Article Discussion

It should be noted that Michael Benedum was not formally educated in business; he started his oil and gas career under the mentorship of the Hornor family of Harrison County. Among many ventures, the Hornors founded the town of Lumberport where Benedum would walk daily to work for cousins James Davis Hornor and James Y. Hornor, as well as cousins James Hood Hornor and Vance L. Hornor. Here he learned the basics and fundamentals of the oil business: exploration, production, and operations. One of the original companies was the Lumberport Gas Company, which was incorporated in 1907, although the first well was drilled by the company in 1894. Lumberport Gas Company still operates today. Other family-owned companies still operating include Lumberport Shinnston Gas and Blacksville Oil and Gas. Did Michael Benedum influence the Hornors as he grew in his job, or did they influence him? Today the companies are guided under the eye of Lorna Hill Howard, widow of James Hornor Hill, and president, CEO, COO, and chairman of the board of the remaining companies. Her son, Roger McIntyre, runs the production companies and is best known for secondary recovery and developing the Marcellus Shale. Roger McIntyre lives on Worthington Drive, named for Benedum’s only son; at the end of the street is Benedum’s former place of residence, a brilliant three-story gold brick home, and across the street is the lavish United Methodist Church constructed by him at a price of $1.5 million. Comment by Roger W. McIntyre II, Bridgeport High School, class of 2012.