Biography of C. C. Lipe

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 … Read more

Biography of Benjamin F. Fortner, M.D

The subject of this sketch was born August 15, 1847, third son of M. F. Fortner, who resides eight miles north of Dallas, and is one of the few living who first settled in that country from Kentucky. Benjamin’s mother was Miss Hall, of Simpson County, Kentucky, daughter of a prominent farmer in that State. Mr. Fortner attended private and public schools in Texas until his seventeenth year. In 1864 he volunteered in the Confederate service, and served until the close of the war, after which he returned home, and again went to school until 1866. That year his parents … Read more

Biography of Benjamin C. Chouteau

Benjamin C. Chouteau was born in 1835, in Johnson County, Kansas, the only son of Cyprian Chouteau (of French descent), who was an Indian trader. Benjamin’s mother was Miss Rogers, a full blood Shawnee and sister to Graham Rogers, at one time second chief of the Shawnees. Benjamin attended public school until his sixteenth year, after which he went to California and followed mining, at which he was not very successful. He spent twenty-five years of his life traveling in British Columbia, Oregon, Idaho, etc., and in November 1877, arrived back in Vinita, Cherokee Nation. Here he purchased a small … Read more

Biography of B. F. Smallwood

This prominent Choctaw was born about the year 1829, in the State of Mississippi, and emigrated with the mass of his people to the Choctaw Nation. His first schooling was received at Shawneetown, on Red River, after which he went to Spencer Academy for some time. On leaving there he devoted several years to farming on his father’s place, in Kiamichi County, and in 1847 commenced cattle rising and agriculture for himself. In 1849 he married Miss Annie Burney, a Chickasaw, of the house of Ima-te-po, by whom he had seven children, two of whom are living, Amelia and Lorinda. … Read more

Biography of Albert Pike McKellopp

The subject of this sketch was born September 25, 1858, at Choska, Creek Nation, fourth son of James M. McKellopp, whose father came from Scotland in 1810, and settling in Alabama, married a sister to Moses Perryman, brother of Lewis Perryman, father of the present chief. James M. McKellopp, father of the subject of this sketch, was robbed and then murdered by Quantrell and his bushwhackers, at Choska, in 1864. His mother, who was daughter to Henry Marshall, of a prominent Creek family, died in 1865, from exposure, at Fort Gibson. Albert attended school at Tallahassee for three years, and … Read more

Biography of A. W. Robb

A. W. Robb was born January, 1840, in Vera County, Pennsylvania, the fourth son of William A. Robb, of Beaver County, Pennsylvania. Young Robb attended neighborhood schools until thirteen years of age, when he went to Washington College, Iowa, where he remained one year. Most of his time was spent upon a farm until he arrived at twenty years of age. In the fall of 1860 he went to Kansas, and in the following year entered the Federal service (militia force). Soon, however, he joined the regulars, and in July 1862, became a first lieutenant, Company F, Third Indiana Horse … Read more

Biographical Sketch of William W. Teague

William W. Teague was born December 23, 1864, at Hagerstown, Ind., the son of W. R. Teague (a man of prominence in his country) and Emily E. Hendricks, a North Carolinian. William attended public school until fifteen years of age, after which he went to school in Kansas until eighteen years old. In 1879 he moved to Muskogee, Creek Nation, where he entered the employment of Cass Bros., merchants, with whom he remained until 1887, when he went to Wagoner and took charge of Miller & Co.’s mercantile store. Here he worked two and a half years, when he was … Read more

Biographical Sketch of William W. Miller

William W. Miller was born February 24, 1856, in Franklin County, Missouri, the eldest son of J. W. Miller, a well known and prominent farmer in his county. His mother was a Miss M. B. Bell. William attended public school until sixteen years of age, when he entered Lone Hill Academy, Franklin County, and there remained four years, when he graduated in mathematics and returned to his father’s home. Remaining there two years, William came south and settled in Vinita, I.T., opening a livery stable, and continued the same for two years. After this he embarked in farming and stock … Read more

Biographical Sketch of William Ross Campbell

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 granddaughter 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 … Read more

Biographical Sketch of William Richard Mills

The subject of this sketch was born July 4, 1855, the son of James Lloyd Mills, a white man, and Elizabeth Fields, daughter to Richard Fields and grand-daughter to the well known Dick Fields, who was murdered by Bowles in the State of Texas. Mr. W. R. Mills was born in the neutral strip, and refugeed with his mother and brothers during the war at Boonsborough, Ark., while his father was serving as lieutenant in Stand Watie’s command. After the war his father settled on the west side of Grand River, having had all his property in the strip confiscated … Read more

Biographical Sketch of William Peter McClellan

William P. McClellan was born December 28, 1855, in Boonesborough, Washington County, Arkansas, fourth son of E. W. McClellan, a white man of Scotch and Irish descent and a native of Alabama, who emigrated to Western Arkansas in 1833 and embarked in merchandise; he married Miss Sarah J. Truesdale, of Indian. William Peter went to Cane Hill College, Arkansas, at thirteen years of age, and, after five years’ schooling, commenced clerking for his brother, Charles M. McClellan, a merchant and stock-raiser at Tahlequah, for whom he worked five years. In October 1877, he married Miss Rachel L. Adair, daughter of … Read more

Biographical Sketch of William P. Moore

Born July 8, 1833, at Waterloo, Ill., third son of James B. Moore, who was a son of Eric Moore, the first American born in the State of Illinois. William’s mother was a Pinckhard, of Illinois. The young man attended public school, and at the age of twenty went into the mercantile business, there remaining until the outbreak of the war, when he joined the Federal army, and was mustered out as colonel of the Forty-ninth Illinois Infantry. After the war he went to Texas and engaged in the cattle trade. In 1871 he moved to the Creek Nation, where … Read more

Biographical Sketch of William Navin, M.D.

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 … Read more

Biographical Sketch of William M. Merrill

The subject of this sketch was born May, 1865, in Saline County, Missouri, second son of Asa C. Merrill, a prominent farmer of that State. William’s mother was a Miss Akres, also of that State, whose father is now residing in Kansas City. William attended public school until fifteen years of age, when he began assisting his father, and remained on the farm until that parent’s death in 1885, which he and his brother assumed charge of the property for their mother. In 1886 William took the responsibility upon himself, and with his family, in 1888, moved to Vinita, Cherokee … Read more

Biographical Sketch of William L. Harris

The subject of this sketch was born December 21, 1852, in Bedford County, Virginia, the oldest son of J. L. Harris, a well known citizen of that county. His mother was a Miss Elma Anthony, a Virginian. William attended public school until sixteen years of age, when he went to college at Jackson, Tenn. At the age of eighteen years he began the duties of a clerk in the State of Mississippi, and continued the same until twenty-two years of age, when he spent two years more bridge-building in different portions of the country. In 1880 he went west of … Read more

Biographical Sketch of William J. Strange

The subject of this sketch was born September 29, 1860, in Walker County, Georgia, second son of William Strange, a stockman and ex-sheriff of Walker County, having served eight years in that capacity. William’s mother was the daughter of Henry Boss, also a stock raiser of Walker County. William, after attending public school till seventeen years of age, entered the mercantile business at Ringgold, Georgia. Selling out three years later, he moved to Vinita, Indian Territory, and began clerking for W. C. Patton & Co. Here he remained five years, till 1885, when he moved to Chelsea, and there embarked … Read more

Biographical Sketch of William F. Crabtree

William F. Crabtree was born October 1846, in Lafayette County, Arkansas, and moved to Eufaula in 1873. He was sent to school at Rondo, Arkansas, just before the war, but soon joined the Confederate service, attaching himself to the courier battalion whose headquarters were at Washington, Arkansas. After the war, in May 1866, he married Miss Hattie Carter, daughter to Dr. T. A. Carter, of Ozark, Arkansas, by whom he has four children, Bettie, Hattie, Fount and Anna. The former young lady, aged fourteen years, is by nature an artist, having given convincing proofs of this fact through several oil … Read more

Biographical Sketch of William Arthur Madden

William A. Madden was born in April, 1853, at St. Mark’s, Canada, and moved from there to New York in 1868, where he learned the profession of builder and architect. He left New York in 1871, and moved to Cleveland, Ohio, where he followed his profession until 1880, when he went to Kansas City. Leaving there in 1882, he located at Muskogee, Indian Territory, and in 1885 built a factory 36 x 76 feet, which he added to in 1888 until it now measures 108 x 206 feet. This establishment contains a tin shop, a plumbing shop and a paint … Read more

Biographical Sketch of William A. Sepulpa

The subject of this sketch was born October, 1861, near Polecat Creek, Sepulpa Station, on the Frisco and St. Louis Railroad, being the son of Sepulpa, who died in 1889. His grandmother lived until May 1890, dying at the age of ninety years. William was first sent to school at Tallahassee Mission, Indian Territory, in 1872, and remained five years, going from thence to Wooster University, Ohio, where he studied for three and a half years in the freshman class. On his return he was appointed United States Indian officer in 1885, and afterwards entered S. B. Severs’ establishment at … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Wiley Smith

Wiley Smith was born about 1843, in the Creek Nation, being the youngest son of Kosayar-E-Holar, a Creek. In youth he was sent to a neighboring school, for a short time, after which he went to work with his father until he was twenty-one years of age, when he married a full-blooded girl, named Tildie, the issue of this marriage was one boy, named Joe. After marriage he commenced working for himself, on a farm that he improved. Some time after the death of his wife, who only survived four years, he married in 1886, Roddie, the daughter of Mich-charhiya … Read more