James H. McBirney

James Hugh McBirney (March 1, 1870 – June 8, 1944) was an Ireland-born Oklahoma banker and bank organizer.

Born in County Tipperary, Ireland, McBirney emigrated to the United States with his family when he was about five years old. The family settled in southern Kansas, where his father, Hugh McBirney, served as a Methodist minister. James grew up in Kansas and moved to Oklahoma Territory in time to participate in an 1883 land run, but failed to win the plot of his choice. Armed with only a public school education, he entered the banking business. In 1897, he was offered a job in the newly organized Bank of Tulsa, rising to the position of Vice President. He organized his own Bank of Commerce in Tulsa in 1904, which he renamed in 1911 as the National Bank of Commerce.

Early life McBirney was born in Cloghjordan, County Tipperary, Ireland on March 1, 1870. He was the eldest son of the Reverend Hugh McBirney D.D., and Susan Mark McBirney. His father was a Methodist minister. Although Hugh and Susan had twelve children, James had only five siblings who survived childhood: Robert A., Anna, Sam P., Lea, and Caroline. The family moved to the United States and settled in southern Kansas when James was about five and a half years old and where he completed his education in public schools.

It appears that James' formal education consisted only of public school. His biography makes no mention of attending college.

Banking career He was hired by the Bank of Columbus in Columbus, Kansas, first as a janitor in 1889, then was soon appointed bookkeeper. After working in Columbus for three years, he moved to the same position in the C. M. Condon and Company Bank (later named the Condon National Bank) in Coffeyville, Kansas, where he worked for two years. In 1897, he moved to Tulsa to work for the Tulsa Banking Company (TBC). (Founded in 1895, TBC was the first bank established in Indian Territory (now eastern Oklahoma).)

Other activities James was an active member of the Masons, attaining the Knights Templar degree in the York rites and the 32nd degree in the Scottish rites. He also was a member of the Tulsa Club, the Tulsa Country Club, Chamber of Commerce, Mens Dinner Club and the Knife and Fork Club. He also devoted time and money to charitable organizations, especially the Red Cross and Community Chest.