Houston Museum District in Harris County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
W. L. and Susan Clayton
Photographed By Jim Evans, March 17, 2013
1. W. L. and Susan Clayton Marker
Inscription.
W. L. and Susan Clayton. . Mississippi native William Lockhart Clayton (1880-1966) left school early to become a court reporter. His skill attracted an executive of the American Cotton Company, and he moved first to St. Louis then to the New York office the following year. He soon became Assistant General Manager. In 1904, he organized a partnership with his sister's husband Frank E. Anderson and the latter's brother Monroe D. Anderson in forming Anderson, Clayton and Company in Oklahoma City. They were joined in 1905 by Will's brother, Benjamin. By 1916, two years after the Houston Ship Channel opened, and in the midst of World War I, the firm moved its headquarters to Houston. During the war, Clayton served on the Committee on Cotton Distribution of The War Industries Board, then returned to the firm, which greatly expanded into international markets. Before World War II, he returned to government service, later becoming Under-Secretary of State for Economic Affairs (1945-47) under George C. Marshall. He is widely recognized as a principal architect of the post World War II Marshall Plan., Susan Vaughan (1881-1960), born in Kentucky, wed Will Clayton in 1902. She worked with noted architect Birdsall P. Briscoe on their home at this site, later advising him on other family homes in the River Oaks subdivision. Noted for her architectural taste, Sue was also known for philanthropic work, raising funds for the Fine Arts Museum, supporting women's suffrage and helping build low-income housing. The Claytons bequeathed their nearby home to Houston's public library; it is now the site of one of the country's foremost centers for genealogical research. The Claytons' legacy continues to enhance Houston culture and resources, and their descendants still support programs and institutions the couple began.
Mississippi native William Lockhart Clayton (1880-1966) left school early to become a court reporter. His skill attracted an executive of the American Cotton Company, and he moved first to St. Louis then to the New York office the following year. He soon became Assistant General Manager. In 1904, he organized a partnership with his sister's husband Frank E. Anderson and the latter's brother Monroe D. Anderson in forming Anderson, Clayton & Company in Oklahoma City. They were joined in 1905 by Will's brother, Benjamin. By 1916, two years after the Houston Ship Channel opened, and in the midst of World War I, the firm moved its headquarters to Houston. During the war, Clayton served on the Committee on Cotton Distribution of The War Industries Board, then returned to the firm, which greatly expanded into international markets. Before World War II, he returned to government service, later becoming Under-Secretary of State for Economic Affairs (1945-47) under George C. Marshall. He is widely recognized as a principal architect of the post World War II Marshall Plan.
Susan Vaughan (1881-1960), born in Kentucky, wed Will Clayton in 1902. She worked with noted architect Birdsall P. Briscoe on their home at this site, later advising him on other family homes in the River Oaks subdivision. Noted for her architectural taste, Sue was
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also known for philanthropic work, raising funds for the Fine Arts Museum, supporting women's suffrage and helping build low-income housing. The Claytons bequeathed their nearby home to Houston's public library; it is now the site of one of the country's foremost centers for genealogical research. The Claytons' legacy continues to enhance Houston culture and resources, and their descendants still support programs and institutions the couple began.
Erected 2004 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 14912.)
Location. 29° 43.542′ N, 95° 23.191′ W. Marker is in Houston, Texas, in Harris County. It is in the Houston Museum District. Marker can be reached from Caroline Street north of Calumet Street, on the right when traveling south. Located in front of the Clayton House Library building. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 5300 Caroline Street, Houston TX 77004, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Credits. This page was last revised on February 1, 2023. It was originally submitted on March 20, 2013, by Jim Evans of Houston, Texas. This page has been viewed 761 times since then and 34 times this year. Last updated on November 4, 2018, by Brian Anderson of Humble, Texas. Photos:1. submitted on March 20, 2013, by Jim Evans of Houston, Texas. 2. submitted on October 18, 2019, by J. Makali Bruton of Accra, Ghana. 3. submitted on March 20, 2013, by Jim Evans of Houston, Texas. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.