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Biographical Sketch of Harry H. McFann:From Hill, Luther O. History of the State of Oklahoma, Vol. ll (1909) Page 215. I have not seen the original text of this article. The text that appears below is a compilation of two transcriptions of the article. One was sent to me by Sandra Kerschner Green; it has some obvious errors and omissions, and is evidently from a later (than 1909) edition of the book (because it mentions his 1914 marriage). The other came to me indirectly from a source that I have not yet been able to track down. If anyone has access to the book, I would appreciate an accurate transcription. |
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McFann, Harry H., the well known oil producer and operator of Oklahoma,
widely and prominently known as the manager and superintendent of the Laurel Oil
Co. was practically reared in the oil business, for his early home was
in an oil and gas district, and he has been actively engaged in this
occupation all his life. He was born in Butler Co. Pa. in 1876, a member of a
well known family in Western Pa. of Scottish and Irish descent. His
grandmother was a cousin of Gen. George B. McClellan. His education was received
at Fairview, Penn., and at the Prospect Normal Academy. Almost from the time of
leaving school he has devoted his time to oil production, drilling,
installing machinery, securing leases, promoting and developing and managing companies. He
was engaged extensively in the work in Armstrong Co. Pa. for several years, but
when the Spanish American War broke out he put aside all personal
considerations and enlisted in Butler Co., in company E, 15th Penn. Volunteer
Infantry and was stationed at Ft. Washington and at Athens, Georgia.
It was in 1903 that Mr. McFann came to the Indian Territory oil fields and he has since then been the general manager and superintendent of the Laurel Oil Co., one of the largest operators and producers in the territory, having a large number of producing wells in the districts of Nowata, Claremore, Alluve, Morris and Glenn Pool. Mr. McFann has shown particular tact and ability in securing leases. He was married in Armstrong Co. Pa. to Miss Mary Olive Rankin of that county, and they have two children Mary Alice McFann and Kenneth McFann. [Probably added in a later edition: He then married Letha A. Frank in Joplin, MO. Nov 18, 1914. They had two children, H. Miles McFann and John Rinehart McFann.] Fraternally, Mr. McFann is a member of the Masonic order and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. |
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Page written by Brian McFann mcfann@u.washington.edu |