Biographies of the Cherokee Indians Collections

The Keetoowah Society

The Keetoowah Society played a pivotal role in the Cherokee Nation’s resistance to the Dawes Commission Treaty in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. On January 31, 1899, a general election revealed a strong opposition among the Full-blood Cherokees, led by Redbird Smith, against the allotment of lands and the dissolution of their government. Despite the eventual acceptance of change by some members, Smith and his followers remained steadfast in their resistance until about 1910. Redbird Smith’s leadership as Chief of the Nighthawk Keetoowah Society, from 1908 until his death in 1918, focused on preserving Cherokee heritage, fostering unity, and promoting industrial and spiritual strength among his people. His vision for a unified and industrious Cherokee community continued to influence the Society’s direction even after his death.

Redbird Smith

Biography of Redbird Smith, who was the moving spirit of the Nighthawk branch of the Keetoowah Society of Full-blood Cherokees.

Nighthawk Keetoowah

History of the Cherokee Executive Council

To fulfill these purposes the Cherokee Executive Council was organized, with the following members: Cherokee Executive Council W. Tate Brady, Chairman of Executive Counsel W. M. Gulager, Secretary Keetoowahs Incorporated John B. Smith, Tahlequah, Oklahoma Robert Meigs, Parkhill, Oklahoma Rider Ratler, Lyons, Oklahoma Peter Cramp, Porum, Oklahoma Isaac Greece, Tahlequah, Oklahoma For the Eastern and Western: Watt Mayes, Pryor, Oklahoma E. N. Washbourne, Jay, Oklahoma James Hilderbrand, Bernice, Oklahoma J. R. McIntosh, Claremore, Okla Geo. Mayes, Pryor, Oklahoma Cherokee Personal Committee S. R. Lewis, Tulsa, Oklahoma W. T. Brady, Tulsa, Oklahoma W. M. Gulager, Muskogee, Oklahoma J. G. Sanders, Tulsa, … Read more

Biography of William T. Carden

(See Hildebrand) Barbara Hildebrand born in Tennessee January 13, 1828. Married Robert Woodard from whom she was divorced and then married William Longknife. Both her husbands were Cherokees. William and Barbara Longknife who had been living on Honey Creek in Delaware District joined the California argonauts in 1850. The caravan in which they embarked consisted of about seventy five persons, one-third of whom were Cherokees, among whom were: O. H. P. and George W. Brewer, James S. Vann, Martin Matthew Scrimsher, John Hildebrand, John Wolf, John W. Candy, Buffalo, Richard R. Keys, Thomas Fox Taylor, Return Jonathan Meigs, Mr. and … Read more

Biography of T. J. Adair

Though not of the royal line, Harold, the son of the great Earl Godwin, had been elected and served for forty weeks as King of England, until on the fated fourteenth of October 1066 he was overthrown by the victorious legions of William, Duke of Normandy. Thenceforward known as William I, King of England and popularly called The Conqueror. The polish and elegance of the world at that time was best exemplified by the Norman Knights and Nobles, many of whom accompanied Arlotta’s son, settled in and directed the destinies of England. Among the proud cavaliers was d’Heanage. Hundreds of … Read more

Biography of Shorry W. Ross

Among the collection of papers and charters of the reign of Alexander II, King of Scotland is a “Charter of Ferquhard Ross, of the Earldom of Ross.” it is dated 1220. This grantee was called Macan-t Sagairt, or the Priest’s son, and was supposed to be the son of Gills Anrias from whom the Highland Clan Aindreas took its name. Firquhard, Earl of Ross founded the abbey of Fearn in Rosshire. His son William was one of the Scottish nobles who, under Alexander III, bound themselves to make no peace with England in which the Prince and chiefs of Wales … Read more

Biography of Samuel Sixkiller

(See Grant, Foreman and Sixkiller) Gu-o-tsa Smith, a half breed Cherokee woman of the Paint Clan, married Sixkiller, a full blooded Cherokee. Their son, Red Bird Sixkiller, married Pamelia Whaley, a White woman, and they in turn were the parents of Samuel Sixkiller who married Fannie Foreman; and Lucas Sixkiller who married Emma Blythe. Samuel and Fannie (Foreman) Sixkiller were the parents of Samuel Rasmus Sixkiller, born February 13, 1877, and graduated from Carlisle University in 1895. Lucas and Emma (Blythe) Sixkiller were the parents of Mattie B. Sixkiller, born December 14, 1874, in Delaware District; and she married on … Read more

Biography of S. R Lewis

One of this nation’s oldest families at Jamestown in 1607 together with those other pioneers they began hewing this great nation from a Virginia wilderness. This family has direct lines of decadency through the Randolphs, Washingtons, Carters and Lees each of which bears many pages of historical importance. Each epoch of the nation’s history has brought forward a Lewis to fulfill his destiny in lending his effort to the up-building of the country. For the purpose of this family’s connection with the Cherokee Nation the line will begin of record when Thomas Jefferson sent his young kinsman Meriweather Lewis to … Read more

Biography of R. V. McSpadden

(See Foreman, Riley, Grant and Ghigau)-Richard Vance McSpadden born July 30, 1879 at Tahlequah. Educated at Tahlequah Public School and graduated from Male Seminary June 29, 1898. He married April 27, 1904 Ermina Essie Foreman, born February 23, 1879 in Vinita. She was educated in Vinita, Jackson, Tenn. and Cincinnati, Ohio. They are both members of the Methodist Church but do not belong to any fraternal orders or clubs. Mr. McSpadden is an oil producer and his wife was very energetic in World War work, especially in Red Cross work and as the directing officer of the Surgical Dressing rooms. … Read more

Biography of Percy Wyley

(See Lynch, Buffington, Wyly). -While yet the harp twanged in Tara’s Hall and the pride and pomp of feudal Ireland vied in the jousts of their own kingdom; one of their proudest and noblest families were the Lynches, and their great Castle a salon of patriotism and pleasure. Today the castle stands an ivy covered ruin about which you will be told long before you reach its home country and the mystic legends recounted about it would fill a goodly set of quarto volumes. But where are the Lynches, the proud and self contained race that would never bend a … Read more

Biography of Mrs. T. O. Graham

Graham, Mrs. T. O. (See Grant)—Ludovie Grant was a trader among the Cherokees in 1735. He married a member of the Wolf Clan. Their only a child, a daughter, married William Emory, an Englishman. From this union there were three daughters, the youngest of whom was Susannah whose third husband was General Joseph Martin of the Revolutionary army and later U. S. agent for the Cherokees. General and Susannah Martin’s daughter Nannie married Jeter Lynch an Irishman. Maria, daughter of Jeter and Susannah Lynch married Johnson Thompson and later Andrew Brown Cunningham. From this union were born the following children: … Read more

Biography of Mrs. Julia M. Boling

(See Grant)-Julia Matilda daughter of John and Ruth (Hall) was born Tuesday June 22, 1869 in Georgia. Married at the Martin Davis homestead on the Chickamauga battle ground, Georgia, December 3, 1891 James Madison, son of Reuben and Marguerite Boling born 31, 1856. He graduated from University of Georgia, Graduate of Missouri Medical College, Louis and University of Pennsylvania, Boling, who was a thirty second degree in died June 6, 1916. A pioneer physician and friend to the Cherokee and did much good. Reserved, talented and gracious; Mrs. Boling being possessed of ample means maintains a home in Tulsa, but … Read more

Biography of Mrs. F. B. Fite

(See Grant)-Julia Theresa, daughter of William Columbus and Jane (Davis) Patton was born December 29, 1867 in Walker County, Georgia. Educated at Drury College, Springfield, Missouri, and Vassar College. She married at Vinita November 13, 1889 Francis Bartow, son of H. W. and Sarah (Denman) Fite, born October 17, 1861 in Bartow County, Georgia. He graduated in 1886 from the Southern Medical College at Atlanta, Georgia, having received the medal for highest efficiency in his class. He is a leader in Oklahoma in surgery and civic progress. Dr. and Mrs. Fite, whose home is in Muskogee, are the parents of … Read more

Biography of Mrs. Bryan E. Sanders

(See Grant and Ward)-Adda LaDayle, daughter of John Lowrey and Laura Ann (Edmondson) Ward was born Wednesday August 8, 1895. Educated in the Cherokee public schools and Female Seminary. Married at Tulsa Nov, 29, 1917 Bryan Elton son of William Henry and Rose Mary Sanders, born July 25, 1895 in Benton County, Ark. They are the parents of Mariann Josephine Sanders, born July 6, 1921. Mrs. Sanders is a member of the Christian church. Mr. Sanders served six months in the World’s War as secretary to Captain Martin R. Rohn at Camp Pike. He is a member of the American … Read more

Biography of Mrs. Ada C. Foreman

(See Foreman and Riley) -Reverend Stephen Foreman was born October 22, 1807, married March 27, 1834, Sallie W. Riley. He was ordained a Presbyterian Minister September 25, 1835; and was elected Justice of the Supreme Court of the Cherokee Nation, October 11, 18.44; Executive Councilor in 1847 and 1855 and was clerk of the Senate in 1867. Mrs. Foreman died August 6, 1861; and he died December 8, 1881. They were the parents of Stephen Taylor Foreman, born at Park Hill September 24, 1848; and married April 28, 1874 Ada Carter, daughter of Sarah and White McClellan, born at Cane … Read more

Biography of Lonzo O. Conner

(See Duncan and Grant) O. Lonzo Conner, born Feb. 12, 1877 at Fairland, Okla. son of Francis Marion, (born Mar 29, 1852, in Jasper Co., Missouri, married December 24, 1873) and Rebecca Jane (Duncan) Conner, born October 29, 1858 and died at Fairland March 12, 1911. He was educated in the Cherokee public schools, Male Seminary and graduated from Robbin’s Business College, Sedalia, Missouri; He married December 30, 1896 at Beattie’s Prairie, Kate Eugenia Yeargain, born March 31, 1878; she was the daughter of James Chambers, born February 27, 1842 in Lebanon, Tenn. and married March 4, 1866, and Mary … Read more

Biography of John Gunter Sanders

(See Ghigau, Sanders, Oolootsa and Adair)-John Gunter, son of William Edward and Sarah Catherine (Scrimsher) Sanders was born at the Sanders homestead, southwest of Claremore Mound on April 23, 1891. He was educated at Claremore Public Schools, A. and M. College, Stillwater, Okla, and Henry Kendall College, Tulsa, Okla. Gentlemanly and reserved Mr. Sanders is one of the foremost and most progressive members of his tribe. Of distinguished lineage it is but naturel that he should take a leaders place in the councils of the Cherokee. His father was born in Going Snake District April 2, 1861, just as the … Read more

Biography of Jennie Taylor Parks

A Scotch girl married an Englishman named Charles Fox. Two sons were born of this union. In later years the parents were divorced. The father kept the eldest son, who according to the English law of primogeniture was to succeed to his titles and estate, but allowed his wife to keep Charles, the younger son who had no vested prospects and his mother added her maiden name to his, and thenceforward he was known as Charles Fox-Taylor. Charles Fox-Taylor married Jennie Walker, the granddaughter of the Ghigau, or Beloved Woman of the Cherokees. This was the supreme title and was … Read more

Biography of James Augustus Lawrence

(See Grant, Adair and Go-sadu-i-sga)—Sarah Jane Adair, born March 10, 1875 at Saline; educated in the Cherokee National schools; Female Seminary, from which she graduated June 23, 1892, and Howard Payne College, Fayette, Missouri June 9, 1896. She married December 29, 1899, James Augustus Lawrence, born Oct. 18, 1856 in Texas. They are the parents of two sons: Augustus Adair, born April 21,1901 and Gilbert Shelton, born Nov. 3, 1903. Mr. Lawrence is the principal merchant of Tahlequah, and they have a beautiful home just east of the city. Mrs. Lawrence is a descendant of the Martin family of Virginia. … Read more