A prominent citizen of Delaware is Isaac H. Secondine, who is engaged in the decorating business. A native of Nowata County, he was born at Coodys Bluff on the 29th of May, 1874, a son of Fillmore and Rachael (Connor) Secondine. His paternal grand-father, James, was chief of the Delawares in the ’40s and crossed the plains with General Fremont on that memorable trip chronicled in history, and also fought under him in the Mexican war.
Grandfather Secondine was a highly educated man, speaking seven different languages, among them perfect English. He acted as interpreter to General Fremont, who was his intimate friend, and he was also a personal friend of Abraham Lincoln. His son Fillmore is still living, being now over seventy-eight years of age. Fillmore Secondine was united in marriage to Rachael Connor, a Delaware and a native of Indian Territory. Her demise occurred when Isaac H. was five years of age. Mrs. Mary C. Bezion, extended mention of whom is made in a sketch appearing on another page of this work, is a sister of Fillmore H., and she is one of the pioneer citizens of this County.
In the acquirement of an education Isaac H. Secondine attended the public schools of Coodys Bluff and after putting his textbooks aside he engaged in farming, until 1919. In that year he rented his farm of sixty acres, two and one-half miles southwest of Delaware and moved into town, where he is now engaged in decorating. Mr. Secondine has oil on his farm, from which he draws royalties. He has a fine modern home here and is enjoying an extensive and lucrative patronage.
In 1901 was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Secondine to Miss Liza Newcomb, a daughter of Zachariah and Amanda (Bascomb) Newcomb, both Delawares. The father was for many years a Methodist circuit rider, being in the active ministry at the time of his demise in 1886. Mrs. Secondine is the sister of Solomon Newcomb and a half sister of Anderson Wilson, both of whom are well known here. Mrs. Newcomb died in November, 1912. To the union of Mr. and Mrs. Secondine one son has been born: Henry A., seventeen years of age, who is a student in the high school at Delaware.
Since age conferred upon Mr. Secondine the right of franchise, he has been a stanch supporter of the Republican Party, having firm belief in the principles of that party as factors in good government. Although the greater part of his time is devoted to his business interests, his aid may always be counted upon in the furtherance of any movement for the development and improvement of the community and he is conceded to be one of Delaware’s most public-spirited citizens. The Secondine and Newcomb families have been well represented in the various wars in which the United States has been a participant and during the World war Mr. Secondine did all in his power to promote the interests of the government, giving generously of his time and money in promoting the various drives. One of his nephews, Fred R. Goodtraveler, a son of Rose Secondine, is a veteran of the World War. While in active service he was shot seven times, his injuries crippling him for life. The wounds were received in the battle of the Argonne. He is now living in Phoenix, Arizona, where he is slowly regaining his health. A brother of Mrs. Secondine, Edward Newcomb, was for nine years with the regular United States army and served as a lieutenant during the Philippine war. He was twice wounded, his death resulting from his injuries in 1907. Edward Newcomb was a well educated and prominent man.