W. C. Tyrrell
Captain W.C. Tyrrell (January 12, 1847 - September 14, 1924) was a Texas oil tycoon, venture capitalist, and prominent businessman of Beaumont, Texas.
Life
William Casper "Captain W.C." Tyrrell was born in Pennsylvania to Mallory and Polly (née Titus) Tyrrell. He married Frances Helen Rorick and the couple had one daughter together, Esther, born in 1869.
Eventually moving his family to Pleasant Township, Iowa, Tyrrell was soon investing in grain mills and real estate, and by 1873 he had purchased the large farm of Smith & Munson from Senator E. A. Howland. After news of Spindletop had spread, Tyrrell and his extended family decided to make one final move to Beaumont, Texas. As Tyrrell established himself there as an oil speculator and businessman, his fortunes grew into the millions.
Tyrrell is often remembered both for his love of the arts and his generous philanthropy.[1] He donated and distributed large quantities of food during storms and times of shortage, and on one particular occasion sent over 100,000 roses to hospitals and churches in Kansas City in response to a city-wide disaster there. In 1923, Tyrrell purchased the First Baptist Church and subsequently donated it to the city for use as a public library, now known as the Tyrrell Historical Library.[2]
As an investor during economically depressed times, Tyrrell provided much-needed capital to fledgeling entrepreneurs and struggling business ventures. He also funded the opening of the city's first commercial port and invested heavily in residential and commercial development. Tyrrell was very active in the Port Arthur and Houston areas as well.