Biography of Thomas Jefferson Ellis, Jr.

The Ellis family has figured conspicuously in connection with the pioneer development and later progress of Oklahoma, and Thomas Jefferson Ellis, Jr., is worthily sustaining the traditions of the name in this respect, being engaged in oil production work. He is also one of the leading agriculturists and stock raisers of northeastern Oklahoma and as President of the Ochelata State Bank is a dominant factor in financial circles here. He was born in Sedan, Kansas, December 16, 1881, and was but a year old when his parents, Thomas J. and Vera Allen (Smith) Ellis, came to Indian Territory. The father … Read more

Biography of Thomas J. Ellis, Sr.

Since 1882 Thomas J. Ellis, Sr., has been a resident of Oklahoma, coming here in territorial days, and after many years of active connection with farming and mercantile interests he is now living retired at Ochelata at the age of seventy-nine years, having accumulated a substantial competence through the capable management of his business interests. He was born in Vernon, Kentucky, January 25, 1842, of the marriage of Thomas and Susan (Wadzle) Ellis, the former a native of North Carolina, while the latter was also a native of the Blue Grass state. Mr. Ellis acquired his education in the public … Read more

Biography of Thomas F. King

Thomas F. King, who has devoted his entire time and attention to the banking business since making his initial step in business circles, is now the cashier of the Exchange National Bank of Muskogee. A native of Ohio, he was born in Marion on the 13th of May, 1886, and is a son of James and Margaret (Martin) King, the latter a sister of T. H. Martin, former mayor of Muskogee. The father was commissioner of public safety under the charter form of government. With the removal of the family westward, Thomas F. King pursued his more advanced education in … Read more

Biography of Thomas C. Perrier

Thomas C. Perrier, a progressive agriculturist residing near Ochelata on one of the best improved farms inn this part of the state, is a native son of Oklahoma and represents the third generation of the Perrier family in the state. He was born on a farm on 3rd creek, in Osage county, December 11 , 1884, and” is a son of Napoleon and Ellen (Haynie) Perrier, pioneer residents of Oklahoma, the former a native of Kansas, while the latter was born near Fayetteville, Arkansas. His paternal grandparents were Peter and Catherine (Cadrick) Perrier, both of whom were of Osage extraction … Read more

Biography of Thomas Albert Chandler

Thomas Albert Chandler, representative in congress from the First district of Oklahoma and a resident of Vinita, is a man of liberal education and of broad and important interests who has been a prominent figure not only in political circles but also in connection with extensive business interests of the state. He was born in the Indian Territory on the 26th of July, 1871, and is a representative of the Cherokee Nation. Liberal educational advantages were accorded him and following his graduation from the Worcester Academy of Vinita as a member of the class of 1888 he entered Drury College … Read more

Biography of Theodore T. Shackelford, M. D.

An extensive practice attests the ability of Dr. Theodore T. Shackelford as a physician and surgeon, and he is numbered among the leading representatives of the medical fraternity of Haskell, where he established his residence in 1917. He was born in Okolona, Arkansas, January 31, 1886, of the marriage of Theodore T. and Elizabeth Jane (Thompson) Shackelford, the former a native of Mississippi and the latter of South Carolina. When a lad of eight years the father accompanied his parents to Arkansas and his education was obtained in the schools of that state. On reaching adult years he took up … Read more

Biography of Terry A. Parkinson

The name of Terry A. Parkinson has been prominently connected with the agricultural and stock raising interests of Oklahoma for many years. Kansas claims him as a native son, for he was born in Coffey County, that state, in May, 1866, a son of James and Emma Jane (Randall) Parkinson. The father was born near St. Augustine, Illinois, on the 18th of May, 1840, and removed to Iowa with his parents at an early day. When fifteen years of age he ran away from home, and going to Kansas became identified with the cattle business as night herder of four … Read more

Biography of Tams Bixby

When historians of the future write of the state of Oklahoma, or recite the romance of the American Indian, they needs must tell the story of Tams Bixby. Above his signature five great Indian nations ceased to be, one hundred and one thousand red-men foreswore allegiance to their tribal chieftains to become citizens of the United States and twenty-one million acres of Indian hunting grounds were made ready for admission to the Union. It was in 1897 that Tams Bixby left Minnesota, where he had gained national prominence as chairman of the Republican state central committee and came to Indian … Read more

Biography of T. M. Adair

T. M. Adair, a well known farmer residing thirteen miles east of Delaware in Nowata County, was born in Flint district, now Adair County, on the 2d of September, 1882. His paternal grand-father, Walter Scott Adair, better known as “Red Watt” Adair, was a Cherokee emigrant from Georgia. Adair County was named in his honor, for he was well known throughout the community, having been commissioned by the United States government to look after the Cherokees and see that all of their needs were supplied. In addition to the duties devolving upon him in that capacity, he engaged in farming. … Read more

Biography of T. E. Bertholf

T. E. Bertholf, farmer, stock raiser and chicken fancier, was born in the old town of Norfolk, in the Creek Nation of the Indian Territory, December 25, 1868. His father, Marcus Bertholf, was a native of Illinois and came to the Indian Territory in 1840, at which time he took up his abode near Tahlequah. At the outbreak of the Civil war he went to Texas as an enlisted man, working at the wagon-maker’s trade during the period and thus aiding in supplying the need of the Confederacy for wagons. When hostilities had ceased he returned to the old town … Read more

Biography of T. D. Cox

For a quarter of a century T. D. Cox has made his home in Vinita and is contributing to the commercial development of his town as a member of the Craig County Motor Company, displaying enterprise, determination and administrative ability in the management of his business interests. He was born in Decatur, Illinois, April 24, 1869, his parents being Aaron and Sarah (Clark) Cox, both of whom were natives of North Carolina. As a young man the father went to Illinois and there engaged in agricultural pursuits. He purchased an old-fashioned “ground hog” separator for threshing his grain, this being … Read more

Biography of Stephen P. Mann

Stephen P. Mann, prominently connected with the real estate and investment business in Muskogee, where he took up his abode on the 20th of July, 1902, has also been associated with many important public projects which have contributed in substantial measure to the growth, development and improvement of the city. Mr. Mann was born in Hopkins County, Texas, September 15, 1861, his parents being John W. and Martha L. (Hubbard) Mann, both of whom were natives of Tennessee. The father was a stock-man and farmer, devoting his life to those pursuits, whereby he provided for the support of his family. … Read more

Biography of Stephen A. Miller

Since the death of Chief Journeycake, Stephen A. Miller, a well known farmer and oil man of Nowata county, has been acting chief of the Delawares. He is now residing on his farm, three-quarters of a mile south of Delaware. A native of Kansas, he was born in Wyandotte county, on the 27th of September, 1863, a son of Andrew and Sallie (Hill) Miller. His father was born in White River, Ohio, and was one of the first settlers in Kansas. He came to Indian Territory with the first Delawares, to which tribe he belonged, and locating at Coodys Bluff, … Read more

Biography of Starkey Brent Dawes

Starkey Brent Dawes, since 1889 a representative of the Muskogee bar, now confining his attention largely to the practice of law as relating to lands and minerals, is a native of Tennessee and a son of Starkey and Amanda (Butler) Dawes. His father was an educator connected with the schools of Tennessee and afterward of Texas. The removal of the family to the Lone Star state enabled Starkey B. Dawes to pursue his high school education in Gainesville, Texas, and later he took the State Normal School course in Texas. His law course was that given by the Texas University, … Read more

Biography of Simeon S. Forrest

Simeon S. Forrest, one of the reliable citizens of Tahlequah, is the incumbent of the office of County assessor of Cherokee County. He is a native of Missouri, in which state he was born on the 21st of November, 1874, at Vienna, Maries County. His parents were William and Mary J. Forrest, the former a native of Ohio and the latter of North Carolina. They both went to Missouri with their parents at an early age and in that state their marriage took place. For some time the father followed farming in Maries County but he removed to Ozark County … Read more

Biography of Samuel Sondheimer

Samuel Sondheimer is a well known and prominent figure in mercantile circles of Muskogee as a partner in the firm of Joseph Sondheimer’s sons. He was born in St. Louis, Missouri, on the 21st of January, 1871, a son of Joseph Sondheimer who passed away July 10, 1913, at the age of seventy-three years, and who was the first merchant of Muskogee. At the time of his demise the Muskogee Times Democrat published the following interesting review of his life. “Joseph Sondheimer, the oldest citizen of Muskogee in point of years of residence and the pioneer merchant of this city, … Read more

Biography of Samuel M. Gee

Samuel M. Gee, farmer and dairyman residing two and one-half miles northwest of Nowata, Nowata County, was born in Clinton County, Indiana, on the 23d of May, 1864, a son of Moses G. and Catherine (Maish) Gee. The father was a native of Ohio, where he lived until he removed to Indian Territory. He died at Council Hill in 1910. Mrs. Gee was born in Pennsylvania and died in Missouri in 1907. In January, 1902 Samuel M. Gee came to Indian Territory and located at Adair, where he rented four hundred acres of land, which he farmed for four years. … Read more

Biography of Samuel H. Mayes

Since 1906 Samuel H. Mayes has resided in Pryor and he is numbered among the representative business men of the community. As President of the Mayes Mercantile Company he takes an active part in commercial circles and he has built up an extensive and steady patronage. He was born in Indian Territory at what was then known as Flint district, Cherokee Nation and is now Evansville, Adair County, on the 11th of May, 1845. His parents were Samuel and Nancy (Adair) Mayes. The maternal grandfather was Black-Wat Adair, one-half Cherokee and the maternal grandmother was named Thompson, and was of … Read more

Biography of Samuel G. Delametter

Samuel G. Delametter, an enterprising and progressive young citizen of Bartlesville, has been identified with insurance interests since 1918, traveling throughout northeastern Oklahoma as a representative of the Business Men’s Insurance Company of Kansas City, Missouri. His birth occurred in Pratt, Kansas, on the 18th of August, 1885, his parents being J. V. and MaryyDelametter, the former a native of the state of New York and the latter of Kansas. J. V. Delametter, who devoted his attention to merchandising in the Sunflower state, made his way to Bartlesville eighteen years ago and first became proprietor of a restaurant here, while … Read more

Biography of Samuel Aaron Kenoyer

Samuel Aaron Kenoyer, a prominent real estate operator of Miami, has won a substantial, measure of success through the capable management of his business affairs and has also aided materially in improving and developing his city, being recognized as a most progressive and public-spirited citizen. He was born in Kentland, Newton county, Indiana, September 30, 1873, of the marriage of James and Nancy Jane Kenoyer, the former also born in that county, while the latter was likewise a native of the Hoosier state. For a time the father engaged in farming and he afterward turned his attention to the carpenter’s … Read more