The Delaware in Kansas

Black Beaver, Delaware

In 1682, the seat of the Delaware government was at Shackamaxon, now Germantown, Pennsylvania. There Penn found them and made his famous treaty with them. Although extremely warlike, they had surrendered their sovereignty to the Iroquois about 1720. They were pledged to make no war, and they were forbidden to sell land. All the causes of this step were not known. Because of it the Iroquois claimed to have made women of the Delaware. They freed themselves of this opprobrium in the French and Indian War. The steady increase of the whites drove the Delaware from their ancient seat. They were crowded … Read more

Biography of Mrs. Jane Buford

Among the honored pioneer women of Oklahoma is numbered Mrs. Jane Buford, who resides in a beautiful home at No. 102 North Cherokee street in Bartlesville. She is a member of the Delaware tribe of Indians and during her infancy was brought by her parents to Indian Territory at an early period in its settlement. She acquired a thorough knowledge of the English language, in which she converses as fluently as in her native tongue, and as a young woman she was united in marriage to Jacob Wheeler, now deceased. They became the parents of three children: Lena, the eldest … Read more

Biography of William Johnstone

William Johnstone, who was one of nature’s noblemen and whose life in every respect measured up to the highest standards of human conduct and of service to his fellows, passed away on the 14th of July, 1915. His earthly record was of comparatively short duration, for he had only reached the fifty-sixth milestone on life’s journey. But he had accomplished much more than may be set down to the credit of the vast majority. He had been one of the builders of Bartlesville through the establishment and successful management of various commercial and industrial interests and also by reason of … Read more

Biography of G. A. Rhoades

Among those who have made substantial contribution to the agricultural development of Oklahoma the Rhoades family is deserving of special mention, for its members have been continuously engaged in the cultivation of the soil of this state for the past thirty-three years, transforming wild and unproductive land into rich and fertile fields through their arduous labors and progressive spirit. G. A. Rhoades, a member of this family, was born in Kansas, April 16, 1881, of the marriage of John and Sarah (Hardwick) Rhoades, both of whom were natives of Missouri. In 1888 they came to Indian Territory, and the father … Read more

Biography of Willie Longbone

After many years of active connection with agricultural interests of northeastern Oklahoma, Willie Longbone is now living retired at Dewey in the enjoyment of a substantial competence, acquired through close application and the capable management of his business interests. He is a native son of Oklahoma and a representative of one of the old and prominent families of the state. He was born in Washington County, December 18, 1868, of the marriage of dames and Susan (Washington) Longbone, the former a native of Kansas. The father came to Indian Territory in 1867, locating on a farm near Silver lake, in … Read more

Biography of G. W. Lucas

G. W. Lucas, a progressive farmer residing near Ochelata, in Washington county, is a member of a family that has contributed to the agricultural development of Oklahoma from pioneer times to the present and in addition to his farming interests he also engages in teaming, meeting with success in both branches of activity. He was born in Mercer County, Missouri, November 16, 1869, and when four years of age was taken to Missouri by his parents, John W. and Susan (Hatfield) Lucas, who came to Indian Territory in 1874, settling on Double creek, a mile south of Ochelata, where they … Read more

Biography of William W. Jones

For more than thirty-six years William W. Jones has been a resident of Washington County, Oklahoma, and is a representative of one of its honored pioneer families. A native of the Lone Star state, he was born in Fannin County, Texas, in 1883, and is a son of John W. S. and Martha T. (Stowe) Jones. The father, a native of Illinois, was reared to manhood in that state, while the mother’s birth occurred in Indiana, but was also reared to young womanhood in the Sucker state, where her marriage was celebrated. In 1878 the parents removed to Texas, where … Read more

Biography of J. C. Cobleigh

For three decades J. C. Cobleigh has made his home in Bartlesville, arriving here at an early period in the development of the town, and with its subsequent growth and up-building he has been prominently identified, having extensive farming and stock-raising interests and also being a large oil operator. He is a keen, farsighted business man whose well matured plans are promptly executed, and opportunity has ever been to him a call to action. A native of Pennsylvania, Mr. Cobleigh was born December 15, 1873, of the marriage of C. C. and Mary (Mahoney) Cobleigh, the former of Scotch-Irish descent, … Read more

Biography of Alfred J. Smysor

Bartlesville owes much to the progressive spirit and notable business ability of Alfred J. Smysor, whose extensive real estate operations have been a dominant force in the up-building and development of the town, and he is also recognized as a successful merchant and oil operator. He was born in Windsor, Shelby County, Illinois, February 4, 1873, and there attended the grammar and high schools, later attending a business college. In 1893 he completed his studies and then became a member of the firm of Smysor & Son, of which his father was the head, continuing active in general l merchandising … Read more

Biography of Charles A. Knipe

Charles A. Knipe, a pioneer farmer of Oklahoma, who is residing near Bartlesville, was born in Jackson county, Kansas, August 24, 1864, his parents being William and Lucy Ann (Brennan) Knipe. The father was a pioneer of Kansas and died in May, 1920, at the advanced age of ninety-two. The mother is also deceased. Their son, Charles A. Knipe, came to Oklahoma the year before it was opened up for settlement; taking up his residence on the George Keeler farm, on Keeler creek, in Washington county, where he remained for a year and then removed to his present place of … Read more

Biography of M. C. Ware

Among the leading farmers and stockmen of Washington county is numbered M. C. Ware, who resides on a well improved and valuable ranch near Bartlesville and is recognized as one of the large landholders and substantial citizens of his community. He was born in Collin county, Texas, October 11, 1857, his parents being James and Nancy (Howe) Ware, who became pioneer settlers of the Lone Star state, residing in the home in which their son M. C. was born, until called to their final rest. The father, a native of Arkansas, passed away in 1904. The mother’s demise occurred in … Read more

Biography of John C. Gray

A resident of Oklahoma for many years, John C. Gray, who is proprietor of the Coca-Cola Bottling Company at Bartlesville, Washington County, was born in Lee County, Virginia, February 3, 1877, his parents being C. B. and Matilda (Ball) Gray, both of whom were also natives of Virginia. The parents were married in Virginia and soon thereafter removed to Eldorado Springs, Missouri, and from there to Caney, Kansas, where he and his family lived for many years. This town is situated on the Oklahoma boundary line. The father has been a Baptist clergyman throughout his active career and while a … Read more

Biography of James M. Hamilton

In a record that gives a history of those who have contributed to the agricultural development of Washington County mention should be made of James M. Hamilton, a pioneer of Oklahoma, who passed away in 1911, at the comparatively early age of forty-two years, his demise being deeply regretted by a large circle of friends. A native of Missouri, he was born April 1, 1869, and in 1883 came to Indian Territory with his parents, Hugh Evans and Olivia (Snodgrass) Hamilton, who settled on a farm near the Wauhillau post office. Both are now deceased, the former passing away in … Read more

Washington County Oklahoma Cemeteries

Delaware Cemetery, Dewey, Washington County, Oklahoma

A complete listing of all available online Washington County Oklahoma cemeteries, with links to multiple cemetery transcriptions, gravestone photos, tombstone photos, official records, etc.

Biography of W. S. Moore

A notably successful career is that of W. S. Moore, a prominent stockman of Dewey, who has devoted practically all of his life to the cattle business, in which he has become recognized as a leading operator, not only in Oklahoma but through the United States. He was born in Putnam county, Illinois, December 6, 1865, being a son of Mr. and, Mrs. J. B. Moore, who were natives of Pennsylvania and Ohio, respectively. He was reared in Burlington, Iowa, and in 1884, when a young man of nineteen years, he accompanied his parents on their removal to Oklahoma. His … Read more

Biography of Robert I. Allen, M. D.

One of the best known surgeons in northeastern Oklahoma is Dr. Robert I. Allen, who was born at Coodys Bluff on the 9th of September, 1877, a son of Dr. R. M. and Mary (Journeycake) Allen. His father was a native of Illinois, in which state he resided until after the close of the Civil war. Upon the outbreak of that war he enlisted in the Federal army and became a member of the medical staff. He was a stretcher bearer at the battles of Lookout Mountain and Missionary Ridge. Dr. R. M. Allen received his medical training at Rush … Read more

Biography of William T. Cohenour

William T. Cohenour, a prominent and well known representative of the automobile business in Muskogee, established his agency in 19 9 and through the intervening period ha s built up a substantial trade. He came to the southwest from Illinois, his birth having occurred in Pittsfield, Pike county, that state, on the 7th of March, 1877. He is a son of Howard A. and Mary (Cope) Cohenour. The father was a farmer and breeder of fine stock, making a specialty of cattle and hogs. William T. Cohenour was reared in his native state, spending his youthful days under the parental … Read more

Biography of John Falleaf

John Falleaf, a native son of Oklahoma and a representative of one of the pioneer families of the state, is widely and favorably known in Washington county, where he has spent his life, and he is now the owner of a well improved farm near Dewey. He was born ten miles east of the place upon which he now resides, his parents being Silas and Eliza Falleaf, who were natives of Kansas and made their way to Indian Territory in 1866. They were of Delaware extraction and were numbered among the earliest settlers in the territory. Mr. Falleaf acquired his … Read more

Biography of Charles Squirrel

Among the progressive and capable young business men of Bartlesville is numbered Charles Squirrel, a native son of the state, who is the owner of a good farm in Washington county and also has valuable oil interests. He was born at Matoka, September 11, 1896, his parents being Mr. and Mrs. William Squirrel, both of whom were Cherokees. When but a year old he was left an orphan and was adopted by Mrs. Walter Brown when eight years of age, his education being acquired at St. Joseph, Muskogee, Oklahoma, in the Webb school at Bellbuckle, Tennessee, and in Kemper Academy … Read more

Biography of James Colyer Gordon

James Colyer Gordon, superintendent of the waterworks system of Independence, had, together with his father, who for thirty years was engineer of the waterworks, had more to do with making this public utility a splendid and effleient organ of public service than any other individual. Independence had had a system of waterworks for thirty years or more. For many years it had been a municipally owned plant and the city corporation had expended an immense amount of money in perfecting the plant and the source of supply. The new water plant is located a mile and a half northeast of … Read more