Biographical Sketch of Jefferson Robinson

The subject of this sketch was born August 10, 1849, son of Watie Robinson and Diana Conrad, daughter of Hair Conrad, the first signer of the Constitution of 1839. Jefferson was educated at the public school in Tahlequah, and during the war served in the Federal army under Colonel Phillips, of the Indian Home Guards, being present at the battle of Cabin Creek and other engagements. At the conclusion of the war he followed lead mining for a livelihood for eight years, at Joplin, Mo. In 1875 Mr. Robinson married Miss Lou Rountree, by whom he had one son named … Read more

The Choctaw Freedmen and Oak Hill Industrial Academy

Oak Hill Industrial Academy

The aim of the Author in preparing this volume has been to put in a form, convenient for preservation and future reference, a brief historical sketch of the work and workers connected with the founding and development of Oak Hill Industrial Academy, established for the benefit of the Freedmen of the Choctaw Nation, Indian Territory, by the Presbyterian Church, U. S. A., in 1886, when Miss Eliza Hartford became the first white teacher, to the erection of Elliott Hall in 1910, and its dedication in 1912; when the name of the institution was changed to “The Alice Lee Elliott Memorial.”

Curtis Act – June 28, 1898

An Act For the protection of the people of the Indian Territory, and for other purposes. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That in all criminal prosecutions in the Indian Territory against officials for embezzlement, bribery, and embracery the word “officer,” when the same appears in the criminal laws heretofore extended over and put in force in said Territory, shall include all officers of the several tribes or nations of Indians in said Territory. SEC. 2. That when in the progress of any civil suit, either in … Read more

Biography of Wade Hampton Kornegay

For three decades Wade Hampton Kornegay has been a representative of the Vinita bar and with the passing years his clientele has steadily increased in volume and importance. as he has demonstrated his ability to cope with the intricate problems of the law, while he is also recognized as one of the most progressive agriculturists and stock raisers of Craig county. He was born in Duplin county, North Carolina, April 17, 1865, and was named for General Wade Hampton, the noted Confederate leader. His parents were Henry and Jeannette (Williams) Kornegay, who were also natives of North Carolina, the former … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Davis Hill

The subject of this sketch was born September 21, 1863, at Lafayette, Georgia, and is the eldest son of George W. Hill, a prominent merchant of Ringgold, Lafayette County, Georgia. Davis’ mother was a daughter of Martin Davis, of Dahlangoah. The young man attended private school until he was eighteen years old, when he went into general merchandise with his father at Cedar Grove, Georgia. Here he continued for three years until 1886, when he settled in Vinita and again embarked in merchandise, this time in company with William Little. In 1887 he bought out his partner, and connected himself … Read more

Biographical Sketch of John A. Smith

The subject of this sketch was born September 12, 1846, at Williamstown, Massachusetts, eldest son of Joseph Smith, of Vermont, a prominent mechanic of that State. John’s mother was a Miss Cope. John attended public school until he was seventeen years, after which he went to railroading, and from 1861 to 1867 continued that business, when he went west to the Cherokee Nation, and was appointed deputy marshal under Marshal Roots Sarber. He rode for the first court ever held in Fort Smith, serving during two terms of Marshal Buttons’ office. There are at present only two (including Mr. Smith) … Read more

Biography of Charles F. Armstrong

For many years Charles F. Armstrong has been farming in the vicinity of Coodys Bluff and is readily conceded to be one of the progressive farmers and stockmen in this section of the state. A native of Oklahoma, he was born at one of the first post office stations in Indian Territory, at that time known as Cooscoowie district, on the 27th of February, 1872. His father, Henry Armtrong, a pioneer citizen and registered Delaware, was a son-in-law of Chief Journeycake. For thirty years he was engaged in the mercantile business at Coodys Bluff and Nowata. He suffered a severe … Read more

Judges of the Cherokee Nation

Judges of Canadian District 1841. John Brewer; 1843. Robert G. Anderson; 1847. Nelson Riley; George Washington Campbell; 1849. William Reese. 1851. Lewis Riley; 1853. William Reese; 1855. Star Deer in the water; 1857. Dempsey Fields; 1859. William Doublehead; 1861. James Ore; 1867 and 1869. Joseph Martin Hildebrand; 1871, 1873, 1875, 1877, 1879 and 1881. Abraham Woodall; 1883 and 1885. Stephen Hildebrand; 1887 and 1889. Henry Clay Lowrey 1891 and l893. Herman Johnson Vann; 1895. Walter Scott Agnew 1897. Herman Johnson Vann Judges of Cooweescoowee District 1855. Not known; 1857. John Lucien Brown; 1857. Charles Coody Rogers; 1861. Jackson Tyner; 1867 … Read more

Biography of J. S. Fouts

Modern progressive agriculture finds a worthy representative in J. S. Fouts; who owns a valuable farm near Dewey, in Washington County, on which he has placed many improvements, while his land also contains oil, from which source he derives a large addition to his income. A native of Kansas, he was born April 14, 1862, and his father died during his infancy. When but five years of age he was brought by his mother to the Cherokee Nation and three years later her death occurred, so that he was left an orphan when very young. He is of Delaware extraction … Read more

Biographical Sketch of E. B. Wright

(See Grant and Downing) Ellis Buffington Wright, born in Going Snake District, October 29, 1854. Married May 29, 1881, Elizabeth, daughter of Eli West and Jennie Chinosa (Vann) Dougherty, born July 6, 1862 and graduated from Female Seminary June 27, 1879. They were the parents of: William Ellis, Francis Otto, Mayes, Bryan, Lydia, John Lindsay and Ruth Wright. Ellis Buffington Wright is a quiet, reserved man of more than ordinary ability and he has always been noted for his unswerving integrity and reliability. He was elected Townsite Commissioner in 1892, member of Council from Cooweescoowee District August 2, 1897 and … Read more

Biography of Hon. Samuel Morton Rutherford

Samuel Morton Rutherford has always been keenly alive to his duties and responsibilities as a man and citizen and through the avenue of his profession has done much to uphold the legal and moral status of his community. Residing in Muskogee, he is recognized as one of the eminent members of the bar of this section of the state, attaining high position in a calling where advancement depends entirely upon individual merit and ability. Samuel M. Rutherford is indebted to the public school system of Fort Smith, Arkansas, for his early educational privileges and later he enjoyed the benefit of … Read more

Biography of General Marion Swanson

General Marion Swanson of Muskogee, well known in real estate circles through his purchase and sale of farm lands, is also engaged in farming, but follows this more as a recreation than as a source of livelihood. He was born in Lineville, Iowa, April 29, 1863, and is a son of William E. and Susan J. (Edgemand) Swanson. His father was always engaged in farming and stock raising and General Swanson, therefore, early became familiar with the various phases of agricultural life. He was educated in the public schools of Millersburg, Cherokee county, Kansas, and when not busy with his … Read more

Biography of David Carr

David Carr was the son of Elijah Carr, first cousin of Paddy Carr and second cousin to Charles Weatherford, of Alabama, the latter being son of the great warrior and hero of Fort Mimms, while the former is well known in the history of his country. David Carr’s mother was one of the Grayson family, of high reputation among the Muskogees. The subject of our sketch was born in 1841, and educated at the neighborhood schools; but, his parents dying when he was still a boy, he was deprived of many chances of enlightenment. He married, when scarcely twenty-one years … Read more

Biography of Micajah H. Phillips

For over half a century Micajah H. Phillips has made his home in Oklahoma and for many years he was an active factor in the agricultural development of the state, but is now living retired on his farm near Delaware, in Nowata county, having reached the age of seventy-eight years. He was born in Surry county, North Carolina, April 30, 1843, and in May, 1870, when a young man of twenty-seven years, he came to Indian Territory casting in U-10 lot with its pioneer settlers. He acquired land seven miles south of Tahlequah and for eight years there engaged in … Read more

Biography of James Dandridge Willison

James Dandridge Willison was born in December, 1852, the second son of J. W. Willison and Catherine McIntosh, sister to the present Colonel D. N. McIntosh, one of the leading men of the Muskogee Nation. James’ father was a white man from Virginia, who settled in Jefferson, Texas, at an early day, having emigrated with his father from England in 1704, being a member of Sir William Calander’s family. The subject of our sketch has the old family Bible, printed in 1585, which contains this record. At the age of twenty-two Mr. Willison settled fifteen miles south of Muskogee, and … Read more

Biography of Benjamin Franklin DeVan

One of the well known citizens of Nowata County is Benjamin Franklin DeVan, farmer and County commissioner, residing three miles northeast of Delaware. A native of Indiana, he was born in the central part of the state on the 10th of April, 1863. His father, John W., was a native of Kentucky and died when Benjamin Franklin was four years old. His mother, Nancy A. Childs, was born in Indiana, and is now living with a son, Sydney Little. He is a half brother of Mr. DeVan and is residing three and one-half miles southeast of him on the Verdigris … Read more

Biography of A. T. Hill

Among those whose progressive methods and intelligently directed efforts have constituted factors in the agricultural development of Washington county is numbered A. T. Hill, a member of one of the pioneer families of the state and the owner of a desirable farm near Bartlesville which in all of its appointments reflects the progressive spirit and capable management of the owner. A native son of Oklahoma, he was born in Dewey, August 3, 1874. His father, who as known as Mr. Top-of-the-Hill, was a native of Kansas and a member of the Delaware tribe, with whom he came to Indian Territory, … Read more

Biographical Sketch of James Marion Morrow

Born July 1, 1860, in Knox County, Ohio, the fifth son of William J. Morrow, a prominent farmer and stock-raiser. James’ mother was a Miss Easter, of Scotch descent. James attended district school until fifteen years of age, when he went to Lincoln College, Jackson County, Missouri. After having remained three years at college, he began clerking in a drug store in Kansas. Following this business for eleven years at different places, he went to Iowa, and there remained some time, after which, in 1891, he moved to Muskogee, Indian Territory, and there began clerking for Sam Gavagan, the druggist. … Read more

Biography of Robert Bruce Garrett

Prominent among the successful, energetic and progressive business men of Pryor is Robert Bruce Garrett, who has been identified with various enterprises having to do with the development and improvement of this community and is now engaged in the real estate business. He was born at old Baptist Mission, near which the town of Westville, Adair county, is now located on the 2d of December, 1876, a son of James Robert and Elizabeth A. (Greer) Garrett. His father was a native of Tennessee who came to the Indian Territory when’ quite young, locating at the mission. It was there that … Read more