William Thomas Waggoner

William Thomas Waggoner (August 31, 1852 – December 11, 1934) was an American rancher, oilman, banker, horse breeder, and philanthropist from Texas. He was the owner of the Waggoner Ranch, where he found oil in 1903. He was the founding president of the Waggoner National Bank of Vernon. He established the Arlington Downs and paid for the construction of three buildings on the campus of Texas Woman's University.

Early life William Thomas Waggoner was born on August 31, 1852, in Hopkins County, Texas. His father, Daniel Waggoner, was a rancher.

Ranching In 1869, when he was only 18 years old, his father gave him US$12 and asked him to drive 5000 steers to Abilene, Kansas. He sold them for a profit of $55,000. He served as the founding president of the Waggoner National Bank of Vernon from 1899 to 1907. In 1904, he also joined the board of directors of the First National Bank of Fort Worth. He also built the Arlington Downs racetrack located between Fort Worth and Dallas. However, he purchased other good horses such as Yellow Jacket, Yellow Wolf, Midnight, Blackburn, and Pretty Boy.

Philanthropy He paid for the construction of three buildings on the campus of Texas Woman's University in Denton. Later, they also resided in Fort Worth. They had sons Guy Waggoner and E. Paul Waggoner and daughter Electra Waggoner.

Death He died on December 11, 1934, in Fort Worth, Texas. He was buried near the grave of Samuel Burk Burnett.