Stephen R. Zagst, Clarion Co., PA., then Caddo Parish, Louisiana

Submitted by Mike Miller
Date: 1999-2000




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Stephen R. Zagst, whose experience in the oil industry began during 

his youth in Western Pennsylvania, is president of the S. R. Zagst and 

Company of Shreveport, rig and derrick builders and Contractors, whose 

personnel and equipment have appeared in nearly all the productive 

fields in the Southwest.



Mr. Zagst was born in Clarion County, Pennsylvania, in 1871, son of a 

farmer and lumberman.  Stephen R. Zagst grew up in a rural district, 

attended country schools, and much of his time was spent in the fields 

during the summer season and in the sawmills during the winter.  The 

family home was not far from the center of the famous oil developments 

of Northwestern Pennsylvania, and Stephen R. Zagst early gained 

experience in different phases of oil field work.



He began building rigs and derricks in the West Virginia fields, 

later in his home section in Pennsylvania, and many years ago he went 

to Old Mexico.  In 1901, with the opening of the oil fields in South-

eastern Texas, at Beaumont, he located there and was present at the 

bringing in of the famous Spindle-top well.  A notable character of 

the Beaumont oil fields was the late C. W. Breech.  Mr. Zagst became 

associated with him, and they built rigs and derricks in that district, 

and later in other South Texas fields, in Humble, Batson and Sour Lake.  

Mr. Zagst extended his activities into the North Louisiana field in 

the opening days of oil development in 1908.  During the past fifteen 

years he has handled contracts in all the promising territories in this 

state and in South Arkansas.



Mr. Zagst continued to make his home in Houston, Texas, until 1914, 

since which year he has been a resident of Shreveport, and one of its 

highly esteemed business men.  He conducts business as S. R. Zagst and 

Company, of which he is president.  His associates in the company are 

his two nephews, John A., secretary and treasurer, and Edward V., 

superintendent of construction.  In addition to the headquarters of 

the business at Shreveport the company maintains equipment and material 

yards at El Dorado, Arkansas, and other points.



Mr. Zagst is affiliated with the Benevolent and Protective Order of 

Elks and the Knights of Columbus.  He married Miss Margaret Gutting, 

and their six children are  Nina Belle,  Alice,  Charles,  Stephanie,  

Robert and  Joseph.



A History of Louisiana, (vol. 2), pp. 42, by Henry E. Chambers.  

Published by The American Historical Society, Inc., Chicago and New York, 1925.