Looking Back: How Did Conoco Get Here?

How Did Conoco Get Here?

A Look Back at the Early Years of Conoco

by Kay Little, Little History Adventures

E.W. Marland moved to Oklahoma from Pennsylvania in 1908, looking for oil. He used geology, not luck, to find oil by looking at the outcropping rock. He met the Miller Brothers of the 101 Ranch and named his oil company The 101 Ranch Oil Company. He noticed that some land owned by the Ponca tribe probably had oil on it. The land was between the 101 Ranch and the Ponca Cemetery.

Marland met with Chief White Eagle and received permission to drill adjacent to the cemetery on the Willie-Cries-ForWar allotment in 1911, but he drilled down from the crest of the hill so as to not defile the dead. The location was successful.

Even though they gave their permission, several of the Native Americans, especially Chief White Eagle, became concerned as they watched the drilling and observed the way some tribal members acted after becoming wealthy. Marland always said that he did not become rich by impoverishing other people. He felt that the world was richer by his finding and producing its natural resources. He enjoyed giving back to the community that gave so much to him, so he built beautiful buildings and gardens in Ponca City so the people could enjoy the beauty of the world without leaving home.

In 1917, Marland reorganized the company to be the Marland Refining Company. Marland worked as hard as his employees in the field. He bought land for his employees so they could build homes and he gave company stock to many of them. Marland felt that if they made good wages and had security, they would have dignity and self-assurance. Marland’s actions helped ensure his workers were good employees that worked hard for him.

Marland built two beautiful homes in Ponca City; the Grand Home and the Mansion. He and first wife, Virginia, lived in the first one with her niece and nephew, whom they had adopted. After Virginia’s death, he had the adoption of the niece, Lydie, annulled and they moved to the Mansion as husband and wife. Unfortunately, Marland was not always wise with his money and trusted the wrong people. In 1929, he partnered with the banker J.P. Morgan, who thought Marland was too nice to his employees and worked to get rid of him. Marland Oil Company merged with the Continental Oil Company and headquartered in Ponca City. Marland was forced out of the new company. He lost his wealth attempting to regain a substantial position in the oil and gas business. The company became known as Conoco. This broke his heart. He could not believe people would treat others this way. During the last years of his life, Marland said he never wanted to be wealthy again! After Marland lost his fortune, he and Lydie moved into the mansion’s guesthouse. In 1932, he became a US congressman. In 1934, he became the goverE.W. MARLAND nor of Oklahoma. Marland became a politician in an effort to ensure that bankers like Morgan could not manipulate and take over businesses. He lost his money again, and when they moved back to Ponca City they sold the mansion and lived in the chauffeur’s cottage. Marland died in 1941 and Lydie became a recluse. In 2002, Conoco merged with Phillips Petroleum, creating ConocoPhillips, with many employees in Bartlesville. For additional information, visit the Conoco Museum, the Grand Home, and Marland Mansion, all in Ponca City.

CHIEF WHITE EAGLE