J. S. Pridemore

John Samuel (J. S.) Pridemore (born 1871 in Hamlin, West Virginia) was a powerful West Virginian oil industrialist, real estate developer, and politician.

J. S. Pridemore
Member of the West Virginia House of Delegates
In office
1934–1940
Personal details
Born1871
Hamlin, West Virginia

Political career

J.S. Pridemore was elected Sheriff of Lincoln County, West Virginia in 1907, and championed the fight against bootlegging, which was at the time prevalent throughout the region. Pridemore was chair of the Republican Party in oil-rich Lincoln county for over twenty years. 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 failed Congressional bid in 1940.

Pridemore Oil Company

The formation of Pridemore Oil was the result of the acquisition of mineral rights from farmers throughout West Virginia starting in 1905. When oil and gas was discovered in Lincoln County, Pridemore was one of the first to benefit. His drilling teams were known for their ruthless efficiency, and after a few years 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, as well as the success of Pridemore's bank, left Pridemore mostly unaffected by the economic climate of the depression, making him a major player in West Virginia politics. Through the nineteen-thirties and forties 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 Standard Oil and McJunkin, (now MRC Global), though some are still privately held by Pridemore's descendants. It was at one time believed that Pridemore was involved in Teapot Dome due to business dealings with Sinclair Oil Corporation, but was cleared of any connection during congressional hearings.

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References
  • "Political Graveyard, Prichard to Primrose". Retrieved 2008-03-26.
  • "Lincoln Co, Biographies". Retrieved 2008-03-26.
  • "Pridemore v. Lucas".
  • "Power and Blood: American Oil Industrialists in the 20th Century".
  • "Official Register of the Senate of the State of West Virginia".


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