BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES
From The
INDIAN TERRITORY
ITS CHIEFS, LEGEISLATORS, AND LEADING MEN
BY H.F. & E. S. O'BEIRNE.
After this he became Clerk of the Commissioners' Court for two years, and then Clerk of the National Council. While holding this appointment he was elected Supreme Judge, and later Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. In 1887 he was nominated and elected Principal Chief on the Downing ticket, and was re-elected in 1891 by an immense majority.
In 1857 Mr. Mayes married Miss Martha J. Candy, by whom he had no children. In 1863 he married Miss Marth M. McNair, the issue of this marriage being two children, both of whom died in infancy. Mr. Mayes next married Miss Mary Vaun, daughter to David Vaun, once treasurer of the nation and a wealthy and prominent citizen. The subject of our sketch is a Royal Arch Mason, a member of the Methodist Church and a good Christian. He is a man of considerable force of character, which displays itself in a fine physique and a face and head that indicate intellectual strength. His executive ability has been tested and demonstrated since his advent in office, and the public criticism on the same was well illustrated by the immense majority he received in the recent executive contest. Chief Mayes is five feet eleven inches in height and weighs 280 pounds. He has a good-natured, kindly disposition, which endears him to all his acquaintances.
[Since the above was written Mr. Mayes was taken ill with
la grippe, early in December, during the council term, and never rallied,
dying December 14, 1891, at Tahlequah. His seat was filled December 23d
by Colonel C. J. Harris, the National Treasurer, who was elected by a vote
of the General Council.]
Marrs, David M. (pp. 287, 288, 289) Return
to Biographical
Index
David M. Marrs was born in Washington County, Arkansas,
February, 1858, and is the fourth son of Alexander Marrs, a prominent farmer
of that State. His mother was a daughter of David Maybury, of German descent,
and a leading politician in Arkansas. Young Marrs attended public school
until he was twenty years old, when he went to Prairie Grove College, where
he remained two years, and then commenced the study of medicine, continuing
it for one year. On September 21, 1878, he married Miss Olivia, daughter
of C. G. Gunter, of Benton, Arkansas (part of Cherokee), and a niece to
Thomas M. Gunter, who was congressman for Arkansas for twelve consecutive
years. By this marriage Mr. Marrs has seven children---Helena, born September
12, 1879; Edgar, born December 20, 1880; John D., born November 19, 1883;
Augustus Garland, born March 22, 1885; Olivia, born January 30, 1887; Willie
Curtis, born July 29, 1888, and Barney, born July 25, 1891. Mrs. Marrs
is a lady of culture and refinement, and has many friends. She had been
teacher in the public schools of the nation for several years before her
marriage. Mr. Marrs when he first came to the nation, made his home in
the southwestern portion of the country, and engaged in farming and stock-raising
until 1886, when he sold out and moved to Vinita, engaging in the nursery
business and becoming proprietor of the Vinita Nurseries, which he still
owns, the firm name being Marrs & Frazee. Early in 1891 Mr. Marrs assumed
editorial control of the Vinita Chieftain, the second paper established
in the Indian Territory. This paper, under the management of Mr. Marrs,
was the first publication in the nation to advocate allotments of lands
in severalty. Mr. Marrs' nursery is the finest in the Indian Territory,
and contain fifty acres of ground. He has a nice residence on the place,
and owns a good many town lots in Vinita. Mr. Marrs is a gentleman of good
education and sound judgement, and is very popular in the country. As a
writer he has developed a great deal of ability in his editorial columns,
and will no doubt make the Chieftain a most popular and successful
publication.
Hendricks, W. H. (p. 361) Return
to Biographical
Index
W. H. Hendricks was born in Georgia, February 28, 1831.
The subject of this sketch is the son of William Hendricks, his mother
being a Cherokee orphan girl named Susanna. HIs parents emigrated from
Georgia in 1832, and, strange to say, both died in January, 1868. William
was first sent to Park Hill Missionary School until his eleventh or twelfth
year, after which he is indebted to his own industry and observation for
whatever knowledge he acquired. In 1860 he married narcissa Crittenden,
by whom he has one daughter living----Mrs. Fannie Carr. In 1864 he again
married, this time wedding Mrs. Eliza Benge (whose maiden name was Linder),
but by whom he has no family. In July, 1862, Mr. Hendricks joined the Federal
army---Colonel Phillips' Indian Brigade---during which time he saw service
at the first battle of Neosho, the two fights at Newtonia, Missouri, and
the first battle of Cabin Creek. In November, 1862, he became commissary
sergeant, and held the office until October, 1863. After the war he went
on his farm, and was elected member of the lower house in 1872, after which
he was re-elected, serving six years. In 1878 or 1879 he was elected to
the senate, and served eight years, until 1888. In the meanwhile he was
superintendent of the insane asylum from 1882 to 1884. In 1875 he was one
of the three commissioners sent by the old settlers to Washington to look
after their claim. He went to the capital with Jack McCoy, and remained
until June, 1876, visiting while absent the Centennial at Philadelphia.
IN 1883 Mr. Hendricks was made United States postmaster at Menard. He handles
two mails per day, and looks after his store, in which he carries a small
stock of goods. Mr. Hendricks is a fine, handsome, fresh-looking man, and,
though in his sixtieth year, does not look over forty-five years of age.
He is six feet high, weighing 192 pounds. He has a good home, 115 acres
in cultivation, besides cattle, horses and hogs.
Lipe, De Witt Clinton (pp. 241, 242)
Return
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Index
The subject of this sketch was born February 17, 1840,
in Tahlequah district, Cherokee Nation, eldest son of O. W. Lipe, of Fort
Gibson, and Catherine Gunter. De Witt attended public school until twelve
years of age, when he went to Cane Hill, Arkansas, and there remained two
sessions, after which he entered the Male Seminary at Tahlequah, leaving
there at fifteen years of age. Although but a boy De Witt commenced clerking
in a general mercantile establishment, and continued the business until
he was eighteen years of age, when he started in cattle on his own responsibility
with a stock of 150 head, and continued until after the war, when he established
a mercantile house in Coowescoowee district, carrying on the business until
1870. In that year he moved to his present home, seven miles north of Claremore,
still merchandizing and stock-raising, until 1884, when he sold his store
and its effects, and is now devoting his attention to stock and agriculture.
Mr. Lipe has been district clerk and senator, the latter for two years.
In 1879 he was elected treasurer of the nation, and held that position
for four years. In 1885 he was again elected to the Senate, and in 1887
was commissioner of citizenship. Mr. Lipe married Miss V. Hicks, daughter
of Elijah Hicks, in September, 1861. She was niece of Chief John Ross.
By their marriage they have one son, named John Gunter Lipe. In March,
1890, Mr. Lipe married Miss Mary Archer, granddaughter of Second Chief
Joseph Vann. By this marriage they have three children----Annie, Victoria,
and Lola. Mr. Lipe owns 450 acres in cultivation and between 400 and 500
head of cattle and some forty head of horses and a comfortable residence.
He has also town property at Vinita and Fort Gibson. Mr. Lipe is a man
of great business ability and has a good, practical education; he is extremely
popular among his people.
Adams, Thomas J. (pp. 242, 244) Return
to Biographical
Index
Born in February, 1848, at the old Creek agency, the
eldest son of William Adams, by Hepsie Perryman, niece of Louis Perryman,
Thomas first attended school at Tallahassee Mission, in 1852, and, later,
moved to Asberry Mission. In 1861 he married Miss Mahalya Grayson, daughter
of Betsy Grayson. During the war he was detailed by the Federal government
to the commissary department as distributor of beef to the various camps.
In 1866, when the war ended, he was elected to the House of Warriors, which
office he has held until the present---over twenty-five years. Few, if
any members, of that house can boast of such a record. In 1885 Mr. Adams
was elected Speaker of the House, which office he held for four years.
Since 1867 the subject of our sketch has been practicing law in all the
courts of the Creek Nation. He is also on the board of trustees of the
New Yarker Mission School. Mr. Adams had fourteen children, eleven of whom
are living---Isaac, Wash, Betsy, Thomas, Hepsie, Lewis, Lee, Mitchell,
Lizzie, and Mary. He has about 600 head of cattle, 40 or 50 head of horses,
40 sheep, and some 150 hogs, besides a good farm of seventy-five acres
of land. On his ranch is a good dwelling-house, out-houses, stables, and
every other possible convenience. Mr. Adams is considered one of the brightest
lawyers among the Creeks, and is a successful politician, having, in fact,
no superior among his people in bringing about such ends as he wishes to
accomplish. He is about six feet one inch high, weighs 198 pounds, and
physically, very powerful. He is energetic to accomplish an undertaking,
and is very popular with his constituency.
Heinrichs, Joseph (pp. 244, 245) Return
to Biographical
Index
Joseph Heinrichs was born February 15, 1851, at Nord
Keichen, Westphalia, Germany, the youngest son of Everhart Heinrichs. Joseph
came to the United States in 1867, landing at New York, from whence he
traveled south until he arrived at Little Rock, Arkansas, where he remained
for a short time. Leaving there he went to Fort Smith, the home of his
brother and sister, and in that town started in the shoemaking business
as an apprentice. Serving three years he returned to Little Rock in 1871
and worked his trade for nine months, when he went to Tahlequah, Indian
Territory, and there commenced business for himself, soon combining the
shoemaking trade with that of buying hides and furs. In 1879 he bought
a stock of groceries, and in 1891, started a meat market in connection
with the same. He is now carrying a stock of queensware, and boots and
shoes in addition--his total stock amounting to about $3,000. Mr. Heinrichs
has a nice residence, and the finest orchard in Tahlequah. He also owns
about sixty head of stock cattle and a large drove of hogs. In August,
1874, he married Miss Lucy Kilpatrick, daughter of Joshua Kilpatrick and
Eliza Hilderbrand, who was daughter of Hilderbrand of Cherokee fame. The
issue of this marriage was four children, Mary, Catherine, Eliza and Henry.
Mr. Heinrichs is a good man of good education and first-class business
ability, having an excellent reputation for honesty and reliability wherever
he is known.
Alexander, George Abner (pp. 245,
247) Return to Biographical
Index
George A. Alexander was born in March, 1842, the eldest
son of James Alexander, who moved to the Creek Nation with the first general
emigration, and was forage master for the Indians on their trip to this
country. At the time of his death he was clerk of the council and correspondent
for his people. George Abner's mother was half-blood Creek, of the Jacob
family. George received the additional name of Abner at the particular
request of Mr. Abner, a general merchant, located in the Creek Nation close
to where Alexander had made his home. The subject of our sketch was sent
to Asberry Mission at the age of twelve years, and remained there until
he was seventeen, returning home in 1859 to take charge of the homestead,
his father having died during his absence. At the outbreak of the war George
Abner joined the Confederate service, and was rapidly promoted to the position
of lieutenant. His uncle, Wm. Jacobs, captain of the company, becoming
ill in 1864, George conducted him home, and on his death, which occurred
on the 17th of April, the young man was appointed captain in his place,
which position he creditably filled until the conclusion of the war. Being
without money or means, George Alexander began farming on a small scale,
and has since continued agriculture, having, at present, a fine farm of
250 acres in a prime state of cultivation, upon which is situated a comfortable
residence, with orchard and gardens, together with sufficient stock for
his family use. In August, 1861, he married Miss Nancy Chislomn, daughter
of John Chislomn, a Cherokee, well and favorably known throughout his nation.
By this marriage he had twelve children, eight of whom are living, viz:
Lizzie (now the wife of Governor Brown, of the Seminole tribe), aged twenty-nine
years; Lewis, twenty-six; James A., twenty-four; Robert, twenty-two; Mattie,
twenty; John B., nineteen; Ida, sixteen, and George, thirteen. Mr. Alexander
has been a member of the House of Kings for eight years, and has just been
elected for the coming term to represent the town of Tuckabatchee, which
is the most powerful and populous in the nation, and was at one time dominant
over the small towns. Mr. Alexander's mother was a niece of old Chief TuckabatcheeMicco.
The subject of this sketch is a man of fine personal appearance, about
five feet nine inches in height, of good education, intelligent, affable
in manner and popular with all classes. Althought a quarter-blood, he shows
but little of the aborigine, the Anglo-Saxon predominating to a very great
extent.
Adair Jr., John L. (p. 130) Return
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Index
The subject of this sketch was born June 8th, 1866, at
Tahlequah, being third son of John L. Adair, of that town. John L., Jr.,
began attending the Indian University in 1879, and after three years, went
to the Male Seminary at Tahlequah, where he remained four years. On leaving
there he devoted his time for three years to assisting his mother in the
post office, after which he entered his father's business house as clerk,
in March, 1890. In 1891 he was appointed district clerk, to fill the vacancy
left on the death of Allen Ross, which office he still holds. In 1891 he
married Miss Abbie G. Bourdman, daughter of William and Margaret Bourdman,
of St. Louis, a family of prominence in that city. John L., Jr., is six
feet high, weighs 150 pounds, and is a young many of perpossessing appearance,
good address and polished manners. He is the owner of property in Vinita
and Tahlequah to the amount of about $2,000, and is now practicing law
at the last mentioned town. Being talented and ambitious, and possessing
a good education, he will, no doubt, be heard from in the near future.
Nash, W. S. (pp. 130, 131) Return
to Biographical
Index
The subject of this sketch was born September 10, 1846,
at New Orleans, La., the third son of Nathaniel H. Nash and Sarah Jane
Smelser. William attended school in New Orleans until he was thirteen,
when he went to Fort Gibson in 1861, and the year following went to New
York, returning to Fort Gibson in 1864. In 1884 he embarked in the mercantile
business, and in the January of 1878 married Miss T. Thompson, daughter
of Richard Thompson, a prominent Cherokee. By this marriage they have three
children (living) --- Carla A., born November, 1880; Bertha M., born December,
1884, and William Carroll, born March, 1886. Mr. Nash owns about 120 head
of stock cattle, fourteen head of improved stock horses, and carries a
stock of about $12,000 in merchandise. He is also owner of a gin and machinery
valued at $2,000, and a considerable number of town lots in the best locality
in Fort Gibson. Mr. Nash commenced business on a capital of $800, and through
strict attention, economy and fair dealing, has accumulated a good competence,
with the prospect of attaining wealth before many years. He is a gentleman
of good education, courteous in address and popular with the people of
his district. He is a Mason of old standing and a member of the Presbyterian
church; is nearly five feet eight inches in height, and weighs 140 pounds.
Bacone, A. M., Almon C.* (p. 135) Return
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Index
Almon C. Bacone, A.M., President of the Indian University,
was born in Scott, Cortland County, N.J., April 25, 1830. His early days
were spent on a farm, but his father dying, and the young man's health
and strength rendering him unfitted for physical labor, he walked to the
village of Cortland at the age of fifteen and sought occupation in a tailor
shop. During three years spent at this place, he acquired a keen desire
for education, and moving to the village of Homer, became a student in
the Cortland Academy. During his early studentship he was forced to albor
in various capacities to pay his board bill. But when sufficient knowledge
was obtained, he was enabled, by teaching a part of the time, to complete
his preparation for college. Entering Rochester University, he soon graduated
in the class of 1858. During his preparatory studies, Mr. Bacone united
with the Baptist Church, and for some time entertained serious thoughts
of entering the ministry, but circumstances seemed to require that he should
engage in teaching. In this capacity he has held prominent positions in
the schools of New York, New Jersey, Michigan, and Ohio; but the work which
enlisted his sympathies most has been among the Indian people. In 1878
he was called to take charge of the Cherokee Male Seminary, located at
Tahlequah, the capital of the nation. While thus employed for a year and
a half, there was furnished to him a good opportunity for getting a better
insight into Indian character, and studying the best means of elevating
the people. Consulting prominent Indian missionaries, the work of founding
an Indian University followed. It is pre-eminently a Christian institution,
having for its primary object the training of native Christian workers.
*See sketch of Indian University on page 84.
Mr. Grayson's wife, Georgiana, is the oldest living daughter
of the late lamented G. W. Stidham. Her mother was the third wife of Judge
Stidham, and was the daughter of Paddy Carr, whose name is familiar in
the history of the Cherokees (see McKinney and Hall's Indian Tribes, page
145). Mrs. Grayson's parents were slave-owners, and she was brought up
in affluence and ease, knowing nothing of hardships until the war swept
away everything. Mrs. Grayson possesses a fair knowledge of books and music.
She has traveled considerably in the West and South, and visited the city
of Washington. She is a quiet, unostentatious woman, exceptionally lady-like
and queenly in her deportment, and is loved and admired by all her acquaintances.
Her daughter, Lena, her eldest-born, is married to W. H. Sanger and has
a pleasant home in Eufaula, while she has with her Walter C., Washington,
Eloise, Tsianina and Ethel, with the raising and education of whom she
is at present most deeply concerned. Captain George W. Grayson is a tall,
dignified, handsome man, of gentlemanly address. Though but forty-eight
years of age, and possessor of an almost boyish complexion, his hair and
beard are strangely white. He is fastidious in dress, intellectual in conversation,
and polished in his manners.
Boling, M. D., James M. (pp.396,
397) Biographical
Index
James M. Boling was born January 31, 1856, the eldest
son of R. J. Boling, at one time a prominent merchant in Cherokee County,
Georgia. James entered the North Georgian Agricultural College, Dahlonega,
North Georgia, at the age of twenty, and after a year and a half or two
years' attendance, entered college at Amherst, Virginia, where he remained
one year. In 1884 he attended the Georgia Medical College, graduating frm
there in 1886. Commencing the practice of medicine immediately at Kensington,
Georgia, he continued at that point for four years, moving to Claremore,
Cherokee Nation (his present home), in 1890. In December of the same year
he married Miss Julia M. Davis (born June, 1868, at Kensington, Georgia),
daughter of John Davis, Jr., of Walker County, Georgia, an extensive farmer
and stock-raiser, and part Cherokee. Mrs. Boling's mother was a Miss Hall,
daughter of S. B. Hall, a Tennesseean by birth. Mrs. Boling is a lady of
refinement and education, and fascinating in manner and appearance. She
is quite popular iin Vinita. Dr. Boling is somewhat above the middle height,
intellectual-looking, and courteous in manner and address. His education
is far above the average, while his professional reputation stands high.
The doctor has lately erected a drug store. Dr. Boling is a member of the
Methodist Episcopal Church South, and a Master Mason of Crawfish Lodge
No. 261, Georgia. He is very popular among the people of Claremore and
its vicinity, and is greatly esteemed and respected by all who have the
pleasure of his acquaintance.
Moore, Charles Gates (p. 398) Biographical
Index
Charles Gates Moore was born in Montgomery County, Missouri,
being the son of J. W. Moore, a merchant of Readsville, Missouri. At an
early age Charles Gates was place at school at Fulton, Missouri, and at
the age of fifteen commenced clerking in the same town. Later on he acquired
a thorough knowledge of drugs, and in 1887 moved to Eufaula, in the Creek
Nation, where he established a drug store at his present stand. Mr. Moore
carries one of the largest stocks of goods in the Indian Territory. Some
time ago he opened a branch house at Checotah, and here also he commands
a large trade. The subject of our sketch is a member of the M. E. Church
South, and of the Masonic order, being Master of the Eufaula lodge, Indian
Chapter (McAlester), and Cæur de Leon Commandery, at Parsons, Kansas.
He is a wide-awake business man, and very popular.
Covel, John Henry (pp. 343, 345) Biographical
Index
John Henry Covel was born July 18, 1848, close to the
national capital. He is son of the late Caleb Covel of Massachusetts, who
came to Park HIll with the missionaries at an early date. His mother was
Eliza Turtle, whose relatives were prominent in the old State. Henry was
sent by his mother to the Illinois district to learn Cherokee (soon after
the death of his father), and during a term of eight years attended the
neighborhood schools. When the war broke out he accompanied a party of
Cherokees going South, and traveled as far as Red River, where he joined
the refugess. At the termination of the war he went to Cane Hill College,
Arkansas, but being left an orphan by the death of his mother in 1867,
he was forced to shift for himself. Then followed a brief life on the cattle
range, and a little experience in such hardships as ox-driving and so forth.
At length Henry was appointed school teacher in the Sequoyah district,
and later on went to Coowescoowee district, where he taught three years.
At the age of twenty-seven years he married Lizzie Mayes, daughter of Wash
Mayes (present high sheriff) and niece to J. B. Mayes, principal chief.
Lizzie's mother is a sister to ex-Chief Bushyhead. By this union Mr. Covel
has two children -- Ella May and Jessie Crawford. Soon after his marriage,
and quite unexpectedly, he was appointed first assistant teacher at the
Cherokee Orphan Asylum, and there taught four years, after which he was
elected clerk of the Saline district for two years. At the expiration of
the term he was appointed principal teacher of the orphan asylum for four
years, but resigned that position on the election of Joel B. Mayes to the
chieftaincy of the Cherokee Nation in 1887. The chief then appointed him
as executive secretary, which office he held until November, 1891, when
he was re-appointed on the chief's re-election. Mr. Covel is the owner
of two farms --- one of 70 acres, in the Saline district, and one of 100
acres, close to the capital. He also owns a small herd of cattle on Grand
River, and a pleasant residence in Tahlequah. Mr. Covel is a self-made
man, and has no reason to be ashamed of the fact. Without a parent's assistance
since early boyhood, he has educated himself to become a good educator.
He is affable in manner and pleasant in disposition, with a good stock
of common sense as a basis to his book knowledge.
Jones, Wilson N. (pp. 399, 400) Biographical
Index
W. N. Jones, the present chief of the Choctaws, was born
in Mississippi in 1831, and is the youngest son of Nathaniel Jones, who
emigrated to the Choctaw Nation in 1833. Nathaniel Jones was annuity captain,
and served later as a member of the legislature at the early councils.
The subject of our sketch belongs to the Ok-la-fa-lay-a clan. In 1849 he
commenced farming without any capital whatever. The results were very limited
for the first few years, but he soon accumulated enough to secure a fair
start. He succeeded so far as to be in a position to open a mercantile
establishment on a capital of five hundred dollars. In 1866, or 1867, he
took a Kansas man named Jim Myers as partner, who contributed three or
four hundred dollars to the stock. After four years of hard labor they
succeeded in accumulating money enough to purchase a thousand head of cattle.
Myers drove the cattle to market and disposed of them in Kansas, probably
at Fort Scott, but forgot to return and divide the proceeds with his partner.
The consequences was that Wilson Jones lost his labor of four years, amounting
to at least $5,000. But Mr. Wilson went bravely to work again, and collecting
what debts were due to the house and $300 worth of cattle, turned in by
Mr. W. W. Hampton, satisfied his creditors and saved his business, enabling
him to purchase a fresh stock of goods. There being little money among
the Choctaws at the time, Mr. Jones was obliged to take stock in payment
for his sales; but he had a fine range and permitted his cattle to accumulate
year by year. When the railroad was located he opened a store at Shawnee,
fifteen miles from Caddo, where he continued in business thirteen or fourteen
years with great success, increasing his stock until, at the present time,
he is the largest cattle owner in the Indian Territory. Of late Mr. Jones
has devoted his whole attention to stock-raising. In 1884 Wilson Jones
was elected district trustee, and in 1887 treasurer, which office he held
until 1890, when he was elected principal chief of the Choctaw Nation.
He was first married to Col. Pickins' daughter, by whom he had two children,
both of whom are dead. In 1855 he married Louisa La Flore, by whom he has
had four children, all of whom are dead. William, the last surviving member
of his family, was waylaid and shot in 1889. His mother died a long
time before. In 1876 Mr. Jones married Isabel Heaston, daughter of Col.
Heaston, of Bennett County, Ark., by whom he had two children, both of
whom are dead. Mr. Jones has about 17,600 acres of land, 550 of which are
under cultivation, the rest in pasture. He also owns 5000 head of cattle,
3000 of which are beaf stock. Besides this he has 75 head of horses. His
brand is W. J. He has also an interest in coal claims, a cotton gin and
half ownership in a large mercantile establishment with W. H. Ainsworth,
of Caddo. Without education, Governor Jones is a man of extraordinary intelligence,
unflagging energy and tenacity of purpose. He is a wonderful financier,
when we consider that he is wholly destitute of book learning. Had he had
the opportunities of education now offered to his people, there is no knowing
what he might have achieved. He is a man of great popularity, and will
undoubtedly give full satisfaction to his supporters in the discharge of
his responsible duties.
Connor, F. M. (pp. 406, 407) Biographical
Index
F. M. Connor was born near Joplin, Missouri, March 29,
1852, the son of William Connor (a farmer, mill-wright and mechanic,) and
Drucilla Davis. His grandfather, Caleb Connor, was one of the first settlers
in Indiana. When but five years old, the subject of this sketch accompanied
his father to the Cherokee Nation, settling on Grand River, Delaware district,
in 1857. He was partly educated at Asberry Mission, in the Creek Nation,
but his parents dying in 1868 and in 1870, he was forced to take care of
himself at an early age. In 1871, when only eighteen years old, he conducted
a boarding house on Missouri, Kansas and Texas Railroad, at the same time,
by close application during leisure hours, he completed his education.
In 1874, he returned to Delaware district, and in the same year married
Rebecca Duncan, daughter of Green Duncan, one-fourth Cherokee. By this
marriage Mr. Connor has four children --- Alonzo, Crawford, Lulu and Leonard.
In 1887, the subject of this sketch was elected member of council, and
held the office for two years, when he was nominated by the chief, and
confirmed by the senate, as town commissioner for the Cherokee Nation.
On November 24, 1891, he was re-elected by unanimous vote to fill the same
office; up to November, 1891, the commissioners have collected, and turned
over to the nation, $7,000. Mr. Connor is the second white man who has
ever been elected as representative in the Cherokee national council ---
William Howe being the first. In the contest on that occasion, Mr. Connor
competed against five Cherokees, and received the largest majority in the
district. Mr. Connor has 600 acres of land in cultivation, near Fairland,
a rapidly growing little town on the Frisco Railroad, and which promises
to be the best town in the nation, surrounded as it is by the finest agricultural
lands. Mr. Connor is owner of the land on which the town is being built,
having purchased the same from W. B. Ritter, and is also owner of the Fairland
Hotel, besides a small herd of cattle and horses. The subject of this sketch
is a pleasant gentleman, and an active energetic man of business, trustworthy,
reliable and exceedingly popular in this district.
Perryman, L. C. (pp. 105, 106, 107)
Biographical
Index
The present chief of the Creek Nation was born at Sodom,
Creek Nation, Indian Territory, March 1, 1838. His parents, Lewis Perryman,
of Big Spring Town, and Ellen Perryman (nee Winslett), of Hechittee Town,
emigrated to this nation from the old Creek Nation in Alabama, in the year
1828. Chief Perryman is the oldest of a large family of children. The Perrymans
were a large, energetic and enterprising family at the breaking out of
the Civil War in the United States; and the Winsletts were recognized as
the brightest intellects of the country at that time, as is attested by
their translations and original writings still extant in the Creek language.
Chief Perryman entered school at Tallahassee Mission in 1849, under Rev.
W. S. Robertson. The young student at an early age developed a marked aptitude
for mathematics, which so enlarged his reasoning powers that to-day he
is recognized as a most logical and unerring reasoner among his people.
It was while going to school that young Perryman first commenced translating
the Biblical history for the Presbyterian schools of the Creek Nation.
Later in life he translated the Creek laws from the English into the native
language, as well as many of the popular hymns.
At the outbreak of the Civil War in 1862 Mr. Perryman enlisted as a private in the Union army in Kansas---First Regiment of the Indian Home Guards. He served till the close, and was mustered out as Sergeant-Major in May, 1865. After the war the subject of our sketch took an active part in the reconstruction of the Creek government and adoption of the present constitution. He was for six years Judge of the Coweta District, and on his resignation was elected member of the Lower House from Big Springs Town, which position he continuously held by re-election until nominated for Principal Chief in 188, and elected September 6th of the same year. He was the unquestioned leader of the House of Warriors during the whole of his long term of service, and was several times called upon to represent the nation at Washington, D. C., as National Delegate. The Oklahoma question was the all-absorbing subject before the nation at the time. The policy of the preceding administration was to let the Oklahoma question alone and allow the United States government to settle friendly Indians on the land and thus part with the said lands forever for the small sum of thirty cents per acre, which the land had been sold for in 1866. Mr. Perryman, during one of his trips to Washington, concluded it would be better and more statesman-like to enter into negotiations with the United States government for an increase of pay for those lands, with the understanding that, should the United States government allow the sum additional, then the Creeks would relinquish their rights and claims to the possession of said lands.
This idea was conceived and set on foot by Mr. Perryman, but when the idea became known to certain of his political opponents, they fairly made Rome howl with their mutterings of discontent and their opposition to his policy, and threatened to recall him in disgrace from Washington.
When he was elected chief, shortly afterward, his political opponents began to see that they had misunderstood the signs of the times. He has consummated that policy during the past four years, and now there is not a citizen in all that county who does not approve of the sale of Oklahoma.
Mr. Perryman is quite an extensive stockman, having about one thousand head of good cattle. He has also 950 acres of fine bottom land, his corn averaging about seventy-five bushels to the acre.
He has two sons --- Andrew, aged twenty years, and Henry, fifteen years. These young men are very promising and are receiving education at a private school in Tulsa, Creek Nation, prior to a collegiate course.
Mr. Perryman is a member of the Presbyterian Church and
a member of the Grand Army of the Republic. As an executive officer he
ahs few equals, and that his people fully realize this fact is proven by
his re-election to the office of Principal Chief, October 1, 1891.
Boudinot, Elias C. (pp. 115, 116) Biographical
Index
The late distinguished lawyer and statesman, E. C. Boudinot,
was born August, 1835, near Rome, Ga., and was the son of Kille-kee-nah,
a Cherokee descended from a long line of chiefs. Elias was first educated
for a civil engineer at Manchester, Vt., but finally concluded to adopt
the law as a profession. He was admitted to the bar in 1856, and practiced
in the State and Federal Courts. One of his first cases was the defense
of Stand Watie, defendant in a murder case, in which it is recorded that
young Boudinot made one of the most effective and polished orations ever
made by such a youthful lawyer. Stand Watie was acquitted, and the counsel
for the government to-day pronounces it a righteous verdict.
Soon after this E. C. Boudinot became associate editor for The Arkansian, an ably edited weekly published at Fayetteville in the interest of democracy. In 1860, at twenty-five years of age, he became the chairman of the State Central Committee, and as one of the great leaders of democracy, assumed the editorship of The True Democrat, the leading organ of that party at the capital. In 1861 he was elected Secretary of the Secession Committee by acclamation, and soon afterwards embraced the cause of the Soutyh, repairing to the Cherokee Nation, where he and his relatives, Stand Watie, raised a regiment for the Confederate service. The latter was elected colonel, while Boudinot became major, afterwards succeeding to the office of lieutenant-colonel.
At the conclusion of the war the subject of this sketch
represented the Southern Cherokees at a meeting of various Indian tribes
at Fort Smith, to determine the terms of a treaty then under consideration
between the United States and the Indians of the Indian Territory. Boudinot,
in representing the Southern Cherokees, made an able defense of the course
pursued by them during the war. His exposure of the conduct of John Ross
called forth the powerful and passionate oratorical genius of Boudinot.
In 1867 the subject of our sketch opened a tobacco factory in his nation,
an act of treaty having guaranteed the Cherokees exempted from all taxes.
But the United States officers seized and confiscated the factory, and
thus the most solemn of compacts was ignored. After the case was brought
before the Supreme Court, Congress authorized the Court of Claims to make
settlement for damages suffered by Boudinot, and the tribunal adjudged
restitution after a lapse of fifteen years.
The Creek Indians were forced by circumstances to take sides in the late civil war. Mr. Severs espoused the Southern cause and was mustered into service in the First Creek Regiment as first lieutenant, in Captain Checote's company of full-blooded Indians, and succeeded to the captaincy when Checote was promoted to the colonelcy. Later on he was appointed brigade commissary, with the rank of major, which he retained to the close of the war. He is familiarly known, however, and addressed as Captain Severs.
At the breaking up of the army at the close of the war, Captain Severs was in Texas. Laying aside the profession of arms, without delay he resumed the peaceful occupation of educator, and taught school near Bonham for three months. Meantime his old home in Arkansas had been devastated by contending armies. He received his pay for teaching in produce and provisions, which he had hauled to the Washington County homestead, to replenish the exhausted larder. This indefatigable ex-soldier then loaded up a four-mule wagon with apples, and made two trips from Arkansas to San Antonio, Texas, marketing his fruit there and hauling back return loads of provisions, which were readily sold at a profit. Then, with his small means and some aid from friends, he commenced business on his own account at Shieldsville, in the Creek Nation, at the old stand where he was formerly employed. About that time his old commander, Checote, was elected principal chief of the Creek Nation, who appointed him his private secretary. The assistance Captain Severs rendered in this department proved of great value to the chief and to the nation, as he heartily engaged in shaping a sound, constitutional form of government for the Indians, and made many suggestions that were adopted and proved to be judicious. He moved his store to Okmulgee in 1868. His business grew steadily, and in 1870 he married Miss Annie Anderson, before mentioned, who was then engaged in teaching the same school in Concharty that Captain Severs taught before the war.
The old board store-house in Okmulgee has given place to a handsome stone building, which contains a stock of general merchandise varying from $20,000 to $35,000 in value, to meet the requirements of trade. He also owns at Okmulgee a cotton gin, and grist and saw mill, which cost ten thousand dollars, and which was built to replace a fine new mill destroyed by fire. In addition, he owns nearly all the business and dwellin-houses in the town, for which he receives rent.
In 1884 Captain Severs moved to Muskogee to secure the excellent opportunities afforded at that town for the education of his children. Here he built a comfortable residence for his family. He also purchased the house and business of S. S. Sanger, and is now carrying on an extensive general merchandise business. Muskogee growing in importance as a cotton point, he erected a capacious cotton gin, with all the latest improvements. There being great need for a flouring mill at Muskogee, to stimulate the growing of wheat to produce a home supply of flour, Captain Severs, with his fellow-merchants, organized the Muskogee Roller Milling Company, which erected a mill and an elevator at a cost of $25,000, one-fourth of the paid-up stock being owned by him.
The establishment of the United States Court for Indian Territory at Muskogee necessitated the erection of many buildings to accommodate court officials, attorneys and others, which was met, in part, by Capt. Severs, who built several dwellings and law offices, and to supply a much-needed want, he erected a very handsome brick bank building, at a cost of thirteen thousand dollars. he, with others, procured a charter from the United States and organized the First National Bank of Muskogee, with a capital of stock of $100,000. He is stockholder and a director of the bank.
Captain Severs is prominent as a stockman in Indian Territory; he owns about 8,000 head of a graded class of cattle. At his stock farm, Pecan Grove Ranch, he has a large country house of modern architecture. Here are orchards, gardens capacious barns, stables and sheds --- everything necessary for the successful prosecution of farming and cattle-raising. The farm consists of 250 acres of superior soil, in a good state of cultivation. A few miles from Okmulgee is his horse ranch, where he has five hundred head of improved stock.
Mrs. Severs has had six children, three of whom are living --- Bessie, born April 1st, 1871; Maryy, born September 1st, 1872; Annie born December 5th, 1878. The two eldest graduated at Baird College, Clinton, Mo., the summer of '91 and Annie is now preparing for the same honor, at the same college.
Holding Captain Severs in high esteem, the Creeks adopted him into their tribe, with all the privileges of citizenship, a very uncommon mark of their regard, not a single white citizen of the United States having been adopted by them since the war. He takes a deep interest in the welfare of the people; by material aid and encouragement he has always assisted them to progress in industrial pursuits, in education and religion. Time and again, when failure in crops or other causes had created distress, he supplied their pressing wants until they could obtain relief. The widow, the orphan and the destitute have always found in him a friend, and worthy charities find in him a liberal contributor.
Captain Severs is full five feet eleven inches in height,
of fine personal appearance, of gentlemanly and affable manners,
of a cheery and sanguine disposition, and a steadfast friend. He is one
of the richest men in Indian Territory. His success has been won by sagacity,
by knowledge of human nature, and by untiring energy and devotion to the
smallest details of the various pursuits that engage his attention. He
is in the prime of life, with unimpaired health, and may reasonably expect
many years to enjoy the fruits of a successful and well-spent life in the
bosom of his estimable family, in whom he takes great delight --- a loving
husband and a devoted father.
Balentine, William H. (pp. 138, 139)
Biographical
Index
The subject of this sketch was born in July, 1854, the
son of Rev. Hamilton Balentine and Anna Hoyt, grand-daughter of Second
Chief Lowry. This lady died in March, 1890. The Rev. H. Balentine, of Pennsylvania,
educated at Princeton College, came to the Creek Nation in 1844, and taught
school at the Tallahassee Mission, and later at Coweta Mission. Afterward
he moved to Good Water and Spencer Academy, Choctaw Nation, teaching for
some time at these points. His next move was to Wappaknucka, Chickasaw
Nation, where he taught on different occasions for a term of five years.
After the war he went to Park Hill, where he remained two years, after
which he moved to Vinita. Remaining there three years, he was appointed
by the Cherokee Council to take charge of the Female Academy. Here he remained
one year, when he took sick and died of pneumonia, February 22, 1876, sincerely
and deservedly regretted by all who knew him and felt his influence. William,
during his early life, derived much of his education through parental intercourse,
having traveled with his father from one mission to another for years.
In 1872 he went to the Highland University for two years, and completed
his education at Westminister College, Fulton, Missouri, in 1876. William
would have graduated but for the death of his father. In 1876 he commenced
school-teaching at Woodhall School, near Tahlequah, and has continued in
the profession until the present, having taught at Durdeen, White Oak,
Pheasant Hill, Menard, Garfield and Eureka. At Menard he taught for seven
sessions. In 1881 Mr. Balentine was appointed to teach at the National
Male Seminary. In 1876 the subject of this sketch made a tour of the United
States, visiting the Centennial, the national capital, Niagara Falls, and
other notable places. In 1878 he married Miss Fannie Keys, daughter of
the late Chief Justice Reilly Keys, for thirty years a judge and also a
national delegate. By this marriage he has a family of three children ---
Fannie M., William H. and Annie M. His first wife dying in 1885, he married,
in 1890, Mary D., daughter of Andrew Johnson, a prominent man in the Flint
District. Mr. Balentine was first appointed to the office of clerk of the
Senate committees of the National Council in 1879, and was reappointed
to various committees for a term of ten years. He was alos Secretary for
Judge Walker while that gentleman was superintendent of the Female Seminary.
He was a member of the board of trustees of the Insane Asylum for two years.
Mr. Balentine owns 160 acres of good farm land close to Tahlequah, and
50 acres near Fort Gibson, both of which he looks after himself. He has
also a small herd of cattle, fifteen horses and mules, and a large stock
of hogs. His children have been, for the past two years, attending the
Elam Springs School, and are receiving the best possible education. Mr.
Balentine is a gentleman of more than ordinary education, and , intellectually,
is far superior to the majority. His brother Hamilton, who lives at Vinita,
is a prominent and successful man of business.
Callaghan, Jas. O., M.D. (pp. 139,
140, 141) Biographical
Index
The subject of this sketch was born November, 1860, at
Sulphur Springs, Texas. He is the eldest son of Judge S. B. Callaghan,
present Chief Justice of the Creek Nation, who is the son of Oliver Callaghan
of Scott county, Pennsylvania. Mrs. S. B. Callaghan (Dr. Callaghan's mother),
is the daughter of Rev. Wm. Thornburg, a minister of the Methodist Church,
who came from Mississippi to Texas and died in that State about the year
1845. Up to the age of fourteen James received his schooling at Sulphur
Springs public school, after which he went to the Alley High School, Jefferson,
Texas. Here he remained two terms, when he commenced studying medicine
and serving his apprenticeship in the drug business. After two years spent
in this manner, he entered the business in Springfield, Mo., and there
continued until 1882, when he became traveling agent for A. A. Mellier,
wholesale druggist. In the fall of 1883 he took a course of lectures at
Missouri Medical College, and in June of the same year married Miss Josie
E. Tarpley, of Murphysboro, Tenn. In the spring of 1884 he returned to
the Creek Nation (Muskogee), where he built a home for himself and began
the practice of medicine.
After some time Dr. Callaghan returned to St. Louis, and
taking another course of lectures, graduated in the spring of 1886. In
1890 he was appointed president of the Creek Medical Examining Board, which
office he still holds. In 1888 he was elected secretary of the Indian Territory
Medical Association, of which he was one of the charter members. Dr. Callaghan
was the originator of the Creek medical laws recently published. He has
a high reputation as a physician and a pharmacist, which latter adjunct
gives him an advantage over the majority of the profession. He is a gentleman
of good address, courteous and kind-hearted, and very popular socially
aas well as professionally. Dr. Callaghan has two children, Eula T., aged
six, and Clay T., aged two years.
Patton, Wm. C. (pp. 141, 142) Biographical
Index
The subject of this sketch was born August 1, 1829, being
seventh son and fourteenth child of Joseph E. Patton, of Buncombe County,
North Carolina, a farmer and stock-raiser. His mother was a Miss Orr, of
South Carolina. William went to a neighborhood school until fifteen years
of age, and at eighteen went to Lafayette Academy, Walker County, Georgia,
where he remained two years. In 1853 he went into the mercantile business
in Georgia, and continued in it until 1860. In that year he opened out
in Chattanooga, and in 1862 joined the Confederate army, continuing in
service until the close. After the war Mr. Patton farmed in Walker County,
Georgia, for two years, after which he re-entered the mercantile business
at Lafayette. In the fall of 1868 he re-opened at Ringold, Ga., continued
in business until 1874, then moved to Springfield, Missouri, where he followed
the mercantile business until 1879, when he moved to Vinita, Indian Territory,
and there embarked in stock-raising and agriculture. Soon afterwards Mr.
Patton opened a large mercantile establishment in the same place, which
he is now conducting. In May, 1862, he married Miss Jane Davis, daughter
of Martin Davis, a Georgian planter. Mrs. Patton's mother was the daughter
of the well-known Colonel Sam Tate, of Cherokee County, Georgia. Mrs. Patton
is one-fourth Cherokee. They have three children, Pauline (now Mrs. Ed.
Halsell), Julia (now Mrs. Dr. Fite, of Muskogee), and Evelyn. Mrs. Patton
is a lady of refinement and education. She has for many years assisted
her husband in business, acting as his book-keeper. Mr. Patton is a man
of fine intellectual appearance, is a good business man, and well known
for his many charitable actions. Mr. Patton carries a stock of general
merchandise amounting to $15,000, while there is a drug store in another
department of the building. He owns four stone and brick store buildings
in the town, and a storehouse at Catoosa carrying $7,000 worth of merchandise.
Mr. Patton is the possessor of some twenty lots in Vinita, and eight or
ten residences which are rented out, besides 200 head of mules, 600 of
cattle, and 1,000 acres of land in cultivation.
Mounts, David Albert (p. 296) Biographical
Index
The subject of this sketch was born June, 1854, the eldest
son of W. J. Mounts, of Wheeling, W. Va. He was educated in Kentucky, Missouri,
Texas and Indiana, having been with his father in these states. After coming
to Fort Gibson he went to work for O. W. Lipe, in 1877, for half interest
in the profits of his business. He remained two years, and in 1879 married
Miss Carrie Thompson, one of the belles of the Cherokee Nation and highly
accomplished. In 1881 he went to work for Mr. Scott as head clerk in his
mercantile establishment, and there remained until 1888, when he associated
himself with Mr. W. S. Nash, the title of the firm being W. S. Nash &
Co., which business he still continues. Mr. Mounts has four children ---
John, Claud, Ray and Howard. In height he measures five feet ten inches
and weighs 140 pounds, is of gentlemanly appearance and kind and affable
in disposition. Mr. Mounts is deservedly popular with the people of Fort
Gibson and its surroundings.
Henry, Hugh (pp. 298, 299) Biographical
Index
Hugh Henry was born January, 1848, at Nacogdoches County,
Texas, third son of W. D. Henry, a Georgian, and Levisa Hutton, a half-breed
Creek. After the marriage of his parents they moved to Texas, in 1832,
his mother dying in 1852. After the death of his mother Hugh remained in
Eastern Texas with his grandmother about eleven years. When quite young
he became a cowboy, attaching himself to Hart Bros.' cow camp until the
breaking out of the war, when he joined the Confederate service under General
Terry, remaining in the service eight months. After this Hugh Henry became
a frontiersman in earnest, driving stock between San Antonio, Tex., and
St. Louis, Mo., which was a dangerous experiment in those days, yet he
continued it for three successive summers, when he went upon the buffalo
range, hunting these animals for their hides for a term of one year. The
buffalo becoming scarce, Mr. Henry came back to the nation and allied himself
with the Grayson Cattle Company, working for them for thirteen years, ending
May 15, 1891. He now owns about 300 head of cattle, 450 acres of improved
farm (valley prairie) land, 21 head of ponies, 100 head of hogs, and 4,000
bushels of corn (made this season). He has a good home, containing comfortable
house, orchard and garden.
He was married to Miss Anne Dickerson, of Texas, in 1871,
and had three children: James, aged eighteen years; Levisa, aged seventeen
years, and Luella, aged nine years. His wife died in August, 1883, and
two years later he married Mittie Exon, a white woman, who came to this
country from Missouri, by whom he had three children: Patrick, aged over
five years; Mack, aged three years, and Annie May, aged six or eight months.
Mr. Henry is about six feet in height, of robust build, and weighs 172
pounds---showing little of the aborigine in his appearance. Mr. Henry is
one of the most experienced cow-hands in his country.
McCoy, John L. (pp. 300, 301) Biographical
Index
John L. McCoy is a half-breed Cherokee, and has for moe
than fifty years figured conspicuously in the affairs of that nation, having
held many positions of trust and honor, reflecting credit on himself and
his people. He is eminently a self-made man, having enjoyed but limited
educational advantages in his youth. At the age of nineteen he was placed
by his father in a store, where he remained one year, during which time,
by dint of determined perseverance, he mastered, with but little assistance,
the rudiments of an English education. His principal text-book was Webster's
blue-back speller. Of strong will, of fine natural endowments and firm,
unflinching integrity, he was, even as a young man, recognized as a leader
among his people, and each succeeding year brought with it fresh honors
and new triumphs.
In 1835, just prior to the New Echota treaty, he, with a large part of his tribe, moved to the Indian Territory. By this treaty the Cherokees ceded to the Government all their lands east of the Mississippi --- 8,000,000 acres --- for which theyy were to receive $5,990,000. Besides this, the Governement appropriated July 2, 1836, $600,000; in 1838, $1,047,067, to pay off spoliations, reservations, pre-emptions, removal and subsistence. In 1842 John McCoy was first delegated by the old settler party to prosecute their claim against the Government. In 1847 he was sent to Washington, alone, with instructions to remain until the work was consummated and final settlements made. After a sojourn of three years at the capital, the Government decided on the sum of $419,000 with a 5 per cent interest. Mr. McCoy's arduous efforts were thus far rewarded, the bill being carried after a nearly all night session by a majority of one vote. When the result of the vote was made known to Mr. McCoy, the Washington Chronicle says that he gave a "King Indian yell" which resounded through the corridors of the capital. But there was still a balance of $1,333,333. and interest until date a 5 per cent, due the old settlers in 1875, and Mr. McCoy the same year called a council to establish the claim. The council convened and appointed three delegates to visit Washington and prosecute the matter befroe Government. John L. McCoy, Joseph M. Bryant and William Wilson were the individuals chosen, each borrowing from the nation the sum of $1,200 to defray expenses. After an absence of three weeks Mr. Wilson returned, leaving the affair in the hands of McCoy and Bryant. Then arose a difference of opinion between these delegates. Bryant wanted to have the matter adjusted by the court of claims, and McCoy according to the treaty of 1846. The result is (according to Mr. McCoy's own statement) that Bryant has been visiting Washington ever since without securing any money for his people, but at the same time putting them to enormous expense, having (says Mr. McCoy) already contracted away, perhaps, nearly half of the principal. The treaty of 1846 declares that none of the moneys due the people shall be paid to liquidate any debt, but shall be paid directly to whom it is due. Mr. McCoy has been doing his utmost to awaken the old settlers to these facts, and they know the state of affairs. NOW LET THEM ACT.
The Washington Chronicle dated February 8, 1885,
gives a lengthy sketch of Mr. McCoy and contains two engravings of that
gentleman, one taken in 1848 and the other in 1885, while in his seventy-third
year. It is quite interesting to hear the enthusiastic, yet thoroughly
refined, old gentleman describe the strange and thrilling history of the
old settlers ---the Tom Starr war, and the amnesty of 1846, in which he
himself represented the old settlers. He is now living with is daughter,
Mrs. Emma Hanks, widow of the late Calvin Hanks, at her beautiful home
near Webber's Falls, and he is a happy man among his grand-children, in
whose musical accomplishments he takes his greatest pride.
Mrs. D. H. Johnston, the subject of this sketch, was born
near Bloomfield, Chickasaw Nation, September, 1865. She was the daughter
of J. R. Harper, a white man, who came to the territory from Louisburg,
North Carolina, and a full-blood Chickasaw lady whose mainden name was
Miss Serena Factor, and who assisted in the primary department for a while
at Bloomfield when Parson Carr was contractor. Mrs. Johnston was educated
principally at Bloomfield Seminary, but attended Savoy College, in Texas,
one term. She began teaching in 1884, near Pennington, ten miles northwest
of Tishomingo, while Col. G. W. Harkins was Superintendent of Public Instruction
of the Chickasaw Nation. The following year (1885) Mr. Johnston employed
her as one of the teachers at Bloomfield, where she continued to teach
four years in succession. Her intellectuality, her kind disposition and
beautiful counternance won for her a host of friends. In 1889 the subject
of this sketch was married to Mr. Johnston. Since her marriage she has
retained her position as teacher in his school, which she occupies at present.
One daughter -- Wahneta E., a lovely child ---blesses this marriage. Mrs.
Johnston belongs to the house of Incona (In-co-na).
Gregory, Mrs. N. G. (pp. 313, 314)
Biographical
Index
Mrs. N. G. Gregory (whose maiden name was Carrie E. Norman)
is the second daughter of W. G. Norman, and was born in Florida in 1867,
coming to the Creek Nation in 1877 --- her mother being a citizen thereof.
Miss Norman was partly educated in the States and partly at Wealaka Mission,
Creek Nation, where she was greatly beloved by her teachers and admired
and respected by her schoolmates. While there she joined the Presbyterian
Church, and has since been a devout member. On June 15, 1886, Miss Norman
was married to N. G. Gregory, a prominent member of the Euchee tribe, and
one of their representatives in the National Council. Mrs. Gregory is kind-hearted
and charitable, ever ready to aid the sick and the distressed.
Taylor, Mrs. Susan (p. 324) Biographical
Index
Mrs. Susan Taylor was born July 6, 1803, daughter of
"Fields," a half-breed of Scotch descent. Her mother was a Miss Brown,
sister of Judge Brown, prominent in Cherokee history. Susan Taylor was
educated at the Moravian Mission, Spring Place, Georgia, and moved with
the emigration to the Indian Territory in 1839. Her husband, Richard Taylor,
held many prominent positions in the nation, and was second chief when
he died, in 1853. The subject of our sketch settled in Tahlequah before
there was a residence in that place, and in 1849 built a fine brick residence,
one of the first brick buildings in the nation. The building is still in
good repair, and is at present known as the National Hotel. Mrs. Taylor
left a large family, three of whom are living ---- Mrs. Anne Daniels, Mrs.
Eliza Thompson and Mrs. Francis Butler. Mrs. Taylor was a most remarkable
woman, possessing qualities of generosity, charity and benevolence to such
an extent that she was beloved and admired by all. She died at the age
of sixty-nine years, in 1872, mourned by the entire nation.
McSpadden, John Thomas (pp. 147, 148)
Biographical
Index
John T. McSpadden was born near Fort Payne, Alabama,
March 15, 1852, the third son of I. K. B. McSpadden, a minister of the
M. E. Church, South, who, in 1869, came to the Indian Territory as a missionary.
Mr. McSpadden, Jr.'s mother was a Miss Elizabeth J. Green, daughter of
a leading citizen of Athens, Tennessee. The subject of our sketch was educated
in the Phoenix Academy, near Fort Payne, Alabama, until his nineteenth
year, when he followed his parents to the Indian Territory, and there engaged
in school-teaching two years. After that he followed the blacksmith's trade
three years, but finally embarked in the cattle business, which he has
continued up to the present. Mr. McSpadden married Miss Sallie C. Rogers,
daughter of C. V. Rogers, a prominent citizen, December 16, 1885, by whom
he has two children living ---Clem. M., born December 20, 1886, and May,
born July 20, 1891. Mr. McSpadden is very largely interested in the cattle
industry, feeding from 500 to 1,000 head. He has several farms, aggregating
350 acres, 225 acres which are in good cultivation, besides a handsome
residence in Chelsea, recently completed. Mr. McSpadden is a representative
citizen, progressive, liberal and wide-awake, and always to be found on
the right side where his country's interests are at stake. The only office
he has held was that of mayor of Vinita for one term. Mrs. McSpadden is
a cultured lady of charming personality and lovable nature, which have
attracted to her a large circle of friends.
Frazee, Morris, Dr. (pp. 148, 149) Biographical
Index
The subject of this sketch was born September 8, 1838,
at Chandlersville, O. He is the eldest son of W. F. Frazee and Isabella
Mahon, from County Armagh, Ireland. Morris attended the public schools
until sixteen years of age, when he entered Knox College, Galesburg, Ill.,
and there remained until, in three years, he completed his sophomore course,
after which he read law with Messrs. Muse and Gaston, at Zanesville, Ohio,
for one year. Returning to his home at Warsaw, Illinois, he studied
medicine until the outbreak of the war, when he joined the Federal service
as a second lieutenant, returning at the conclusion of the war as captain
of his company. Afterwards, he entered the medical department of the University
of Iowa and studied two years. In 1865 he established a weekly paper in
Alexandria, Missouri, which he edited for one year and sold out, commencing
the practice of medicine in St. Clair, Vernon County, Missouri, where he
remained three years, and in 1871 went to Vinita, Indian Terrioty, where
he is now located. Dr. Frazee was the first physician that ever located
at Vinita, his practice being continual until the past five years, when
he turned his attention to farming, stock-raising, merchandise and the
nursery business, which latter, as well as farming, he still continues.
In August, 1878, Dr. Frazee married Mrs. Susan B. Kell, nee Daniels,
daughter of Hon. Robert Daniels, who was second chief of the Cherokees.
Dr. Frazee and his wife, in 1884, adopted the little two-year old son of
James Crutchfield, whose mother was a daughter of Robert Daniels. He is
called Taylor Frazee, and is now being educated at the Worcestor Academy,
Vinita. Dr. Frazee is a gentleman of intellect and culture, of kindly disposition
and charitable instincts. He is one of the most popular men in his district.
Ross, Chas. M., Dr. (p. 154) Biographical
Index
The subject of this sketch was born at Tahlequah, Indian
Territory, December 17, 1868, eldest son of R. B. Ross, ex-treasurer, and
great-grandson of Chief John Ross. Chas. M. Ross received his education
at the Male Seminary, Tahlequah, graduating in 1887 with high honors. Soon
after he entered the Missouri Medical College, St. Louis, where he graduated
March 31, 1891, and returning to Tahlequah commenced the practice of medicine.
He moved to Claremore August 1st of the same year, and established himself
with Dr. J. C. Bushyhead, son of the ex-chief and an old classmate of his
in the medical college. These young physicians are meeting with the success
which their energy and industry deserves. Dr. Ross is still unmarried,
but time will remedy that drawback. The doctor's mother was a Miss Fannie
Thornton, grand-daughter of John Daniel, one of the old settlers and well-known
throughout the nation. Dr. Ross, by reason of his connection with the leading
families of the nation, has a large circle of acquaintances, who hold him
in high esteem. The doctor owns a good farm, which is well stocked and
cared for, and a lucrative practice which is rapidly increasing.
Shackelford, James M., Judge (pp.
149, 150, 151, 152) Biographical
Index
This eminent soldier and judge was born July 7, 1827,
in Lincoln County, Ky., the seventh son of Edmond Shackelford and Susan
Thompson, both of Virginia. At the age of twelve years he was placed at
Stanford University, Kentucky, for two years, after which he became a pupil
of the celebrated teacher, James F. Barber. In 1848, under the last requistion
of the government, he was elected by a company in Washington County, Kentucky,
as lieutenant, and received a first lieutenant's commission from the government,
in Company I, of the Fourth Kentucky regiment of infantry, which was commanded
by John S. Williams, of Kentucky, in 1847. Going out as he did, under the
last requisition, he saw no fighting during the campaign, which was a grievous
disappointment to a young man of his ardent and ambitious disposition.
On his return he studied law under Judge J. P. Cook and was admitted to
the bar, becoming a partner of Cook's in a few years. They practiced together
until the outbreak of the Civil War, when James Shackelford raised the
Twenty-fifth Kentucky Regiment of Infantry, and was made colonel of the
same. He was in the engagement at Fort Donaldson with that regiment, but,
through exposure, lost his health and was obliged to resign his office
in 1862. Some time afterward President Lincoln issued him special orders
to raise a regiment of cavalry for the Union service, which he accomplished
in four weeks, choosing from sixteen hundred twelve hundred first class
men, who embodied what was known as the Eighth Kentucky Cavalry. About
this time, William Davenport, of Kentucky, went to visit President Lincoln,
and, on gaining an audience, stated his business: "I have come to know
if you would like to have General Morgan captured?" said Davenport. "I
know of nothing," said Lincoln "that would suit me better." "Then," replied
Davenport, "we have a boy in our neighborhood----Colonel James Shackelford,
of the Eighth Kentucky Cavalry, and if you will make him brigadier-general
I guarantee that he will capture Morgan inside of six months." The President
not only heard, but heeded, and on the 17th day of March, 1863, Shackelford
was promoted to the position of brigadier-general. In June, 1863, General
G. H. Morgan started upon his memorable raid through Kentucky, Indiana
and Iowa, and General Shackelford started his pursuit. After a chase of
thirty days and nights he came up with him near Lisbon, Columbiana County,
Ohio, Sunday morning, July 26th, and captured him, with the remnant of
his command. Morgan and Shackelford had been fellow-officers in the Mexican
war, and on this occasion, when Shackelford addressed him in the following
words --- "General Morgan, I am glad to see you!" ---the latter replied:
"I have no doubt of it; but, damn it, I'm sorry I can't return the compliment."
General Shackelford's war experience has been one of rare activity, and
contains sufficient interesting matter to justify him in publishing a volume
of adventure. We regret that our space is too limited to dwell upon more
of the many stirring incidents of his career. The General's wife dying
in 1864, and being left with four small children, he felt it his duty,
at the termination of the war, to resign although offered by the President
the rank of Major-General. Consequently he resumed the practice of law,
taking an active part in politics in the meantime. In 1880 he was elector
of the State of Indiana at large, and by the electoral college selected
and carried the vote of Indiana for Garfield. In 1888 he was elected president
of the electoral college, and discharged the duties incumbent upon him
with becoming dignity. On the 26th of March, 1889, he was nominated by
President Harrison as United States Judge for the Indiana Territory, and
the appointment was confirmed by the Senate. HIs headquarters are situated
at Muskogee, in the Creek Nation, where a branch of the United States Courts
is established. The respect expressed by all classes of people for Judge
Shackelford, despite his vigorous enforcement of the law, is perhaps the
highest compliment that can be paid to a public official; while the esteem
in which he is held by those who are personally acquainted with him indicates
a kind disposition, and a character upright and exemplary.
Gentry, W. E. (pp. 152, 153, 154) Biographical
Index
W. E. Gentry was born March 11, 1842. He is the second
son of James Gentry, of Alabama, and grandson of Elijah Gentry, a white
man who married a full-blood Catawba Indian, and Miss Caroline Bush, a
United States citizen. William was sent to school for a short time in Mississippi,
and then moved to the Creek Nation, in 1855, with his father and mother.
Here he went to Asberry Mission, Eufaula, for one year, after which he
commenced agriculture with his father, continuing until the outbreak of
the war, when he joined the Confederates under Colonel Chily McIntosh,
Second Creek Regiment. During the last year his company was transferred
to Jumper's regiment, Seminole Nation. At the termination of the war, Mr.
Gentry came back to his father's home, where he assisted him on the farm.
In 1867 he married Miss Sarah Crestmond, who died in 1868. In 1872 he married
Miss Martha Lynch, who died September 3, 1873. The issue of this marriage
was one boy, named Albert James, born August 27, 1873, and died February
2, 1891. On August 11, 1878, he married Miss Sallie D. Carr, eldest daughter
of Chipley Carr, by whom he has six children, William, born August 13,
1879; Caroline, born April 21, 1881; Mary E., born April 24, 1883; Sallie
P., born May 29, 1885; Bobby Lee, born September 15, 1887; Bluford, born
October 1, 1889, and Rachel Jane, born November 2, 1891. From the year
1868 until 1875, when his mother died, Mr. Gentry took the responsible
charge of his brothers and sisters, living with them and looking after
their welfare and comfort during all these years. Mr. Gentry commenced
stock-raising at first on a very small scale, but now, with Mr. Lerblance,
is the owner of 3,500 head of stock and a mercantile house furnished with
a $12,000 stock of goods, and a $3,500 gin and mill, the store and mill
at Checotah, on the Missouri, Kansas & Texas Railroad, also a half
interest in the Indian Journal, a newspaper published at Eufaula,
Creek Nation. Mr. Gentry's individual property consists of a farm of 500
acres of good land, all in cultivation, a pasture consisting of one square
mile and 300 head of cattle. He was elected to the House of Warriors in
1887, which office he holds until the present time. Mr. Gentry is three-fourths
white, five feet ten inches high, of gentlemanly deportment, has a great
many true friends, and is a man of good business education and sound
sense.
Triplett, Thomas William (p. 320) Biographical
Index
The subject of this sketch was born at Caney Creek, near
Tahlequah, May 24, 1869, the son of William Triplett, a half-breed, and
Nannie Saunders, who was almost a full-blood. Thomas, when quite young,
attended a neighborhood school close to his birthplace until, moving to
Tahlequah in 1878, he went to the public school for one year, after which,
in 1879, he entered the national seminary, graduating and securing his
B. A. under Professor Davis in 1886. On leaving the seminary, he was appointed
for a while as deputy district clerk of the district of Tahlequah, but
soon after commenced school teaching at Rabbit Trap, Going Snake district.
During the five years that have elapsed since then, Mr. Triplett was appointed
to the following schools for shorter or longer periods --- Spring Creek,
Payne Spring (two terms), Fort Gibson and Saga School, which last position
he did not take owing to his having received a better appointment. When
the Bushyhead party got into power, Mr. Triplett was appointed clerk of
the committee on insane asylums by William Henricks, which office he held
for two years. On the change of administration which followed, he was appointed
for the same length of time as interpreter for the committee on the Cherokee
Advocate. In 1890 he was appointed special secretary of the treasury,
and interpreter for same, which office he held until November, 1891, when
he was elected district clerk of Tahlequah district, and in this capacity
will serve for two terms. Mr. Triplett is a young man of great promise,
well educated for his age, and possessing plenty of pluck and ambition.
He is one of the most popular of the young men now in office, and his star
is in the ascendant. His father is a member of the committee appointed
to negotiate with the Cherokee United States Commission.
Jackson, Wayman C. (pp. 154, 155, 156)
Biographical
Index
The subject of this sketch was the second son of Columbus
Jackson and Virginia Appleberry. Wayman attended public school until he
was thirteen years of age, when he went to the Baptist College, Louisiana,
Missouri, for one year, and from there to the Morgan H. Luney Male School,
at Fayetteville, Arkansas, where he remained eighteen months, finishing
his education after a two years' sojourn at the Arkansas State University.
Leaving this institute in 1874, he spent one year in Texas, after which
he commenced the study of law at Fayetteville, at A. M. Wilson's office
(Wilson is a member of the Cherokee Commisssion). In 1876 and 1877 he studied
law with Henderson & Shields, of St. Louis, and while there took a
course of lectures at Washington University. Returning to Fayetteville,
Ark., he was admitted to the bar, and there commenced practicing. In 1881
he was elected mayor of the city, and was re-elected the following year.
In 1884 he ran for the Senate, in Washington County, on the Democratic
ticket, and was beaten by a few votes. In 1885 he was again elected mayor
of Fayetteville, it having just been chartered as a city of the second
class. Resigning the office of mayor in 1886, Mr. Jackson returned to the
practice of law at Fort Smith, Arkansas, in connection with Colonel E.
C. Boudinot, and in 1889 formed partnership with Mr. Hinds, of Muskogee,
moving to that locality January 1, 1890. Mr. Jackson and his partner are
now practicing in the United States Courts of the Indian Territory, where
they have a large practice and an excellent reputation. Mr. Jackson is
unmarried, and a young man of gentlemanly appearance and address, possessing
an extensive knowledge of the law, considering his age, and with a fine
prospect before him. He is five feet ten and a half inches in height and
weighs 200 pounds.
Grayson, Colbert (pp. 156, 157)
Biographical
Index
The subject of this sketch was born at Elk Creek, south
of Muskogee, in 1845, and is the eldest son of Elijah Grayson and Louina
Scott. In 1853 he was sent to Asberry Mission, and remained there until
the outbreak of the war, joining the Confederate service in 1863. In 1865
he married Mary Elizabeth Steward, second daughter of R. W. Steward, a
white man who had come from Kentucky to this country in 1844. By this marriage
he had six children, only one of whom has survived, named Charley Coleman,
born December, 1873. His wife dying in January, 1879, he married in the
fall of the same year Mrs. Posey, a white woman, widow of the late Wm.
M. Posey, by whom he has two boys and one girl: Edmond T., born June, 1880;
Louina Antoinette, born May, 1887; and Grover Cleveland, born December,
1890. Mr. Grayson has been a farmer since the war. In 1883 he was elected
to the House of Warriors, and in 1887 was re-elected, serving until 1889,
when he resigned for the office of District Inspector of Wewoka District,
which office he still holds. Mr. Grayson is a man of sound education and
very intelligent. He is one of the best interpreters in the nation, and
has held the office of United States Interpreter at Fort Smith for one
year, and could have held it permanently had he so desired. He is one-third
white, but shows more of the Indian, is five feet eight inches in height,
robust in build, and of good appearance. He has about seventy-five acres
in cultivation, a good comfortable home and sufficient stock for his own
use. He lives sixty-five miles southwest of Okmulgee, at the mouth Little
River.
Adair, Penelope (pp. 316, 317)
Biographical
Index
The subject of this sketch is the wife of John Thompson
Adair, recently deceased, whose portrait and biography will be found elsewhere
in this volume. Mrs. Penelope Adair is the daughter of Jesse Mayfield,
of South Carolina, who married Sarah, daughter of Caleb Starr, of Tennessee.
Her parents emigrated to this nation in 1839 with the Bushyhead detachment.
In January, 1840, Penelope Mayfield married John Thompson Adair, and they
settled near Tulu, Washington County, Arkansas, near the Indian Territory
line, beside the present family home. Mrs. Adair had a family of nine children,
two having died in infancy. Her oldest child, Jesse M. Adair, was born
November 28, 1841, then followed Rachel Lavina, Sarah R., Oscar F., Edward
Everett, John H. and Samuel Houston, the youngest, who is slightly over
thirty years of age. Mrs. Adair's sons are all prosperous men, doing for
themselves, the younger one remaining at the old home to look after his
mother. Mrs. Adair is the remains of a remarkably pretty woman, having
all the marks of culture and refinement. She is at present in poor health,
owing to the recent loss of her husband, who died last December at the
advanced age of seventy-nine years.
Campbell, William Ross (p. 317) Biographical
Index
The subject of this sketch was born September 17, 1868,
at Webber's Falls, second son of Rev. Charles H. Campbell, a half-breed
Cherokee and belonging to the Methodist Indian Mission Conference. His
mother was a Miss Lowrey, a half-breed and grand-daughter of Second Chief
Mayor George Lowrey. William attended public school until he was twelve
years of age, when he went to work for M. R. Brown, a druggist, at Fort
Gibson. With him he remained four years, and went to school at the Presbyterian
Mission, at Fort Gibson, for one year. After that he began serving his
time to the saddlery and harness trade under David Andre, a Cherokee, and
the first of his people who ever followed that business. Leaving Fort Gibson
after eighteen months, he entered the employment of R. C. Fuller, at Tahlequah,
where he remained two years, and in 1888 moved to Chouteau, where he began
the saddlery business on his own resources, and is carrying it on at the
present day. Mr. Campbell is a young man of gentlemanly appearance and
affable manners. He is very fairly educated, and is looked upon as one
of the finest workmen at his trade in the Indian Territory.
Gray, Valentine (pp. 311, 312) Biographical
Index
The subject of this sketch was born November 14, 1833,
in Jackson County, Mississippi, the fourth son of William Gray, of that
place. His mother was Elizabeth, daughter of Andrew Frash. Valentine was
sent to the public school until he was seventeen years of age. In 1852
he emigrated to California, where he became a farmer and stock-raiser.
Here he remained seventeen years, coming East to Chouteau, I.T., in 1869,
where he again embarked in stock-raising and agriculture, and still continues
the business. In 1875 he entered the mercantile and milling business, and
after three years' experience disposed of his interest. Mr. Gray married
Miss M. Rogers, daughter of William Rogers, a prominent Cherokee politician,
in 1857. By this marriage he had two children ---- Fannie, born July 8,
1860, and Annie D. born November 13, 1862. Mr. Gray owns some 1,200 head
of cattle, 200 acres in cultivation and 60 acres in pasture, besides a
comfortable home in Chouteau. He is a man of good appearance and address,
educated and intellectual. His wife is one-sixteenth Cherokee. His daughters
are both married -- one to Mr. Adair, of Pryor Creek, and the other to
Mr. Currington, of Chouteau.
Grayson, Pilot (pp. 261, 263) Biographical
Index
Pilot Grayson was born in 1852, within two miles of Eufaula,
son of James Grayson, of the Creek Nation. It was not until the close of
the war that Pilot began attending the neighborhood school, which he continued
for the space of two years, moving from thence to Cane Hill College, Arkansas,
where he remained several sessions. Returning home, he afterward went to
Howard College, Alabama, where he spent one session, and from thence went
to La Grange College, Missouri, where he continued his studies for two
years, and thus completed his education. Pilot commenced life in the capacity
of a school-teacher, and taught in the Creek Nation for about five years;
but his health began to fail and he concluded to try farming for awhile.
Meantime he was appointed examiner on the National School Board, which
office he held for four years. Soon after this he embarked in the mercantile
business in Okmulgee, the capital of the Creek Nation, in partnership with
D. A. Carr, which he continued for two years, until, selling out, he returned
to Eufaula and farmed for a few more years. Again he went to Okmulgee ---
this time to clerk for Messrs. Harrison & Carr, but did not sojourn
very long there, returning to his home and his agricultural pursuits, where
he spent another two years. Not long afterward Mr. Grayson opened a mercantile
house at Brush Hill, northwest of Eufaula, which business he is still carrying
on. In September, 1891, he purchased Dr. K. R. Cutler's mercantile interests
in Eufaula, and now personally manages the house, which has a very extensive
trade. In December, 1882, Mr. Pilot Grayson married Miss M. F. Buckner,
daughter of the Rev. H. F. Buckner, but, unfortunately after being married
but one year and three months, his wife died, leaving one child --- a boy
--- born in January, 1884, and named CC. W. Grayson. In March, 1887, he
married Mrs. A. Buckner, of Eufaula, widow of the Rev. Dr. Buckner. Mr.
Grayson is owner of a good farm of 250 acres, west of town, besides a small
stock of horses, cattle and hogs. In his Eufaula store he carries a $6,000
stock of merchandise, and is a man of good business qualifications, of
pleasant address and an education far beyond the average. He is a member
of the Baptist Church and the Masonic order.
Milford, M. E. (p. 263) Biographical
Index
The subject of this sketch was born January 12, 1856,
near Rockville, Connecticut, and came West about the outbreak of the Civil
War, where he has ever since remained. The greater portion of Mr. Milford's
life has been spent in newspaper offices, and he bears the reputation of
being a first-class newspaper man, whether in his connection with daily
or weekly newspapers. In 1884 he was induced to abandon his work on a daily
paper published in Topeka, Kansas, and instead, to assume the business
management of the Indian Chieftain, published by a stock company,
at Vinita; and since that time the aforementioned paper has largely increased
in popularity, and at present has a large circulation and advertising patronage.
Mr. Milford has, at different periods, held a number of positions of public
trusts, in which he has never failed to honorably discharge the duties
incumbent on his position. He is now a member of the Board of Trustees
for Worcester Academy, and a member of the Board of Directors of the First
National Bank, Vinita. Mr. Milford married Miss Laura A. Chesney, daughter
of Dr. Charles T. Chesney, of Topeka, Kansas, by whom he has one child,
Lucille, born March 17, 1891. Mr. Milford is a gentleman of refinement,
affable in manner, kind and hospitable to all, which accounts for the many
friends he has made in the Indian Territory.
Lipe, C. C. (pp. 310, 311) Biographical
Index
The subject of this sketch was born March 10, 1847, near
Tahlequah, Cherokee Nation, third son of O. W. Lipe, of Fort Gibson. His
mother was a Miss Gunter, daughter of John Gunter, a citizen by marriage,
and once owner of the town of Guntersville, on the Tennessee River, in
Alabama. Clark Lipe attended the public schools until he was fifteen years
of age. After the outbreak of the war, he joined the Confederate army (in
1864), and continued in the service until its close. After much difficulty
he at last succeeded in bringing together his father's family, the members
of which had become scattered during the war, and they settled down in
1866 at Fort Gibson. In 1868 Clark went to school in Herkimer County, N.Y.,
and from thence to a commercial college at Syracuse, N.Y., after which
he returned to Fort Gibson and opened a mercantile business, which he carried
on until 1874. Mr. Lipe then moved to his present home on the Verdigris
River, and began farming and stock-raising. Mr. Lipe is also in charge
of the mercantile business of J. E. Campbell, of Nowata, Cherokee Nation.
On November 21, 1870 he married Miss Lizzie Farmore, a New Yorker, who
died in childbirth. On August 29, 1873, he married Miss Emma Thompson,
daughter of Richard Thompson and Elizabeth Thornton, a daughter of Judge
Thornton, of Illinois district. By this marriage they have six living children
---Herman, Caspar, Clinton, Beulah, Cllark C., and the youngest, less than
one year old; Herman, the oldest being sixteen. Mrs. Lipe is a lady of
education and refinement, and has taught school for several years in the
nation. Mr. Lipe is five feet seven and a half inches in height, weighs
180 pounds, and is a man of fine intellectual appearance. He is well educated
and is a superior business man. He has held the office of district clerk
in the Coowescoowee district for four years, and was defeated for the Senate
by a small majority in 1881. He was also clerk of the Council for two years
and of the Commissioner's Court for two years. Mr. Lipe owns 160 acres
of cultivated land, about 150 head of cattle, 10 head of horses and mules,
and a good stock of hogs. He has a good residence on his place, with superior
outdoor buildings.
Julian, Robert Willis (pp. 322, 323)
Biographical
Index
Robert Willlis Julian was born May 31, 1871, in Forsythe
County, Georgia, son of R. M. Julian, owner of the Chatahoochie mines and
one of the gold mines near Marietta (same State), in which John Winters
is part proprietor. Robert's mother was a Miss Susan Willis, daughter of
Captain Priestly Willis, of Dawson county, Georgia, a descendant of the
Doherty family, the issue of the first white man that ever married a Cherokee.
Robert first attended school at Ringgold, Murray County, Georgia, for one
year, after which he was a pupil in the public institutions at Marietta,
Shylo and Bethlehem, and later at the high schools of Chester and Gainesville,
Georgia, graduating at Moore's Business University, Atlanta, 1887. IN 1889
he went to Going Snake district, Cherokee Nation, and spent six months
at the Baptist Mission School, after which he moved to Checotah, and soon
became a commercial traveler, spending twelve months or more in Kentucky,
Tennessee, Georgia and Florida. Mr. Julian returned to Checotah in June,
1891, and in connection with his brother, Edwin C. Julian, of St. Louis,
became an extensive hay contractor. He has also been a member of the Peerless
Cotton Seed Company, of Atlanta, Georgia, and at the death of Henry W.
Grady, one of the partners, withdrew from the firm, accepting Arkansas,
Texas and Indian Territory as his share. Mr. Julian has been most successful
in the sale of this marvelous cotton seen (the Peerless), which has been
known to yield as much as four bales to an acre. Mr. Julian and his brother
Edwin are about to start a mercantile business on a large scale, making
headquarters at Muskogee, with branch supply stores at various points on
the Missouri, Kansas & Texas Railroad in the Creek and Cherokee Nations.
One of the most picturesque and perhaps the oldest relic among the Cherokees
is in possession of this gentleman, and at present desposited in the Constitution
building, Atlanta. It is a marble ball erected on a pedestal of the same
mineral, about three feet in height and weighs 294 pounds. It was wrought
by hand by a Cherokee named James Daniel and an Englishman, and somehow
fell into the possession of Bailey F. Julian, grandfather of the subject
of this sketch. Mr. Julian was elected as a committee clerk in November,
1891, but his services, as well as those of nine others elected to clerk
for the various Senate committees, were dispensed with, owing to the passage
of a resolution to cut down all unnecessary expense. Mr. Julian is a well
educated young man, with plenty of ambition and a good prospect before
him. He is still unmarried.
Bell, Lucien B. (Hooley) (pp. 314, 315,
316) Biographical
Index
The well-known Lucien B. (otherwise Hooley) Bell was
born February 13, 1838, in Habersham County, Georgia, the son of John A.
Bell and Jane Martin, daughter of John Martin, first chief justice of the
Cherokee Nation. Lucien was first sent to school at Ozark Institute, where,
after some time, his health and eyesight failing, he was obliged to leave
and sojourn for a while in Rusk County, Texas. Recovering his health in
1856, he entered college at Cane Hill, Arkansas, and there remained until
1858, and at the age of twenty he married. In 1861 he joined the Confederate
service, under Colonel Stand Watie, and in 1863 was appointed by the same
officer to negotiate with the Confederate authorities for provisions, cotton,
stores, etc., for the Southern Cherokee army. At the termination of the
war, he went back to Rusk County, Texas, and planted a cotton crop, which,
like a large majority of others that season, turned out a failure. In 1867
he moved to Delaware district, Cherokee Nation, and farmed for three years.
In 1870 he went to Tahlequah and bcame clerk of an extra session of the
Senate, and was re-elected three terms (six years successively). In 1877
he was appointed a member of the board of education and served two years,
resigning in 1879. Mr. Bell was then appointed by Treasurer Bushyhead to
look after the revenue of the strip, and was the first man who proved the
possibility of deriving revenue from that source. Over $800,000 has been
collected and handed in up to last year. The years of 1880, 1881 and 1882
were passed by Mr. Bell in agricultural pursuits. In 1883 he was sent as
commissioner to Okmulgee, the Creek capital, to dissuade the Creeks from
selling Oklahoma. Later on he was choosen one of a committee of five Cherokees
to attend a grand council of all the tribes at Eufaula. In the winter of
the same year he was ssent as delegate to Washington by Chief Bushyhead.
Mr. Bell was first elected to the Senate in 1885, to represent the Delaware
district, and was re-elected three consecutive terms, his time expiring
in November, 1891. During his first and third terms Mr. Bell was president
of the Senate. In the warm contest between Mayes and Bushyhead, November,
1887, when the latter refused to vacate his seat, and a quorum could not
be effected for the counting of the votes, Mr. Bell with his party entered
the executive office and turned over the official seal to Mayes, who was
thereupon sworn in, while Bushyhead retired with as good a grace as could
be expected under the circumstances. In 1886 Mr. Bell was delegated to
Washington by Chief Mayes. In the various important issues that have been
brought before the Cherokees in the past ten years Mr. Bell has taken an
active part. He is a man of great energy and pluck, aggressive and obstinate
in disposition, yet, withal, a statesman of no ordinary ability. His popularity
is indicated by the number of high offices which he has held in the government
since 1870.
Austin, William Livingston (pp. 317,
319, 320) Biographical
Index
William Livingstone Austin was born November 9, 1830,
at Trincomalee, Ceylon Island, East Indies, the son of Dr. William Austin,
of the Queen's Own Regiment and a hero of Waterloo. His mother was daughter
of Lieutenant-Colonel William Morris. When the subject of our sketch was
an infant in arms, his mother, en route homeward with the regiment, touched
at the island of St. Helena, and being fatigued while visiting the great
Napoleon's last quarters, was placed upon the bed of the departed hero.
Thus W. L. Austin had the honor of sleeping on Napoleon's bed. His uncle,
Robert Austin, surgeon of the frigate Shannon, was in the memorable contest
with the Chesapeake off Boston Harbor. After the battle the Shannon towed
the Chesapeake to Halifax, Nova Scotia, where Austin's father was stationed,
and he assisted Surgeon Robert Austin in caring for the American and English
wounded. His sister, Mary Austin, married David Ross, grandson of Lord
Ross, who was killed at Baltimore. The subject of this sketch was educated
at Fulham, London, for four years, and completed his studies at Lennoxville,
Canada, under the tutorship of Sir Jaspar Nicolls, B. A., University of
Oxford. William L. entered commercial life in Montreal, Canada, at the
same time that his father was living at Sherbrook, side by side with Jefferson
Davis ---these gentlemen being stanch friends. On leaving Canada young
Austin went West with gun and dog in search of hunting and adventure, and
found himself after twelve months in Harrisonville, Cass County, Missouri.
Here he taught school for two sessions, and at length embarked in commerce
with John Cummins, late of Paris, Texas. On January 4, 1854, in the same
town, he married Miss Susan Elizabeth Keller, a Virginian, closely related
to the Prices of Missouri. By this marriage he has two children --- Myra
(Mrs. Allen) and Mary Ross Potter, widow of Warren Potter, late assistant
postmaster of Kansas City. Mr. Austin devoted many years to commercial
enterprises, representing prominent business firms in New York, Cincinnati,
St. Louis and Kansas City. He was a commercial tourist, and has ridden
out of St. Louis before the days of railroads. In the spring of 1873, while
traveling near Okmulgee, his camp was burned and his property destroyed,
whereupon Captain Severs employed him in his store, and he remained at
the Creek capital for five years. Afterward he opened business in Shawneetown,
and there traded for a year and a half, until 1880, when he became accidentally
involved in a shooting scrape in Muskogee one night, and was shot in the
leg. The scuffle resulted in his being taken to Fort Smith and put to such
heavy expense that it broke him up in business. Since then he has traveled
for various business firms through the Indian Territory. Indeed, since
youth, he has been more or less associated with Indian people, preferring
the natural life as exhibited by them to the artificial life of society.
They have always treated him with hospitality, while he, in his humble
way, has assisted them so far as lay within the limits of his power. In
1878 and 1879 Mr. Austin accompanied the Creek delegation to Washington,
D. C. His family is located at McAlester, Choctaw Nation. His wife is greatly
admired, being regarded as a model of refinement and amiability, while
Mr. Austin himself is a gentleman of rare education, though not the less
a sportsman --- devoted passionately to the rod and gun.
Parks, Hon. George W. (pp. 260, 261) Biographical
Index
Hon. G. W. Parks, deceased, supreme judge of the Cherokee
Nation, was born in Monroe County, Tennessee, March 20, 1820, and emigrated
with his father and family to the present nation in 1838. George received
a common school education, and at eighteen years of age was appointed wagon
master by Gen. Winfield Scott, who conducted the Cherokees to their homes
in the Indian Territory. George remained in the new country two years,
after which he returned home, and at his father's death embarked in the
dry goods business in 1840, in Cleveland, Tennessee, on a capital of $4,000.
Remaining there until October, 1867, he sold out and came West, but the
war had shattered his fortune and he arrived in the nation with only two
good wagons and teams and $9 in money, his family consisting of a wife
and eight children. During the war he had served in Wheeler's Cavalry,
Joseph E. Johnson's army, and participated in a number of battles. In 1852
he joined the Masonic fraternity at Cleveland, Tennessee, and there took
the Royal Arch Degrees, filling almost all the stations of the Blue Lodge
and Chapter, but since coming West he has never affiliated with the order.
Judge Parks married Miss Louisa Spriggs, August 9, 1844. She was the daughter
of Ezekiel Spriggs, her mother being a McCoy, of Scotch descent. Mrs. Parks
is a most charitable and hospitable lady and a loving wife. Their family
consists of six children, two having died some years ago. The survivors
are named Susan Caroline, Samuel C., Lucy Cordelia, Dondina, George W.
and Ruth. In 1880 Mr. Parks was elected associate supreme judge of the
Cherokee Nation, and held the position until his death, which occured November,
1883. Judge Parks, on his mother's side, was descended from Lord Fox, an
English nobleman, who married a Cherokee at the time that the British troops
garrisoned Charleston, North Carolina. Her maiden name was Taylor. The
judge's father was Samuel Parks, of Irish descent, who died in Bradley
County, Tennessee, in 1841. Judge Parks, during his active and not unromantic
life, enjyed several prominent positions in the old State, among them the
office of mayor of Cleveland, Tennessee, which he held for six years. In
appearance he was rather tall, possessing sharp angular features and gray
eyes. He was a temperate man, and of a sociable disposition, while in his
capacity of judge he is reputed to have acquitted himself honorably, wisely
and conscientiously.
Byrd, Governor William L. (pp. 321, 322)
Biographical
Index
The life of William L. Byrd has undergone many changes
within the past three years. His early career of uneventful peace has given
place to one of excessive turbulence. The quiet, plodding business man
of long ago is now metamorphosed into a ruler whose every action is looked
forward to with something very much akin to dread. His recent conduct in
the disfranchisement of the white citizens was alone sufficient to gain
him notoriety. But let us commence at the beginning.
William L. Byrd, from the most reliable information, was
born in Poutotoe, Mississippi, being the son of John Byrd, a white man
and Mary Moore, of Chickasaw and Irish descent. Some of Mr. Byrd's political
opponents declare him to have been a white child, adopted in infancy by
the family; but we do not see any grounds for this supposition. In youth
William was sent to school at Pine Ridge, Choctaw Nation, and later to
the Chickasaw Male Academy. The first office he held in the service of
his country was that of representative, in 1867, and afterward draughsman
of the House for two sessions. At this time he was residing in the Choctaw
Nation. Moving to Stonewall in 1875, he was elected one of three in 1887
to revise the Chickasaw laws. In 1881 he was appointed school superintendent,
and in 1882 was elected delegate to Washington; was national agent until
1885, and the following year was a candidate for the governorship against
William Guy, ex-Governor Wolf, B. C. Burris, Palmer Moseley and R. L. Boyd.
The result was considerably in Guy's favor; but, as usual, when a candidate
fails to secure a majority of the total votes cast, the matter was referred
to the Legislature, and Guy was elected by only one majority over Byrd.
In 1888 the race between Byrd and Guy was again run, resulting as before;
but Byrd's party being in a majority in the legislature body, they resolved
to contest the election, and so doing, cast out a score of devils in the
shape of illegal votes, electing Byrd by a majority of forty-eight. Here
was a repetition of the Overton-Harris affair, and which was followed by
disagreeable results, the United States being called upon to decide the
quarrel. Here, again, Byrd was victorious, Uncle Sam being partial to the
man of sober aspect and business parts. In 1890, when Sam Paul was in the
arena as a representative candidate of the Progressive party, Governor
Byrd met him in the lists and defeated him by an immense majority. The
disfranchisement of the white voters accounts for this majority, for had
the latter been permitted to vote, Paul must undoubtedly have been the
victor. In less than a week after the election, the report was passed far
and wide that Byrd had been assassinated; but no attempt of the kind has
ever come to light. The governor declares his intention of looking after
the interests of all his people, without respect to their political creed,
nor will he interfere with the landed rights of the white citizens. This
he has declared to the writer of this present biography. Governor Byrd
entered the mercantile business in 1873, at Doaksville, and moved to Stonewall,
where he has been doing an immense business. He has 300 acres under cultivation
and 1,000 head of graded cattle. In 1862 he married Susan Folsom, daughter
of David Folsom, ex-chief of the Choctaws, but has no family. The children
of his neighbors, of whom he is extremely fond, rejoice in climbing to
the knees of the big, good-natured man, while he is reading what the press
has to say about his barbarous treatment of the white man. Governor Byrd,
on his mother's side, is of the house of In-cun-no-mar.
Smith, John A. (p. 460) Biographical
Index
The subject of this sketch was born September 12, 1846,
at Williamstown, Massachusetts, eldest son of Joseph Smith, of Vermont,
a prominent mechanic of that State. John's mother was a Miss Cope. John
attended public school until he was seventeen years, after which he went
to railroading, and from 1861 to 1867 continued that business, when he
went West to the Cherokee Nation, and was appointed deputy marshal under
Marshal Roots Sarber. He rode for the first court ever held in Fort Smith,
serving during two terms of Marshal Buttons' office. There are at present
only two (including Mr. Smith) of the first deputies who survived the perils
attached to the commission in those days. In 1874 Mr. Smith gave up his
commission and opened a farm in Coowescowee district. In 1888 he opened
a grocery business in Chelsea. April 15, 1873, he married Miss Susan Williams,
daughter of L. B. Williams, a Cherokee by intermarriage in the Bigbee family.
Mr. and Mrs. Smith have but one surviving child, Addie, born March 16,
1875. Mrs. Smith is a lady of refinement, gentle and kindly in disposition.
Mr. Smith is above the middle height; a man of natural intelligence and
good business qualifications. He is owner of 30 head of cattle, some mules,
horses, and 160 acres in cultivation. His stock in trade is worth about
$1,000, while he has a comfortable residence near Chelsea, at his farm,
and several town lots.
Smith, John M. (p. 436) Biographical
Index
John M. Smith was born December 2, 1834, in New York
County, the son of Harvey D. Smith and Miss S. Cook, of the same county.
John attended public school until the age of eighteen years, after which
he devoted himself to agriculture, until his twentieth year, when he became
a frontiersman and spent many years on the Texas border. In 1857 he went
to Missouri, and began the nursery business, and in 1866 moved to the Cherokee
Nation, settling at Fort Gibson, where he was employed by the government
as wagon boss. In 1868 he commenced the nursery business in Tahlequah,
and carries it on until the present day. Mr. Smith has been known for many
years by the title of "Apple Tree Smith," and has sold over 75,000 trees
in the Indian Territory, and these of the very finest quality only. Mr.
Smith married Miss Evaline Martin, daughter of H. Martin, and connected
with many of the oldest Cherokee families. By this marriage he has nine
children, five of whom are girls. These young ladies are all natural musicians;
the eldest, Susie, as a musical genius is quite a wonder, and compares
favorably with Blind Tom, the celebrated pianist. Mr. Smith owns a farm
of 200 acres, 100 head of cattle and 16 head of horses and mules, eighteen
miles from Tahlequah. He also owns 300 acres of land, 200 of which are
in cultivation, within two miles of Tahlequah. Mr. Smith has recently commenced
dealing in pianos and organs, and is doing a very fair trade, and dealing
only in the best instruments. Mr. Smith is six feet high, weighs 175 pounds,
and a strong, healthy man, being both active and energetic. Few men in
the territory are better known than "Apple Tree Smith."
Taylor, Thomas Fox (pp. 460, 461) Biographical
Index
The subject of this sketch was born in East Tennessee,
in 1818, the eldest son of Richard Taylor, half Cherokee. His mother was
a Miss McDaniel, a white lady. Thomas Fox was educated at the missionary
schools of Tennessee, and at the Nashville and Knoxville colleges. At an
early age he became a prominent politician, being endowed with a rare fluency
of speech both in English and Cherokee. His first offices were those of
clerk of the house and interpreter, after which he was elected to the house
as a representative, and afterwards to the senate, unfortunately, however,
he was killed in a skirmish near Fort Gibson during the civil war. He was
lieutenant-colonel of Stand Watie's brigade when he was killed. Thomas
Fox Taylor was not only a natural orator, but a brilliant wit, and the
center of attraction wherever he went. He was a dashing officer, and invariably
the leader when any adventure or enterprise was to be undertaken. Thomas
Fox Taylor's name will be long remembered and revered among his people.
Belt, Mrs. Artelle (pp. 160, 161)
Biographical
Index
The subject of this sketch is the second daughter of
Rev. E. W. King, a leading citizen of Sebastian County, Arkansas. MIss
Artelle, was born October, 1857, in Greenwood, Arkansas, and attended common
school until the age of fifteen, after which she entered the Industrial
University at Fayetteville, attending seven years, and graduating in the
classical and normal courses in June, 1880. Being well adapted for teaching,
Miss Artelle King taught school for two years in Hackett, Arkansas, and
while there obtained the admiration and affection of her pupils, and indeed,
all with whom she came in contact. During her stay in Hackett, MIss King
became acquainted with J. C. Belt, and they were married at Fort Smith,
Arkansas, December, 1883. After marriage Mrs. Belt gave up teaching, and
has since helped her husband in the mercantile business. Mrs. Belt is a
highly accomplished and most fascinating young woman, of great refinement
and amiability of disposition. Ever zealous for the right, she is a stanch
friend to the temperance cause, and all other measures and means tending
to the moral elevation of mankind.
Belt, John C. (pp. 158, 159) Biographical
Index
The subject of this sketch was born May 3, 1854, and
is the eldest son of William F. Belt and Margaret I. John's parents moved
from Tennessee to Arkansas in or about 1847, where they were in the mercantile
business. In his younger days John was sent to a neighborhood school. Leaving
his family about the year 1877, he commenced dealing in merchandise on
his own account at Sans Bois, Choctaw Nation, in which business he continued
for one year. In 1878 he moved to Hackett City, Arkansas, entering the
same line (merchandise) and successfully following it for a period of six
years. In 1884 he left there, removing to Brooken, Choctaw Nation,
and here he continued for over six years, proving himself an excellent
as well as popular merchant. In December, 1890, he opened a stock in Eufaula,
at the same time embarking in the livery business. In the August following
he commenced the erection of an extensive building, 30x112 feet, with large
ware-rooms,
and capable of holding at least $50,000 worth of stock. Although only just
opened out, this fine house is furnished with over $30,000 worth of goods,
of every possible variety, including all classes of general merchandise,
and its proprietor proposes to allow no competitor to sell goods at lower
prices. Special attention is called to his clothing department, and here
he carries a stock most varied in style and assortment. His livery stable
has just been refitted and refurnished with buggies, harness, etc., etc.
He is also agent for the McCormack mowers and reapers. Mr. Belt was married
June 24, 1876, to Miss Ida M. Kezette, stepdaughter to L. Quinn, of Fort
Smith, Arkansas. By this marriage he had two children, Willie L. and George
A., who died before he was eight months old, in September, 1879, his mother
having passed away in February of the same year. In 1884 Mr. Belt married
Miss Artelle A. King, second daughter of Rev. E. W. King (of the M. E.
Chuch, N.) of Sebastian County, Arkansas, a prominent and well-known clergyman.
Mrs. Belt is a young woman of superior education. She was teaching in the
public school at Hackett City, Arkansas, when she first met her husband.
Mr. Belt is undoubtedly one of the brightest among the young business men
of the territory, as is evidenced by the great success he has achieved
within a very few years. He is affable and courteous in manner, and is
looked upon as highly honorable in all his business transactions. He is
a member of the Masonic order, and has been for the past seven years, while
for five years or over he has been a member of the Knights of Honor.
Bell, John A. (pp. 452, 453) Biographical
Index
The subject of this sketch, father to the present Lucien
B. (Hooley) Bell, was born January 1, 1805, in South Carolina. He was the
son of John Bell, whose father was Scotch-Irish and emigrated to this country
during the persecution. John A. Bell, the subject of this sketch, was one
of the leaders of the treaty party, and one of the first signers of the
document that afterwards doomed to death Elias Boudinot and the two Ridges.
In 1837 he emigrated to the new country, and settled near Evansville, Arkansas,
in the Flint district, but during the troubles immediately preceding 1846
he sojourned in the State of Arkansas, finally making his home on Beattie's
Prairie, Cherokee Nation. In 1847 he opened a plantation in Rusk County,
Texas, and later moved his negroes on the place. Here resided his father,
John Bell, who died in the year 1853. John A. Bell was representative of
the treaty party from 1835 to 1846, and was more than once delegated to
Washington, D. C. He married Jane Martin, daughter of John Martin, who,
at different periods, was national treasurer, national delegate, and judge
at the time of his death. John A. Bell died on his property in Texas in
1860, after a useful life of fifty-five years. He was a patriot at heart,
and sincerely regretted by his people.
Childers, Ellis Buffentan (pp. 206,
208) Biographical
Index
Ellis Buffentan Childers was born January 10, 1866, the
third son of Napoleon B. Childers and Sophia Melford. N. B. Childers was
a half Cherokee and white man, adopted by the Creeks at the termination
of the war. Ellis' mother was one-fourth white and three-fourths Creek,
while his grandfather, on both sides, was of English descent. The young
man went to school at the old Tallahassee Mission in March, 1877, where
he remained three years. Afterward he went to the Government School at
Carlisle, Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, where he remained three years
and a half. During these years he acquired the printer's trade, and left
there in June, 1884. Unfortunately, however, owing to lack of means, he
was unable to return and complete his education. After he spent two years
on a cattle ranch, until 1886, when he began to assist his father in agricultural
pursuits, and with him he remained two years. In January, 1888, he married
Miss Fannie Davis, daughter of Mr. Joe Davis, a United States citizen,
by whom he had two children--- Walter aged two years, and Irene, one year.
In 1887 he was elected a member of the House of Warriors (the youngest
member of the Lower House), and in 1891 was again elected for a further
term of four years. Mr. Childers first becmae prominent in the House by
his defense of the present chief, when the Muskogee party used every effort
to impeach him. The young man's defense was a remarkable effort for one
of his years and experience, and will go far in rendering him popular with
his party. Mr. Childers owns about 50 head of cattle, 28 head of horses,
200 to 300 head of hogs, some good mules, and 60 acres of improved farm.
He is now adding to this 150 acres of fine bottom land. Mr. Childers is
a member of a stock company known as the Childers-Wilson Pasture Company.
He belongs to the Presbyterian Church, and is a young man of bright intellect
and pleasant manners. This young man was admitted to the bar in 1887, and
has been practicing since that time --- the title of the firm is known
as Childers & Mingo. This firm has a large practice, and Mr. Childers
bids fair to shine in his profession in the near future.
Gibbs, Joseph L. (pp. 208, 209) Biographical
Index
The subject of this sketch was born February 20, 1835,
in Chillicothe, O., the only son of James L. Gibbs, a merchant tailor.
Joseph's mother was a Miss Donohoe, daughter of Amos Donohoe, of Leesburg,
Va. Joseph went to school until fifteen years of age, when he began to
learn the blacksmith's trade. In 1856 he stated business for himself at
Clarksburg, Ohio, but moved his shop, in 1858, to Mattoon, Illinois, where
he worked for twenty-three years. Then moving to Independence, Kansas,
in September, 1881, he remained until the spring of 1884, when, moving
to Claremore, Indian Territory, he reopened his shop, and in March, 1888,
started hotel-keeping. He is now proprietor of the Pacific House, the principal
hotel in Claremore. Mr. Gibbs married Miss M. J. Scoot, daughter of Dr.
Archibald Scoot, of Tipton, Ohio, by whom he has five living children ---
Joseph L., James F., Edward H., Charlotte and Etta F. Mr. Gibbs stands
five feet eight and a half inches and weighs 140 pounds. He is a man of
good business capacity and is popular in his own town, as is also Mrs.
Gibbs, who is a lady of kind and charitable disposition, a good business
manager and a gentle and loving wife and mother.
Ewing, Peter R. (pp. 209, 210) Biographical
Index
Peter Ewing was born in 1860, the eldest son of Chuffee
(which, in English, means rabbit), who was born in Georgia about 1816,
and emigrated to the Creek Nation in 1833. His mother came from the same
place, but died in 1878, a devout member of the Baptist Church. Peter attended
a neighborhood school from the time he was thirteen years of age until
sixteen, after which he went to Asberry Mission, near Eufaula, where he
remained until 1880. After leaving that institution he assisted his father
in agriculture for three months, and then went to school at Louisville,
Ky., for six months, and from thence to the William Jewell College, at
Liberty, Clay County, Missouri. Here he remained two years, until his health
failed and he was obliged to return home. In 1882 he began clerking for
G. W. Brodie, of Okmulgee, and after six months, moved to Muskogee, where
he worked for Mr. Sanger in his mercantile establishment. Returning
to his father's home, he again went to school, this time to the Indian
Baptist Mission, where he finished his Sophomore course. Leaving there
in 1886, he commenced teaching public school in Eufaula district, which
position he held until 1891, when he accepted an appointment in the mercantile
house of J. C. Belt, Eufaula. On December 22, 1890, Mr. Ewing married Miss
Susan McComb, third daughter of Rev. William McComb, of the Baptist Church
and a half-blood Creek. Mrs. Ewing is three-fourths Creek and one-fourth
white ---- a young lady of prepossessing appearance, good manners and address,
and a bright scholar. She was a teacher in the Eufaula district for three
years, and is president of the Baptist Missionary Society of the Seminole
and Wichita Association, which position she has held for three years. Mr.
Ewing is a member of the Baptist Church and the Masonic Order. He has fifty
acres of improved farm a few miles from town, and a small bunch of cattle.
He is a young man of intelligence and ambition and is rapidly qualifying
himself for business pursuits. Mr. Ewing's father has been, since 1866,
pastor of the West Eufaula Baptist Church, and is widely known for the
extensive Christian work he has accomplished; and, although an old man,
he is still active and energetic. He is related to the late Judge Stidham,
of Eufaula. Mr. Ewing has never had any political aspirations.
Navin, William, M.D. (p. 206) Biographical
Index
The subject of this biography was born December, 1850,
in Jersey County, Illinois, the fifth son of James Navin, of Jersey County.
His mother was a Miss Barker, of Alabama. William attended public school
until he was eighteen years of age, after which he began teaching school
in Calhoun County, Illinois, where he remained one year, and then engaged
in the study of medicine at the St. Louis Medical College. Graduating and
securing his diploma in 1872, he began practicing at his home and there
remained until 1876, when he moved to Rush County, Kansas. Resuming his
profession, he continued to practice in Kansas and Colorado until 1881,
when he moved to Coodey's Bluff, Cherokee Nation. In 1883 he married Miss
Newcome, eldest daughter of Artemus Newcome, of Delaware Reservation (now
in the State of Kansas). Mrs. Navin is connected with the Conner family,
of Delaware, and is a lady of good education and refinement. By this marriage
there are three living children --- James, William and Ettie --- ranging
from six months to six years of age. Dr. Navin has 250 acres in cultivation,
and a small herd of cattle, horses and hogs. The doctor is a fine, intellectual-looking
man, six feet two inches high, and weighing 225 pounds. As a physician
he stands high, while he is very popular as a citizen.
Kornegay, Wade Hampton (p. 452) Biographical
Index
Wade H. Kornegay was born April 17, 1865, in North Carolina,
son of H. R. Kornegay and Miss Jeanette Williams. Mr. Kornegay was a leading
lawyer, and served as high sheriff and clerk of the superior court, during
and after the war. Until the age of fourteen, Wade was sent to the academies
and high schools of his native county, and at fifteen, entered the Wake
Forest College, Wake County, North Carolina, where he remained until he
graduated in A.M., at the age of nineteen. After that he taught school
four years, being principal of the Richland high school. In 1889 he took
a summer law course at the University of Virginia, and from there went
to Vanderbilt University, Tennessee, where in one year he took the regular
two years' course, graduating in June, 1890, wiht the degree of LL. B.
After twelve months spent in travel through the South-wester States and
Territories, Mr. Kornegay located at Vinita, Indian Territory, where he
is now practicing in the Federal courts. Mr. Kornegay is a gentleman of
good address and agreeable manners, possessed of a superior classical education,
and gifted with all those attributes necessary to the make-up of a successful
lawyer. He is popular in his community and has a very fair practice.
Lipe, Oliver W. (pp. 211, 212) Biographical
Index
The subject of this sketch was born January, 1814, in
Montgomery county, New York, the son of John C. Lipe, and grandson of Caspar
Lipe, who emigrated to the country in 1710. Oliver, with his parents, settled
on the Mohawk River, but he left home in 1835 en route to Santa Fe, New
Mexico. He stopped off at Boonville, Mo., however, and after some time
found his way to Georgia, where he enlisted in the public works --- Georgia
Union Railroad Company --- and became a contractor. In 1837 he went to
Athens, Tennessee, and the following year rode on horseback from that point
to the present site of Tahlequah, Cherokee Nation, and was present when
the first constitutional convention was held in that nation. Mr. Lipe married
Miss Kate Gunter, a half-breed, in 1839, by whom he had three children
--- D. W. Lipe, Catherine (Mrs. C. Blaackstone), and Clark C. Lipe. For
some years Mr. Lipe followed carpentering and farming till 1850, when he
embarked in the mercantile business, and continued the same until 1880,
being located at Tahlequah until 1866, after which he moved to Fort Gibson,
where he now resides. In 1870 Mr. Lipe erected a grist and saw mill, which
he ran until 1882. In 1881 he married Mrs. Belle Manuel, at Fayetteville,
Arkansas, daughter of H. G. Cardwell, of Tennessee, by whom he has no family.
At the age of eighteen years Mr. Lipe received a lieutenant's commission
in New York State troops, and that of captain of the Nineteenth Regiment,
Fourteenth Brigade, at nineteen years of age. In 1862 he served with the
Confederacy as commissary for Stand Watie's command for several years.
During the campaign he was present at the Battle of Wilson Creek and several
scratch fights, among them the engagement near the bayou where John G.
Lipe and Col. T. F. Taylor were slain. The first office held by Mr. Lipe
in the Cherokee Nation was that of clerk to a court, before the adoption
of the constitution. He happened to be riding past when Judge Jesse Bushyhead
was trying a man for theft. Being called upon to act as clerk he accepted,
and as a result was made an unwilling witness to the administration of
fifty lashes on the bare back of the unfortunate culprit. In 1879 he was
appointed commissioner for the high schools, which office he held for two
years. In earlier days Mr. Lipe was repeatedly requested to fill various
appointments, but he feared to accept of them owing to his slight knowledge
of the language. His son, D. W. Lipe, is a prominent politician. He has
been treasurer and is Senator of the Coowescowee district, and is an extensive
stock owner and farmer.
Bushyhead, Dennis W. (pp. 117, 118,
119, 120) Biographical
Index
The subject of this sketch was born March 18, 1826, in
the State of Tennessee, the oldest son of Rev. Jesse Bushyhead, a well-known
Baptist divine and who was associated for many years with Rev. Evan Jones
in the translation of the Bible and other religious works. Rev. Jesse was
several times delegate to Washington, and a commissioner on other important
occasions. Dennis' mother was a Miss Eliza Wilkinson, a Georgian and half-breed
Cherokee. The young man first attended school in 1833 at the Candy Creek
Mission School, Tennessee, under charge of Rev. Holland. In 1835 he went
to the Mission School at Valley River, N.C., and remained there one year.
In 1838 his father, Rev. Jesse Bushyhead, conducted a detachment of Cherokees,
numbering 1,000 souls, from the old nation to Beattie's Prairie, Delaware
District, Indian Territory, and Dennis was among the party. In the following
year, 1839, he attended mission school at Park Hill, Cherokee Nation, under
charge of Rev. Samuel A. Worcester. Here he remained one year, after which,
in 1841, he was sent to college in New Jersey. In March of the same year
young Bushyhead joined Chief Ross' delegation to Washington to attend the
inauguration of General Harrison as President of the United States. Dennis
remained in New Jersey three years, completing his education in August,
1844, his father dying on July 17th of the same year.
In the fall of 1844 Mr. Bushyhead established a mercantile business close to where the Cherokee Orphanage is now located, which business he carried on until the spring of 1847. The following year he became Clerk of the National Committee, and in 1849 crossed the plains to California, being one of the first who ever undertook that perilous journey. During his absence he visited Sacramento, the Feather River, and various points of note, starting for San Francisco, Cal., in October, 1851, with the intention of there meeting some Cherokee friends and returning home by steamer. But they taking passage on a schooner, Dennis declined to accompany them, and , instead of returning home, went back to the mines of Callavaris County. In the meantime the ill-fated schooner was lost, while the subject of this sketch sailed for home via the Panama route, arriving safely at Fort Gibson on the last day of March, 1868, having spent eighteen years in the far West. Mr. Bushyhead opened business in Fort Gibson in 1871, and began to interest himself in politics about the same time. In November of that year he was elected treasurer of the nation, held the office four years, and was re-elected in 1875 for the following four years. In August, 1879, Mr. Bushyhead was elected Principal Chief of the Cherokees, and was re-elected in 1883 for the four years following. In 1889 and 1890 ex-Chief Bushyhead was elected Delegate to Washington, and in November of the latter year was one of the three commissioners who treated with the government in the sale of the Western Reservation.
Governor Bushyhead married Mrs. Scrimcher, of Fort Gibson, in September, 1879. By this marriage they had four children --- Jesse C., now a physician at Claremore; Eliza, Catherine and Dennis Jr.
Governor Bushyhead again married in October, 1883, his
wife being Eloise P. Butler, daughter of James L. Butler, of South Carolina
(brother to Senator Butler), and grand-niece to Commodore Perry. By this
marriage Mr. Bushyhead has two children --- James Butler, born October
6, 1884, and Francis Taylor, May 10, 1887. Mrs. Bushyhead was educated
at the national schools and completed her studies in Philadelphia. She
is a lady of great personal beauty and possessed of many accomplishments,
added to which she is a loving wife and a tender and affectionate mother.
Ex-Governor Bushyhead is a rather large, well-built man, with a fine face
indicative of strength and motive power. He was at one time a most prominent
man, but his party is out of power at the present time.
The state of the country, together with a train of circumstances, conspired to force Mr. Perryman to the front in the political arena, and he was elected member of the National Senate, which office he filled for eight years. In 1874 he became treasurer of the nation, and held the position until 1878 or 1879. It was during this period of office that a great change occurred in the religious convictions of Mr. Perryman, which led to his change of faith. Abandoning the Presbyterian, he became a staunch believer and member of the Baptist Church, and was soon afterwards ordained minister. But the political condition of the country demanded his services, and so forbid his taking an active part in missionary work, for in 1883 he was elected Governor of the Creek Nation, and held the office for four years. In 1890, although anxious to retire from politics, Mr. Perryman was again induced to accept preferment, being elected by the council to fill the responsible position of President of the Board of Education, which office he holds at present. Indeed, it appears as though he were destined to "walk in high places," by far the greater portion of his life having been spent in fulfilling executive, legislative, and administrative duties. It must not be forgotten that Mr. Perryman has also had considerable experience on the bench, having occupied the honorable position of Judge of the Supreme Courts in or about the year 1873. He was also Superintendent of Public Schools about 1866. A member of the blue lodge of Masonry, our subject has filled the offices of secretary and junior warden in that order.
September 1, 1879, Mr. Perryman married Miss Ellen Marshall,
daughter of Nicholas Marshall, who died during the war time. By his first
wife he had three children, now married, viz., Mrs. Ellen McIntosh, Mrs.
F. Allen, and Robert Perryman. His present wife was educated for a teacher,
having taught for two years before her marriage, and is at present giving
public instruction in Eufaula, where she is universally admired and respeceted.
Mr. and Mrs. Perryman have a beautiful home in Eufaula, furnished with
everything that can add to the comfort and luxury of life. They are very
popular among their people.
Leo received his education at Rugby Academy, Wilmington, Delaware, and the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, graduating in medicine at the University of Tennessee in 1883. Between the years 1869 and 1872 he served his apprenticeship in the newspaper business at Fort Smith, Arkansas.
In the fall of 1883 he removed to Eufaula, Creek Nation, where, in addition to the private practice, he was employed as United States examining surgeon for pensions and surgeon of the Missouri Pacific Railway. Dr. Bennett, on account of the illness of his father, returned to Fort Smith in the spring of 1884, and there engaged in practice. In the fall of the same year he was married, at Eufaula, to Louie, youngest daughter of Judge G. W. Stidham, Chief Justice of the Creek Nation. About six weeks afterward his father died, and this event was followed by the death of his mother eight months later. In the spring of 1885 Dr. Bennett located near Eufaula and recommenced practice. Just two years afterward he purchased the material of the Indian Journal and moved it to Eufaula. Selling out in a few months, he bought a new plant and started the Muskogee Phoenix (February, 1888), which he conducted until April, 1889, when he was appointed United States Indian Agent for the Indians of the Union Agency, embracing the five civilized tribes, which position he still holds; and at this writing (October, 1891) has been appointed "Special Disbursing Agent" to make payments to Delaware Indians of nearly a half million of dollars, and for which he gave a bond with sworn security of more than one million and a quarter dollars, filling the bond in less than twenty-four hours.
Agent Bennett owns 1,000 acres of improved farm land in the Creek Nation, besides two eighty-acre farms in Arkansas. He is also owner of good town property in Muskogee, Eufaula and Wagoner; add to this one hundred head of cattle and twenty horses. Agent Bennett is one of the incorporators and a director of the First National Bank of Muskogee, as als of the Adams Hotel Company, of the same town. He has been president of the Muskogee Live Stock Association, representing some 80,000 head of cattle, for three years. He was also President of the Indian National Fair Association in 1888.
At the present time Mr. Bennett is United States Commissioner for the Western District of Arkansas; also treasurer of the Board of United States Examining Surgeons for Pensions, at Muskogee. The subject of our sketch is a member of the Astrea Chapter, No. 14, Order of the Eastern Star. He is serving his third term as Grand Master of Masons of the Indian and Oklahoma Territories, being a member of Muskogee Lodge, No. 28. He is Grand Scribe in Muskogee Chapter, No. 3. He is also a member of the Oklahoma Council,Royal and Select Masters, and Sir Knight Generalissimo in Muskogee Commandry, No. 1; is Past Grand Chancellor and Supreme Representative of the Knights of Pythias of the Indian Territory, and a member of Phoenix Lodge, No. 3 (so named in honor of the newspaper founded by him.). Mr. Bennett has two children --- Gertie Ethel, aged six, and Louie Abie, aged four years.
In personal appearance Agent Bennett is tall and rather
slight, refined and intellectual-looking. His address and bearing indicate
refinement and an education above the average. Few men have risen so rapidly
or attained so much in such a brief period as Agent Bennett. Not only does
he stand high with the present government, but with the people of all races
and denominations. He is a gentleman of high moral rectitude and a good
Christian.
William Malcolm Guy was born at Boggy Depot, Choctaw Nation, February 4, 1845, the son of Colonel William Richard Guy, who served faithfully in the Florida war. William Malcolm Guy was sent to a neighborhood school in the Chickasaw Nation, but being of a rather wild, adventurous disposition, ran off to Mississippi, where he went to school until the breaking out of the war in 1861, when he joined the Seventeenth Mississippi Regiment under Colonel Fetherstone. In the campaign which followed from the fight at Bull's Run until the battle of Gettysburg, July 2, 1863, where the gallant young soldier was wounded in the head and had his left arm shattered by a musket ball, Guy was everywhere in the front ranks. When stricken down he lay twelve hours on the battle-field before removal to the field hospital, and it was three days before his wound was operated upon, his youth and vigorous health alone saving his life. Before his complete recovery he was made a prisoner and sent to Baltimore, where he remained until exchanged to City Point, Va. At the conclusion of the war, instead of returning home, he entered college at Marshall Institute, Mississippi, where he stayed for two years, coming back to Boggy Depot in 1868, where he found his three married sisters residing. Soon afterward he moved to Mill Creek and aided his uncle, Cyrus Harris, in the stock business. In 1870 he entered the field of politics, being elected secretary of the Chickasaw Senate, in which capacity he served six years, off and on. In 1883, he was elected Representative of his county, and in 1885 and 1886 distinguished himself in the Upper House, where he gained the reputation of being an incorruptible as well as a wise legislator.
Guy was first brought out for Governor by his uncle, ex-Governor Harris, in the summer of 1888, against William Byrd, C. E. Burris and ex-Governor Jonas Wolf; but, notwithstanding a large majority accorded to him at the polls, the race, as is usual when there are more than two candidates, resolved itself into a legislative contest of a most exciting nature, which resulted in a majority of one for Guy. The new executive had no sooner been installed than he proceeded to select officers. This he did without partiality and with due regard to their fitness, distributing the favors equally between his own political friends and those of the opposite faction; but he had no sooner done so than a member of his own cabinet, hailing from the opposite ranks, and on whom he had conferred the office because of his poverty and inability for hard work, turned upon his benefactor, and, falling into the ranks of enemy, lent himself to every scheme which might serve to damage or confuse the new administration. Following closely on this was the Governor's treaty with the Santa Fe Railroad, whereby he received, upon his own responsibility (and in accordance with the constitutional provisions), a large sum of money for the benefit of the nation, but which action was used with great efficiency to prejudice the fullbloods against him. When this was to some extent accomplished, Hon. Lem Beynolds, a statesman of unquestionable ability and the recognized central figure of the opposition group, proceeded to shake the foundation of every institution conducted by the party in power. One of the results of this move was the appointment of Professor Harley, a white man, as lessee and superintendent of the Chickasaw National Male Academy, in the room of Judge Ben Carter, brother-in-law of Governor Guy. This was accomplished by securing a majority in the Legislature.
The Byrd party, through constant misrepresentations, finally gained a decided advantage in both Houses, so that when the Governor's term had elapsed and he was again elected by a majority of fourteen of the public vote, the Legislature called for a count and ruled out sufficient names to seat William Byrd, who was duly sworn in as Governor of the Chickasaw Nation.
On the night of September 26, 1888, the deposed chieftain arrived in Tishomingo with a following of nearly two hundred men, and, placing himself in readiness for a coup d' etat, entered the capital next morning, concealing his presence until the members repaired to the House and proceeded to business. Governor Guy forced the honorable Speaker to read the election returns in the condition they were in before their alteration, and to immediately announce the result of the same, which he did after considerable hesitation --- not, however, until the Hon. Sam Paul had delivered a speech that was too logical not to have a mighty influence upon the argument. Judge Duncan was then called upon to officiate, and Guy was inaugurated governor of the nation. A little later a member of the Byrd faction, under the crafty advice of Colonel Reynolds, made a motion to adjourn sine die, which was seconded, and the members rose to their feet and hurriedly left the town. The majority of the Guy men remained at the capital for two days, after which the governor received orders from a higher power to disband his forces. About this time, while the turbulence of party spirit was at its height, Guy was waylaid and his life attempted; but, having the prudence to travel with a body-guard, he escaped death at the hands of his would-be assassin.
Soon after these occurrences Major Heath was sent from Washington to report the condition of affairs at the Chickasaw capital. On first arriving he met with Governor Byrd, and shortly afterward invited both contestants to meet him. They did so, and came to an understanding that the decision should rest with the authorities at Washington. Guy was without the shadow of a doubt as to the result. Why should he hesitate to have it settled by arbitration? The United States Indian Agent had unhesitatingly pronounced him governor by a majority of the public vote. Meanwhile the Byrd faction wore a gloomy aspect --- all save one, the placid leader himself, who could ill conceal the smile of triumph which threatened to completely over-run his countenance. At length the decision arrived, and its results was equally astonishing to both parties. Byrd was governor, not by the unanimous wish of his people, but by express desire of the United States authorities at Washington. Readers, place whatever construction you will upon the foregoing, it capable of but one rendition, and "he who runs can read." There are still some members of the Guy party who condemn their later leader for hesitating to assert his own and his people's rights; but when we consider the loss of life that such a course would necessitate, as well as its disastrous result to the tribal government, we are bound in all justice to admit that Guy acted with a moral heroism only to be met with in men of a superior stamp. Upon himself personally it was a great hardship to relinquish the leadership of his people without striking a blow, surrounded as he was by nearly three-fourths of the available fighting men of his country.
The deposed governor made a few comments about the state
of affairs; but, viewing the situation philosophically, and pleased that
none had suffered to gratify his ambition, retired to his bachelor home,
and there, with his usual energy and industry, spent the two years which
followed in the extension and improvement of his farm. Soon afterward the
press announced to a numerous circle of relatives and acquaintances that
ex-Governor William Malcolm Guy had broken the bonds of celibacy by marriage
with Miss Maggie Jane Lindsay, daughter of the late John Lindsay, Knoxville,
Tenn., a pretty and refined young lady of nineteen years of age. The ceremony
was performed within the limits of the home circle, at the residence of
his brother-in-law, Judge B. W. Carter, at Ardmore, only the old bachelors
of his acquaintance being invited to be present on the occasion.
Ward, Darius E. (pp. 128, 129) Biographical
Index
The subject of this sketch was born November 23, 1854,
at Beattus Prairie, near Mayesville, on the line of the Cherokee Nation.
Darius was the eldest son of the Rev. James Ward, the first Moravian missionary
that came among the Cherokees. He married a grand-daughter of Chief Lowrey,
illustrious in the nation's history. Darius Ward is therefore a Cherokee
by blood. In 1862 his father was assassinated, close to his home,
whle hunting some stray stock. The country was in a state of political
agitation at the time, and numerous murders were committed. The above outrage
was perpetrated by a party of "Pin" Indians, who followed up their crime
by visiting the house of the dead minister and forcing Mrs. Ward and her
family of helpless children to mount on horseback and accompany them twenty-five
miles into the wilderness, away from any human habitation. Here they were
left to their fate, and would, no doubt, have perished, were it not for
a special providence which endowed the mother with a courage and fortitude
sublime. The love for her children was such that the unfortunate lady made
almost superhuman efforts to retrace her steps, and, strange as it may
appear, struck a direct path for home, reaching there in two days, having
carried two of her children every step of the way. Finding the house deserted
on her arrival, and ready to sink with weariness, she started out with
her oldest boy in search for her husband. They had not gone more than a
quarter of a mile before they found the remnants of his body scattered
over a considerable tract, having been torn to pieces by the wolves. His
shirt was also discovered, and found to contain a number of bullet holes.
The terrible shock which followed the event, in a very short time caused
death to this heroic and devoted mother. Being a stanch adherent to the
Moravian church, she expressed a wish that her children should be brought
up under the guidance of the church, consequently Darius, the subject of
our sketch, was sent to Nazareth Hall, Nazareth, Northampton County, Pennsylvania,
where he spent five years in being educated, with several Cherokee boys
of the Ross family. From there Darius moved to Bethlehem, Pennsylvania,
where he was apprenticed to William Walp & Co., cabinetmakers. Here
he remained four years and a half, after which he went to Philadelphia,
where he began house-carpentering under instruction, and returned to Bethlehem
in the fall of 1875, where he married Miss Sarah C. Ritter of that place.
In 1876 he removed to Vinita, Indian Territory, and became a builder and
contractor, doing a large business throughout the country. In 1887 he was
appointed inspector of public buildings by the administration in power,
which office he held until a change took place. In 1884 Mr. Ward moved
to Tahlequah, Indian Territory, and there, in 1885, took charge of J. W.
Stapler's hardward establishment, which appointment he holds at present.
Mr. Ward has six children --- Minnie E., J. Herbert, James D., Hindman
H., Sydney R. and Gertie. Mr. Ward is five ten inches and weighs 178 pounds.
He is a man of good, sound sense, well educated and courteous in manner
and address.
Porter, General Pleasant (pp. 161,
162, 164) Biographical
Index
This illustrious citizen of the Muskogee Tribe was born
in that nation, on the Arkansas River, September 26, 1840. His father,
Benj. E. Porter, of Norristown, Pennsylvania, was a white man of Irish
descent. HIs mother was a daughter of Tartope Tustennuggee, Chief of the
Okmulgees, while his grandmother was a sister to Samuel and Benjamin Perryman.
General Porter is a grand-nephew to R. W. Porter, ex-Governor of Pennsylvania.
When ten years of age, Pleasant was sent to the Presbyterian Mission School
at Tallahassee for five years, after which he engaged in farming until
the outbreak of the war, when he enlisted in the Confederate service as
a private soldier, receiving various promotions until he reached the rank
of first lieutenant. After the war he devoted much time to the re-establishment
of the schools which had been long closed, and for several terms acted
as school superintendent. In November, 1872, in St. Louis, he married Miss
M. Keys, the daughter of Judge Reilly Keys, who has been for twenty years
Chief Justice of the Creek Nation. By this marriage he had three children,
William Adair, Pleasant S., and Annie Mary. His wife dying in 1886, he
married Miss Mattie L. Bertholf, cousin to his deceased wife, by whom he
had four children, three of whom died in infancy. The survivor, two and
a half years old, is named Lenora E. Mr. Porter has served six years in
the House of Warriors and eight in the House of Kings; of the latter he
was presiding officer for one term. He has also been a delegate to Washington
during thirteen different sessions of Congress, attending to the interests
of the people, and he has contributed largely to the success of many of
the most important measures affecting the welfare of the people. As a diplomatist,
General Porter has few superiors, here or elsewhere. In the Esparhecher
war General Porter took an active part. He was given complete military
authority, and the nation was placed under martial law, consequently he
wielded unlimited power, which he used in a manner highly creditable, as
but few lives were lost ere the insurrection was quelled and peace restored.
Upon two other occasions General Porter quelled distrubances, which, but
for his superior diplomacy, might have terminated in a series of civil
wars. General Porter is a large agriculturist, having a farm of 4,000 acres,
800 of which are in cultivation. He has also about 2,000 head of stock,
and property to the value of $50,000 in Muskogee. He is a tall, handsome,
distinguished-looking man, with a military bearing and polished manners.
He is well read on most subjects, and is greatly interested in the education
of his people, that they may soon be prepared to accept citizenship and
statehood.
Flournoy, D. H. (pp. 164, 165) Biographical
Index
The subject of this sketch was born March 1, 1848, in
Nachedotches, Texas, and is son of Samuel Flournoy, originally from near
Lexington, Kentucky, and at one time owner of a large plantation and a
number of slaves. Samuel Flournoy organized a company in 1846 and went
with Samuel Houston to the Mexican war. The subject of our sketch, D. H.
Flournoy, was educated at a private school until the age of sixteen, when
he joined the Confederacy, serving under Colonel Crump until the close
of the war. On his return home he worked in the cattle business until 1871,
when he married Miss Anna Wilson, daughter of Captain John Wilson, of Wood
County, Texas. After this Mr. Flournoy engaged in farming in Wood County
until 1884, and then returned to the Indian Territory, locating on Grand
River, and there remained for five years farmiing. In 1885 he removed to
Tahlequah, the capital, and engaged in the hotel business, which he continued
until his removal to Chelsea, in January, 1891, where he has followed the
same business until the present. By his marriage Mr. Flournoy has six children,
five of whom are living and are named respectively: Ellen M., born August
9, 1872; Lella J., born April 15, 1874; Roligh D., born July 15, 1876;
Walter G., born February 2, 1882; and Clara May, born September 2, 1884.
Mrs. Flournoy is a cousin of the late Chief Mayes. She is a lady of accomplishments
and well educated, possessing many good social qualities, which endear
her to all who have the pleasure of her acquaintance. She is connected
with some of the leading families of the nation --- the Adairs, Thompsons,
Fields, etc. Mr. and Mrs. Flournoy are worth about $3,000 in real estate
and other property, some of which is located in Texas.
Haynes, Samuel Jonathan (pp. 165, 166)
Biographical
Index
Born in 1861, the son of John Haynes, a full-blood, of
the Bear Clan, and Lucy Thompson, also a full-blood Creek, the subject
of this sketch was sent to school in Shieldsville, and thence to Asberry
Mission and Jackson, Tennessee, where, after two years' study, he completed
his education. On returning from college he went to clerk in the mercantile
house of S. B. Severs, Okmulgee. In the spring of 1881 he entered the store
of Mr. Parkinson, in the same town, and remained until the following year,
when he was elected an officer in Captain Freeman's Light Horse. Here he
served two years, during which time he took part in two skirmishes in the
Esparhecher war, viz., at Pecan and PoleCat creeks. During part of 1883
and 1884 he was captain of the Light Horse, after which he was elected
clerk of the district court for two years, being then appointed as stock
superintendent of the Okmulgee district, and commissioned to collect one
dollar per head on all cattle passing through his district. In 1884 he
commenced the practice of law, which he continues until the present. In
1890 he was appointed interpreter for the House of Warriors; and for four
years (commencing in 188) clerked for the judiciary committee, and in 1890
gave part of his time to copying in the executive office. By this combination
he realized nine dollars per day during the session of 1890. Mr. Haynes
married Sarah, daughter of Judge E. H. Lerblance, in 1884, by whom he has
one girl, Stella, aged four years. He is the owner of a farm of forty acres,
which is rented out. The first law case which fell into the hands of Mr.
Haynes was that of the nation versus Tarpley Carr, for the killing of Jim
Barnett, in which Haynes & Bruner were attorneys for the defendant,
and cleared their client. The subject of our sketch is a pleasant man,
with a good natured countenance, and a fair complexion, considering that
his parents were full-bloods. He speaks the English language remarkably
clearly and is a very fair scholar.
Needles, Thomas B. (pp. 166, 167, 168)
Biographical
Index
Born April 26, 1835, in Monroe County, Illinois, he is
the eldest son of James B. Needles, of the State of Delaware, his mother
being a Talbott, from Virginia. Thomas went to the public schools until
eighteen years of age, when he entered his father's mercantile establishment
at Richview, Illinois, clerking with him until 1860, when he opened business
on his own responsibility at Nashville, Illinois. In 1861 he was
elected clerk of Washington County (same State), and held the office sixteen
years, after which ( in 1876) he was elected State Auditor for Illinois,
and held the office four years, after which he was called to the State
Senate from Washington County, in 1876, and enjoyed the honor of representing
his constituency for eight years. About this time he became president of
the Washington County Bank, which office he still retains. In March, 1889,
he was appointed United States Marshal for the Indian Territory by President
Harrison, which position he holds at present. In1861 Mr. Needles married
Miss Sarah L. Bliss, of Richmond, Illinois, by whom he has two daughters,
Jessie (now Mrs. Genung, of Muskogee) and Winnifred. For the past twenty
years Mr. Needles has been a prominent politician, and was a member of
the Republican State Central Committee for several years. He is a member
of the Odd Fellows --- Nashville Lodge No. 37 -- was Grand Master of the
State in 1870, and represented the State as Grand Representative of the
Grand Lodge of the United States for four years. He has been Grand Treasurer
of the Grand Lodge for several years, and holds that office at present.
He is also a Free Mason of old standing, and has taken the Knight Templar
degree in that institution. United States Marshal Needles is a handsome,
intellectual-looking gentleman, possessing great executive ability, as
well as personal magnetism. He is five feet seven inches in height and
weighs 170 pounds. His home is in Warrensville, Illinois, where his family
reside, while his offices are now situated in the Court House building,
Muskogee, Indian Territory.
Dunzy, Henry (pp. 168, 169) Biographical
Index
The subject of this sketch was born June 13, 1837, and
is the second son of Frederick Dunzy, of German and English descent, who
came to Illinois in an early day, where Henry afterwards went to the neighborhood
schools until he was sixteen years of age. After this, Henry commenced
running an engine at Farmington, Missouri, at the Valley Ford Iron Works.
There he remained for two years, when he took the position of engineer
for Mr. Casey, retaining that office eighteen months. At the age of twenty-one
he came to Arkansas, settling close to Fort Smith, where he assumed the
charge of a large merchant mill. Here he remained one year, moving to the
Choctaw Nation, where he took charge of a mill for Dr. Boyd. In 1858 (November
15th) he came to Wewoka, Creek Nation, and erected a mill for Tim Barnett,
of the noted Barnett family. At the outbreak of the war he joined the Confederate
service, under Chilly McIntosh, of the Second Creek Regiment. After the
war he took charge of the public blacksmith shops, under pay of the Creek
Government, until 1887, when those institutions were discontinued. Since
then he has been in the farming and stock business. In the fall of 1864
he married Miss Muskogee Barnett, eldest daughter of Monarcha Barnett's
second wife, a half-breed and a woman of good education, and among the
best interpreters in the nation. By her he had two children, one of whom
is living, named Jackson R. Brown, born January 11, 1866. Jackson is a
young man of superior intelligence and good education. He has a general
merchandise store at Wetumpka, with an excellent stock of goods. The subject
of our sketch has about forty head of cattle, fifteen head of horses, and
seventy acres of good improved farm. His pasture contains one-quarter of
a square mile, and he has a neat and comfortable house, with orchard and
garden. He is about five feet seven inches in height and of good appearance
and gentlemanly manners, honest and upright in all his dealings.
Evans, Walter N. (pp. 169, 170, 171)
Biographical
Index
The subject of this sketch was born September, 1843,
in Lebanon County, East Tennessee, and is the eldest son of Dr. James P.
Evans, of that State, a citizen of the Cherokee Nation and a leading physician
and scholar, having contributed to the chief medical journals of the United
States. His mother (a white woman), Miss Melville Noel, was a daughter
of Dr. Noel, originally from Virginia. Walter was educated in Green County,
Tennessee; Fayetteville, Arkansas; Springfield, Missouri, and Van Buren,
Arkansas, until the spring of 1861, when he joined the Arkansas State Troops,
in the Confederate service. Later he was attached to the First Cherokee
Mounted Rifles, General Pike's Brigade, of which his father, Dr. Evans,
was staff surgeon. Afterwards he joined General Stand Waite's command,
and with them remained until the termination of the war, when he and his
father moved to Fort Smith, Arkansas, the latter dying in September, 1866.
Walter soon afterwards began school-teaching in the Cherokee Nation, and
later taught among the Choctaws, moving to Texas in 1872, where he continued
teaching until 1874. In 1873 he married Miss Bettie Fritts, who died in
a few years, childless. In 1875 he returned to the Cherokee Nation, and
in 1876 married Miss Charlotte Adair, daughter of Sam Adair, a member of
one of the first families of the nation. Mrs. Evans dying without issue
in 1877, Mr. Evans married Miss Fannie Jane, daughter of R. W. Walker,
by whom he had three children: James P., Robert H. and Effie M. His third
wife died in 1883, and in 1891 he married Eliza, eldest daughter of Sam
Sixkiller, of considerable prominence in the Cherokee and Creek Nations.
In 1882 Mr. Evans opened a drug business in Tahlequah, which he still continues,
with a $5,000 stock. He owns 250 acres of good farm land, in cultivation,
and a small stock of cattle, besides town property to the value of $3,000.
Mr. Evans is a pleasant gentleman, a good conversationalist, and well-informed
on almost all subjects.
Hawkins, Pink (pp. 171, 172) Biographical
Index
Born in 1816, at Alabama, on the Tallapoosa River, he
is the son of the once well known Sam Hawkins, who married Jane McIntosh,
daughter of the great Creek Chief, General McIntosh, Sam Hawkins was captured
the same day that his father-in-law was killed, and suffered martyrdowm
for the same cause. Sam's brother Ben was wounded, but escaped, afterwards
moving to Texas and settling among the Cherokees in that State, by whom
he was afterwards murdered, it is said, at the instigation, or at least
with the knowledge of, Governor Sam Houston, the Texas liberator. It is
but justice to remark, however, that there are no positive proofs implicating
the great Texan in the death of Ben Hawkins, further than that Hawkins
was a stumbling block in the way of Houston's designs, and his death would
have removed the obstacle. Pink Hawkins, the subject of our sketch, was
sent for three months to school at the Creek agency, near Muskogee, after
which he moved to within twenty miles of Nacogdoches, Texas, at the age
of eighteen or twenty marrying Miss Annie Pigeon, by whom he had one daughter.
Mr. Hawkins had a large plantation in this part of the country, which he
worked with a negro labor, having over twenty slaves. The Mexican war was
the means of ruining him, as the negroes made their escape across the lines,
and the subject of our sketch returned to the Creek Nation without a dollar,
settling on the Canadian River, near Eufaula. In the same year he married
an orphan girl named Aggy, by whom he had one son, who died early. His
wife dying in five years, Mr. Hawkins married Mrs. Liddie Benson, a widowm
by whom he had five children, four of whom are living, John, Billy, Louisa,
Michael and Rose. John is between forty-five and fifty years of age. Mr.
Hawkins has a farm close to Deep Fork, eighteen miles from Okmulgee, and
a small stock of cattle. When the war broke out he joined General Chilly
McIntosh, and was at the Newtonia, Elk Creek and Red Fork fights, rising
to the rank of lieutenant-colonel at the close of the war. The subject
of our sketch served fourteen years in the House of Warriors, filling one
unexpired term, that of Wacie Hargo. At the commencement of the new constitution
he was second chief for four years, and was offered the nomination for
first chief, but refused the honor, as well as that of supreme judge and
other important offices, perferring to attend to his farming interests.
Before and during the war Mr. Hawkins was Chief of the Hillubie Town, under
the old constitution. Mr. Hawkins, though seventy-four years of age, is
a fine specimen of his race, straight, broad-chested and in excellent health,
in appearance not over sixty, and more energetic than the majority of men
are at the age of sixty. He is a man of good understanding and unblemished
honesty, and is greatly beloved by his people.
Patterson & Foley (pp. 172, 173)
Biographical
Index
Cornelius Foley, the junior partner in the above firm,
was born in Davenport, Iowa, in 1857. In 1881 he opened business in Eufaula
with James A. Patterson, one of the largest and most successful merchants
in the Indian Territory. The career of this firm, from the commencement
until the present, has been exceptionally prosperous. Not only do they
command a large retail custon, but their jobbing business throughout the
nation is very extensive. Messrs. Patterson & Foley have a branch house
at Hoyt, Choctaw Nation. At their headquarters in Eufaula they carry a
stock of at least $40,000 worth of goods, and purchase annually from $70,000
to $80,000 worth of cotton. James A. Patterson, the senior member of this
firm, is generally looked upon as the wealthiest merchant in the Indian
Territory, having large business interests in Muskogee and Waggoner, while
his junior partner is a director of the First National Bank in Muskogee
and part owner of the Adams Hotel. Mr. Foley has also some good residence
property in the States of Texas, Kansas, Arkansas and Colorado, and is
considerable stockholder in the National Bank of the Republic, St. Louis.
Mr. Foley is one of the most popular men in the nation, besides being a
most successful merchant. He is unmarried.
Burdett, Joshua (pp. 174, 175) Biographical
Index
The subject of this sketch was born at Fulton, Mo., October,
1862, being the son of George F. Burdett, late of Lancaster, Ky., but at
present practicing law in Clarksville, Texas. Joshua, after his mother's
death, was, at an early age, thrown much upon his own resources, as his
father married a second time, and the young man, being of an independent
disposition, undertook his own education and advancement. After a course
of study at Fulton and St. Louis, Joshua entered the mercantile house of
C. W. Samuels & Co. (his cousin), at Fulton, where he remained for
five years. In 1881 he moved to Eufaula, in the Creek Nation, and in the
following year entered the mercantile establishment of Messrs. Patterson
& Foley. For eight years he devoted himself arduously to business,
until 1890, when he embarked in the hardware line, establishing, in conjunction
with C. Foley, what is known as the J. Burdett Hardware Company. Messrs.
Burdett and Foley are thorough business men. Their stock of goods includes
buggies, wagons, harness, saddlery, furniture, carpets, lumber, cement,
etc., and their trade is very extensive. In 1887 Mr. Burdett married Miss
Sudie Crabtree, a daughter of the late G. M. Crabtree, of Eufaula, a citizen
of the Creek Nation. Few young men have improved the occasion so well,
or made better use of their citizen privileges, than Mr. Burdett. Within
a few years he has cultivated 500 acres of land and fenced 640 acres of
pasturage, within two mile of Checotah. He has also 1,000 head of beef
steers and 500 head of stock cattle at his ranch. In the town of Eufaula
Mr. Burdett has no less than twelve acres, four nice dwellings and a blacksmith
shop. His private residence is a model of neatness and taste. Mr. Burdett
has a policy of $5,000 in the Equitable Life Insurance Company.
Pasco, Gilbert W. (pp.175, 176, 177)
Biographical
Index
The subject of this sketch was born in Fon du Lac, Wisconsin,
April 20, 1848, and is the son of Cyrus W. Pasco and Marilla, daughter
of William Dilts, of Ohio. Gilbert was educated at Fon du Lac, graduating
at the High School, and commeced reading law with Charles Eldridge, of
the same place. He finished his legal education under J. L. Lowe, of Washington,
Kansas, after which he was elected County Clerk of Washington, Kansas,
which office he held for four years. After practicing two years in that
town, he moved to Sherman, Texas, in 1878 and there remained until 1888,
when he went to Dallas. Here he practiced until 1890, when, owing to ill-health,
he was forced to move to the Indian Territory. The United States Court
being opened at Muskogee, Mr. Pasco moved his family to that town, where
he soon began to enjoy a lucrative practice. He is at present associated
in business with Mr. W. M. Harrison, also a prominent lawyer. Mr. Pasco
married Miss Eunice M. Walker, daughter of C. W. Walker, of Worcester,
Mass., by whom he has one boy, named Ben, aged eight years. Although the
subject of this sketch possesses the elements necessary for the qualification
of a grand criminal lawyer, yet he has bestowed his attention almost wholly
to civil law, making a specialty of real estate and commercial cases. He
has been successful in some of the largest legal transactions in the Southwest,
involving thousands of acres of land. His cases involving real estate practice
extended over the counties of Lamar, Fannin, Dallas, Denton, Hunt, Grayson,
Collins and Clay, Texas. During the war Mr. Pasco served in the Federal
Army under Colonel C. C. Washburne in the early part of the campaign, and
later on joined Custer's expedition in pursuit of Kirby Smith. G. W. Pasco
is a tall, well-built man, possessing a remarkably handsome face, as well
as a good cheerful countenance. His magnetism is above average, but he
is modesty personified, and from lack of appreciation of his own personal
merits, is relegated to a seat with his professional contemporaries, instead
of being at the head of the bar, or somewhere in its vicinity. He is, however,
a young man, and has time to achieve a great deal before his prime of life
has passed.
Brown, Samuel W. (pp. 187, 189) Biographical
Index
The subject of this sketch was born in June, 1843, at
Van Buren, Arkansas, the eldest son of S. W. Williams, a lieutenant
in the United States army. His mother was a grand-daughter of Cussine Barnett,
of Euchee fame, one of the most prominent men of his day among that tribe,
and part Scotch by blood. The subject of this sketch obtained his name
from the trustee of the school which he attended --- S. C. Brown, a prominent
Indian --- who took a great interest in Sam. After attending the neighborhood
school for a short time, Sam went to the Tallahassee Mission, Creek Nation.
Here he remained six or seven years, and left, owing to ill health, taking
a trip to New Mexico with a cattleman named Warfield. In 1862 he returned,
to find the country in a state of excitement, induced by the outbreak of
the Civil War. He accordingly joined the Confederate army for self-protection,
his relatives having all gone North. He remained in the service until 1863,
when he went North and joined the Federal service, remaining with it until
the end. In 1866 he returned to the Creek Nation, and in September married
Miss Neosho Porter, daughter of a Mr. Porter from New York, who married
a Miss McKelop, of Scotch and Indian descent. By this marriage he had five
children --- Madison H., born Januay 9, 1869; Rachel S., December 30, 1871;
Celestia Annie, September 24, 1874; Samuel W., June 9, 1879, and Neosho,
December 3, 1882. IN 1867 Mr. Brown was elected a member of the House of
Kings, which office he held for eight years, during which time he was appointed
district judge, holding the position for three years, after which he was
obliged to resign, owing to ill health. In 1875 he was re-elected to the
House of Kings, and served until 1881. In 1882 he became treasurer, and
held the office for four years. In 1881 he embarked in the mercantile business
at Wealaka, and continued until 1891, when he sold out to Esparhecher,
one of the late candidates for principal chief. From 1887 to 1891 he was
a member of the House of Warriors, and from that went to the House of Kings.
Mr. Brown has 700 head of stock cattle, 60 head of stock horses and mules,
and about 200 acres of land under fence and chiefly in good cultivation.
He has also a comfortable home, containing garden and orchard. He is a
member of the Baptist Church, and his children are receiving a good education
at the principal schools of the nation. Mr. Brown is about five feet six
inches, of gentlemanly appearance, and a man of considerable prominence
in the Creek Nation. He is looked upon as chief of the Euchee band--- a
tribe remarkable for its distinctiveness -- a history of which will be
found in the historical pages of this volume.
Cobb, Samuel S. (pp. 180, 181) Biographical
Index
The subject of this sketch was born March 10, 1840, at
Morgantown, Tennessee, the sixth son of Sylvester Cobb. Samuel attended
public school until seventeen or eighteen years of age, when the war broke
out and he joined the Union army (Fifth Tennessee Infantry) as a private,
gaining the captaincy of his company before the conclusion. After the war
Samuel went to Webber's Falls, Cherokee Nation, and for seventeen years
sold goods in connection with his brother John and a Mr. Thomas Hutton.
Selling out in 1885, Samuel and the latter gentleman embarked in cattle,
and in 1890 built a large three-story brick hotel, with forty bed-rooms,
in Vinita, which is known as the Cobb House, and is one of the finest buildings
in the Indian Territory. Mr. Cobb married Miss N. E. Vore, daughter of
Major Vore, a citizen of the Cherokee Nation through his marriage with
Miss Vann. Mr. and Mrs. Cobb have two children---Artie, born February 16,
1885, and Samuel A., born February 14, 1888. Mrs. Cobb is a lady of good
education, and a loving wife and mother. Mr. Cobb is a man of more than
ordinary intelligence and ability, and, as a business man, has few superiors.
He is owner of the Cobb Hotel, which cost $20,000, and is President of
the First National Bank of Vinita, with a capital of $50,000. He has also
2,000 head of cattle, 200 head of graded horses and mules, some town lots,
and 1,000 acres of farm in cultivation. Mr. Cobb was with General Sherman
in his campaign through the South, and has taken part in twenty-seven engagements.
Brown, Robert Sherman (pp. 380, 381)
Biographical
Index
Robert Sherman Brown was born in Pennsylvania in 1864,
the son of Robert Kennedy Brown and Nancy Jane Cook, of Pennsylvania, both
of whom died when their son was a boy. Moving, while Robert was an infant,
to a point thirty miles north-east of Okmulgee, they sent their boy to
school at Parker's Landing, Armstrong County, Pennsylvania, where he remained
five years. On his return Robert went to work on a ranch in Texas, for
twelve months, after which he returned to the Creek Nation, and, his parents
being dead, he went to Thomas Perryman's place, Broken Arrow (Perryman
had married his sister), and there remained until he was employed to do
missionary and other work at Nuyaka. Here he remained four years, and in
the meantime married Miss Eliza Bell, in 1888. This accomplished young
lady was educated at Carlisle, Pennsylvania, spending seven years at that
institution, after which she taught school for a time at Cussetah, Creek
Nation. Mr. Brown on leaving the mission, soon afterwards went to clerking
for Esparhecher, in his store at Tiger, where he remained till August,
1891, when he was employed at the Parkinson mercantile house, Okmulgee,
which position he occupies at the present. While on a ranch close to Vernon,
Texas, the subject of our sketch, with the cowmen of that district, narrowly
escaped having a serious difficulty with the State rangers, who were sent
out by the governor to quiet a disturbance, which was daily expected. Mr.
Brown has a family of two children --- Oliver Conrad, aged two years, and
Myrtle, five months. He is a young man of excellent address, good business
qualities, kind and hospitable to all, and therefore very popular. His
wife is a daughter to George Bell, a half Cherokee and white. Her cousin,
Annie Harlan, is widow to the later Wesley Barnett, a well known outlaw,
whose unfortunate career is much to be regretted, considering the fact
that he was connected with some of the best families of the country, and
not only this, but he was a descendant of the illustrious Timpoochee Barnett,
of historic fame. Mr. Brown is brother-in-law to T. W. Perryman, a half-brother
to Chief Perryman, while Mrs. Brown is niece to the celebrated Esparhecher.
Brown, Martin R. (pp. 456, 458) Biographical
Index
Martin R. Brown was born February, 1868, at Fort Gibson,
second son of John L. Brown and Anna E. Schrimsher, daughter of Martin
Schrimsher, a white man, intermarried with the Cherokees, and very prominent
in the nation. Martin attended neighborhood school until 1879, after which
he went to the male seminary at Tahlequah, and attended it for four sessions.
In 1881 he commenced teaching school at Garfield and Fort Gibson, where
he was engaged two years. For some time he had been studying pharmacy,
and in 1883 opened a drug store at Fort Gibson, which he soon sold out,
and embarked in the cattle trade. About 1885 he was elected on the board
of education and served three years. He also served two years as clerk
of the Illinois district, after which he again entered the drug business
at Tahlequah, where he is now located, and carries a $5,000 stock of goods.
In the fall of 1891 he moved into a new brick building opposite the capitol,
one of the finest buildings in town. In April, 1887, Mr. Brown married
Miss Nannie McNair, daughter of C. McNair and Rachel Mayes (sister of the
present chief). By this marriage he has two children, Annie E. and Catherine.
Mr. Brown has about 100 head of cattle, 25 head of stock horses, and real
estate in Tahlequah valued at $2,000. In height he is about five feet ten
inches and weighs 150 pounds. Mr. Brown is a gentleman of good address,
affable and pleasant in manner and quite popular; he is connected with
the oldest and best families in the Cherokee Nation.