Clarence Scharbauer (August 17, 1879 – October 2, 1942) was an American rancher, oilman, banker and hotelier. He was the owner of large ranches in

Texas Texas ( , ; or ) is the most populous U.S. state, state in the South Central United States, South Central region of the United States. It borders Louisiana to the east, Arkansas to the northeast, Oklahoma to the north, New Mexico to the we ...

and

New Mexico New Mexico is a state in the Southwestern United States, Southwestern region of the United States. It is one of the Mountain States of the southern Rocky Mountains, sharing the Four Corners region with Utah, Colorado, and Arizona. It also ...

. By the time of his death, Scharbauer was "one of

West Texas West Texas is a loosely defined region in the U.S. state of Texas, generally encompassing the desert climate, arid and semiarid climate, semiarid lands west of a line drawn between the cities of Wichita Falls, Texas, Wichita Falls, Abilene, Texa ...

' most prominent and influential citizens."

Early life

Clarence Scharbauer was born on August 18, 1879, in

Albany County, New York Albany County ( ) is a county (United States), county in the U.S. state, state of New York (state), New York, United States. Its northern border is formed by the Mohawk River, at its confluence with the Hudson River, which is to the east. As ...

. He grew up in

Midland, Texas Midland is a city in the U.S. state of Texas and the county seat of Midland County with small portions extending into Martin County. The population was 132,524 as of the 2020 census. Located in the Permian Basin in West Texas, Midland is a ...

. His paternal uncle, John Scharbauer, was a Texas cattleman who owned ranches in

Lea County, New Mexico Lea County (, ) is a county located in the U.S. state of New Mexico. As of the 2020 census, its population was 74,455. Its county seat is Lovington. It is both west and north of the Texas state line. Lea County comprises the Hobbs, NM micro ...

. His paternal great-grandfather was an immigrant from

Germany Germany, officially the Federal Republic of Germany, is a country in Central Europe. It lies between the Baltic Sea and the North Sea to the north and the Alps to the south. Its sixteen States of Germany, constituent states have a total popu ...

. Scharbauer attended a business school in

Waco, Texas Waco ( ) is a city in and the county seat of McLennan County, Texas, United States. It is situated along the Brazos River and Interstate 35, I-35, halfway between Dallas and Austin, Texas, Austin. The city had a U.S. census estimated 2024 popul ...

, followed by

Baylor University Baylor University is a Private university, private Baptist research university in Waco, Texas, United States. It was chartered in 1845 by the last Congress of the Republic of Texas. Baylor is the oldest continuously operating university in Te ...

Career

Scharbauer managed and eventually inherited the family ranches. His ranches "spread into five West Texas and two New Mexico counties." One ranch was in

Pecos County, Texas Pecos County ( ) is a county located in the U.S. state of Texas. As of the 2020 census, its population was 15,193. The county seat is Fort Stockton. The county was created in 1871 and organized in 1875.. By Glenn Justice and John Leffler. Re ...

. In 1935, oil was discovered on his ranches. When his uncle's ranches in Lea County, New Mexico were purchased by Millard Eidson of

Lovington, New Mexico Lovington is a city in and the county seat of Lea County, New Mexico, United States. The population was 11,009 at the 2010 census, up from 9,471 in 2000. Geography Lovington is located slightly north of the center of Lea County. According to ...

, in 1942, Scharbauer succeeded his uncle as the president of the Scharbauer Cattle Company. Scharbauer joined the Board of Directors of the First National Bank of Midland in 1923. He served as its vice president from 1925 to 1927, and as its president from 1927 until his death. Scharbauer built the Scharbauer Hotel, a 250-room hotel in

, in 1928. It opened in 1928, and it became the center of business and social life in Midland. Additionally, he served as the president of the Midland Fair, which organized

rodeo Rodeo () is a competitive equestrian sport that arose out of the working practices of cattle herding in Spain and Mexico, expanding throughout the Americas and to other nations. It was originally based on the skills required of the working vaqu ...

s in Midland. He was also the owner of a local radio station, KRLH. In the wake of

World War II World War II or the Second World War (1 September 1939 – 2 September 1945) was a World war, global conflict between two coalitions: the Allies of World War II, Allies and the Axis powers. World War II by country, Nearly all of the wo ...

, Scharbauer donated 450 acres to expand the

Midland International Air and Space Port Midland International Air and Space Port (formerly Midland International Airport) is in the city limits of Midland, Texas, United States, about midway between Downtown Midland and Downtown Odessa, owned and operated by the City of Midland. In ...

Personal life

Scharbauer married Ruth Cowden. They had two sons, including Clarence Scharbauer, Jr., a horsebreeder. They resided in a house at 602 South Main Street, until they moved into a penthouse in the Scharbauer Hotel in Midland, Texas.

Death and legacy

Scharbauer died of

cancer Cancer is a group of diseases involving Cell growth#Disorders, abnormal cell growth with the potential to Invasion (cancer), invade or Metastasis, spread to other parts of the body. These contrast with benign tumors, which do not spread. Po ...

on October 2, 1942. His funeral, which took place at the First Baptist Church in Midland on October 4, was held by Dr. William R. White, the President of

Hardin–Simmons University Hardin–Simmons University (HSU) is a private Baptist university in Abilene, Texas, United States. It is affiliated with the Baptist General Convention of Texas. History Hardin–Simmons University was founded as Abilene Baptist College in 189 ...

. He was buried at the Fairview Cemetery in Midland, Texas. By the time of his death, Scharbauer was "one of West Texas' most prominent and influential citizens." His will bequeathed US$25,000 to build the new First Baptist Church in Midland, Texas. The rest of his estate went to his widow, his son, and a cousin, Arnold Scharbauer. His son, Clarence Scharbauer, Jr., was a philanthropist and inductee into the

American Quarter Horse Hall of Fame The American Quarter Horse Hall of Fame and Museum was created by the American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA), based in Amarillo, Texas. Ground breaking construction of the Hall of Fame Museum began in 1989. The distinction is earned by people and ...

and the Horse Racing Hall of Fame. The Scharbauer Hotel in Midland, Texas was demolished in 1973.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Scharbauer, Clarence 1879 births 1942 deaths American people of German descent People from Midland, Texas Baylor University alumni Ranchers from Texas American bankers Southern Baptists Deaths from cancer in Texas