Miami Oklahoma

Biographical Sketch of Mrs. Peter McCullough

Sarah Penelope Fields, born April 2, 1842, married John Jackson Smith in 1859 and had one daughter, Magenia Jane. In 1895, she wed Peter McCullough, with whom she had five children, including Winnie, Rex, Gladys, William, and Joy. The McCullough family are active members of the Christian Church. Peter served as a merchant and City Treasurer in Miami, while Rex distinguished himself in the Marines during World War I. Sarah, noted for her literary talents, is also a composer.

Biographical Sketch of Mrs. Crawford Conner

Anna Conner, born July 4, 1877, was the daughter of William and Charlotte (Mayes) Ballard. She graduated from Cherokee public schools and the Female Seminary in 1897. Anna married Crawford Conner on July 10, 1901, and they raised six children together. Both were educated in Cherokee institutions, with Crawford also attending Bacone Indian University. They were active members of the Latter Day Saints church. Anna’s Cherokee name is Ahniwake, and Crawford worked as a carpenter in Miami.

Biography of Hon. J. J. Smith

Hon. J. J. Smith, a prominent Miami attorney since 1915, specializes in criminal law and has served in the state senate, where he promoted significant legislation. Born on June 23, 1889, in Texas, he pursued law after teaching to finance his education. An active member of the Democratic Party, he is involved in various organizations, including the Masons and the Odd Fellows. Smith has contributed to his community and state, exemplifying determination and public service throughout his career and private life.

Biography of Samuel Aaron Kenoyer

Samuel Aaron Kenoyer, born on September 30, 1873, in Kentland, Indiana, emerged as a significant real estate operator in Miami. Despite limited formal education, he succeeded through hard work, beginning his career in various roles before entering real estate in 1915. His contributions include developing the Cardin subdivision and owning key properties like the Commerce building. Married to Felicia Cardin, he is recognized for his community involvement and support of local initiatives, embodying the spirit of entrepreneurship and public service.

Biography of Omer Romanes Young

Omer Romanes Young, born on a Missouri farm in 1883, began his legal career in 1915 after extensive studies and diverse employment. He established himself as a prominent lawyer in Miami, focusing on titles and abstracts. A Republican, he was active in local politics and community organizations. Married to Lillian A. Alexander, they have three children. Young’s persistent ambition and dedication have garnered him respect in both legal and social circles, with involvement in the Miami Chamber of Commerce and various fraternal organizations.

Biography of Judge Q. P. McGhee

Judge Q. P. McGhee, born in Delaware County, Oklahoma in 1886, represents a distinguished figure in the state’s judiciary. Coming from a prominent pioneer family, he began his career in various trades before turning to law, gaining admission to the bar in 1914. Appointed as Ottawa County’s county judge in 1921, he is recognized for his fair rulings and successful handling of juvenile cases. A dedicated public servant and businessman, McGhee also maintains active political and community engagement. He is married with two children.

Biography of C. B. Mitchell

Charles B. Mitchell, born on October 9, 1870, in Brunswick, Maine, has established a successful legal practice in Miami, despite being a relatively recent addition to the bar. He has also made his mark as a writer, contributing to various magazines. After pursuing a career in journalism and the Presbyterian ministry, he returned to law, practicing in Oklahoma and Kansas before settling in Miami. Known for his eloquence and thorough preparation, Mitchell actively participates in community development and enjoys a cultured life enriched by literature and travel. He is married to Jessie F. Matthews.

Biography of Arthur C. Wallace

Arthur C. Wallace, born February 20, 1882, in Iowa, has been a prominent figure in Miami’s legal community since 1908, specializing in mining, railroad, and corporation law. After earning his law degree from the University of Iowa, he became well-known for handling significant litigation in northeastern Oklahoma. An active community member, he has served as a director of the Miami Building Loan Association and engaged in various local organizations. Married to Grace Van Matre, he has two children and has contributed to his community through public service and social activities.

Biography of Carl F. Mayer

Carl F. Mayer, who passed away on September 19, 1921, in Joplin, Missouri, at the age of 50, was a prominent and dedicated public servant in Miami. Born on August 7, 1871, he served 32 years with the government, notably in Indian affairs, contributing significantly as Superintendent of the Quapaw Indian agency. His career was marked by a deep understanding and humane treatment of the Indian communities. He was also a family man, an active member of the community, and an enthusiast of golf until his sudden death.

Biography of Hon. Horace B. Durant

Hon. Horace B. Durant, born on July 31, 1868, in Troy, Ohio, is a distinguished attorney in Miami and a dedicated public servant in the Oklahoma state senate, representing Cherokee, Delaware, and Ottawa counties. His early career included roles as an Indian agent and special Indian agent, overseeing various agencies. Durant is actively involved with the Methodist church, Masons, and local civic organizations. He and his wife, Lou, have three children and are committed to community service, including efforts during World War I.

Biography of John Wesley Kieff

John Wesley Kieff, born on March 9, 1857, in Indiana, is a notable journalist and community leader in Oklahoma, currently serving as the justice of the peace in Miami. His early education and teaching career led him to pursue law, but he gained prominence in journalism, writing for various newspapers. Kieff has been influential in public service, supporting infrastructure improvements in Miami and contributing to the city’s commercial development. A Republican and active community member, he is known for his integrity, dedication, and scholarly pursuits.

Biography of Henry Edward Dixon

Henry Edward Dixon, born on January 13, 1872, in Illinois, is a prominent attorney in Delaware County, Oklahoma, with a notable reputation for his legal acumen. He began his career in education and business before transitioning to law. Dixon has held various positions, including mayor of Grove, where he implemented progressive economic policies. Married to Stella June Parker, he has five children and is active in the Christian Church and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. His dedication to professional integrity and community advancement is widely recognized.

Biography of James R. Gristy

James R. Gristy, born in 1841 in Illinois, became a significant figure in Kansas history. He established a large farming operation with his father in Johnson County before transitioning to real estate, prominently in Kansas City and later in Oklahoma. Gristy contributed to the development of Miami, Oklahoma, and was involved in local politics, serving as city assessor and state oil inspector. After various moves, including to Washington, he returned to Kansas and resumed his real estate endeavors until his later years. Gristy’s family has deep roots in American history, with ties to notable figures like Abraham Lincoln.

Biography of Vern E. Thompson

Vern E. Thompson, born on November 12, 1878, in Stockbridge, Michigan, has significantly impacted the Ottawa County bar since 1902. After earning his LL.B. from the University of Michigan, he practiced law in Miami, served as the first County Attorney, and later as County Judge. A committed Republican and active in civic affairs, he contributed to local organizations, including the Chamber of Commerce and the Red Cross during World War I. Thompson is also known for his involvement in the Masons and the Presbyterian Church. He continues to practice law with a focus on mining and corporation law.

Biography of Zachariah Taylor Preston

Zachariah Taylor Preston, born on January 23, 1883, in Oklahoma, has established himself as a successful farmer in Washington County. He began farming at nineteen and currently manages an improved eighty-acre farm near Ramona. His father, a Confederate surgeon, lived to be 103, while his Cherokee mother is still alive. Married in 1902 to Perilina Chadwell, they have eight children. A progressive farmer, Preston implements advanced methods and crop rotation, contributing significantly to local agriculture. His reputation in the community is strong, marked by numerous friendships.

Biography of Thomas Lincoln Robinson

Thomas Lincoln Robinson, born August 3, 1860, in Missouri, significantly contributed to Miami’s development through his business acumen and progressive spirit. Initially involved in construction, he later became the head of the Independent Mining Royalty Company and acquired substantial real estate. Robinson was instrumental in numerous building projects and civic improvements, including hospitals and public libraries. Married in 1883, he raised four children, instilling values of public service and enterprise. A respected businessman and community leader, his legacy is deeply woven into the fabric of Miami.

Biography of John Daniel Bewley, M. D.

Dr. John Daniel Bewley, born on March 25, 1874, in Arkansas, has become a prominent physician and surgeon in Miami since 1916. He pursued medical studies at the Memphis Hospital Medical School, earning his degree in 1903. Dr. Bewley practiced in several locations, including Tahlequah and Locust Grove, before settling in Miami. A dedicated community member, he is involved in civic affairs and the local bank, and he maintains interests in livestock farming. He has been married twice and has four sons.

Biography of David Hester Cotten

David Hester Cotten, born on January 28, 1894, in Indian Territory, is a prominent attorney in Miami, Oklahoma, since 1918. He is the third generation of his family in Oklahoma, with roots tracing back to the Chickasaw Nation. Cotten graduated from the University of Oklahoma with an LL.B. after excelling in sports. He served as County Attorney for Ottawa County and is actively involved in local civic and professional organizations. Married to Emma Henning, they have one daughter, Ardis Maurine, and his contributions continue to shape his community.

Biography of Charles Rudolph Nesbitt

Charles Rudolph Nesbitt, born on May 24, 1892, in Colony, Kansas, has quickly established himself as a prominent attorney in Miami. He earned his Bachelor and Master’s degrees from the University of Kansas before studying law at Yale. In 1916, he began practicing law with his brother in Oklahoma, garnering a notable clientele. An industrious professional, Nesbitt is also an active community member and a dedicated family man. He has contributed to the war effort during World War I and maintains affiliations with various organizations.

Biography of Edward Clarence Fitzgerald

Edward Clarence Fitzgerald, born on February 19, 1884, in Iowa, began his law career in 1908 and became a prominent attorney in Ottawa County, with an office in Miami. He earned his A.B. and LL.B. degrees from the University of Iowa and served as County attorney and United States probate attorney for several counties, focusing on Indian affairs. A committed Democrat and active in local organizations, Fitzgerald is recognized for his legal expertise, diligence, and engagement in community affairs.