Cherokee County OK

Biographical Sketch of William A. Meek

(See England, Grant and Daniels)-David England married Susan A. Conner. Their daughter Arnlittda England married William England, Isaac Scrimsher and Elias H. Jenkins. Her daughter, Alta Berilla Scrimsher, born November 24, 1855, died Sept. 8, 1885; married January 20, 1873 Abram Meek born September 27, 1851 in Vandalia, Illinois. Died April 15, 1907. Their son William Alvin Meek was born November 7, 1880. Educated in Male Seminary at Tahlequah and Draughon’s Business College, Oklahoma City, graduating from the latter July 21, 1904. Married August 8, 1909, Ada, daughter of Henry and Emma Jane Donelly, born June 24, 1890, educated in … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Robert C. Dannenberg

Dannenberg, Robert C. (See Grant and Oolootsa)—Robert Carter, son of John Henry and Annie F. (Ferguson) Dannen­berg, was born in Missouri, April 12, 1877, educated in Flint District and Male Seminary. Married at Tahlequah June 1 6, 1902, Mary, daughter of John and Jennie (Lowrey) Hubbard, born in Tahlequah Dis­trict, November 28, 1878, and educated at Tahlequah and Muskogee. They are the parents of John Henry Dannenberg, born October 16, 1908, and Genie Dannenberg, born Mar. 5, 1915. Mr. Dannenberg is a farmer and stock raiser near Tahlequah. Henry, son of Anderson Pierce and Mary (Nave) Lowrey, married Mary Parris … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Mrs. James H. Thomas

(See Foreman and Riley)-Eugenia, the daughter of Eugene and Jane (Riley) Triplett, was born at Fort Gibson in 1844; was educated in the Cherokee public schools, and the Cherokee National Female Seminary. She married at Wagoner on Dee. 25, 1892; James H. Thomas, born in Oklahoma in 1874. They are the parents of George H., born April 5, 1897; Arvol V., born June 10, 1899; Theron, born July 8, 1901; Gladys M., born January 16, 1905; Helen, born January 1909; Celia and Lewis Thomas, born June 20, 1911. Mr. Thomas is a member of the Knights of Pythias; and is … Read more

Biography of H. B. Lowery

An alert and enterprising citizen of Nowata is H. B. Lowery, who since May, 1921, has been active in the office of chief of police. He was born eight miles east of Fort Gibson, in what is now Cherokee county, Oklahoma, on the 9th of July, 1875, a son of Henry and Polly (Parris) Lowery. The paternal grandparents removed to Indian Territory at an early day and Henry Lowery was born in this section of the country, as was his wife, her parents having come to the territory from Georgia. In the acquirement of an education H. B. Lowery attended … Read more

Biography of Jefferson D. Cox

Jefferson D. Cox is actively connected with a profession that has important bearing upon the progress and stable prosperity of every community, and one in which advancement depends upon individual merit and ability. Ability becomes in a measure prominence, and that Mr. Cox occupies a leading position in the ranks of the legal profession is an indication of his learning and skill in his chosen field. He is also a successful stock man and he owns a large ranch where fancy Duroc hogs and Durham cattle are raised. Jefferson D. Cox was born in Walhalla, South Carolina, on the 1st … 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

Biographical Sketch of Mrs. John T. Mounts

(See Thompson and Thornton)—Evaline, daughter of Lawson and Elsie Jane Martin Runyan, born near Fort Gibson in 1882. Educated in the Cherokee Public Schools and Female Seminary. Married at Fort Gibson in 1912, John Thompson, son of David Albert and Caroline Harriette (Thompson) Mounts, born Thursday February 26, 1880. They are the parents of Thelma J. Mounts.

Biographical Sketch of Mrs. James L. Peebles

(See Grant and Foreman)-Nannie, daughter of Spencer and Margaret (Proctor) Shelton was educated in Tahlequah District and Female Seminary. Married at Tahlequah, James L., son of Mr. and Mrs. Peebles. They are the parents of: Joseph Lawrence, James Shelton, Charlotte May, Edgar Vann, Vera E., Robert, Virginia and Spencer Peebles. Mr. Peebles is farmer near Tahlequah, is a member of the Woodmen of the World. He was elected County Commissioner of Cherokee County September 17, 1907. Margaret, daughter of Johnson and Elizabeth (Foreman) Proctor was born May 1, 1346 and married Spencer Shelton. She died April 14, 1885.

Biography of J. C. Bushyhead, M. D.

One of Claremore’s pioneer citizens, who has tirelessly devoted his energies to the development of the town along the various lines is Dr. J. C. Bushyhead, who first located here some thirty-one years ago. During the long period of his residence here he has been engaged in the active practice of his chosen profession and has won for himself an enviable position among the foremost physicians and surgeons of northeastern Oklahoma. A native of Indian Territory, he was born at Fort Gibson on the 29th of June, 1870, a son of Dennis Bushyhead, who was chief of the Cherokee Indians … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Thomas F. Cunningham

(See Ross, Sanders and Ghigau)-Thomas Francis, son of William Ross Cunningham and Eliza Colston, was born at Fort Gibson on Avril 21, 1880. He was educated at Fort Gibson and Bacone University. He married January 29, 1902, Emily Harnage, daughter of John Stringer Scott and Loretta Beldora Harnage, born August 16, 1882, and was educated in Fort Gibson and Bacone University. They are the parents of John Calhoun, born June 2, 1904, and Frances Marion Cunningham, born October 28, 1908. Mr. and Mrs. Cunningham are residents of Fort Gibson, Oklahoma.

Northeastern Oklahoma Biographies

Map of Oklahoma

The following biographies were written in 1922 and pertain to “important” men who resided in the Muskogee and northeastern areas of Oklahoma. By important, it should be emphasized that each biography was submitted along with a payment for inclusion in the biographical manuscript. Therefore, anyone who chose not to pay for such a service was often left out of the manuscript. The counties covered by this manuscript include Adair, Cherokee, Craig, Delaware, Mayes, McIntosh, Muskogee, Nowata, Ottawa, Rogers, Sequoyah, Wagoner, and Washington.

Biographical Sketch of Henry Shade

(See Grant and Oolootsa) Henry, son of Isaac and Lucy (Smith) Shade was born in Tahlequah District, July 15, 1875. Married Feb. 19, 1902 Maggie Belt born July 19, 1880. Mr. Shade is one of the progressive farmers of Cherokee County and is a firm believer in good citizenship. Susie, the daughter of Edmond and Nellie (Lowrey) Fawling married Thomas Smith and they were the parents of Lucy Smith, wife of Isaac Shade and mother of Henry Shade, the subject of this sketch.

Biography of William T. Whitaker

William T. Whitaker, owner of the Pryor Bottling Works at Pryor, was born in Andrews, North Carolina, on the 14th of February, 1854, a son of Stephen and Elizabeth (Taylor) Whitaker, both natives of that state. The mother was of Cherokee descent and their marriage occurred before their removal to Indian Territory. For many years the father was engaged in the land business, also in farming, and he achieved substantial success. William T Whitaker’s education was mostly self acquired and at an early age he started out into the world on his own account. In 1871 he located in Tahlequah … Read more

Biography of Edward D. Hicks

Edward D. Hicks is numbered among Tahlequah’s representative business men and is one whose life record should be a stimulus to the effort and ambition of others. He was born at Fort Gibson, Indian Territory, on the 1st of January, 1866, a son of Daniel R. and Nancy J. (Rider) Hicks. His grandfather on the paternal side Elijah Hicks, was chief of the Cherokee Nation in Georgia and Indian Territory and died in 1856. Mr. and Mrs. Hicks came with the immigration of Cherokees in 1837 and 1838 to Indian Territory and the father became a successful farmer and stock … Read more

Biography of Houston Benge Teehee

(See Oolootsa) Houston Benge Teehee, whose activity has spelled success, is well known as the Register of the Treasury of the United States, whose name appears on all of the Government bonds issued during the world war period and is now a Vice-President and the Treasurer and General Manager of the Continental Asphalt and Petroleum Company, with headquarters in Oklahoma City. In various ways he has been closely identified with the development and upbuilding of this section of the country, his efforts being at all times a tangible element in the growth and progress that has wrought a most wonderful … Read more

Biographical Sketch of John Ross Buffington

Buffington, John Ross (See Grant, Downing and Daniel)—John Ross, son of John Ross and Nancy Jane (Bryan) Buffington, was born at Doaksville, Choctaw Nation June 2, 1864, educated in the Cherokee National Schools, Male Seminary, Tahlequah, Oklahoma. Married at Pryor, July 6, 1891, Sadie, daughter of Robert and Susan Highland, born October 28, 1865, in Denver, Colorado. They are the parents of Nancy Jane, born April 15, 1892, educated at Female Seminary; Carrie Rebecca, born May 17, 1893, educated at Female Seminary; Charles Ross, born May 29, 1894; Hallie Hazel, born August 2, 1897; Joel Webster, born October 12, 1900, … Read more

Slave Narrative of Phyllis Petite

Person Interviewed: Phyllis Petite Location: Fort Gibson, Oklahoma Place of Birth: Rusk County, Texas Age: 83 I was born in Rusk County, Texas, on a plantation about eight miles east of Belleview. There wasn’t no town where I was born, but they had a church. My mammy and pappy belonged to a part Cherokee named W. P. Thompson when I was born. He had kinfolks in the Cherokee Nation, and we all moved up here to a place on Fourteen-Mile Creek close to where Hulbert now is. ‘way before I was big enough to remember anything. Then, so I been … Read more

Biography of Major J. Berry King

J. Berry King is now engaged in the general practice of law in Muskogee. Born in Harrison, Arkansas, May 29, 1888, he is a son of Alfred and Laura (McCormick) King, the father a banker and merchant of Harrison for a number of years, there successfully carrying on extensive business interests. In 1909, however, he removed to Oklahoma, where he resided until his death, which occurred in December, 1918. Major King received a public and high school education in Springfield, Missouri, and afterward attended the University of Arkansas, from 1903 until 1907. He then made preparation for his professional career … Read more

Biographical Sketch of William Penn Sevier

William Penn, Son of John and Eliza (Potts) Sevier, born Aug. 1874, educated at the Orphan Asylum. Married at Tahlequah, Ida E., daughter of Robin and Darky Emily Penn, born May 1, 1875. They are the parents of Alma E. Sevier, born March 25, 1903. Mr. Sevier, who is at present a salesman, is one of the best interpreters among the Cherokees and is one of the few Cherokee typesetters. It is thought that there are not more than three in the tribe, if that many. His ancestors, his great grandfather was of Scotch descent who came to America in … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Thomas Watie Foreman

(See Grant, Foreman, Hildebrand, Seabolt and Duncan) Thomas Watie, son of Thomas Leroy and Susan M. (Wolf) Foreman was born of Tahlequah January 12, 1860. Educated at Tahlequah. Married at Tahlequah, March 28, 1886. Cherokee Duncan daughter of George Washington and Mary (McLaughlin) Hughes, born February 11, 1870. They are the parents of: William Evarts, born Dec. 18, 1886, was in officers training camp during World War and is practicing law at Tulsa; Watie Cornelius, born Feb. 3, 1891 was in railroad service during the war and is the auditor of an oil company in Rogers, Arkansas, and Thomas Hughie … Read more