November 14, 2009
A Story to Tell
Ironton native reflects on Ashland Oil career
By Benita Heath | The Tribune
Published Saturday, November 14, 2009
But Thistle's recollections go beyond what was happening inside the border of her hometown. She had a front-row seat to one of the significant eras in the oil industry. That ticket came from her years as secretary to one its major players, J. Howard Marshall, the billionaire oilman who would end his days as tabloid fodder when he married blonde bombshell, Anna Nicole Smith. "It was an education to work for him," Thistle said. "He was a dynamic man. When he wanted something PDQ, it meant yesterday." Thistle started working for Marshall in 1946, when he was president of the then Ashland Oil and Refining Co., brought in by Ashland's founder, Paul G. Blazer. Fresh out of business college, Thistle started in the sales department at Ashland in 1942, quickly getting promoted to Marshall's assistant. "Sometimes he would come in the door dictating. He was very sharp, a keen mind," she said. "He was too smart for Mr. Blazer."
|
|
September 3, 2009
Life and legacy of a Texas oil titan
Finding critical lessons for both industry and government in the work of J. Howard Marshall II.
Article By William O'Keefe from E&P Magazine
J. Howard Marshall II died 14 years ago. He was 90 years old.
Today, most people probably remember him as the rich old oil tycoon who married the buxom celebrity, Playmate, actress, and mother, Anna Nicole Smith, when he was 89 and she was 26. His death led to one of most disputed estate cases in history that continues even today, after the deaths of its primary contestants, Smith and Marshall's son, E. Pierce Marshall.
The bizarre twisting of a simple probate matter by the federal courts stands now as a cautionary tale about federal judicial meddling in areas where the judges have little or no expertise. But one can wonder what Marshall's legacy might have been if he had died, say, at age 88. What lessons might his life had taught then?
|
