Lee Bivins

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 fortune was estimated to be $20 million (equivalent to $287 million in 2024). 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.

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.