J. S. Pridemore
Encyclopedia
John Pridemore (born 1871 in Hamlin
, West Virginia
) was a wealthy oil industrialist and member of the West Virginia House of Delegates
.
, West Virginia
, and championed the fight against bootleg
ging, which was at the time prevalent throughout the region. Using his position of authority within the community, Pridemore embarked on a highly successful campaign to buy up mineral rights
from farmers throughout Lincoln County inexpensively. When oil and gas was discovered in Lincoln County, Pridemore was the first to benefit. His drilling teams were known for their extreme efficiency, and after a few year Pridemore found himself in control of the second largest fossil fuel conglomerate in oil-rich West Virginia. Pridemore amassed a considerable fortune diversified in oil, stocks and real estate. This diversification meant that Pridemore was mostly unaffected by the economic climate of the 1930s, even loaning Lincoln county money on several occasions. During the Great Depression
, Pridemore continued to develop his oil holdings, purchasing oil fields in Pennsylvania
, Ohio
, West Virginia, Tennessee
and Kentucky
. These holdings were consolidated into The Pridemore Oil Company, portions of which were later acquired by Exxon
, Phillips Petroleum Company, and Adkins Oil, though some are still privately held by Pridemore's descendants. It was at one time believed that Pridemore was deeply involved in Teapot Dome related business dealings, but was cleared of any connection during congressional hearings.
win in 1940. Pridemore died after one term in office. His memory was honored with a large donation by the Pridemore Family to the political science and geology departments at Marshall University
.
Hamlin, West Virginia
Hamlin, originally named "Hamline," is a town in Lincoln County, West Virginia, United States, along the Mud River. The population was recorded as 1,119 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Lincoln County.-History:...
, West Virginia
West Virginia
West Virginia is a state in the Appalachian and Southeastern regions of the United States, bordered by Virginia to the southeast, Kentucky to the southwest, Ohio to the northwest, Pennsylvania to the northeast and Maryland to the east...
) was a wealthy oil industrialist and member of the West Virginia House of Delegates
West Virginia House of Delegates
The West Virginia House of Delegates is the lower house of the West Virginia Legislature. Only three states—Maryland, Virginia, and West Virginia—refer to their lower house as the House of Delegates.-Historical:-Current:-District organization:...
.
Pridemore Oil Company
Pridemore was elected Sheriff of Lincoln CountyLincoln County, West Virginia
As of the census of 2000, there were 22,108 people, 8,664 households, and 6,532 families residing in the county. The population density was 50 people per square mile . There were 9,846 housing units at an average density of 22 per square mile...
, West Virginia
West Virginia
West Virginia is a state in the Appalachian and Southeastern regions of the United States, bordered by Virginia to the southeast, Kentucky to the southwest, Ohio to the northwest, Pennsylvania to the northeast and Maryland to the east...
, and championed the fight against bootleg
Rum-running
Rum-running, also known as bootlegging, is the illegal business of transporting alcoholic beverages where such transportation is forbidden by law...
ging, which was at the time prevalent throughout the region. Using his position of authority within the community, Pridemore embarked on a highly successful campaign to buy up mineral rights
Mineral rights
- Mineral estate :Ownership of mineral rights is an estate in real property. Technically it is known as a mineral estate and often referred to as mineral rights...
from farmers throughout Lincoln County inexpensively. When oil and gas was discovered in Lincoln County, Pridemore was the first to benefit. His drilling teams were known for their extreme efficiency, and after a few year Pridemore found himself in control of the second largest fossil fuel conglomerate in oil-rich West Virginia. Pridemore amassed a considerable fortune diversified in oil, stocks and real estate. This diversification meant that Pridemore was mostly unaffected by the economic climate of the 1930s, even loaning Lincoln county money on several occasions. During the Great Depression
Great Depression
The Great Depression was a severe worldwide economic depression in the decade preceding World War II. The timing of the Great Depression varied across nations, but in most countries it started in about 1929 and lasted until the late 1930s or early 1940s...
, Pridemore continued to develop his oil holdings, purchasing oil fields in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
, Ohio
Ohio
Ohio is a Midwestern state in the United States. The 34th largest state by area in the U.S.,it is the 7th‑most populous with over 11.5 million residents, containing several major American cities and seven metropolitan areas with populations of 500,000 or more.The state's capital is Columbus...
, West Virginia, Tennessee
Tennessee
Tennessee is a U.S. state located in the Southeastern United States. It has a population of 6,346,105, making it the nation's 17th-largest state by population, and covers , making it the 36th-largest by total land area...
and Kentucky
Kentucky
The Commonwealth of Kentucky is a state located in the East Central United States of America. As classified by the United States Census Bureau, Kentucky is a Southern state, more specifically in the East South Central region. Kentucky is one of four U.S. states constituted as a commonwealth...
. These holdings were consolidated into The Pridemore Oil Company, portions of which were later acquired by Exxon
Exxon
Exxon is a chain of gas stations as well as a brand of motor fuel and related products by ExxonMobil. From 1972 to 1999, Exxon was the corporate name of the company previously known as Standard Oil Company of New Jersey or Jersey Standard....
, Phillips Petroleum Company, and Adkins Oil, though some are still privately held by Pridemore's descendants. It was at one time believed that Pridemore was deeply involved in Teapot Dome related business dealings, but was cleared of any connection during congressional hearings.
Political career
In 1934, Pridemore was elected to the West Virginia House of Delegates. Pridemore was re-elected twice, but did not seek re-election after a SenatorialUnited States Senate
The United States Senate is the upper house of the bicameral legislature of the United States, and together with the United States House of Representatives comprises the United States Congress. The composition and powers of the Senate are established in Article One of the U.S. Constitution. Each...
win in 1940. Pridemore died after one term in office. His memory was honored with a large donation by the Pridemore Family to the political science and geology departments at Marshall University
Marshall University
Marshall University is a coeducational public research university in Huntington, West Virginia, United States founded in 1837, and named after John Marshall, the fourth Chief Justice of the United States....
.
Legacy
- Pridemore is the maternal great-grandfather of Emmy Award winning composer Mark FryeMark FryeMark Frye is a two-time Emmy Award winning musician and composer. He was signed to Virgin Records in 1996. He is also the great-grandson of West Virginia Oil Baron J. S. Pridemore. Frye currently resides in Columbus, Ohio.-References:...
. - During the great depressionGreat DepressionThe Great Depression was a severe worldwide economic depression in the decade preceding World War II. The timing of the Great Depression varied across nations, but in most countries it started in about 1929 and lasted until the late 1930s or early 1940s...
the city of Hamlin, West Virginia, being unable to afford its own traffic light, petitioned Pridemore to purchase one for them. Pridemore happily purchased the traffic light, but entirely failed to obey it. Upon being ticketed by local police, Pridemore immediately had the traffic light removed until the ticket was dismissed.