Northeastern Oklahoma Biographies

Map of Oklahoma

The following biographies were written in 1922 and pertain to “important” men who resided in the Muskogee and northeastern areas of Oklahoma. By important, it should be emphasized that each biography was submitted along with a payment for inclusion in the biographical manuscript. Therefore, anyone who chose not to pay for such a service was often left out of the manuscript. The counties covered by this manuscript include Adair, Cherokee, Craig, Delaware, Mayes, McIntosh, Muskogee, Nowata, Ottawa, Rogers, Sequoyah, Wagoner, and Washington.

Biography of Hon. J. J. Smith

Hon. J. J. Smith, an able representative of the Miami bar, who has here practiced his profession since 1915, is specializing in criminal law, in which branch of jurisprudence he has been very successful, and he has also done effective service for the public good as a member of the state senate. He was born June 23, 1889, near Ranger, in Eastland county, Texas, upon the farm of his parents, Benjamin F. and Catherine (Simpson) Smith, the latter also a native of that section of the Lone Star state, while the former was born in Madison county, North Carolina. While … Read more

Biography of Francis Marion Crowell

Afton owes much to the enterprising spirit and business ability of Francis Marion Crowell, whose identification with the town dates from the time of its establishment, and he is now conducting one of the leading department stores in this part of the state, displaying marked executive force, energy and determination in the control of his interests. He was born on a farm in Tallapoosa County, Alabama, March 14, 1859, his parents being Dr. Marion and Nancy A. Crowell, the former of whom was born at Mecklenburg, North Carolina, February 15, 1830, while the birth of the latter occurred in Henry … Read more

Johnson, Charles William II – Obituary

Baker City, Oregon Charles William Johnson II, 76, of Baker City, died July 18, 2004, at St. Elizabeth Health Services. His memorial service will be at 2 p.m. Thursday at the First Church of the Nazarene, 1250 Hughes Lane. Pastor Jon Privett and Pastor Lennie Spooner of the First Church of the Nazarene will officiate. Friends are invited to join the family after the service for a reception at the home of Charles’ daughter, Charline Simmons. Inurnment will be later at Mount Hope Cemetery. Visitations will be until 3 p.m. today at Gray’s West & Co. Pioneer Chapel, 1500 Dewey … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Mrs. Walter Copeland

(See Ghigau)-Tennessee Almyra, daughter of Garrett and Jane (Harlan) Lane was born February 16, 1849 in Tennessee. Married October 16, 1866 David Solon James, born January 5, 1842 in Stone County, Missouri. He served the union in Co. E, 14th Kansas Cavalry. They are the parents of Clara Della James, born in the Cherokee Nation, near Miami June 16 ,1875. Educated in the Female Seminary and Worcester Academy, Vinita, graduating from the latter institution in 1893. Taught school in the Cherokee Nation for twenty years and married at Miami, May 12, 1915 Walter, son of George O. born in 1841 … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Mrs. Crawford Conner

(See Grant, Ghigau and Duncan)-Anna, daughter of William Charlotte (Mayes) Ballard was born July 4, 1877. Educated in the Cherokee public schools and Female Seminary, from which she graduated June 25, 1897. She married at Fairland July 10, 1901 Crawford, son of Francis Marion and Rebecca (Duncan) Conner, born October 31, 1881. Educated in the Cherokee public schools and Bacone Indian University. They are the parents of: Francis William born June 16, 1902 now deceased; Marvin Rogers, born July 24, 1903; Millard, born May 9, 1905; Ruth, born Feb. 17, 1907; Lois, born August 13th, 1908 and Rebecca Conner, born … Read more

Biography of Carl F. Mayer

In the sudden demise of Carl F. Mayer, which occurred at Joplin, Missouri, on the 19th of September, 1921, when he was fifty years of age, Miami lost one of its most progressive, public-spirited and highly respected citizens and the government a trusted official whose entire active life had been spent in its service. The place which he left vacant will be a difficult one to fill, for broad experience had given him a comprehensive understanding of Indian affairs, and the service which he rendered was one of great value to the nation. He was born at Leavenworth, Kansas, August … Read more

Biography of John William Bartholomew

In no profession does advancement depend more entirely upon individual merit and ability than in the law. Close application, keen analysis, clear mental perception and careful preparation are indispensable elements in the life of every man who attempts to gain prominence in this arduous calling. That John William Bartholomew is lacking in none of these requisites, is indicated in the fact that he is numbered among the most capable lawyers of Miami and throughout his career he has maintained the highest standards of professional ethics. A native of Indiana, he was born near Morocco, in Newton County, November 20, 1858, … Read more

Biography of Arthur C. Wallace

Since 1908 Arthur C. Wallace has been identified with the Miami bar and in the intervening period of thirteen years he has become well known throughout Oklahoma as an authority on mining, railroad and corporation law, having been entrusted with much important litigation along those lines. He was born upon a farm near Grace Hill, in Washington County, Iowa, February 20, 1882, his parents being Dr. George C. and Mary E. (Miksch) Wallace, both of whom were natives of Ohio. As a young man the father removed to Iowa, and his professional training was acquired in a medical college at Keokuk, … Read more

Biographical Sketch of John A. Countryman

(See Ward and Hildebrand)  John Anderson, son of George Washington and Minerva (Ballard) Countryman, was born in Delaware District March 14, 1872, and educated in the Cherokee National schools. Married at Afton August 1, 1900, Jane O., daughter of Dennis and Lucy Hildebrand, born May 7, 1882. They are the parents of W. T., born July 14, 1901; Velva Irene, born June 23, 1903, married B. F. Frisbie and has one daughter, Ethel Irene Frisbie, born September 24, 1920; Ned, born March 14, 1907, and Houston, Countryman, born August 18, 1910.

Biographical Sketch of Mrs. Ermine Josephine Davidson

(See Ward and Ghigau)-Felix Grundy, son of Isaac and Lucy (Arthur) Nidiffer, was born March 16, 1853. Married April 23, 1876, Joanna Ruth, daughter of John Ross Ana Annie (Hildebrand) Lender, born February 8, 1861. Felix Grundy Nidiffer died October 16, 1896. She died July 2, 1911. They were the parents of Ermina Josephine Nidiffer, born September 2, 1877. Educated in the Female Seminary. Married at Afton March 21, 1899, Thomas David son of William and Jane Davidson, born April 27, 1871, in Bates County, Missouri. They are the parents of Anna Laura, born December 21, 1899, married Everett Holt; … Read more

Biographical Sketch of A. B. Allcott

(See Ward and Ghigau) Henrietta Evaline Nidiffer, born January 10, 1883 near Nudmore, Delaware District. She was educated in the Cherokee National schools, and graduated from St. Johns Training School of Nursing in 1915. Married July 26, 1920 A. B . Allcott son of Jonathan P. and Anna Allcott. A. B. Allcott was born May 27th, 1886, in McDowell, Barry County, Missouri. He is an expert electrician and has been Superintendent of the electric light plant at Afton and has recently accepted a like position at Pauls Valley. George Ward was born March 17, 1787. Had a splendid education and … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Mrs. Peter McCullough

(See Grant and Adair)-Sarah Penelope Fields, born April 2, 1842. Married October 20, 1859. John Jackson Smith, born December 22, 1836 in McMinn County, Tennessee. They were the parents of Magenia Jane Smith, born October 24, 1871. Educated in the Cherokee Public Schools and Female Seminary. Married March 4, 1895 Peter, son of Milton Howard and Rachel Jane (Adair) McCulough, born May 29, 1872. They are the parents of: Winnie Davis, born in 1899; Rex J. born in 1901; Gladys M. born in 1904; William Penn, born in 1907 and Joy M. born in 1910. Mr. and Mrs. McCullough are … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Mrs. Lucy Duncan

(See Grant, Ward and Duncan)-Lucy A., daughter of Joseph H. Polly (Ward) Clark, was born February 7, 1848 on Beatty’s Prairie in Delaware District. She was educated in the Cherokee National Schools. Married December 25, 1869 Joshua B. Duncan, born December 13, 1835; and he died December 14, 1875. They were the parents of Helen Rosencrantz, born ; March 25, 1874, and Annie Ellen Duncan, born April 7, 1876. Mrs. Lucy A. Duncan, on August 30, 1877, married James A. Duncan the brother of her first husband, and he was born June 3, 1825. He died December 26, 1898. They … Read more

Biography of Thomas Lincoln Robinson

Miami owes much to the progressive spirit and business ability of Thomas Lincoln Robinson, who has been a most important factor in its up-building and development. He was formerly prominently identified with building operations in the city but is now at the head of the Independent Mining & Royalty Company and also has valuable real estate holdings here, being recognized as a very capable and enterprising business man whose efforts are resultant factors in whatever he undertakes. Mr. Robinson was born in Osage County, Missouri, August 3, 1860, his parents being John W. and Elizabeth (McLaughlin) Robinson, the former a … Read more

Biography of Zachariah Taylor Preston

Zachariah Taylor Preston, who is successfully engaged in farming a mile north of Ramona in Washington County, was born on Grand River, twenty-five miles east of Vinita, Craig County, Oklahoma, on the 23d of January, 1883. His father, Charles Henry Preston, was a native of Virginia and on coming to the Indian Territory settled near Grove. He was a surgeon and served in the Confederate army during the Civil war. He practiced medicine and surgery in the Indian Territory and in the state of Oklahoma until fifteen years prior to his death, passing away at the home of his son, … Read more

Biography of Judge Q. P. McGhee

The judiciary of Oklahoma finds an able representative in Judge Q. P. McGhee, county judge of Ottawa county and a man of high professional attainments, who has also won success in mercantile lines. He is a member of one of the prominent pioneer families of the state and was born on a farm situated on Cowskin prairie, in Delaware county, this state, November 22, 1886, his parents being Thomas Jefferson and Martha (Hannah) McGhee, the former a native of Georgia and of Cherokee descent, while the latter was born in Missouri. As a boy the father came to the Cherokee … Read more

Biography of Hiram Rufus McBee

Hiram Rufus McBee, a member of one of the pioneer families of Ottawa County, has been identified with mining activities since he was eighteen years of age and has long been a contributor to the development of the mineral resources of Oklahoma. He is now residing in Miami and is the owner of one of the finest homes in the County. He was born in Belleville, a small mining town in Missouri, on the 10th of March, 1885, his parents being Samuel and Susan McBee, the latter of whom passed away in 1893. The father followed agricultural pursuits and also … Read more

Biography of C. B. Mitchell

Although one of the more recent additions to the Miami bar, Charles B. Mitchell has already demonstrated his ability to cope with the intricacies of the law and is building up a good practice. He is also well known as a writer of ability and has contributed many interesting articles to leading magazines. He was born at Brunswick, Maine, on the 9th of October, 1870, his parents being George E. and Agnes E. Mitchell, also natives of the Pine Tree state, the former born at Brunswick, August 3, 1850, while the birth of the latter occurred at Oldtown in 1854. … Read more

Biography of Guy Perry McNaughton, M. D.

Dr. Guy Peery McNaughton, a native son of Oklahoma and a representative of one of the most prominent pioneer families of the state, has been identified with the medical fraternity of Miami since 1912 and has established an enviable reputation as a diagnostician and bacteriologist, being widely known throughout north-eastern Oklahoma as a specialist in those lines of medical science. He was born in Ottawa County, December 18, 1887, his parents being J. P. and Clara E. (Peery) McNaughton. A complete family sketch appears elsewhere in this volume. On the home farm near Miami, Guy Peery McNaughton spent the period … Read more