Ottawa County OK

Biography of James R. Gristy

James R. Gristy, of Emporia, is one of the real old timers of Kansas. Half a century ago he was engaged in farming and stock raising on a large scale in Johnson County. For many years he had been a successful real estate operator, and had enjoyed prominence in a business and civic way not only in Kansas but in Oklahoma and in other western states. Born in Brown County, Illinois, August 31, 1841, he grew up in that section, gained a public school education, graduating from the high school at Rushville, Illinois, in 1863. His first experiences led him … Read more

Biography of Charles Rudolph Nesbitt

Although one of the younger representatives of the legal fraternity of Miami, his years seem no bar to the progress of Charles Rudolph Nesbitt, who has already attained a clientele and a reputation that many an older practitioner might well envy. He was born at Colony, Kansas, May 24, 1892, his parents being Frank W. and Mary (Halley) Nesbitt, both natives of Ohio. They removed from that state to Kansas, in which the father followed the occupation of farming. In religious faith he was a Methodist and his demise occurred in 1892. The youngest in a family of five children, … 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

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 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 John Wesley Kieff

John Wesley Kieff, widely known throughout Oklahoma as a journalist, is now serving as justice of the peace of Miami and is generally conceded to be the most capable incumbent in that office in the history of Ottawa County. A native of Indiana, he was born in Tippecanoe County on the 9th of March, 1857, his parents being John and Mary (Ryan) Kieff, the former a native of Ireland, while the latter was born in the Hoosier state. The father followed the occupation of farming and both parents passed away during the childhood of the subject of this review. John … 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

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 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 Dee Lee Connell, M. D.

The profession as well as the public accords Dr. Dee Lee Connell a prominent position among the medical practitioners of Ottawa County and during the five years in which he has been located in Picher he has fully demonstrated his ability as a physician and surgeon. He was born in Jefferson City, Missouri, May 3, 1872, his parents being James and Sarah (Ware) Connell, both of whom were natives of Ohio. In 1845 the father started for the mines of California, traveling with ox teams over the Santa Fe trail. He was very successful in his search for the precious … Read more

Biography of Edward Clarence Fitzgerald

Entering upon the practice of law in 1908, Edward Clarence Fitzgerald has made continuous progress in his profession and is now numbered among the leading representatives of the Ottawa County bar, maintaining his office in Miami, and he has also taken a prominent part in public affairs of the County. He was born in Keystone, Benton County, Iowa, February 19, 1884, of the marriage of Edward and Mary (Quinleven) Fitzgerald, the former a native of Syracuse, New York, while the latter was born in Wisconsin. Both are deceased. The father came west as a boy and learned the trade of … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Mrs. Francis M. Crowell

(See Sanders and Duncan)-John Thomason Duncan married Elizabeth S. Sanders, and they were parents of Mary Elizabeth Duncan, born February 8, 1858; and was educated in Cherokee Nation and at the University Arkansas. She taught school for six years among the full-bloods; Married at Van Buren, Arkansas, January 15, 1883, Francis Marion, son of Dr. M. and Nancy A. Crow born March 14, 1859 in Tallapoosa County Alabama. They are the parents of E. Victor, born December 25, 1884; Alvin Byron, born September 1, 1886; Frank M. b September 7, 1890, and Hunter K. Crow born April 17, 1893. Mr. … 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. D. T. Ogden

(See Ward and Adair) Jessie Curtis Abney, born July 24, 1900 in Afton Delaware District; educated at Afton and took a business course at Coffeyville Kansas; graduate of the Afton High School. Married Sept. 14, 1919 at Independence, Kansas, D. T. Ogden, son of W. A. and Julia Ogden. Mr. Ogden is assistant cashier of First National Bank of Afton. John Adair, a Scotchman, married Gahoga, a full blood Cherokee of the Deer Clan. Their son Samuel married Edith Pounds; they were the parents of: Rachael Pounds Adair, who married Rev. James Jenkins Trott, a Methodist minister. Rev. and Mrs. … Read more

Biography of Samuel Aaron Kenoyer

Samuel Aaron Kenoyer, a prominent real estate operator of Miami, has won a substantial, measure of success through the capable management of his business affairs and has also aided materially in improving and developing his city, being recognized as a most progressive and public-spirited citizen. He was born in Kentland, Newton county, Indiana, September 30, 1873, of the marriage of James and Nancy Jane Kenoyer, the former also born in that county, while the latter was likewise a native of the Hoosier state. For a time the father engaged in farming and he afterward turned his attention to the carpenter’s … Read more

Biography of John Daniel Bewley, M. D.

Coming to Miami in 1916, Dr. John Daniel Bewley has thoroughly demonstrated his ability as a physician and surgeon and his professional labors have been attended with a gratifying measure of success. He was born in Dover, Pope County, Arkansas, March 25, 1874, of the marriage of Benjamin V. and Triphenia (West) Bewley, the former a native of Tennessee and the latter of Arkansas. Her father was a major in the Mexican war and was stationed at old Fort Gibson, Indian Territory. Prior to the Civil war he retired from the United States army and made his home in Arkansas … Read more

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.

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

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