Frank Prior Sterling (October 26, 1869 – July 16, 1938) was an American oilman and oil industry businessperson, based in Houston, Texas.
In 1925, Frank and Isla Sterling built a house designed by John Staub, located on Lot 5/1505 South Boulevard in the fashionable Broadacres subdivision of Houston.
After divorcing Bert Winston in the 1940s, Carrol Sterling married John Cowan, who later died in a plane crash around 1950.
Carroll Sterling Cowan then married Harris Masterson III with whom she built the "Rienzi" mansion.
[3] Isla Reckling and her family of eight children and numerous grandchildren still maintain a strong interest in "Rienzi" and its operational affairs within the museum.