Indian Territory

Biography of Joseph A. Bartles

Joseph A. Bartles, prominently identified with the development of the oil and gas industry in northern Oklahoma, makes his home in Dewey and has spent almost his entire life in Washington County. Actuated by a spirit of progress and enterprise at all times he has become a dynamic force in connection with the development of this section of the state. His judgment is sound, his enterprise unfaltering and the essential features of success he readily recognizes and utilizes. Joseph A. Bartles was born December 15, 1874, on Turkey creek, in the Cherokee Nation, his parents being Colonel J. H. and … Read more

Biography of Rev. Father Paul M. Ponziglione

Rev. Father Paul M. Ponziglione, one of the most famous Catholic missionaries of Southern Kansas and what was, in his time, Indian Territory –particularly among the Osage Indians of the Southwest–was born in Piedmont, Italy, February 11, 1818. He was of noble descent on both sides of the house, but, as he was wont to express it, his greatest pride was that he belonged to “the noble family of Adam,” His education was obtained in several Jesuit institutions of Italy, the College of Nobles at Turin conferring upon him the degree of Bachelor of Arts. But the pomp of the … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Samuel S. Cobb, 1840-1923

The subject of this sketch was born March 10, 1840, at Morgantown, Tennessee, the sixth son of Sylvester Cobb. Samuel attended public school until seventeen or eighteen years of age, when the war broke out and he joined the Union army (Fifth Tennessee Infantry) as a private, gaining the captaincy of his company before the conclusion. After the war Samuel went to Webber’s Falls, Cherokee Nation, and for seventeen years sold goods in connection with his brother John and a Mr. Thomas Hutton. Selling out in 1885, Samuel and the latter gentleman embarked in cattle, and in 1890 built a … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Robert D. Knight

Robert D. Knight was born March 25, 1846, at Chouteau, Cherokee Nation, the youngest son of J. S. Knight, a Marylander, and a Cherokee lady, daughter of William Rogers, one of the old settlers. Robert attended several schools in the State of Pennsylvania, after which he spent three years at the academy in Bridgeton, New Jersey, finishing his education at Newtonia, Missouri. Leaving school in 1861, Robert entered the Confederate service, and served until the close of the war. After devoting ten years to farming, Mr. Knight moved in 1876 to Vinita, and there began the business of architect, contractor … Read more

Biography of Walter George Gibbons

Walter George Gibbons, vice president and cashier of the Chestnut-Gibbons Grocery Company, a wholesale concern, doing business in Muskogee, has since 1908 been in charge of this establishment. The business was founded here in 1902 and since Mr. Gibbons took charge material advance has been made in the trade connections of the firm. This results from his close study of every phase of the business, his persistency of purpose and his thorough application. Mr. Gibbons was born in Tiskilwa, Illinois, October 1, 1868, and is a son of George and Mary (Cook) Gibbons, the former a harness manufacturer, devoting his … Read more

Koasati Tribe

Koasati Indians. An Upper Creek tribe speaking a dialect almost identical with Alibamu and evidently nothing more than a large division of that people. The name appears to contain the word for ‘cane’ or ‘reed,’ and Gatschet has suggested that it may signify ‘white cane.’ During the middle and latter part of the 18th century the Koasati lived, apparently in one principal village, on the right bank of Alabama river, 3 miles below the confluence of the Coosa and Tallapoosa, where the modern town of Coosada, Alabama, perpetuates their name; but soon after west Florida was ceded to Great Britain, … Read more

Biography of Isaac W. Bertholf

The subject of this sketch is the fourth son of the late Rev. Thomas Bertholf, the well-known Indian missionary, and Nancy Keys, daughter of Isaac Keys, of Tahlequah district. He attended public schools for some time, and completed his education at the national male seminary in 1856. After some five years spent on the farm, Isaac joined the Confederate service in 1862, under Stand Watie, and served in the battles of Cabin Creek, Bird Creek, Honey Springs and other lesser engagements. At the outbreak of the war, Rev. Thomas Berthold and Isaac’s mother refugeed close to the mouth of the … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Mrs. Lee Cook

Nannie, daughter of Clark and Lydia (Smith) Swimmer, was born in the Cherokee Nation. Educated in Cherokee National schools. Married at Webbers Falls in 1898 Lee Cook. They are the parents of: Andrew, who served three months in the World war; Glenn, and Evaline Cook. Mr. Cook is a farmer.

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

History of the Indian Wars

Map of French and Indian War

Our relations with the aboriginal inhabitants of this continent form a distinct and very important, and interesting portion of the history of this Republic. It is unfortunately, for the most part, a history of bloody wars, in which the border settlers have suffered all the horrors of savage aggression, and, in which portions of our colonial settlements have sometimes been completely cut off and destroyed. Other portions of this thrilling history, evince the courage, daring, and patience of the settlers, in a very favorable point of view, and exhibit them as triumphing over every difficulty, and finally obtaining a firm foothold on the soil. In all its parts, this history will always possess numerous points of peculiar interest for the American reader.

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

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

Biographical Sketch of William Navin, M.D.

The subject of this biography was born December, 1850, in Jersey County, Illinois, the fifth son of James Navin, of Jersey County. His mother was a Miss Barker, of Alabama. William attended public school until he was eighteen years of age, after which he began teaching school in Calhoun County, Illinois, where he remained one year, and then engaged in the study of medicine at the St. Louis Medical College. Graduating and securing his diploma in 1872, he began practicing at his home and there remained until 1876, when he moved to Rush County, Kansas. Resuming his profession, he continued … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Mrs. Susan Taylor

Mrs. Susan Taylor was born July 6, 1803, daughter of “Fields,” a half-breed of Scotch descent. Her mother was a Miss Brown, sister of Judge Brown, prominent in Cherokee history. Susan Taylor was educated at the Moravian Mission, Spring Place, Georgia, and moved with the emigration to the Indian Territory in 1839. Her husband, Richard Taylor, held many prominent positions in the nation, and was second chief when he died, in 1853. The subject of our sketch settled in Tahlequah before there was a residence in that place, and in 1849 built a fine brick residence, one of the first … Read more

Treaty of June 2, 1825

Articles of a treaty made and concluded at St. Louis, in the State of Missouri, between William Clark, Superintendent of Indian Affairs, Commissioner on the part of the United States, and the undersigned, Chiefs, Head-Men, and Warriors, of the Great and Little Osage Tribes of Indians, duly authorized and empowered by their respective Tribes or Nations. In order more effectually to extend to said Tribes that protection of the Government so much desired by them, it is agreed as follows: Article I. The Great and Little Osage Tribes or Nations do, hereby, cede and relinquish to the United States, all … Read more

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

Biography of Governor Ward Coachman

The pleasant and popular ex-Governor Coachman was born in Wetumka, Alabama, in 1827, and went to the neighboring schools in Macon County, the same State, at an early age. He is the youngest son of Muslushobie (otherwise Coachman) by his wife Pollie Durant, a half-breed, and full niece of Alexander McGibery, once a prominent Creek leader, mentioned in Piggot’s history. She was also sister to Sophia McComb and Rachel Bosheers, of Scotch and French descent. The subject of this sketch lived with his uncle Loughlin Durant until twenty-two years of age, when he moved West to the Creek Nation on … Read more

Biography of Patrick Cleburn Woodruff, M. D.

In the passing of Dr. Patrick Cleburn Woodruff the medical profession lost a representative member. For twelve years he resided in Stilwell and during that time endeared himself to every one in the community. A man of great charity, he served rich and poor alike and his sudden demise, on the 29th of December, 1914, came as a severe shock to his many friends. A native of Mississippi, Dr. Woodruff was born on the 31st of January, 1865, a son of T. P. and Elizabeth (Leatherwood) Woodruff, both natives of that state. In 1871 they removed to Paris, Texas, and … Read more

Biography of Wayman C. Jackson

The subject of this sketch was the second son of Columbus Jackson and Virginia Appleberry. Wayman attended public school until he was thirteen years of age, when he went to the Baptist College, Louisiana, Missouri, for one year, and from there to the Morgan H. Luney Male School, at Fayetteville, Arkansas, where he remained eighteen months, finishing his education after a two years’ sojourn at the Arkansas State University. Leaving this institute in 1874, he spent one year in Texas, after which he commenced the study of law at Fayetteville, at A. M. Wilson’s office (Wilson is a member of … Read more