James Chapman, a prominent entrepreneur in early twentieth-century Oklahoma, was born on April 3, 1881, in Ellis County, Texas. In 1901, he moved to the Holdenville area and, in 1906, partnered with his uncle, Robert McFarlin, to establish the Holdenville Oil and Gas Company, which played a significant role in developing the Glenn Pool oil field. Chapman married McFarlin’s daughter, Leta Mae, in 1908. In 1912, the two founded the McMan Oil Company to expand operations into the Cushing Field, selling it in 1916 to Magnolia Oil for $39 million. In 1917, they formed McMan Oil and Gas Company, which grew significantly in Kansas, Oklahoma, and Texas. In 1930, Standard Oil’s subsidiary, Dixie Oil, acquired McMan Oil and Gas for $20 million in cash and stock.
Chapman relocated to Tulsa in 1912, where he became a civic leader and influential figure. Even after selling McMan, he continued investing in oil leases and banking, navigating the challenges of the Great Depression. Outside of business, Chapman dedicated much of his time to the Chapman-Barnard Ranch in Osage County, Oklahoma, as ranching was his true passion.
Known for his philanthropy, Chapman generously supported various Tulsa and Oklahoma charities. When he passed away on September 22, 1966, his estate was valued at $120 million, underscoring his business success and placing him among the wealthiest Americans of his time.
