Biography of J. Edgar Buffington

J. Edgar Buffington, a representative of an honored pioneer family of Oklahoma, figures prominently in financial circles of northeastern Oklahoma as President of the Vinita National Bank, in which connection he is controlling one of the most substantial moneyed institutions in this part of the state. He was born in that portion of Indian Territory known as the Cherokee Nation, on the 13th of March, 1881, of the union of Ezekiel and Anna (Scarcewater) Buffington and when but an infant lost both of his parents. His boyhood was spent as an inmate of the Cherokee Orphans’ Home at Salina, in … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Mrs. J. W. Harris Jr.

(See England) Lydia, daughter of Robert L. and Nynia Jane (Cornatzer) Madison was born in Craig County, April 6, 1894 and graduated in 1917 from the Vinita High School. Married at Vinita May 10, 1919, John Wesley, son of John Wesley and lda Josephine Harris, born near Vinita, June 3, 1897. They are the parents of Grace Cornelia Harris, born March 19, 1920. Mr. Harris enlisted for the World War at Vinita, August 29, 1917. Sent to Camp Pike, Arkansas where he was assigned to Co. K. 166 Reg., 83rd Division. Sailed for France September 1, 1917. Transferred to Co. … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Thomas Fox Thompson

(See Grant and Ghigau)-Thomas Fox Thompson, born in Tahlequah District, May 3, 1848 and educated at Pea Ridge, Ark. Married Dec. 18, 1870 Susan C. Parks and after her death married on May 19, 1914 Lillie McBride, nee Schaer; his Cherokee name is Chisgua-kyah and he belongs to the Deer Clan. He is a Methodist and had retired after having been in the dry goods and grocery business in Vinita for twenty years. Mr. Thompson was elected member of the Council from Delaware District in 1879.

Biography of Lucien Webster Buffington

With the history of progress in Vinita the name of Lucien Webster Buffington is closely associated and in his demise, which occurred in this city on the 3d of December, 1919, Oklahoma lost one of its honored pioneers and his community one of its oldest and best beloved citizens. He was one of the early settlers of this part of the state and his industry and enterprise were factors in general development and improvement as well as in the attainment of individual success. His birth occurred at Beattie’s Prairie, then in the Cherokee Nation, in Indian Territory, but now a … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Lulu N. Kelley

Lulu Nannie, daughter of John and Sallie Matilla (Harlan) Poole, was born March 22, 1862, in Delaware District, Cherokee Nation. She was educated in the Cherokee public schools and Female Seminary. She married at Vinita, August 27, 1887, Frederick Lincoln Kelley. He died at Vinita November 2, 1911. Mr. Kelley was one of the best posted and successful hay and grain dealers in northeast Oklahoma. Frederick L. and Lulu N. Kelley were the parents of Pauline Gazelle, born February 16, 1889, and married Charles W. Flint; Frederick Lincoln, born July 31, 1893, and George Samuel Kelley, born August 21, 1895. … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Mrs. William H. Pace

(See Downing and Adair)-Annie Lydia, daughter of John and Rosella (Adair) Downing was born in Saliva District September 10, 1871. Educated in Female Seminary and Harrell Institute, Muskogee. Married at Locust Grove December 22, 1898, William Hayden, son of William and Loretta Pace, born in 1868 in Benton County, Ark. They are the parents of: Elbert Edward, born November 21, 1899 was in the S. A. T. C. at Oklahoma University and is at present attending the A. and M. College at Stillwater; Hayden Adair, born February 19, 1901; Clyde Lewis, born November 30, 1902; Joe Sheldon, born June 14, … Read more

Biography of John Owen Bradshaw, M. D.

Dr. John Owen Bradshaw, a man of high professional attainments, has been identified with the medical fraternity of Welch since 1913, and although he engages in general practice he devotes the greater part of his attention to the treatment of diseases pertaining to the eye, ear, nose and throat, in which he has become recognized as an authority. A native of Missouri, he was born in Lebanon county on the 9th of January, 1875 and his parents were Silas R. and Mary (Bradshaw) Bradshaw, the former a native of Kentucky. The mother’s birth occurred in Lebanon County, Missouri, and although … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Mrs. Robert L. Madison

Niniya Jane, daughter of Cyrus and Lydia (Boggan) Cornatzer was born in Deleware District May 22, 1874 and educated in Kansas. Married at Vinita, November 16, 1892, Robert L., son of Isaac Gray and Elizabeth Madison, born October 8, 1861 in Hickory County, Missouri. They are the parents of Lydia, born April 6, 1894; Dabny Lee, born April 28, 1902 and Joseph Farris Madison, born May 22, 1904. Mr. Madison is a farmer and orchardist near Big Cabin. Cyrus Cornatzer, born in Johnson County, Kansas, February 10, 1852, married in March 1870, Lydia Boggan, born in Wadesborough, North Carolina, December … Read more

Biography of Elbert Jacob Snider

(See Grant and Duncan)-Elbert Jacob, son of Andrew Johnson (born May 1, 1867 in Davis County, Mo.) and Cynthia (Muskrat) Snider, born May 4, 1867; in Delaware District and married November 28, 1886 and died July 2, 1902, was born September 29, 1888 at Grove, Delaware District. He was educated at Grove and Male Seminary. He married September 26, 1912, Martha Elizabeth, daughter of John Martin Daniel (born October 2, 1843 married August 31, 1876 and died October 10, 1913) and Alice R. (Smith) Daniels (born June 10, 1854 at Fayetteville, Arkansas and died November 10, 1905 ), born April … Read more

Biographical Sketch of John Crutchfield Barrett

(See Downing, Oolootsa and Halfbreed)-John Crutchfield Barrett, born December 22, 1872 in Corsicana, Texas, educated at Willie Halsell College, Vinita; married at Claremore October 5, 1898 Victoria Lipe, born February 1, 1874 at Oowala, Cherokee Nation; educated at the Female Seminary and the Oswego Female College, Oswego, Kansas. They are the parents of Flavius, born October 7, 1900; Jack, born September 3, 1903 ; Mary Bessie, born October 21, 1906. Mr. and Mrs. Barrett are Presbyterians; he is a Mason and member of the Deer clan; she is a member of the Wolf Clan Cherokees. John C. Barrett, son of … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Mrs. George W. Jones

Annie Odette, daughter of L. Baxter and Frances P. (McGee) Prather was born in Cowskin Prairie, Delaware District, November 17, 1887, and educated in Female Seminary. Married at Vinita September 25, 1905, George W. son of Winfield Scott and Lillie D. (Fisher) Jones, born December 19, 1881, in Seneca, Missouri. They are the parents of: Fannie Lillie, born August 5, 1906; Sylvia Clovis, born February 9, 1908; Tracy Edwin, born May 29, 1909; Opal Ethel, born June 10, 1911; Othoe Harold, born April 13, 1913; Bertha Evelyn, born February 1, 1915 and George Henry Jones, born February 25, 1920. Mr. … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Monroe A. Keys

(See Grant, Oolootsa, Daniel and Riley.)-Monroe Amory, son of Monroe Calvin and Lucy Lowrey (Hoyt) Keys, was born February 21, 1870. Educated in the Male Seminary. Married March 25, 1905, Martha Ann daughter of Henry and Emma Jane (Daniel) Donnelly, born March 11, 1874, educated in the Cherokee public schools and Worcester Academy. They are the parents of: Wahnie, born March 7, 1908; Emma, born December 17, 1909; Amory, born January 16, 1912; Jane, born December 5, 1914, and Clun Keys, born February 10, 1917. Mr. Keys is a member of the Holly Clan. His Cherokee name is Clun-tee-sta. He … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Mrs. Henry J. Hill

(See Adair)-Emma, the daughter of William E. and Fannie L. (Wright) Dupree, was born in Tex., Dec. 13, 1888; educated at Willie Halsell College at Vinita, and the Northeastern State Normal at Tahlequah, Okla. She married at Vinita on Dec. 22, 1915, Henry J., son of Frederick W. and Catherine Hill. He was born May 5, 1885, in Asherville, Mitchell County, Kansas. They are the parents of Frederick William, born October 2, 1916, in Birmingham, Alabama; Anna Catherine, born December 25, 1917, in Memphis, Tennessee, and Henry Marion Hill, born January 28, 1920, in Vinita, Oklahoma. Mr. and Mrs. Hill … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Mrs. Earl Galbreath

Galbreath, Mrs. Earl.—Carrie Choteau Cornatzer was born in Delaware District, February 18, 1872, educated at Vinita and Lawrence, Kansas. Married November 27, 1900, Benjamin F. Choteau, born February 18, 1861, in Johnson County, Kansas. He died January 20, 1903. Married Jan­uary 20, 1914, Earl, son of Edward and Anna Galbreath, born July 23, 1890, in Boone County, Missouri. Her son by her first marriage, Walter Choteau, was born August 4, 1902. Mr. Galbreath is a farmer near Big Cabin. Marie Therese Bourgeois, an orphan Creole of New Orleans, married Auguste Rene Choteau, a native of Southeastern France. Her son, Jean … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Mrs. J. W. Harris

(See England)—Ida Josephine, daughter of Elias H. and Arminda (England) Jenkins was born in Cooweescoowee District, July 4, 1870 and educated at the Cherokee National schools. Married at Siloam Spring, Arkansas, July 10, 1886, John Wesley Harris, born June 23, 1867, in Winebago County, Illinois. They are the parents of Flora May, born July 25, 1887; Gertrude N., born January 13, 1889; Ulalah S., born September 5, 1890; Roy C., born April 20, 1892, and John Wesley Harris, born June 3, 1897. Mr. Harris is a farmer and stock raiser near Vinita. He was elected County Commissioner of Craig County, … Read more

Biography of William Thomas Rye

The bar of Craig county finds a prominent representative in William Thomas Rye, who since 1908 has followed his profession at Vinita, his ability being demonstrated by the large clientele accorded him. He was born near South Boston, in Halifax county, Virginia, September 2, 1879, and his parents were George J. and Susan (Dewberry) Rye, both natives of Virginia and representatives of old and highly respected families of that state. Prior to the Civil war the father had gone to Mississippi and after the out-break of hostilities he joined a regiment in that state, but after receiving his discharge from … Read more

Biography of James Franklin Ledbetter

James Franklin Ledbetter, of Muskogee, has been a resident of this city for about seventeen years and through the period has largely been an incumbent in public office. Much of his life has thus been given to public service and his record has been most commendable, being characterized by marked devotion to duty and efficiency in the discharge of the tasks which have devolved upon him. Arkansas numbers him among her native sons, his birth having occurred in Madison county, December 15, 1852. He obtained a public school education and in early life gave his attention to the occupation of … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Elizabeth K. Chumley

(See Oolootsa and Riley)-Elizabeth Riley Keys was born January 13, 1869. Educated at Worcester Academy and Female Seminary. Married at Centralia Sept. 12, 1912, John M., son of Robert and Fannie Chumley. Mr. and Mrs. Chumley are members of the Presbyterian church. Lydia Emma Keys, a sister of Mrs. Chumley’s married Charles J. Taylor, now deceased. Their daughter Alma Lane Taylor, born January 26, 1900, married March 24, 1918 J. E. Bennett. They have one daughter, Bettie Bennett, born February 8, 1919. Monroe Calvin Keys married Lucy Lowrey Hoyt and they were the parents of Lydia Emma and Elizabeth Riley … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Hiram T. Elliott

Elliott, Hiram T. (See Foreman)—Hiram Thomas, son of Hiram Thomas, and Callie (Whatenherger) Elliott, born in Delaware Dist Nov. 26, 1892, educated locally and in Male Seminary. Married at Vinita, April 1, 1914, Minnie 3., daughter of Drewey and Margaret Trickey. They are the parents of: Rella born May 17, 1915; Eugene, born Mar. 20, 1917, and Maxine, born Feb. 10, 1918; Leroy Elliott, born Oct. 2, 1920. Mr. Elliott is a farmer near Big Cabin.

Biographical Sketch of Mrs. Jasper E. Smith

(See Cordery) Catherine Ann, daughter of John Parker and Sarah Elizabeth (Davis) Collies was born in Delaware District November 20, 1889, educated in the Cherokee National Schools. Married at Vinita, December 24, 1908, Jasper E, son of Charles and Levonia Smith. They are the parents of: Watie Dufferin, born October 18, 1909; Don Tate, born September 20, 1911; Pauline Ruth, born August 9, 1914; and Betty Imogene Smith, born July 15, 1920. Mr. Smith is a farmer and dealer in cattle and hogs near Ketchum. Tomas Cordery married Susannah a full-blood Cherokee of the Savannah Clan. Their son, Early, married … Read more