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Lee Bivins (October 12, 1862 – January 17, 1929) was an American rancher, oilman, and politician. At the time of his death, he was purported to be the largest individual cattle owner in the world, and his fortunate was estimated to be $20 million (equivalent to $279 million in 2023).[1] Bivins was brought to the petroleum industry in his later years with the discovery of large amounts of gas and oil on much of his property.[2]
Lee Bivins | |
|---|---|
 | |
| 11th Mayor of Amarillo | |
| In office April 1925 – January 17, 1929 | |
| Preceded by | E. S. Blasdel |
| Succeeded by | Ernest O. Thompson |
| Personal details | |
| Born | October 7, 1862 Farmington, Texas, U.S. |
| Died | January 17, 1929 (aged 66) Wichita Falls, Texas, U.S. |
| Spouse |
Mary Elizabeth Gilbert
(m. 1882) |
| Children | 4 |
| Relatives | Teel Bivins (great-grandson) |
Bivins was born in a small Grayson County settlement, the son of a rancher, merchant, and mill operator. By age 20, he had amassed a sizable herd of dogies and had established two general stores. Bivins interest in cattle led him to the Texas panhandle in the early 1880s, where he was elected county commissioner. A much-publicized feud in the 1890s involving a local father and son lead to the death of Bivins’ brother, which prompted him to attack his brother’s killer. Although Bivins was charged with attempted murder, he was acquitted the following year.
The early 1900s saw numerous purchases of large ranch properties in the panhandle made by Bivins, which eventually made up his approximately 500,000 acres of property. It was said that he cornered the Texas steer beef market by 1918. A 1918 discovery of natural gas on his Potter County land proved to be part of the largest field in the world. Bivins died on January 17, 1929 while serving his second term as the 11th mayor of Amarillo.
Early life (1862–1882)
editLee Bivins was born on October 7, 1862 in Farmington, Texas, the son of Oliver Cromwell Bivins (1835–1907) and Elizabeth Jane Bivins (née Miller; 1842–1925). His father, a native of Indiana who moved to Texas in 1849, ranched, ran a mercantile store, and operated the county's first mill. His mother was a native of Tennessee. Bivins received his education in Grayson County public schools. He entered his career as a cattleman at age 16 on his father’s ranch. On August 18, 1882, Bivins married Mary Elizabeth Gilbert.[3][4]
References
edit- ^ Johnston, Louis; Williamson, Samuel H. (2023). "What Was the U.S. GDP Then?". MeasuringWorth. Retrieved November 30, 2023. United States Gross Domestic Product deflator figures follow the MeasuringWorth series.
- ^ "Jan 18, 1929, page 1 - El Paso Evening Post at Newspapers.com". Newspapers.com. Retrieved 2024-07-04.
- ^ Association, Texas State Historical. "Bivins, Lee". Texas State Historical Association. Retrieved 2024-07-04.
- ^ "Lee Bivins biography | GenealogyMagazine.com". 2017-05-16. Retrieved 2024-07-04.