The Sherman Courier
Wednesday, August 15, 1917
Fiftieth Anniversary Ediiton

Dick O'Bannon, President
Frank O'Bannon, Vice-President & Treasurer
Jeff W. Hassell, Secretary

Something more than twenty-four years ago the late J.P. Harrison found himself in need of a stenographer, and Dick O'Bannon, then a "hopeful youth," as it were, was given a position with Pittman and Harrison, and thus began the "O'Bannon career" in the grain and seed business in Sherman and the Southwest.
Frank O'Bannon entered the business world as a messenger boy for the Western Union Telegraph Company in Sherman, and rapidly advanced from that position to different places of responsibility and trust in the telegraph service, later becoming connected with the "P. & H." people and for a number of years the O'Bannons have given as much thought and service to the grain and seed business as any other two men in all this great section in which they have operated, known as the "Southwest."
When J.P. Harrison passed away a few years ago, Dick O'Bannon became president of the Pittman and Harrison Company and it was under his direction that the business experienced a degree of success seldom attained by business concerns, rendering not only good returns to the stock holders of the company, but also a great service to the agricultural and business interests of this entire Southwestern country.
In the development of Oklahoma, Mr. O'Bannon and his associates saw some years ago a great opportunity and accordingly they decided to establish a "P. and H." branch at Claremore, Frank O'Bannon being placed in charge.  The wisdom of establishing this branch was shown from the outset, and as the years have gone by it has become more apparent that the "branch" possessed as great if not greater opportunities and possibilities for both profits and service than the parent "vine."
Accordingly, at the close of the last fiscal year, June 1, 1917, it was agreed by and between all those interested that the O'Bannon Brothers should in lieu of part of their holdings in the P. and H. Co., take over the Claremore business and some idea of the magnitude of the business to which they succeeded can be gained when it is stated that the Claremore branch last year did a volume business esceeding $800,000.00, crowding very closely the parent concern.

The decision having been reached to separate the two houses, The O'Bannon Company was chartered June 1, 1917, with a capital stock of $100,000.00, and authority to do business in Claremore, Oklahoma and Sherman, Texas and as above indicated, the O'Bannon Company began operations with a large and profitable business extending throughout many states and even into foreign countries.
The O'Bannon Brothers are still stock holders in the Pittman and Harrison Company and the large volume of grain and seed business heretofore done between Claremore and Sherman still continues, though under entirely separate managements, "O'B" (in green) being the guilding spirit and trade mark of the Claremore concern.
Dick and Frank O'Bannon were both born in Southeast Missouri, but came to Sherman when quite young in 1888, and they are both what some people call "dreamers" - they also have "visions," and it is these same dreams and visions, coupled with energy, integrity and highest sense of honor which has given them the enviable position in the grain and seed world and the splendid business which they now enjoy, for all of which "O'B" and The O'Bannon Company are synonyms.
Frank O'Bannon makes his home in Claremore, but Dick's home is in Sherman and his change in business affairs will in no way cause him to lose his interest or abate his efforts for the good of his home city and his many friends thereiin.

Sherman History
Susan Hawkins
© 2024

If you find any of Grayson County TXGenWeb links inoperable, please send me a message.