William Hartman McFadden was born in West Virginia and moved with his parents to Pennsylvania. He made his entry into the industrial world in Pittsburgh as an employee of the McIntosh-Hemphill Steel Company. He worked there for twenty-seven years before he became president of the company and met wealthy Oklahoma oilman and Governor E.W. Marland in Ponca City around 1909. Five years later, McFadden was elected mayor of Ponca City and served in the role for the next seven years. McFadden was also active in Boy Scouts and Camp Fire Girls and was always ready with material assistance to promote the welfare of these two organizations.