Wagoner Oklahoma

Establishment of Fort Gibson in 1824

Fort Gibson in 1875

The Arkansas Territory was established by Congress in 1819, encompassing parts of present-day Arkansas and Oklahoma, with governance limited to the eastern section. James Miller became its first governor in 1819, tasked with overseeing relations with Native tribes. Efforts to broker peace between the Osage and Cherokee tribes were largely unsuccessful, leading to military reinforcements at Fort Smith. In 1824, troops were moved to a new post, Cantonment Gibson, established to enhance security and regulate tensions, which would eventually evolve into Fort Gibson, founded in 1824.

Biographical Sketch of Dr. Isabel Cobb

Martha Blythe, born January 31, 1812, married Alexander Clingan in 1828. Their daughter, Evaline, wed Joseph Benson Cobb, with whom she had several children, including Isabel Cobb, born October 25, 1858. Isabel pursued higher education at Glendale Female College and the Woman’s Medical College of Pennsylvania, graduating in 1892. She became a practicing physician in Wagoner. The family continued its commitment to education and service, with Martha’s children also excelling in various academic and professional fields.

Biographical Sketch of Richard M. Smith

Ella Fields, born April 17, 1853, married Frank N. Smith at Fort Gibson. They had Richard Martin Smith, born January 28, 1881, who attended local schools and wed Carrie Phipps in 1903. They had two sons, Gideon and Theron. Richard is a farmer near Wagoner, and both he and Carrie are active in the Methodist Church. The post also briefly traces the lineage of Ella Fields to her parents and highlights connections to other families in the region.

Biographical Sketch of Mrs. George P. Andrews

Susie Catherine Schrimsher, born in 1878 to Jasper Newton and Mary Jane (Riley) Schrimsher, received her education at Wagoner and the Cherokee Female Seminary. She wed George P. Andrews in 1899 in Wagoner, and together they had two children, Howard and Hazel. The Andrews family are active members of the Presbyterian Church, and George is recognized not only as a Mason but also as a significant contributor to the oil industry.

Biographical Sketch of Mrs. James H. Thomas

Eugenia Triplett, born in 1844 at Fort Gibson to Eugene and Jane Riley Triplett, received her education in Cherokee public schools and the Cherokee National Female Seminary. She married James H. Thomas on December 25, 1892, in Wagoner, Oklahoma. Together, they had seven children, including George, Arvol, and Gladys. James H. Thomas, born in 1874, is noted for his involvement in the Knights of Pythias and for being a significant business figure in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

Biographical Sketch of Mrs. William A. Lamon

Martha Evaline Clingan, born March 21, 1874, in Gibson Station, Cherokee Nation, was educated at the Female Seminary and later taught at Harrell Institute in Muskogee. On February 1, 1899, she married William Archibald Lamon, a businessman in realty and cotton. They had six children. Martha was active in her community, participating in the Methodist church and organizations like the Eastern Star and the Twentieth Century Club. Her lineage traces back to William Davidson Clingan, a Confederate officer.

Biographical Sketch of Phil. H. Cobb

Alexander Adam Clingan, born in 1801, married Martha Jane Blythe in 1828. Their daughter, Evaline, wed Joseph Benson Cobb in 1857. Evaline and Joseph had a son, Samuel Sylvester Cobb, who married Carrie Kennedy Hunter, becoming the parents of Phil Hunter Cobb, born in 1895. Phil, raised in Wagoner, married Hazel Ruth Best in 1918 and had a daughter, Dorothy Louise, in 1920. Phil is engaged in farming near Wagoner, contributing to the family’s agricultural legacy.

Biographical Sketch of Mary Terry Parkinson

Addie Malinda Cobb was born on September 9, 1870, and educated at Cherokee National schools before marrying Terry A. Parkinson in 1891. They had several children, including Rachel May, Ruth, and Joseph Terry. Terry engaged in farming and held political office, including County Clerk and a seat in the state Legislature. Addie was active in community service, being a member of the Eastern Star and President of the Arts and Crafts Club. Addie’s lineage traces back to Evaline Clingan and Joseph Benson Cobb.

Slave Narrative of Johnson Thompson

Johnson Thompson was born in December 1853 on a Texas plantation, the son of W.P. Thompson, a mixed-blood Cherokee Indian. His family experienced multiple ownerships before settling on John Harnage’s plantation. Thompson recalls a childhood of both toil and joy—hunting squirrels and picking cotton. His mother wove cloth and his father made shoes. After the Civil War, the family moved to Indian Territory, where they found work and community. He later married twice and had six children, reflecting on the importance of education and religion in his life.

Slave Narrative of Phyllis Petite

Phyllis Petite, born on a Texas plantation in the 1830s, recounts her early life in slavery under Master John Harnage. Her family, originally belonging to a Cherokee master, was sold multiple times. Petite describes life on the plantation, detailing daily chores, meals, and brief experiences of freedom. After the Civil War, she moved to the Cherokee Nation and later settled in Fort Gibson, Oklahoma. Petite reflects on her family, her marriage, and her connection to her Cherokee heritage, emphasizing her fondness for church and community.

Biographical Sketch of Samuel C. Blake

Samuel Coke Blake, born on April 10, 1862, in Cane Hill, Arkansas, was a notable figure in equestrian breeding, founding the Famous Blake Horse. He married Georgia Anna Pharris on June 10, 1888, and together they had six children, contributing to a lineage that includes various prominent descendants. Blake’s ancestry traces back to English origins, with a notable connection to the Pyratt family, influencers in Arkansas since the early 19th century. His familial legacy reflects a blend of cultural backgrounds and significant local history.

Biographical Sketch of Mrs. A. M. Belcher

Cora Mary Clingan, born May 12, 1878, in Gibson Station, Cherokee Nation, was educated at the Female Seminary and Cottey College in Missouri. She married Rev. A. M. Belcher on November 21, 1911, in Wagoner. Together, they had a son, Bruce Clingan Belcher, born June 14, 1912. Rev. Belcher, a South Methodist, was instrumental in building Wagoner’s first church, while Mrs. Belcher actively participated in the Home Missionary Society and the Eastern Star.

Biographical Sketch of Mrs. Joseph Epperson

Mrs. Joseph Epperson, née Bettie Phipps, was born on July 6, 1882, to Columbus and Amanda Phipps. She married Joseph Epperson on July 29, 1902, in Wagoner. Together, they had five children: William C. (1903), Columbus P. (1908), Lela Pearl (1911), Zulma Inez (1913), and Garrett (1915). Joseph Epperson, also born in 1882, hailed from Cleaburn County, Arkansas. Their family reflects a legacy of early 20th-century life and values.

Biography of Jefferson D. Cox

Jefferson D. Cox, born on October 1, 1861, in Walhalla, South Carolina, became a prominent attorney and successful rancher in Oklahoma. After moving to Mountain Home, Arkansas, and completing his education, he studied law and was admitted to the bar in 1888. Cox practiced in multiple territories before settling in Tahlequah in 1903. A capable legal mind, he served in the Cherokee County legislature and as county judge. He has been married twice and is active in community and professional organizations, reflecting his commitment to public service and agriculture.

Biography of Otis R. Cureton

Otis R. Cureton, born on October 12, 1879, in Lancaster, South Carolina, moved to Florida as a child. He began working at a young age, later managing a store and climbing the ranks at the Southern Express Company. In 1905, he relocated to Wagoner, Indian Territory, to enter the land and real estate business. Since February 1918, he has been the manager of the Oklahoma Land Loan Company in Muskogee, achieving significant success. Active in politics, he and his wife, Beulah, have contributed notably to the Republican Party.

Biography of Joseph B. Cobb

Joseph B. Cobb, born on February 21, 1863, in Tennessee, moved to Indian Territory at age seven, where he grew up and received his education. After serving two terms in the Cherokee council and engaging in farming, he moved to Wagoner in 1914 for his children’s education. A retired farmer and a former county commissioner, Cobb supports the Republican Party and is active in community affairs. Married to Lilly Johnson, they have five children. The family practices Baptist faith and Cobb is affiliated with the Masons and Modern Woodmen of America.

Biography of Walter George Gibbons

Walter George Gibbons, born October 1, 1868, in Tiskilwa, Illinois, has been instrumental in the success of the Chestnut-Gibbons Grocery Company since 1908, emphasizing efficiency and strong trade connections. After moving to the Indian Territory in 1895, he established the wholesale business in 1902, later relocating to Muskogee. Gibbons has also been active in public service as a city council member and has contributed to various community organizations, including the Red Cross during World War I. He is well-regarded in his community for his dedication and service.

Biography of Simeon S. Forrest

Simeon S. Forrest, born on November 21, 1874, in Missouri, is the incumbent County Assessor of Cherokee County, having taken office in 1921. Following education in Ozark County, he spent several years teaching in local schools before moving to Wagoner to continue his teaching career. He married Annie Easter in 1897, with whom he has six children. A dedicated member of the Methodist Church and active in the Republican Party and fraternal organizations, Forrest is respected for his public service and community involvement.

Biography of Archie Earle Carder, M. D.

Dr. Archie Earle Carder, born May 29, 1864, in Marshall, Texas, has served as a prominent physician and surgeon in Coweta, Oklahoma, for over two decades, making him the oldest practitioner in Wagoner County. After a varied career in business and public service, he graduated from Beaumont Hospital Medical College in 1901. Carder has significantly contributed to his community through his medical practice and public health roles. Married to Nettie Rowley, he is active in several organizations, including the Democratic Party and the Masons.

Biography of Marsh Corgan

Marsh Corgan, born on October 6, 1895, in Wagoner, Oklahoma, became the youngest sheriff in the U.S. after his election in 1920. The son of John M. and Anna E. Corgan, he served as an engineer before enlisting in World War I, where he achieved the rank of second lieutenant. Corgan actively participates in politics as a Republican and is involved in the Woodmen of the World and the American Legion. A dedicated member of the Presbyterian Church, he has earned the respect and support of his community.