Biography of William Nairn, M. D.

For thirty-five years Dr. William Nairn has been a resident of Nowata County, his residence here dating from 1882. While he has long stood in the front rank of his profession he has also become a prominent factor in agricultural circles and is now living on his farm three and one-half miles northwest of Alluwe. William Nairn was born in Jersey County, Illinois, on the 5th of December, 1848, a son of James and Susan (Barker) Nairn, the former a native of Georgia and the latter of Alabama. For some time James Nairn engaged in farming in his native state … 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 William Johnstone

William Johnstone, who was one of nature’s noblemen and whose life in every respect measured up to the highest standards of human conduct and of service to his fellows, passed away on the 14th of July, 1915. His earthly record was of comparatively short duration, for he had only reached the fifty-sixth milestone on life’s journey. But he had accomplished much more than may be set down to the credit of the vast majority. He had been one of the builders of Bartlesville through the establishment and successful management of various commercial and industrial interests and also by reason of … Read more

Biography of Robert I. Allen, M. D.

One of the best known surgeons in northeastern Oklahoma is Dr. Robert I. Allen, who was born at Coodys Bluff on the 9th of September, 1877, a son of Dr. R. M. and Mary (Journeycake) Allen. His father was a native of Illinois, in which state he resided until after the close of the Civil war. Upon the outbreak of that war he enlisted in the Federal army and became a member of the medical staff. He was a stretcher bearer at the battles of Lookout Mountain and Missionary Ridge. Dr. R. M. Allen received his medical training at Rush … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Herbert F. Couch

(See Grant)-Herbert Franklin, son of James C., and Elizabeth (Collier) Couch, was born February 1875, in Italy, Texas. Received a college education in his native town. Married at Coody’s Bluff, March 1, 1896, Ida May, daughter of Calvin and Elizabeth (Bullette) Coker, born April 28, 1879, at Coody’s Bluff. Educated in the Cherokee National Schools. They are the parents of: Victor Clark, born January 15, 1897; Elmer, born August 31st, 1900 Leola, born December 29, 1902; Curtis Foreman, born November 24, 1905 ; Herbert Franklin, born January 23, 1908; Randolph Penn, born February 22, 1910, Wanda Wanette, born Feb. 14, … Read more

Biography of Albert F. Armstrong

Another member of the Armstrong family who is engaged in farming in Nowata County is Albert F. Armstrong, a brother of Charles F., whose sketch appears on another page of this work. A native of Kansas, he was born in Wyandotte County, on the 3d of April, 1865, a grandson of Chief Journeycake and a son of Henry Armstrong, who is now living retired in Coffeyville, Kansas. He is a nephew of J. E. Campbell of Nowata, while H. L. Campbell of the first National Bank of Nowata is a cousin. Albert F. Armstrong received his early education in the … Read more

Biography of C. B. Reinheardt

C. B. Reinheardt, one of the representative agriculturists of Nowata County, who is farming four hundred acres of valuable land, one and one half miles east of Coodys Bluff, was born at Coodys Bluff on the 18th of January, 1893, a son of C. H. and Kennie (Couch) Reinheardt. His father is numbered among the pioneer citizens of this community and was for some time engaged in the oil producing business in Nowata county, achieving gratifying success. His fine farm here is now being operated by his brother, W. A. Reinheardt, it being located some four miles south of Coodys … Read more

Biography of Charles W. Childers

One of the representative citizens of Nowata county is Charles W. Childers, who is residing on the old family homestead eight miles southeast of Lenapah. He was born in Henry county, Missouri, on the 18th of May, 1867, a son of Benjamin F. and Mary Susan (Webster) Childers, the former a native of Henry county and the latter of North Carolina. In the acquirement of his education Charles W. Childers attended the schools of El Dorado, Kansas, and came to Indian Territory with his parents in 1884. They located at Coodys Bluff in Nowata county, where they lived for one … Read more

Biography of Mrs. Mary C. Bezion

One of the pioneer citizens of Nowata county is Mrs. Mary C. Bezion, residing on her farm two miles southwest of Delaware, hale and hearty at the age of seventy-three years. A native of Kansas, she was born in Wyandotte county, on the 14th of April, 1849, a daughter of Jim and Nancy (Washington) Secondine. Her father, who was chief of the Delaware, was born in Ohio. He was with General Fremont during the Mexican war and his picture has been preserved in the archives at Washington, D. C. Mrs. Bezion was but fourteen years of age when her father … Read more

Biography of Isaac H. Secondine

A prominent citizen of Delaware is Isaac H. Secondine, who is engaged in the decorating business. A native of Nowata County, he was born at Coodys Bluff on the 29th of May, 1874, a son of Fillmore and Rachael (Connor) Secondine. His paternal grand-father, James, was chief of the Delawares in the ’40s and crossed the plains with General Fremont on that memorable trip chronicled in history, and also fought under him in the Mexican war. Grandfather Secondine was a highly educated man, speaking seven different languages, among them perfect English. He acted as interpreter to General Fremont, who was … Read more