Lev H. Prichard and J. Steve Anderson met in Oklahoma City through their separate involvement in the state’s burgeoning oil industry, and in 1919, they formed a partnership in the oil business.

Prichard had already been involved in brokering oil deals, first in his capacity as a young lawyer. He had worked earlier with Mr. Ramsey, who was big in business in the area (and for whom the “Ramsey Tower” was named, which later became known as the “APCO Tower”).

Prichard and Anderson formalized their business venture in 1920, and it was incorporated in Delaware under the name “Anderson-Prichard & Co., a.k.a. “AP&C”. While it was incorporated in Delaware, which conveyed legal advantages to the organization, the company’s principal offices were located in the Colcord Building in Oklahoma City.

On the date of incorporation, the directors elected were: L. H. Prichard, J. Steve Anderson, P.H. Anderson, and T.N. Anderson. The officers were:

• • Lev H. Prichard, President
  • J. Steve Anderson, Vice President
  • P.H. Anderson, Secretary and Treasurer

AP&C’s first business was accomplished on October 18, 1920, when it agreed to take over and carry out the terms of a contract between Anderson & Prichard’s earlier co-partnership, and the Cyril Refining Company, which left AP&C with a controlling interest in Cyril. While the oil business was growing rapidly by leaps and bounds, it was not automatically smooth sailing for nascent companies, since oil production required significant capital outlay in terms of equipment and manpower. Anderson-Prichard & Co. struggled in their early growth stages with starts and stops, but their partnership eventually developed into a growing concern that swelled into a larger company with significant revenues.

Later, Lev Prichard bought out J. Steve Anderson’s ownership in 1946, and continued on with the company until he sold most of its assets in 1960.