One of the prominent attorneys of Checotah is Claude A. Niles, senior member of the firm of Niles & Staley. A native of Missouri, he was born near Rolla, on the 5th of November, 1882, a son of Asa S. and Nettie E. (Burns) Niles, the former a native of New York and the latter of Nebraska. The father went to Rolla, Missouri, about 1865, when sixteen years of age, and subsequently engaged in the real estate business, which he has followed for the past thirty years. He has won gratifying success in that connection and is one of the prominent and representative, citizens of the community in which he resides. Mrs. Niles is also living.
In the acquirement of an education, Claude A. Niles attended the schools of Rolla, Missouri, and after graduating from the high school there, he entered the State University. After graduating from that institution he spent several years as an accountant and then took up the study of law. He came to Oklahoma in 1902, locating in Checotah, and in October, 1906, he was admitted to the bar. He has since practiced here and in 1921 formed a partnership with Floyd E. Staley, further mention of whom is made on another page of this work, the firm being known as Niles & Staley. Mr. Niles served as city attorney of Checotah for several terms and was assistant county attorney of McIntosh county for a part of one term, when he resigned.
On the 25th of September, 1907, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Niles to Miss Elva Barton, and to their union two children have been born: Elizabeth and Doris.
The religious faith of the family is that of the Presbyterian church and Mr. Niles gives his political allegiance to the Democratic party, having firm belief in the principles of that party as factors in good government. Fraternally he is identified with the Masons, being a Royal Arch Mason, and he likewise holds membership with the Modern Woodmen of America. Along professional lines he is affiliated with the Oklahoma State and McIntosh County Bar Associations.
Mr. Niles is always interested in matters of progressive citizenship and is, a cooperate factor in many projects for the general good, yet he regards the practice of law as his real life work, and in his chosen field of labor has won continuous advancement through merit and ability which has placed him with the leading attorneys of McIntosh county.