Vinita Oklahoma

Biographical Sketch of Arthur F. Chamberlin

(See Oolootsa) Arthur Fanshaw, son of Rev. Armory N. and Eunice Dolly (Hoyt) Chamberlain, was born October 9, 185 7 in Flint District. He was educated in the public schools and Male Seminary. Married June 9, 1883, at Neosho, Missouri, Letitia, daughter of Hamilton W., and Margaret Goodykoontz, born March 18. 1861, in Newton County, Missouri. They located in Vinita, and are the parents of. Dolly Edith (Cherokee name Oo-loo-tsa) born August 19, 1887; educated in the schools of Vinita, and Henry Kendall College; married June 22, 1907, William Robinson; Catherine Brown, born December 25, 1893; educated at Vinita and … Read more

Biography of Addison Fox McCaleb

Addison Fox McCaleb, one of the most prominent and prosperous citizens of northeastern Oklahoma, where he first took up his abode forty-three years ago, was elected mayor of Bartlesville in April, 1920, and has since capably discharged the duties devolving upon him in that important position. He was born at Harrison, Tennessee, on the 10th of January, 1861, a son of Charles and Elizabeth (Gardenhire) McCaleb, the former a native of east Tennessee and the latter of Hamilton county, that state. The father held the rank of lieutenant colonel in the Civil war and was wounded in battle, but his … Read more

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 T. D. Cox

For a quarter of a century T. D. Cox has made his home in Vinita and is contributing to the commercial development of his town as a member of the Craig County Motor Company, displaying enterprise, determination and administrative ability in the management of his business interests. He was born in Decatur, Illinois, April 24, 1869, his parents being Aaron and Sarah (Clark) Cox, both of whom were natives of North Carolina. As a young man the father went to Illinois and there engaged in agricultural pursuits. He purchased an old-fashioned “ground hog” separator for threshing his grain, this being … Read more

Biography of James Franklin Ledbetter

James Franklin Ledbetter, of Muskogee, has been a resident of this city for about seventeen years and through the period has largely been an incumbent in public office. Much of his life has thus been given to public service and his record has been most commendable, being characterized by marked devotion to duty and efficiency in the discharge of the tasks which have devolved upon him. Arkansas numbers him among her native sons, his birth having occurred in Madison county, December 15, 1852. He obtained a public school education and in early life gave his attention to the occupation of … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Mrs. William M. Gentry

Gentry, Mrs. William M. (See Hicks)— Margaret, daughter of Robert Ray and Cynthia Jane (Horn) Taylor, was born Nov. 10, 1873, educated at Worcester Academy, and Willie Halsell College, Vinita. Married at Weston, Texas, April 18, 1891, William M. Son of W. J. and Nancy A. Gentry, born August 10, 1871, in Ray County, Missouri. They are the parents of: Ralph Ray, born July 7, 1893; Blanche Sunbeam, born Oct. 15, 1896; Christopher Robert, born March 23, 1900; Winnie Gertrude, born April 7, 1902; Hearst T., born May 6, 1904; William Lee, born April 30, 1908; Annie Audrey, born January … Read more

Biographical Sketch of James R. Carselowey

Carselowey, James R. (See Grant, Downing and Daniel)—James Robert Carselowey, born at Vinita, February 15, 1875, educated in public schools, Willie Halsell College, Vinita. Married at Adair Nov. 28, 1900, Annie B., daughter of Alonzo B. and Lavenia A. Fishback, born February 27, 1882, in Tarrant County, Texas. They are the parents of: James Manford, born November 28, 1901; Lavenia Gertrude, born February 27, 1905; Elsie Roberta, born December 24, 1906; Raymond Russell, born September 23, 1908; Lahoma, born April 7, 1911 and Pauline Carselowey, born February 2, 1913. Mr. Carselowey is a man of pleasing personality, more than ordinary … Read more

Slave Narrative of Eliza Whitmire

Person Interviewed: Eliza Whitmire Location: Vinita, Oklahoma Date of Birth: 1833 Age: 102 My name is Eliza Whitmire. I live on a farm, near Estella, where I settled shortly after the Civil War and where I have lived ever since. I was born in slavery in the state of Georgia, my parents having belonged to a Cherokee Indian of the name of George Sanders, who owned a large plantation in the old Cherokee Nation, in Georgia. He also owned a large number of slaves but I was too young to remember how many he owned. I do not know the … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Mrs. Samuel Hildebrand

(See Hildebrand) -Fannie, daughter of Frank and Agnes (Foster) Fritz was born in Cooweescoowee District October 8, 1879. Educated at Carlyle and Haskell Institutes. Married at Vinita February 24, 1900 Samuel, son of Benjamin and Delilah (O’Fields) Hildebrand, born February 14, 1880. Educated in the Male Seminary. They are the parents of Agnes; born February 25, 1902; Lura, born March 27, 1904; Edward, born May 3, 1906; Aaron born April 19, 1908; Glenn, born October 23, 1911; Floyd, born January 17, 1914; Georgia, born February 22, 1918 and Melvin Hildebrand, born January 31, 1920. Mrs. Hildebrand is a Methodist and … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Pearl D. Hawkins

(See Grant and Harlan)  Ruth Jane, daughter of Ellis and Mary (Fields) Dick was born in Delaware District January 8, 1870. Married October 17, 1884, Charles Henry Hawkins, born in Lewis County, Missouri, October 16, 1860. They are the parents of Pearl D. Hawkins born near Catale, July 31, 1894. Married at Vinita October 27, 1917, Myrtle B., daughter of Andrew Oliver and Cora Pearl (Richards) Harlan, born July 26, 1894. He enlisted for the World War at Vinita May 26, 1918. Was Sergeant of Base Hospital No. 82. Sailed for France August 31, 1918. Was on the Toul front … Read more

Biography of Lucien Webster Buffington

With the history of progress in Vinita the name of Lucien Webster Buffington is closely associated and in his demise, which occurred in this city on the 3d of December, 1919, Oklahoma lost one of its honored pioneers and his community one of its oldest and best beloved citizens. He was one of the early settlers of this part of the state and his industry and enterprise were factors in general development and improvement as well as in the attainment of individual success. His birth occurred at Beattie’s Prairie, then in the Cherokee Nation, in Indian Territory, but now a … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Ethel Ray Green Grimes

Ethel Ray Green, born near Vinita, November 25, 1892 was a daughter of Joseph and Margarette A. (Scrimsher) Green. She was educated at the Female Seminary at Tahlequah; Married at McAlester, Oklahoma Decemberr 23, 1917, Grady L. Grimes. They now members of the Methodist Church. Grimes is a Mason, and is an automobile mechanic.

Biographical Sketch of Mrs. William A. Parker

(See Oolootsa) Mary Ellen Chamberlin born at Vinita, April 23, 1893, educated in Vinita. Married at Nowata July 5, 1910 William A. Parker. They are the parents of Norman Eugene, born April 1, 1912; Billie born January 23, 1914; Viola May, born May 15, 1916 and Mary Jane Parker, born November 1, 1919. Mrs. Mary Ellen Parker is the daughter of Nelson Bucher and Sarah Viola (LeForce) Chamberlin.

Biographical Sketch of Clay Albion Mitchell

(See Oolootsa and Foreman)-George W. Mitchell, born December 26, 1852 at Bloomfield, Arkansas; married June 13, 1886, in Going Snake District, Martha J. Horn, who was born March 17, 1862. They are the parents of Clay Albion Mitchell, born April 1, 1894, who was educated at Vinita, Oklahoma, and married at Vinita on December 23, 1916, Martha Eunice, daughter of Sarah (Nazworthy) Chamberlain, born February 5, 1899, and was educated at Vinita, Oklahoma. They are the parents of Robert Clay, born October 30, 1917 and Hazel Maurine Mitchell, born February 14, 1919. Mr. and Mrs. Mitchell are members of the … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Mrs. Homer A. Andrews

(See England) Sarah Caldonia, daughter of Abram and Alta Berilla (Scrimsher) Meek, born October 26, 1876. Married near Vinita August 10, 1892 Homer A. son of Homer Francis and Mary E. Andrews, born Jan. 10, 1874 in Cherokee County, Kan. They are the parents of: Mary, born September 17, 1893; Alvin Franklin born March 27, 1896; Clyde Edward, born March 14, 1900; Bethel Loraine, born October 5, 1902, graduated from Bacone College, Muskogee, May 23, 1921; Mable Clare, born September 23, 1904; Alice Jaunita born October 13, 1906; Zenobia Ruth, born April 18, 1910; Homer Allen born December 18, 1914 … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Mrs. Albert P. Goforth

(See Foreman) Elizabeth, daughter of Andrew and Jennie (Bigby) Taylor was born in the Cherokee Nation, east of the Mississippi. She married William Covington Ghormley, born March 25, 1817. He died September 10, 1896. Their daughter Isabel Jane Ghormley married Felix Nelson Witt. Rachel Matilda, daughter of Felix Nelson and Isabel Jane Witt was born in Going Snake District September 24, 1874 and educated in that District. She married on July 24, 1890 Albert Perry, son of Jefferson and Catherine Goforth, born February 14, 1864 in Georgia. They are the parents of: Eulelma Pearl, born January 5, 1892, married Philander … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Mrs. Frankie F. Heady

(See Ghigau) Frankie Folsom, daughter of John H. and Lulu (Boynton) Kendall was born at Chelsea August 11, 1836. Educated in Nowata High and Cincinnati C. C. M. graduating from the former in 1906 and the latter in1908. Married at Independence, Kansas March 17, 1911 Frank son of J. B. Heady, born at Watova. They are the parents of J. B., born February 4, 1912; Byron Leroy, born October 2, 1914; Mildred Marie, born February 4, 1917 and died October 23, 1918; James Ewing, born September 17, 1918 and Jeanne Eileen Heady, born November 23, 1920. Mrs. Heady is a … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Thomas Fox Thompson

(See Grant and Ghigau)-Thomas Fox Thompson, born in Tahlequah District, May 3, 1848 and educated at Pea Ridge, Ark. Married Dec. 18, 1870 Susan C. Parks and after her death married on May 19, 1914 Lillie McBride, nee Schaer; his Cherokee name is Chisgua-kyah and he belongs to the Deer Clan. He is a Methodist and had retired after having been in the dry goods and grocery business in Vinita for twenty years. Mr. Thompson was elected member of the Council from Delaware District in 1879.

Biographical Sketch of Mrs. Rebecca M. Swain

(See Thompson and Riley)-Joseph Polstrom, born February 11, 1834, in Birmingham, Alabama; married November 16, 1863 in Bayou Menard, Susan Rebecca Wilson, who was born July 19, 1846, at Fort Gibson. They were the parents of Rebecca McNair Polstrom, born August 19, 1864 on Bayou Menard, and was educated in the Female Seminary at Tahlequah. She married December 27, 1879, John son of George and Nancy (Cramer) Swain, born October 5, 1833 in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania. He served in the Union Army during the Civil War in Company E, Fourth California Infantry. He died April 6, 1920. Mr. Swain was … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Mary Eunice Balentine

(See Oolootsa and Riley)-Monroe Calvin Keys, born September 15, 1826. Married at Park Hill, May 31, 1855 Lucy Lowrey Hoyt, born September 16, 1831. She graduated from the Female Seminary in 1854. He was a member of Captain Benjamin Wisner Carter’s Company in the confederate service. He died March 3, 1881 and she died Aug. 24, 1912. They were the parents of Mary Eunice, born May 31, 1856; Lydia Emma, born September 16, 1858; Fannie Myrtle, born November 5, 1862; Sarah Ann born October 6, 1865 ; Elizabeth Riley, born January 13, 1868; Monroe Amory, born February 21, 1870 and … Read more