The attendees of the AFS Chapter Meeting in Corsicana on March 27, 2009, were informed that the Officers and Directors had unanimously decided to rename the Memorial Award the Harley Scoggins Memorial Award and Harley received a standing ovation from the attendees. Harley was called forward to make some comments and present the First Harley Scoggins Memorial Award from the AFS Texas Chapter.

Harley Scoggins (left) presents the first "Harley Scoggins Memorial Award"
to Oil City Iron Works in Corsicana.  Accepting this award,
(right) Eric Meyer Sr., CEO for Oil City Iron Works.

Below are Harley’s Comments:

“First I want to tell you how HONORED, HUMBLED and PLEASED I am with the Chapter’s decision to rename the Memorial Award in my name. I would like to THANK the Officers, Directors and the members of this chapter for their actions. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THIS HONOR. Now, I would like to present the first Harley Scoggins Memorial Award to a Special Company and a very good Friend.”

Meyer Family and Oil City Iron Works receives "Harley Scoggins Memorial Award".
 (left) Eric Meyer Jr., (center) Eric Meyer Sr., (rright) Jane Meyer 

“Oil City Iron’s modern plant grew from a small machine shop and foundry started in 1866 by John Winship (1826-1886) to make parts for his cotton gin. He sold the operation in 1886 to businessmen Joseph Huey (1827-1904), James Garitty (1842-1925), and J. E. Whiteselle (1851-1915), who named it the Corsicana Manufacturing Company. In 1898, the factory was leased to William Clarkson (1858-1941), a South Carolina native who came to Texas after the Civil War. He renamed the Company Oil City Iron Works, because this area was then in the midst of an oil boom. He bought the company in 1908 and became president after it was incorporated in 1921.

In addition to parts for cotton gins, the plant began making castings for the oil and building industries. It was converted to defense production during World War II (1941-45). When the importance of cotton declined here after the war, Oil City Iron Works diversified its operation to provide castings for the oil field, road building, farm machinery, and other industries. Oil City Iron Works was a pioneer in introducing ductile iron to the foundry industry in Texas. Oil City Iron Works, Inc. was purchased by Grant Meyers in 1965.

The company continued to grow through the early 80’s until work slowed significantly in relation to the oil bust. Since 1985, Oil City Iron Works has expanded significantly and has diversified its products into lines such as valves, pumps, power generation, gas turbine and compression parts, mining equipment, as well as general oilfield equipment. Oil City Iron Works, Inc. is 100% jobbing with over 7,000 active patterns, and today it supplies major companies around the United States.

Oil City Iron Works, Inc. has always played an active role in supporting the Texas AFS Chapter as well as having 4 of its employees serve as chairmen to the chapter in the past. They were Dan Roberts 1968-1969, John Burnett 1976-1977, Bill Riley 1999-2000 and Mark Shelton 2001-2002. Oil City Iron Works has also supported the AFS TX Chapter Education Fund and Foundry Education Foundation. Now, I ask Eric Myers to please join me here to receive the first ever Harley Scoggins Memorial Award presented by the AFS Texas Chapter. Please stand and give this great Company and its employees a round of applause.”