Cattell, Roscoe Arnold, 1892-1981.

Roscoe Arnold Cattell was born January 6, 1892 in Idaho. He attended the University of California, graduating in 1916 with a degree in Civil Engineering. His career in petroleum engineering began in 1916 with Kern Trading and Oil Company in California. Shortly thereafter, he accepted a position with the U.S. Bureau of Mines, and became chief engineer of the Petroleum and Natural Gas Division in 1933. Cattell died in March 1981.

From the description of Roscoe Arnold Cattell papers, 1921-1976 (bulk 1922-1957). (University of Wyoming, American Heritage Center). WorldCat record id: 56138135

Roscoe Arnold Cattell was born January 6, 1892, in New Sharon, Idaho. He attended the University of California, graduating in 1916 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering. His career in petroleum engineering began in 1916 with Kern Trading and Oil Company in the Sunset-Midway oil fields of California. Shortly thereafter, he accepted a position with the United States Bureau of Mines at Muskogee, Oklahoma.

World War I took Cattell to France, where he spent a year in the American Expeditionary Force engaged in railroad operations. Following the armistice, he went to England to work with the British Ministry of Munitions of War on the development of the first producing oil well in England, near Hardstoft. In 1919, Cattell became chief of construction for the Societe d’Etudes des Recherches et d’Exploitation des Petroles en Algerie, his duties taking him to Algeria, Africa. He returned to the United States in 1920 and re-entered the service of the Bureau of Mines. He was initially placed in charge of the field office at Shreveport, Louisiana and then transferred to the Bartlesville, Oklahoma station, where he was in charge of natural gas work. Later he was promoted to assistant superintendent, and then superintendent, of the station.

In 1925, Cattell became chief engineer of the helium division in the Bureau of Mines. In July 1933, when the Helium Division was merged with the Petroleum and Natural Gas Division, Cattell became chief engineer of the newly merged divisions and was in charge of all the Bureau’s technical work relating to petroleum, natural gas, and helium.

Cattell married Ruth Brown of Coffeyville, Kansas, in December 1926. They had two children, Betty Ruth and Robert Arnold. Roscoe Arnold Cattell died in March 1981.

From the guide to the Roscoe Arnold Cattell papers, 1921-1976, 1922-1957, (University of Wyoming. American Heritage Center.)