Tulsa Oklahoma

Biographical Sketch of Mrs. James H. Thomas

(See Foreman and Riley)-Eugenia, the daughter of Eugene and Jane (Riley) Triplett, was born at Fort Gibson in 1844; was educated in the Cherokee public schools, and the Cherokee National Female Seminary. She married at Wagoner on Dee. 25, 1892; James H. Thomas, born in Oklahoma in 1874. They are the parents of George H., born April 5, 1897; Arvol V., born June 10, 1899; Theron, born July 8, 1901; Gladys M., born January 16, 1905; Helen, born January 1909; Celia and Lewis Thomas, born June 20, 1911. Mr. Thomas is a member of the Knights of Pythias; and is … Read more

Biographical Sketch of William E. Stich

William E. Stich. The largest general insurance office in Independence is owned and managed by William E. Stich. Mr. Stich is a brother of the late A. C. Stich, whose career as a business man and eitizen of Montgomery County had been described on other pages, where many of the detalls of the family history will be found. William E. Stich was born in Hanover, Germany, February 16, 1850. His parents came to this country in 1857 and located at Kalamazoo, Michigan. His early education was received in the schools there, and in the meantime he learned to be 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

Flett-Gray, Grace Eileen – Obituary

Elgin, Oregon Grace Eileen Flett-Gray, 87, of Elgin, died June 13 at her home. Loveland Funeral Chapel is in charge of arrangements. Grace was born April 20, 1920, to William Dewey and Harriet Innes Foust in East Brady, Pa. They later moved to Oakmont, Pa. After graduating from high school, Grace enlisted in the Women’s Army Corps and served in the Philippines and New Guinea from 1942 to 1945. She received a WAC service medal, a Good Conduct medal, a Phillippine Liberation Ribbon and an Asiatic-Pacific Theater Ribbon. While in the Philippines, Grace met and married Lowell Guy Flett. After … Read more

Biography of Mrs. Bryan E. Sanders

(See Grant and Ward)-Adda LaDayle, daughter of John Lowrey and Laura Ann (Edmondson) Ward was born Wednesday August 8, 1895. Educated in the Cherokee public schools and Female Seminary. Married at Tulsa Nov, 29, 1917 Bryan Elton son of William Henry and Rose Mary Sanders, born July 25, 1895 in Benton County, Ark. They are the parents of Mariann Josephine Sanders, born July 6, 1921. Mrs. Sanders is a member of the Christian church. Mr. Sanders served six months in the World’s War as secretary to Captain Martin R. Rohn at Camp Pike. He is a member of the American … Read more

Slave Narrative of Anthony Dawson

Person Interviewed: Anthony DawsonLocation: 1008 E. Owen St., Tulsa, OklahomaAge: 105 “Run nigger, run,De Patteroll git you!Run nigger, run,De Patteroll come! “Watch nigger, Watch-De Patteroll trick you!Watch nigger, watch,He got a big gun!” Dat one of the songs de slaves all knowed, and de children down on de “twenty acres” used to sing it when dey playing in de moonlight ’round de cabins in de quarters. Sometime I wonder iffen de white folks didn’t make dat song up so us niggers would keep in line. None of my old Master’s boys tried to git away ‘cepting two. and dey met … Read more

Barton, Howard A. – Obituary

Howard A. Barton, 82, of Baker City and a former longtime Halfway resident, died Oct. 28, 2001, at St. Elizabeth Health Services. His funeral will be at 11 a.m. Friday at the Coles-Strommer Funeral Home, 1950 Place St. Leonard Hill of Halfway will officiate. Private vault interment will be at the Pine Haven Cemetery in Halfway. Visitations will be for family only. Mr. Barton was born on Oct. 23, 1919, at Copperfield. He was the son of Fay W. and Grace Stewart Barton. He attended schools in Baker County and graduated from Pine Valley High School at Halfway. He attended … Read more

Slave Narrative of Katie Rowe

Person Interviewed: Katie RoweLocation: Tulsa, OklahomaAge: 88 I can set on de gallery, what de sunlight shine bright, and sew a powerful fine seam when my grandchillun wants a special purty dress for de school doings, but I ain’t worth much for nothing else I reckon. These same old eyes seen powerful lot of tribulations in my time, and when I shets ’em now I can see lots of l’ll chillun jest lak my grand-chillun, toting hoes bigger dan dey is, and dey pore little black hands and legs bleeding whar dey scratched by de brambledy weeds, and whar dey … Read more

Jones, Robert Paul – Obituary

North Powder, Union County, Oregon Robert Paul Jones, 60, of North Powder, died Dec. 28, 2002, at his home. A vigil service for Mr. Jones will be Friday at 7 p.m. at Coles Funeral Home, 1950 Place St. in Baker City. Funeral Mass will be Saturday at 10 a.m. at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church in North Powder. The Rev. Robert C. Irwin of St. Francis de Sales Cathedral will celebrate. Vault interment will be at the Haines Cemetery following the service. Robert was born March 30, 1942, in Tulsa, Okla., to Jess and Gertrude (Shutler) Jones. He was raised and … Read more

Slave Narrative of Mary Grayson

Person Interviewed: Mary Grayson Location: Tulsa, Oklahoma Age: 83 I am what we colored people call a “native.” That means that I didn’t come into the Indian country from somewhere in the Old South, after the war, like so many Negroes did, but I was born here in the old Creek Nation, and my master was a Creek Indian. That was eighty three years ago, so I am told. My mammy belonged to white people back in Alabama when she was born, down in the southern part I think, for she told me that after she was a sizeable girl … 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

Slave Narrative of Allen V. Manning

Person Interviewed: Allen V. Manning Location: Tulsa, Oklahoma Place of Birth: Clarke County Mississippi Date of Birth: 1850 Age: 87 Occupation: Sells Milk I always been somewhar in the South, mostly in Texas when I was a young man, and of course us Negroes never got much of a show in court matters, but I reckon if I had of had the chance to set on a jury I would of made a mighty poor out at it. No sir. I jest can’t set in judgement on nobody, ’cause I learned when I was jest a little boy that good … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Mrs. O. O. Brannon

(See Foreman) Lucile Sarah, daughter of Owen Henry and lda Lorena (Stephens) Haworth was born at Tulsa, Monday, October 3, 1887. Educated in the Public Schools and Scarrett College. Married at Tulsa in 1906, Orval O. Brannon, born Oct. 28, 1883 in Martin County, Ind. They are the parents of Mary, born Nov. 3, 1907 and Thomas Brannon, born Jan 30, 1910. Ida Lorena, daughter of Spencer Scago and Sarah (Hicks) Stephens was born March 1865. Graduated from Northfield Academy Northfield, Connecticut in 1884. Was istructor in the first school opened in Tulsa. She married June 11, 1886 Owen Henry … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Mrs. Walter W. Shaw

Mary, daughter of John and Nellie (Conkle) Bullette, was born at Claremore October 24, 1886. She was educated in Lexington, Missouri Baptist Female College and Lindenwood Seminary, St. Louis, Missouri, graduating from the latter institution. She married in 1906 at Claremore, Walter W., son of Charles and Ida (White) Shaw, born November 21, 1880 in Owego, New York. They are the parents of Walter W., Jr. born April 17, 1907, and Martha Helen Shaw, born August 7, 1908. Mr. and Mrs. Shaw are members of the Presbyterian church. He is a Mason. He was elected County Judge of Rogers County, … Read more

Biography of John Rose

John Rose, who for several years had been numbered among the leading oil producers in Montgomery County fields, and resided at Independence, is a thoroughly practical as well as successful man, as his career indicates. When only thirteen he started out for himself, and had since hewed his way through difficulties, through poverty, to a successful position in the world. He was born February 26, 1861, near Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, and is of Scotch parentage. His father, James Rose, was born in Scotland in 1822, was reared and learned the trade of stone mason in his native country, and about … Read more

Slave Narrative of Lucinda Davis

Person Interviewed: Davis Lucinda Location: Tulsa, Oklahoma Age: 89 “What yo’ gwine do when de meat give out? “What yo’ gwine do when de meat give out? Set in de corner wid my lips pooched out! Laway! “What yo’ gwine do when de meat give out? “What yo’ gwine do when de meat give out? Set in de corner wid my lips pooched out! Laway! Dat’s about de only little nigger song I know, less’n it be de one about: “Great big nigger, laying ‘hind de log- Finger on de trigger and eye on the hawg! Click go de trigger … Read more

Biography of Gabe Edward Parker

Actuated at all times by high ideals having to do with all of the duties and relations of life and particularly in connection with the Choctaw and other civilized tribes of what was once the Indian Territory, Gabe Edward Parker of Muskogee has left the impress of his individuality and ability in large measure upon the history of this section. He retired from the office of Superintendent of the Five Civilized Tribes on the 31st of May, 1921, and is now concentrating his efforts and attention upon the management of private business interests, being the President of the Muskogee Ice … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Clarke Charlesworth Lipe

(See Thornton, Oolootsa and Thompson) Clarke Charlesworth Lipe was born November 15, 1887, married at Tulsa July 19, 1914 Lucy V. daughter of John and Sarah Sellers born Nov. 22, 1888 near Stilwell, Cherokee Nation. They are the parents of Clarke Charlesworth Lipe born January 4, 1916. Mr. Lipe’s Cherokee name is, Oolasant. Mrs. Lipe is a member of the Baptist church. John Gunter married Catherine a full-blood Cherokee of the Paint Clan and they settled on the Tennessee River in north Alabama, where he made powder and operated a ferry. Their daughter Catherine married as her second husband Oliver … Read more

Biography of E. H. Huff

E. H. Huff is well known in business circles of Bartlesville as a successful contractor, engaged in road construction work, and owing to his thorough knowledge of his chosen occupation and his reliable and progressive business methods, success has attended his efforts. A native of Missouri, he was born November 11, 1897, and in 1900 was taken to Oklahoma by his parents, J. W. and Bessie (Williamson) Huff, who are also natives of that state. For many years the father followed contracting in the oil fields of this state but he is now living retired in Bartlesville and the mother … Read more

Slave Narrative of Henry F. Pyles

Person Interviewed: Henry F. Pyles Location: Tulsa, Oklahoma Date of Birth: August 15, 1856 Age: 81 That’s how the niggers say old Bab Russ used to make the hoodoo “hands” he made for the young bucks and wenches, but I don’t know. ’cause I was too trusting to look inside de one he make for me, and anyways I lose it, and it no good nohow! Old Bab Russ live about two mile from me, and I went to him one night at midnight and ask him to make me de hand. I was a young strapper about sixteen years … Read more