Los Angeles
County
Biographies
RAYMOND A.
BROOMFIELD
The romantic and absorbing story of oil in California, which product of nature has been such a tremendous factor in the development of the state, is in greatest measure a story of the men who manifested the same courage and determination in the quest for this black gold as did those worthy pioneers who came to the state to seek the yellow gold from the earth, and among these former citizens a prominent figure is Raymond A. Broomfield, of Los Angeles, president of the Barnsdall Oil Company and vitally interested in the oil industry in many other channels.
Mr. Broomfield is a native of Pennsylvania, in which state he was born October 20, 1871, and he is a son of Theodore L. and Ella (Apps) Broomfield. The public schools of Ontario, Canada, afforded him his education, after which he immediately began to earn a livelihood. He was first connected with the Pittsburgh Coal Company, in the capacity of traveling auditor. He remained with this organization until 1901, then entered the employ of the Guffy Petroleum Company, for whom he went to Beaumont, Texas, at the time the Lucas gusher was drilled. In 1903, Mr. Broomfield returned to Pittsburgh, where, in association with T. N. Barnsdall, he organized the Pittsburgh Oil and Gas Company, in which he continued until 1909. In the last-named year, one of the most important moves of his career occurred. He came west to Bakersfield, California, to represent Mr. Barnsdall, and was one of the pioneers of that mammoth oil field, also was one of the original developers of the noted Midway pool. During this period of great developments, which were beyond the most optimistic dreams they had had of the future of oil, Mr. Broomfield retained his association with Mr. Barnsdall and made frequent trips between California and the east. While on the west coast he used good judgment and invested in and acquired many oil interests, his faith in the business having been paramount. His connections became multifold, and finally in 1910, with his family, he moved to Los Angeles to establish his residence, which has become a permanent one. He has been intimately associated with the growth of the oil industry in this state through all the intervening years, and is now president of the Barnsdall Corporation of New York city, in which latter company he is executive vice president and a director. This corporation has oil holdings in the states of California, Montana, Louisiana, Arkansas, Kansas, Oklahoma, and Texas, and is one of the most successful of the oil corporations in the United States. The Barnsdall Oil Company first started in Los Angeles in 1909 and in 1912, after three years of growth which was considered slow, had a valuation of six million dollars. By 1931, the valuation had reached sixty million dollars. The principal office is in Los Angeles, and branch offices are maintained in Bakersfield, Santa Barbara, Maricopa, and Fellows, California. Mr. Broomfield is known wherever oil is produced as one of the most astute and keenly discerning men in the industry. He has had the courage of his convictions throughout his years of participation in this business and has not hesitate to obey his own judgment in all of his undertakings therein. Material success is pleasant to any human, but to Mr. Broomfield there is also the satisfaction of doing a work which directly benefits civilization, which is an incentive to further effort.
On October 28,, 1902, Mr. Broomfield was married to Carrie C. Snyder, who was born in Brantford, Ontario, and to them have been born four children, namely: Raymond A., Jr., who is associated with the Barnsdall Oil Company of California as vice president; Helen, who is the wife of H. J. Grover of Portland, Oregon; Marthaellen; and William A.
Fraternally, Mr. Broomfield is a life member in all of the Masonic bodies, and his club affiliations include the Los Angeles Athletic, the Los Angeles Country, and the California Clubs. His political adherence is with the republican party. By his associates and friends, Mr. Broomfield is held in sincere respect and regard, and his career is typical of the successful American citizen, guided by high ambition, and actuated by the best ideals and impulses.
Transcribed
10-26-12 Marilyn R. Pankey.
Source: California
of the South Vol. V, by John Steven McGroarty, Pages
368-370, Clarke Publ., Chicago, Los Angeles, Indianapolis. 1933.
© 2012 Marilyn R. Pankey.
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BIOGRAPHIES