Vinita Oklahoma

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.

Biography of Thomas Albert Chandler

Thomas Albert Chandler, representative in congress from the First district of Oklahoma and a resident of Vinita, is a man of liberal education and of broad and important interests who has been a prominent figure not only in political circles but also in connection with extensive business interests of the state. He was born in the Indian Territory on the 26th of July, 1871, and is a representative of the Cherokee Nation. Liberal educational advantages were accorded him and following his graduation from the Worcester Academy of Vinita as a member of the class of 1888 he entered Drury College … Read more

Biography of Elbert Jacob Snider

(See Grant and Duncan)-Elbert Jacob, son of Andrew Johnson (born May 1, 1867 in Davis County, Mo.) and Cynthia (Muskrat) Snider, born May 4, 1867; in Delaware District and married November 28, 1886 and died July 2, 1902, was born September 29, 1888 at Grove, Delaware District. He was educated at Grove and Male Seminary. He married September 26, 1912, Martha Elizabeth, daughter of John Martin Daniel (born October 2, 1843 married August 31, 1876 and died October 10, 1913) and Alice R. (Smith) Daniels (born June 10, 1854 at Fayetteville, Arkansas and died November 10, 1905 ), born April … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Mrs. Callie Elliott

Elliott, Mrs. Callie (See Foreman)—Callie, daughter of Samuel and Annie (Edwards) Whatenberger, born March 15, 1868, in Springfield, Mo. Educated in Texas. Married at Vinita Jan. 7, 1892, Hiram Thompson Elliott, son of Archibald and Rachel (Smith) Elliott, born May 22, 1858. They were the parents of Hiram Thompson Elliott, Jr., born November 26, 1892; Samuel Talbert, born July 5th, 1894, married Genevieve Blackford, Vera May, born February 26, 1896, married Guy L. Jones, and has one son, Raymond Jones, born April 4, 1914; Lucullus, born August 25, 1899, is in the United States Marine Corps in Haiti; Lucien Bell, … Read more

Biography of Joseph Hubbard Butler

Joseph Hubbard Butler, a representative of a pioneer family of Oklahoma, bears a name that has long been an honored one in business circles and public affairs of this part of the state and is now serving as Vice President of the Home Farm Mortgage Company of Vinita, displaying enterprise, determination and administrative ability in the control of his interests. He was born in Kokomo, Indiana, October 12, 1870, of the marriage of Hardy H. and Mary Butler, who were also natives of the Hoosier state. The father engaged in merchandising at Kokomo until 1877, when he went to Sterling, … Read more

Biographical Sketch of James E. Elliott

Elliott, James E. (See Foreman)—James F., son of George and Rachel (Henson) Elliott, was born in Vinita, Mar. 16, 1875, educated in Delaware Dist. Married at Adair Apr. 4, 1889, Eva, daughter of Joseph S. and Nancy Wickham, born Dec. 8, 1875, Schuyler County, Missouri. They are the parents of Sadie Marie, born April 1, 1903; Juanita Josephine, born October 28, 1913, James Howard Elliott, born November 22, 1916. Mr. Elliott is a farmer and stock raiser, and is a member of the Independent Order of I. O. O. F His Cherokee name is Oo-ch-la-ta.

Biography of Thomas M. Buffington

Thomas M. Buffington, an honored pioneer of Oklahoma and one of the most prominent men in the state, was for many years a dominant figure in the councils of the Cherokee Nation but is now living retired at Vinita at the age of sixty-six years. He was born in the Going Snake district of the Cherokee Nation, near accompanied the Cherokees on their removal to the Choctaw 1855, and his parents were Ezekiel and Louisa (Newman) Buffington, the former of whom was born in the Cherokee Nation of Georgia, while the latter was a native of Tennessee. The father accompanied … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Mrs. Lola M. Rambo

(See Grant, Oolootsa and Adair)-Lola M., daughter of Marshall and Pauline (McCoy) Mann, was born September 6, 1885 at Vinita, Oklahoma. She was educated at Kidd-Key College at Sherman, Texas, and Willie Halsell College at Vinita, Oklahoma. She graduated from the latter institution; and also took a stenographic course at this school. She was married at Muskogee December 4, 1907, to Walter A., son of James J. and Mary A. Rambo. They are the parents of Alma Elsine, born Sept. 12, 1908; Marshall J., born Oct. 31, 1910; Kenneth, born Aug. 17, 1913 and Pauline Louise Rambo, born January 6, … Read more

Biography of William Pressley Thompson

William Pressley Thompson, a representative of one of the honored pioneer families of Oklahoma, was for many years prominent in the affairs of the Cherokee Nation, and for over two decades he has been a member of the Vinita bar, being recognized as one of the most able attorneys in northeastern Oklahoma. He was born on a cotton plantation in Smith county, Texas, November 19, 1866, his parents being James Franklin and Caroline E. (McCord) Thompson, the former a native of Georgia and the latter of Mississippi, and both now deceased. The father accompanied the Cherokees on their removal to … Read more

Biographical Sketch of William E. Dupree

(See Adair)-Dr. William J. Dupree, born December 25, 1824, in Alabama, married in 1851 Charlotte, daughter of John and Charlotte (Adair) Bell. They were the parents of William E. Dupree, born November 9, 1857 in Wood Co. Texas and he was educated at Jamestown, 5 miles north of Overton, Texas. He married at Quitman, Tex. on Jan. 11, 1883, Fannie L., daughter of Dr. W. E. H. and Fannie (Aycok) Wright, born Jan. 14, 1861, in Wood County, Texas. They are the parents of Elmer, born October 24, 1883; Herbert, born April 2, 1887, died April 2, 1918; Emma, born … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Mrs. Benjamin F. Sanders

(See England, Hildebrand and Ghigau)-Martha Jane, daughter of James Franklin and Mary Jane (England) Williams was born in Cherokee Nation, April 9, 1870. Educated in the Cherokee Nation. Married at Vinita, August 7, 1887, Benjamin Franklin Sanders, born June 30, 1861 in Clay County, Texas. They are the parents of Martha Leoma Sanders, born August 18, 1890. Educated in Female Seminary, Hardin College, Mexico, Missouri and the Southern Seminary, Beuna Vista, Virginia, graduating from the latter institution. She married James H. Thigpin, a graduate of the Alabama State Agricultural College. They are now living at Fort Worth Texas, where he … 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 Judge Glenn Alcorn

Judge Glenn Alcorn of Muskogee, who formerly occupied the bench of the county court and is now giving his attention to the practice of civil law, was born in Clark county, Kansas, June 10, 1886, a son of Steward Tackett and May (Cummings) Alcorn. The father was a farmer, devoting his life to that occupation. Judge Alcorn was educated in the schools of Perry, Oklahoma, the family removing to this state during his early boyhood. Later he attended the University of Iowa, from which he was graduated with the class of 1908, his broad literary learning serving as an excellent … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Thomas A. Donnelly

(See Grant, Daniel Foreman)-Thomas Austin, son of Henry and Emma Jane (Daniel) Donnelly, born in Delaware District March 18, 1878, educated in Vinita. Married at Vinita November, 1900 Mary Ella, daughter of Jesse and Margaret L. (Cowan) Glenn, born December 13, 1877, educated in the Cherokee Public Schools and Female Seminary. They are the parents of: Gladys Austin born November 10, 1901; Glessie Ada, born October 29, 1906, Thomas Winton, born December 26, 1909. Fleeta Avis, born September 11, 1911 and Betty Jean Donnelly, born July 26, 1921. Mr. and Mrs. Donnelly are farmers, near Vinita. They are members of … 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

Biographical Sketch of Mrs. J. H. McKisick

(See Ghigau, Conrad and Duncan)—Nellie Josephine, daughter of Johnson Thompson and Catherine Isabel (Garbarine) Landrum, was born in Delaware District, May 6, 1890 and educated locally. Married at Vinita, August 8, 1910, James Houston, son of Charles D., and Lydia Elizabeth McKisick, born May 30, 1882 in Benton County, Ark. They are the parents of Stephen Dean, born June 14, 1912 and Clark Douglas McKisick, born August 6, 1919. Mr. McKisick is a mill owner and operator at Big Cabin. Mrs. Kisick is a member of the United Brethren Church. John, son of James and Rebecca (Duncan) Landrum married Nellie … 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. 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 Mrs. William C. McLaughlin

(See Grant, Ghigau, Foreman, Conrad, Duncan and Halfbreed) —William Cecil McLaughlin, born September 22, 1893, educated at Grove Stilwell and Muskogee, graduating in a busi­ness course from the latter. Married at Vinita, March 28, 1919, Lehia Leone, daugh­ter of Richard Fields and Martha Adair (Brewer) Benge, born on Lynch’s Prairie December 16, 1892. They are the parents of Cecil Benge McLaughlin, born May 10, 1921. Mr. McLaughlin is farming near Adair. Elizabeth, daughter of Andrew and Catherine (Hicks) Miller married Philip Inlow a native of South Carolina and their son, Sylvester Inlow, born June 24, 1837, married December 28, 1861 … Read more

Biography of Orion Littell Rider

Orion Littell Rider, a leading attorney of Vinita whose professional ability is indicated by the large and distinctively representative clientage accorded hire, has served his fellow citizens in various capacities and has always done able and conscientious work. His birth occurred in Mason county, Illinois, on the 7th of January, 1874, and his parents were Dr. Robert G. and Harriet M. (Littell) Rider, the former born near Cleveland, Ohio, and the latter in the state of New Jersey. The father was a physician, acquiring his professional training in Pennsylvania, and he first opened an office at Mobile, Alabama, whence he … Read more