Warren, J. W. (John William)

Epithet: of Stockport

El Celeste Irrigation Co. S.A. was founded by John William Warren (president), his brother Robert Lee Warren, and Milton I. Vought (general manager). Vought moved to Mexico in 1901 and between the years of 1901 and 1910 purchased in his own name 10,173 hectares (25,137 acres) of land known as El Celeste.

Situated about 200 miles South of the Texas border, 40 miles from the Gulf coast, 75 miles northwest of Tampico, 5 miles from the railway and fronting about 10 miles on the Guayalejo River, El Celeste remained in Vought's name until the Mexican company was organized for the purpose of selling the land to American farmers. An abundant supply of water for irrigation purposes was a necessity. A contract was obtained from Mexican authorities for water rights to the Frio River, which lay beyond the Guayalejo. Work was in progress by May of 1913. At this point, however, political events in Mexico made the continuation of this project impossible.