Okmulgee Oklahoma

Biography of William Lenley Goheen

William Lenley Goheen, born July 25, 1866, in Moweaqua, Illinois, has had a storied career as the publisher of the Holyrood Banner and the Galatia Register in Kansas. His diverse experiences include working as a press agent for various circuses across the United States and serving as a journeyman printer. Goheen’s newspaper ventures began in 1905, and he has held various roles, including city clerk. A veteran of the Second Nebraska Infantry, he has been influential in local journalism and politics while maintaining strong ties to his family and community.

Biography of Judge J. Sidney Swinney

Judge J. Sidney Swinney, born April 2, 1879, in Texas, is a respected figure in Haskell, serving as judge of the police court and justice of the peace since his election in 1921. His early life involved ranching and guiding Texas rangers, followed by a career in accounting and management in various businesses. Married to Josie A. Smart, they have two children. Judge Swinney is known for his fair judicial decisions, active community involvement, and strong democratic and Christian Scientist affiliations.

Biography of William S. Harsha

William S. Harsha, born in 1857 in Iowa, has been a key figure in Muskogee’s real estate sector since 1907. Orphaned at an early age, he worked various jobs to support himself and gained valuable experience. Harsha initially partnered with J. F. Turner in the retail business for 17 years before transitioning to real estate. He was also involved in the cattle industry and served as president of the Canadian Valley Trust Company. Married to Laura Newcomb, he had nine children and remained active in community service and fraternal organizations.

Biography of Clarence William Turner

Clarence William Turner, born in 1857 in Cleveland, Ohio, was a pivotal figure in the commercial development of Muskogee, Oklahoma. He learned the mercantile trade from his father, John E. Turner, a prominent merchant and pioneer. After establishing the Turner Hardware Company in Muskogee in 1882, Clarence expanded the business and made significant real estate investments, contributing to the city’s growth. A staunch Republican and city alderman, he married Tookah Butler and had three children, continuing the family legacy of community involvement and business acumen.

Biography of C. F. Lutes

C. F. Lutes, born January 1, 1871, in New Albany, Indiana, has been pivotal in the glass industry since moving to Kansas in 1904. As president and general manager of the Fredonia Window Glass Company, the largest of its kind west of the Mississippi, he has overseen significant growth, including the establishment of a second plant in Caney, Kansas. His family’s glass-making legacy traces back to early American emigrants, and Lutes himself began his apprenticeship at age fifteen, demonstrating a deep commitment to the craft and business.

Biography of William Edward Delehant

William Edward Delehant, born on April 6, 1873, in Buffalo, New York, is a prominent figure in Muskogee’s commercial landscape. After graduating in pharmacy from the University of Buffalo, he served in a Marine Hospital before moving to Oklahoma in 1906. He established the Cardinal Drug Company, expanding from a single store to three retail locations and a wholesale division, employing fifty people. An active community member, he has held leadership roles in various associations and enjoys sports and social activities.