Lulu M. Hefner

Lulu M. Hefner (August 9, 1874 - July 19, 1954)[1] was a Cherokee businessperson from Nowata, Oklahoma who became successful in the oil industry.[2] She was notable for being the first women to drill for oil on her own property and the first female oil operator in Oklahoma.

Lulu M. Hefner

Career

Lulu M. Hefner was a Cherokee businesswoman from Nowata, Oklahoma. Hefner initially opened and conducted the first millinery store in the city of Nowata.[1] She later disposed of this business to get into the oil business.[1] Hefner referred to the state of Oklahoma as "A Happy Hunting Ground" due to of its oil potential.[2] She was the first women to drill for oil with an oil well on her own property, along with being the first female oil operator in Oklahoma. [1] By 1921 Hefner was able to drill 28 oil wells.[2] After finding success in Oklahoma's oil industry, Hefner moved to Texas in search for more oil.[2]

Hefner's other accomplishments included managing a successful motion picture theater -- which was a hobby of hers -- and owning the largest car garage in the state of the Oklahoma.[2] Both contributed, along with her oil business, to Hefner being the largest female property owner. [2]

Family Life

Lulu M. Hefner is the daughter of James Marion and Annie Henrietta Tittle.[1] She was raised in Oklahoma and attended the Cherokee Female Seminary for her education.[1] She married John Emory Hefner on December 29, 1892 at Lenapah, Oklahoma.[1] Together they had four children: Roy Emory, born on March 13, 1903, Edith Lena, born on December 18, 1905, Helen K., born on October 2, 1905 and Ruby L., born on January 20, 1907. [1]

References
  1. Krappe, Alexander Haggerty (2018-12-14), "Mineral Lore, Star Lore, Cosmogonic Legends", The Science of Folk-Lore, Routledge, pp. 262–268, ISBN 978-0-429-46293-1, retrieved 2019-12-05
  2. Independent Woman. National Federation of Business and Professional Women's Clubs. 1921.

Starr, E (2018). History of the Cherokee Indians and their legends and folk lore. Baltimore, MD: Genealogical Pub. Co.

National Federation of Business and Professional Women's Clubs. (1920). Independent Woman.

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