Starkey Brent Dawes, since 1889 a representative of the Muskogee bar, now confining his attention largely to the practice of law as relating to lands and minerals, is a native of Tennessee and a son of Starkey and Amanda (Butler) Dawes. His father was an educator connected with the schools of Tennessee and afterward of Texas. The removal of the family to the Lone Star state enabled Starkey B. Dawes to pursue his high school education in Gainesville, Texas, and later he took the State Normal School course in Texas. His law course was that given by the Texas University, which he completed in 1888 and until the following year he remained in Gainesville, after which he sought the opportunities offered in this great and growing section of the country which was being thrown open to settlement by the white ‘people and which offered splendid opportunities by reason of its rich natural resources, bringing about a logical settlement and development.
Mr. Dawes came to Muskogee on the 25th of May, 1889. There are few residents who have remained here for a longer period or who have been more closely associated with the development of the city. For almost a third of a century Mr. Dawes has continued in law practice here and for many years tried all kinds of cases and tried them well. In later years he has concentrated his attention more and more largely upon law practice relating to land and minerals and his clientage of this character is most extensive. In the early years, from 1893 until 1896, he was attorney for the Creek Indian Nation. He never enters the court until well qualified to present his case. He prepares his cases with great thoroughness and care and is a man of studious disposition, delving deep into any matter which claims his attention.
Mr. Dawes was married to Miss Margarette Maupin of Gainesville, Texas, and they have one child, Ethel Belinda. Mr. Dawes and his daughter hold membership in the First Christian Church of Muskogee, while Mrs. Dawes is connected with St. Paul’s Methodist Episcopal Church, South.
Mr. Dawes finds his interests in the way of rest and recreation in outdoor life and in Y. M. C. A. work, particularly with the boys at the Y. M. C. A. “gym.” He was formerly a member of the old Indian Territory Bar Association and now belongs to the Muskogee and Oklahoma State Bar Associations. He has watched with keen interest the development and progress of this section of the country and has borne an active and helpful part in the work of up building, his aid and influence ever being on the side of advancement and improvement.