Biography of William Electra Halsell

The subject of this sketch was born June 7, 1851, in the State of Kentucky, fourth son of E. Halsell, Esq., who moved to Texas at an early date. William attended public school until eighteen years of age, when he started in the stock business and carried it on until 1882. During those years, in partnership with his brother Glenn, they accumulated a large herd of cattle, selling out for $300,000. Moving to Vinita, Cherokee Nation, the Halsell brothers bought another large herd, and in the spring of 1884 dissolved partnership. Glenn, going to California for his health, died in … Read more

Biography of Judge James M. Keys

Judge James M. Keys was born March 25, 1845, son of Louis Keys, who came from the old State in 1828 and settled on the Illinois River near Tahlequah. His mother was Catherine McDaniels, daughter to James McDaniels, of Irish descent. William Keys, the grandfather to James M., was a United States citizen of Scotch-Irish blood. James was educated at the Tahlequah schools, and at sixteen years of age enlisted in Captain Tennent’s company, Fourth Arkansas, serving three months and twenty days, when he joined Stand Watie’s First Cherokee Regiment, and remained with them until the termination of the war. … Read more

Biography of James G. Harris, M. D.

Dr. James G. Harris, a physician and surgeon of Muskogee, who is specializing in urology, was born on the 18th of February, 1889, in Muskogee county, and is a son of P. Collins and Mary A. (Davis) Harris, who were natives of Georgia and of Alabama respectively. The father served for two years with the Confederate army in the Civil war and was taken prisoner, being incarcerated for about a year. Soon after the war, owing to the fact that he was part Cherokee, he received an allotment from the government in Oklahoma, then Indian Territory, and removed to this … Read more

Biography of Henry C. Fisher

The subject of this sketch was born in March 1862, the second son of William Fisher, of Fishertown, a sketch of whose life will be found in this volume. Henry first attended a neighborhood school until he was fourteen years old, at which age he was so well advanced in his studies that when he went to Franklin High School, at Clinton, Missouri, he immediately went into the classes that contained many of the country teachers of that county. Remaining at Clinton for two years, he went from thence to Drury College, Springfield, Missouri, which college sends a number of … Read more

Biography of M. C. Ware

Among the leading farmers and stockmen of Washington county is numbered M. C. Ware, who resides on a well improved and valuable ranch near Bartlesville and is recognized as one of the large landholders and substantial citizens of his community. He was born in Collin county, Texas, October 11, 1857, his parents being James and Nancy (Howe) Ware, who became pioneer settlers of the Lone Star state, residing in the home in which their son M. C. was born, until called to their final rest. The father, a native of Arkansas, passed away in 1904. The mother’s demise occurred in … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Thomas Canard

Thomas Canard was born at Cane Creek in the year 1841, the third son of Yahartostanuggee, a full blood Indian and king of the Eufaula Town. His mother’s name was Polly, daughter of a white man. Thomas went to Asberry Mission for eight years, leaving that institution in 1857 and remaining at his home until 1861, when he married Miss Negaya, daughter of the king of the Thlopthlocco Town, and thus started in life on his own responsibility. By this marriage he had one child, Wisie, born March 18, 1865. In the meantime he joined the Confederate service as sergeant, … Read more

Biography of William Livingston Austin

William Livingstone Austin was born November 9, 1830, at Trincomalee, Ceylon Island, East Indies, the son of Dr. William Austin, of the Queen’s Own Regiment and a hero of Waterloo. His mother was daughter of Lieutenant-Colonel William Morris. When the subject of our sketch was an infant in arms, his mother, en route homeward with the regiment, touched at the island of St. Helena, and being fatigued while visiting the great Napoleon’s last quarters, was placed upon the bed of the departed hero. Thus W. L. Austin had the honor of sleeping on Napoleon’s bed. His uncle, Robert Austin, surgeon … Read more

Biography of John E. White

One of the prominent merchants of Lenapah, Nowata county, is John E. White, who was born at Boyds Creek, Tennessee, on the 21st of March, 1875. His paternal great-grandfather came to America from England and was a missionary to the Indians in North Carolina. His father, N. B. White, was a farmer and is now deceased. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Charlotte Huffaker, is still living and is residing on the home farm John E. White was named for his mother’s half-brother who died in the prison at Andersonville while serving in the Civil war. In the … Read more

Osage Indians

Osage Indians. A corruption of their own name Wazhazhe, which in turn is probably an extension of the name of one of the three bands of which the tribe is composed. Also called: Anahou, a name used by the French, perhaps the Caddo name. Bone Indians, given by Schoolcraft. The Osage were the most important tribe of the division of the Siouan linguistic stock called by J. O. Dorsey (1897) Dhegiha, which included also the Omaha, Ponka, Kansa, and Quapaw. Osage Locations The greater part of this tribe was anciently on Osage River, Mo., but from a very early period … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Thomas Benton Dickson, M.D.

Thomas B. Dickson was born February 14, 1863, at Adairsville, Georgia, the third son of Thomas Dickson (a leading farmer and stock-raiser), and Tillie Stallings, daughter of Rev. Mr. Stallings, a Baptist minister, of Atlanta, Georgia. Thomas attended public schools until the age of twenty-one, moving from Georgia to Collinsville, Alabama, about 1875. While completing his education in Memphis, Tennessee, the subject of our sketch, determined to become a physician, and, attended the Memphis Hospital Medical College, in 1886. After practicing nearly three years in the State of Arkansas, Dr. Dickson came to Chelsea, Cherokee Nation, at the end of … Read more

Biography of Millard Collier

One of the representative agriculturists of Nowata county is Millard Collier, who since 1904 has been residing on his present place, two miles north of Nowata. A native of Texas, he was born on the Miller Brothers’ ranch, twelve miles southeast of Waco, on the 22d of June, 1877, a son of Charles and Reddie (Hottenger) Collier. His parents were married in Texas and his mother died when he was six years old. In later life the father went to Indian Territory and rented land fifteen miles northeast of Nowata, engaging in farming to the time of his death on … Read more

Biography of Thomas Howie

The subject of this sketch was born July 17, 1828, at Portobello, Scotland, son of William Howie, a merchant, by a Miss Jameson, niece of Sir John Jameson, of County Wexford, Ireland. Thomas attended public school in London until twelve years of age, when he ran away to sea. In 1845 he was in the Mexican war and served throughout. He was afterward one of the 1,400 volunteers who went from New Orleans to Yucatan to suppress the rebellion, only 300 of whom returned. He then served until 1853 on the northwestern frontier carrying government dispatches, after which he went … Read more

Biography of Jesse McKnight

For thirty-nine years Jesse McKnight has resided in this community, having come to Indian Territory with the early pioneers. Left an orphan at the age of ten years, he soon afterward entered the business world to earn his living, and as the result of intelligently directed efforts, laudable ambition and unflagging courage has won substantial success. A native of Missouri, he was born on the 4th of February, 1866. Jesse McKnight acquired but a limited education in the schools of his native state and at the age of seventeen years made his way to Indian Territory. Locating at Muskogee, he … Read more

Biography of Dennis B. Parker

Dennis B. Parker is one of the enterprising agriculturists of Washington County and a representative of a pioneer family whose activities in the cultivation of the soil have promoted the development of their section of the state. He was born on the old homestead, situated two and a half miles southwest of Copan, in Washington County, which is now the property of his stepmother, Mrs. Laura Parker. His mother died during his infancy. His father, Job B. Parker, was a member of the Delaware tribe of Indians. He became a pioneer agriculturist of Indian Territory and passed away in 1907. … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Charles A. Davis

The subject of this sketch was born July 3, 1851, at Clarksville, Arkansas, second son of Ben Davis, of Clarksville, Arkansas, a prominent merchant before the war. Charles’ mother was the daughter of Charles Poston, of Springfield, Missouri, a trader at that point. Charles went to Kane Hill College, Arkansas, for three years. Leaving there in 1871 he opened a livery business in Clarksville, Arkansas, and carried it on until 1875. In that year he sold patent pumps in Texas, and in 1876 began farming and raising stock in the eastern portion of the Cherokee Nation. In 1889 he opened … Read more

Biography of Ira W. Green

Ira W. Green, a member of one of the honored pioneer families of Oklahoma, is a representative of the large class of farmers in Washington county whose intelligence and skill, controlled by keen discernment and business sagacity, are making their private enterprises public assets. A native of Kentucky, he was born May 13, 1878, his parents being J. K. and Amanda E. (Bailey) Green, who took up their residence in Indian Territory in 1899, during the pioneer epoch in its development, there being but one house in Dewey at that time. The father rented a large tract of land two … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Jesse E. Wright

Son of John R. and Charlotte C. (Whitmire) Wright was born Jan. 22, 1871 in Going Snake District; Married in June 1892 in Adair county Mary E., daughter of Walter and Sally West. They are the parents of Willie Cornelia, born April 3, 1898, and Sally born July 30, 1903. Mr. Wright was educated in the Cherokee schools, and spent two years at the Male Seminary. He is a farmer, successful and takes part in all movements for public welfare.

Biography of Joseph B. Cobb

One of Wagoner’s most prominent and representative citizens is Joseph B. Cobb, who was born in Bradley county, Tennessee, on the 21st of February, 1863, a son of Joseph B. and Evaline (Clingan) Cobb, further mention of whom is made in the sketch of Samuel S. Cobb, to be found on another page of this work. Joseph B. Cobb was but seven years of age when he came to Indian Territory with his parents, locating in what is now Wagoner county, and he was reared and received his early education in the common schools of this community. In due time … Read more