The Marland Family

E W Marland - Oil Pioneer and Governor

Ernest Whitworth Marland although educated as a lawyer was a student of geology and was convinced that this science could revolutionise the oil industry.

Many oilmen considered him to be a maverick because he placed so much faith in geology as a tool to help discover oil. Yet something was working, for E.W. Marland

Achieved phenomenal success in the discovery and development of oil. Mr Marland also served in the United States House of Representatives and as governor of Oklahoma

Mr Marland was an exuberant philanthropist. He donated to churches, orphanages, youth groups, and any other institutions that seemed worthy.

He enjoyed life in the grand style and believed this helped in upgrading the image of his company and the community.

E.W. Marland was an innovator in the area little known to corporate minds in those days. He bought a bank so he could lend employees money at reduced rates. He also introduced free medical and dental care for them.

As a newspaper stated years later, Marland’s best monument is friends.

collected by Geoff Marland

The Marland Mansion is now one of Oklahoma's tourist attractions. More information about E.W. Marland's life and work can be found on the Marland Mansion website, http://www.marlandmansion.com/.

From the Ponca City News