republican Gubernatorial Contest and the History of Incumbent Governor Primary Performance – Sabato's Crystal Ball".
10. (2010). "Ross Sterling, Texan: A Memoir by the Founder of Humble Oil and Refining Company". University of Texas Press.
11. Steven Harmon Wilson, ''The Rise of Judicial Management in the U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas'' (2002), p. 241-242.
12. "[http://www.chron.com/CDA/archives/archive.mpl?id=1999_3128940 A monumental task]." ''[[Houston Chronicle]]''. April 3, 1999. A25 MetFront. Retrieved on November 15, 2009.
13. "[https://www.chron.com/entertainment/restaurants-bars/article/Historic-Sterling-midtown-bar-restaurant-7522817.php Historic Sterling house, built in 1905, converted into midtown bar and restaurant]."