Biographical Sketch of Margaret Humphreys

Humphreys, Margaret nee Woodall (See Hendricks)—Margaret Woodall, born July 18, 1866. Married at Tahlequah Nov. 24, 1909. James Humphreys, born in Monroe County, Tennessee in 1867. They are the parents of Roxis, born August 30, 1910; Harrison, born March 16, 1912; Eula, born June 10, 1914; and Virgil, born May 3, 1916. James Humphreys is a Mason and an Odd Fellow.

Biographical Sketch of William Penn Sevier

William Penn, Son of John and Eliza (Potts) Sevier, born Aug. 1874, educated at the Orphan Asylum. Married at Tahlequah, Ida E., daughter of Robin and Darky Emily Penn, born May 1, 1875. They are the parents of Alma E. Sevier, born March 25, 1903. Mr. Sevier, who is at present a salesman, is one of the best interpreters among the Cherokees and is one of the few Cherokee typesetters. It is thought that there are not more than three in the tribe, if that many. His ancestors, his great grandfather was of Scotch descent who came to America in … Read more

Biography of Amanda Payne Morgan Bell

The life history of Amanda Payne Morgan Bell, who formerly, served as County Superintendent of schools, will prove of interest to her many friends and acquaintances. She was born in Fort Smith, Arkansas, her parents being Gideon and Mary L. (Payne) Morgan, the former born near Nashville, Tennessee, and of Cherokee Indian descent, while the mother’s birth occurred in Arkansas. In early life the father removed to Arkansas and eventually to Oklahoma, the train on which he was riding being the first to stop at Gibson Station, this state. Here he became a large planter and took a very active … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Robert J. Thompson

(See Grant and Ghigau)-Robert Jefferson, son of Johnson and Eliza Christine (Taylor) Thompson was born October 29, 1860, educated at Tahlequah, Male Seminary and Bacone College, graduated from the latter. Married in 1892, Rosa Gritts, born July 16, 1863 and died Feb. 25, 1910. They were the parents of: Eloise, born June 9, 1897; lda Frances, born Nov 29, 1899; Susie Taylor, born Feb. 19, 1902; Thomas Fox, born Oct. 4, 1905 and Sammie Cunningham Thompson, born May 6, 1908. James J. Thompson born 1893, died in 1897. Rose Jessie Thompson, born Aug 16, 1895, died in 1897. Mr. Thompson … Read more

Biography of Judge James Daniel Wilson

Judge James Daniel Wilson, who has been justice of the peace of Tahlequah, Cherokee county, since 1913, was born in Tahlequah, Indian Territory, on the 2d of February, 1861. His parents were Anderson and Nancy (Daniel) Wilson, both of the Cherokee Nation, the father being a half-breed and the mother one-eighth Cherokee. For many years Anderson Wilson was engaged in the conduct of a mercantile establishment in Tahlequah, but in 1863 removed to the Choctaw Nation, locating at Dooksville, where his demise occurred in 1865. The following year his widow returned to Tahlequah, where she made her home until her … Read more

Biographical Sketch of John R. Hastings

(See Grant, Foreman and Ward)-William Archibald Yell Hastings was born March 8, 1842 in Benton County, Arkansas. He served in Company H, First Cherokee Mounted Rifles, under Captain John Thompson Mayes, during the Civil War. He married February 2, 1864, Louisa J. Williams, nee Stover, born April 8, 1840. Mrs. Hastings died Feb. 7, 1918. Mr. Hastings died April 28, 1919. They were the parents of John Rogers, William Wert, and Charlotte Delilah Hastings. Charlotte Delilah Hastings married Samuel Grant Victor, and is now deceased. John Rogers Hastings was born on Beattys Prairie August 1, 1865, and was educated in … Read more

Biography of Walter J. Pack

Walter J. Pack, a prominent figure in business circles in Muskogee, has also been a valuable contributing factor in the educational development of Oklahoma and has left the impress of his ability upon the lives of those who have come under his instruction. He represents a family whose members have largely consecrated their lives. to the spread of the gospel and who have proven most able workers in this great field of usefulness. It was in the capacity of preacher and teacher that Walter J. Pack became a resident of Tahlequah, being appointed head of the Baptist Mission Academy and … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Mrs. John R. Alley

(See Grant, Downing, Ghigau and Ross) Clara Eva, daughter of Edward Daniel and Elizabeth Henryetta (Musgrove) Hicks, was born in Tahlequah on February 10, 1890. She was educated in the Female Seminary, from which she graduated. She married at Claremore Aug. 15, 1908, John Reed, son of Frederick and Sarah Dameron Alley, born Sept. 26, 1873, Yell County, Ark. They are the parents of Lawrence Alley, born May 21, 1910. Mr. Alley is a contractor in Oklahoma City, and a member of the Masonic fraernity. They are members of the Presbyterian Church. Francis Marion Mushgrove married Clara Eva Alberty, and … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Mrs. J. C. White

(See Grant and Duncan) -Helen Duncan, daughter of George W. and Mary (McLaughlin) Hughes, born at St. Gibson April 21, 1874. Educated at Tahlequah and the Female Seminary. Married at Ft. Gibson December 25, 1890, Jackson Calhoun, son of Joseph and Harriett White born February 17, 1862 in Calhoun County, Mississippi. They are the parents of Buena Vista White, born October 22, 1891. Graduated from the Henry Kendall college June 9, 1901; graduated from Hardin College, Mexico, Missouri, May 28, 1912 with B. L. degree and Voice. Has done much special work in voice with composer Daniel Prothero of Chicago; … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Marble Lewis Payne

Marble Lewis, son of William and Nancy Payne was born in 1850 in North Carolina. He married at Tahlequah in 1904 Mahala Wilson. They were the parents of Emma, Lula, Charles and William Payne. Mr. Payne’s children by his second marriage are Frank, Albert and Mary Payne. Mr. Payne is one of the progressive farmers of the Tahlequah vicinity, is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and has been a member of the local school board several times. His Cherokee name is Lu-ie-us-te-na and he belongs to the Wolf Clan. William Payne, the son, is a Spanish … Read more

Biography of James Augustus Lawrence

(See Grant, Adair and Go-sa­du-i-sga)—Sarah Jane Adair, born March 10, 1875 at Saline; educated in the Cherokee National schools; Female Seminary, from which she graduated June 23, 1892, and Howard Payne College, Fayette, Missouri June 9, 1896. She married December 29, 1899, James Augustus Lawrence, born Oct. 18, 1856 in Texas. They are the parents of two sons: Augustus Adair, born April 21,1901 and Gilbert Shelton, born Nov. 3, 1903. Mr. Lawrence is the principal merchant of Tahlequah, and they have a beautiful home just east of the city. Mrs. Lawrence is a descendant of the Martin family of Virginia. … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Looney Murphy

Looney Murphy, born Apr11 16, 1893. Married at Tahlequah, March 15, 1918 Stella Stevens, born March 22, 1897. They are the parents of Thomas Murphy, born January 5, 1919. Looney was in service in France for four months; during the World War.

Biography of Edward D. Hicks

Edward D. Hicks is numbered among Tahlequah’s representative business men and is one whose life record should be a stimulus to the effort and ambition of others. He was born at Fort Gibson, Indian Territory, on the 1st of January, 1866, a son of Daniel R. and Nancy J. (Rider) Hicks. His grandfather on the paternal side Elijah Hicks, was chief of the Cherokee Nation in Georgia and Indian Territory and died in 1856. Mr. and Mrs. Hicks came with the immigration of Cherokees in 1837 and 1838 to Indian Territory and the father became a successful farmer and stock … Read more

Slave Narrative of Johnson Thompson

Person Interviewed: Johnson Thompson Place of Birth: Texas Date of Birth: December 1853 Just about two weeks before the coming of Christmas Day in 1853, I was born on a plantation somewheres eight miles east of Bellview, Rusk County, Texas. One year later my sister Phyllis was born on the same place and we been together pretty much of the time ever since, and I reckon there’s only one thing that could separate us slave born children. Mammy and pappy belong to W.P. Thompson, mixed-blood Cherokee Indian, but before that pappy had been owned by three different masters; one was … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Mrs. P. W. Samuel

(See Grant and Ghigau)—Florence Wilson McSpadden, born June 26, 1873 at Tahlequah. Educated at the Tahlequah City Schools and graduated from Female Seminary, June 23, 1892. Married at Tahlequah in January 1895 to Philip Wharton Samuel born September 19, 1867 in Galloway County, Missouri and graduated from Spaulding’s Business College May 2, 1888. They are the parents of Vance Ray, born November 21, 1897 and Maurine Sam­uel born October 22, 1902. Philip Wharton Samuel is very prominent in the banking circles of the State, having been Cashier of the First National Bank at Pryor, President of First State Bank of … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Oce Benge

Benge, Oce (See Grant, Ghigau, Foreman and Conrad)—Richard Fields Benge, commonly called “Oce’ Benge, was born in Tah­lequah District, September 9, 1851. Married at Locust Grove, February 18, 1883, Martha Adair, daughter of George Washington and Cherokee (Ratliff) Brewer, born July 7, 1861, and educated in Female Seminary. They are the parents of Georgia Alma, born April 30, 1885, married William C. Johnston April 4, 1919; Eleanor Osceola, born Jan­uary 18, 1887, married C. A. Dunham Oct­ober 3, 1913, parents of Roy Mills, born September 1, 1915, and Beatrice Eleanore Durham, born July 28, 1919; Lelia Leone, born December 16, … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Thomas Hendricks, Sr.

Hendricks, Thomas Sr. (See Hendricks)— Thomas Hendricks was born Aug. 29, 1839. He served during the Civil War in the Indian Home Guards under Captain Blunt. Married at Park Hill in 1869, Nellie Ragsdale, born September 22, 1839. They were the parents of Rufus, Thomas, Susie and Janana Hendricks. Thomas Hendricks was elected Councilor from Tahlequah District August 3, 1885.

Biography of R. V. McSpadden

(See Foreman, Riley, Grant and Ghigau)-Richard Vance McSpadden born July 30, 1879 at Tahlequah. Educated at Tahlequah Public School and graduated from Male Seminary June 29, 1898. He married April 27, 1904 Ermina Essie Foreman, born February 23, 1879 in Vinita. She was educated in Vinita, Jackson, Tenn. and Cincinnati, Ohio. They are both members of the Methodist Church but do not belong to any fraternal orders or clubs. Mr. McSpadden is an oil producer and his wife was very energetic in World War work, especially in Red Cross work and as the directing officer of the Surgical Dressing rooms. … Read more

Biography of Eldee Starr

(See Ghigau and Adair) George Harlan Starr married Nannie Bell and they were the parents of Ezekial Eugene Starr who married Margaret, the daughter of Caleb and Lucinda (Griffin) Starr. Ezekial E. and Margaret Starr were the parents of Charles Lucien, Eldee, Mary Bell, Joel Mayes, Caroline Lucinda, Trixie, and EzekialBlake Starr. Charles Lucien Starr married Amy Benge; Mary Bell Starr married Albert Moore Campbell; Joel Mayes Starr married Caroline Ferguson; and Caroline Lucinda Starr married James Robert Wyly. Eldee Starr was educated in the Female Seminary and the Forest Park University in St. Louis, Missouri, graduating from both institutions. … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Mrs. Cleo Hail

(See Ghigau and Sanders) -Margaret, daughter of John Bell and Delilah (Roach) Smith was born at Tahlequah Oct. 4, 1895, educated in Tahlequah District and Haskell Institute, Lawrence, Kansas. Married at Tahlequah March 9, 1918, A. Cleo, son of John and Mary Hall, born near Tahlequah in 1897. They are the parents of Morris Hail, born Jan. 26,1920. Mr. Hail is a farmer near Tahlequah. George, son of Joshua and Almira (Harlan) Roach married Nannie Pritchett and they were the parents of Delilah (Roach) Smith. George Roach was elected Sheriff of Tahlequah District August 1, 1887. Reverend Samuel Smith, the … Read more