Nowata County OK

Biography of C. H. Fortner, M. D.

C. H. Fortner, M. D., has long enjoyed a well-earned reputation and position in the medical profession at Coffeyville. He entered practice with a thorough and comprehensive training and his fine talent soon attracted to him a patronage that has grown steadily in volume and importance, while his participation in progressive movements has made him one of the community’s most valuable and valued citizens. Doctor Fortner represents an old Indiana family. His ancestry goes back through several generations to some Fortners who came from Germany, and the family has lived in this country since colonial times. His grandfather, Aaron Fortner, … 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

Biography of Arthur M. Thurman

Arthur M. Thurman. As the prosperous and rapidly-growing city of Caney is located almost on the state line between Oklahoma and Kansas, many men who make their homes in the city are the owners of property in the former state, particularly land that is used for agricultural purposes. A large number of these make daily trips between their country estates and their city residences, either by way of train or automobile, and in this class is found Arthur M. Thurman, a prosperous farmer and rancher, who lives at Caney, but whose magnificent property, consisting of 1,280 acres of fertile and … Read more

Biography of C. C. Culver

One of the prominent residents of Nowata is C. C. Culver, proprietor of the Westview Jersey Farm and a breeder of registered stock. He was born at Girard, Erie County, Pennsylvania, on the 11th of March, 1876, and received his education in Crawford County, putting his textbooks aside after completing a business course. From that time until 1907 he engaged in the oil business, achieving substantial success, but in 1907 determined to dispose of his interests and come west. He had had some dairying experience in his early youth, his father, Si Culver, having been engaged in the dairy business … Read more

Biography of Albert F. Armstrong

Another member of the Armstrong family who is engaged in farming in Nowata County is Albert F. Armstrong, a brother of Charles F., whose sketch appears on another page of this work. A native of Kansas, he was born in Wyandotte County, on the 3d of April, 1865, a grandson of Chief Journeycake and a son of Henry Armstrong, who is now living retired in Coffeyville, Kansas. He is a nephew of J. E. Campbell of Nowata, while H. L. Campbell of the first National Bank of Nowata is a cousin. Albert F. Armstrong received his early education in the … Read more

Biography of Charles O. McClure

Charles McClure, who is engaged in general farming and stock raising one mile west of Delaware, was born on the 17th of September, 1870, in Illinois, a son of George and Mattie (Powers) McClure. Both parents were born in Illinois and the father farmed there until 1879, when he removed to Kansas, locating near Liberty. He was active in agricultural pursuits there until a few days previous to his death, which occurred in 1908. Mrs. McClure died when Charles O. was but an infant. In the family were eight sons Harvey G., Edward A., Bert, John, Mead, Clyde, Claude and … Read more

Biography of H. K. Stierwalt

H. K. Stierwalt, who for many years has been engaged in farming in Nowata county, is now living in Nowata where he is active in the conduct of a grocery business. A native of Indiana, he was born on the 22d of August, 1862, a son of Mr. and Mrs. J. F. Stierwalt, both of whom are deceased. For many years the father was successfully engaged in farming in Neosho county, Kansas, and his demise, in 1907, came as a severe blow to his many friends in the community. Mrs. Stierwalt died when her son, H. K., was an infant. … Read more

Biography of J. T. Ball

A representative agriculturist of Nowata County, residing five and one-half miles east of Delaware, is J. T. Ball. He was born in Coowescoowee district, one mile from where he now lives, on the 29th of January, 1884, a son of John L. and Annie (Daniels) Ball. The father was a native of Tennessee, who arrived in Indian Territory in 1865 and located one-half mile from where J. T. was born. He later moved onto the old homestead, where he resided until his death in March, 1895. He was engaged in farming and stock raising and became well known in those … Read more

Biography of C. O. Ross

C. O. Ross. In a conspicuous place on the roll of men who have become successful through their connection with the oil and gas industry is found the name of C. O. Ross, a native of the Buckeye state and a splendid type of the alert, progressive and public-apirited men whose records are indications that success is ambition’s answer. His long and prominent connection with the oil business began at the time of his majority, when he started in at the bottom to make his way to a position of prominence, and no oil producer in Kansas has a better … Read more

Biography of W. E. Campbell

The enterprise and energy which are leading to the rapid and substantial up-building of Washington County and other sections of Oklahoma find expression in the life record of W. E. Campbell, who is a merchant of the south, alert, energetic and farsighted. He came to this state from Missouri, his birth having occurred at Lexington, in Lafayette County, on the 4th of October, 1876. His father, Robert M. Campbell, was a native of Virginia and became one of the early settlers of Missouri, where he devoted his attention to agricultural pursuits for a number of years. In 1890 he removed … Read more

Biography of H. B. Rodecker

H. B. Rodecker, an enterprising and successful druggist of Ramona, was born near Eureka, Illinois, on the 22d of August, 1874, and was taken by his parents, William B. and Leona (Hellen) Rodecker, to Newton, Harvey county, Kansas, in 1880. The mother is a niece of the late Cecil Rhodes, multi-millionaire and statesman of South Africa. The father was a tinner by trade and followed that pursuit until 1889, when the family removed to Oklahoma City and he entered the employ of W. J. Pettie, a hardware merchant, conducting a business that has since been developed into a large wholesale … Read more

Biography of W. T. Bluejack

Since 1871 the Bluejacket family has figured prominently in connection with the development of Oklahoma along agricultural, industrial and legislative lines, aiding in laying the broad foundation upon which has been built the present prosperity of the commonwealth. W. T. Bluejacket has ably supplemented the efforts of his father, having for many years been numbered among the progressive agriculturists and successful business men of his part of the state, although he is now living practically retired, having accumulated a comfortable competence through the capable management of his interests. A native of Kansas, Mr. Bluejacket was born October 16, 1866, his … Read more

Slave Narrative of Nancy Rogers Bean

Person Interviewed: Nancy Rogers Bean Location: Hulbert, Oklahoma Place of Birth: Boggy Depot, Oklahoma Age: 82 I’m getting old and it’s easy to forget most of the happenings of slave days; anyway I was too little to know much about them, for my mammy told me I was born about six years before the war. My folks was on their way to Fort Gibson, and on the trip I was born at Boggy Depot, down in southern Oklahoma. There was a lot of us children; I got their names somewheres here. Yes, there was George, Sarah, Emma, Stella, Sylvia, Lucinda, … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Eugene B. Lawson

The many and varied business enterprises with which Eugene B. Lawson is connected establishes his position as a prominent figure in connection with the commercial and financial development of the state. A native of Kentucky, he was born in Shelbyville, May 27, 1871, and was a young man of twenty-five years when in 1896 he came to the Indian Territory, settling at Nowata. In the fall of the year 1896 he was admitted to the Oklahoma bar and entered upon the active work of his profession, but for the past twelve years has given no time to law practice. He … Read more

Biography of W. W. Wood

W. W. Wood, an enterprising and progressive agriculturist of northeastern Oklahoma, owns a farm of one hundred acres situated six and a half miles southeast of Delaware, in Nowata county, where he has made his home for the past twenty-eight years. His birth occurred in southern Texas on the 2d of February, 1882, his parents being Edward and Senna (Dickson) Wood, both of whom were natives of Missouri. In 1894 the family home was established in Nowata County, Indian Territory, and here the father spent his remaining days. The mother is still living at the age of seventy-two years and … Read more

Biography of J. C. Manning

One of the most useful and active citizens of Nowata is J. C. Manning, who has been holding the office of city manager since 1920. A native of Indiana, he was born in La Fayette, on the 7th of April, 1881, and there received his early education. After graduating from high school he became a student at Purdue University and was graduated from that institution in 1901, with the B. S. degree. Subsequently he made his initial step into the business world as an employee in the engineering department of the Illinois Central Railroad and after ten years in that … Read more

Biography of Isaac H. Secondine

A prominent citizen of Delaware is Isaac H. Secondine, who is engaged in the decorating business. A native of Nowata County, he was born at Coodys Bluff on the 29th of May, 1874, a son of Fillmore and Rachael (Connor) Secondine. His paternal grand-father, James, was chief of the Delawares in the ’40s and crossed the plains with General Fremont on that memorable trip chronicled in history, and also fought under him in the Mexican war. Grandfather Secondine was a highly educated man, speaking seven different languages, among them perfect English. He acted as interpreter to General Fremont, who was … Read more

Biographical Sketch of G. W. Ifer

One of the representative citizens of Delaware is G. W. Ifer, farm manager of the Sanders Oil Company and owner of two of the most modern business blocks in town. He was born in Wells County, Indiana, on the 6th of November, 1868, and came to Oklahoma in the year that this state was admitted to the union. For six months he resided at Keefer and then spent a like period in the oil fields at Jenks. Subsequently he became farm manager of the Sanders Oil Company at Delaware and with the exception of one year he has since been … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Mrs. William A. Parker

(See Oolootsa) Mary Ellen Chamberlin born at Vinita, April 23, 1893, educated in Vinita. Married at Nowata July 5, 1910 William A. Parker. They are the parents of Norman Eugene, born April 1, 1912; Billie born January 23, 1914; Viola May, born May 15, 1916 and Mary Jane Parker, born November 1, 1919. Mrs. Mary Ellen Parker is the daughter of Nelson Bucher and Sarah Viola (LeForce) Chamberlin.