Oklahoma

Biography of George Brown

As head of the Dewey Mill & Grain Company, George Brown is a dominant figure in industrial circles of Washington County and northeastern Oklahoma and his influence is one of broadening activity and strength in the field in which he operates. He was born at Lynn Grove, Kentucky, July 17, 1887, and is a son of W. T. and Ida (Steel) Brown, who are also natives of the Blue Grass state, the father being now a resident of Torrance County, New Mexico, where he located in order that his health might be benefited by the dry climate of that section … Read more

Biography of Samuel M. Gee

Samuel M. Gee, farmer and dairyman residing two and one-half miles northwest of Nowata, Nowata County, was born in Clinton County, Indiana, on the 23d of May, 1864, a son of Moses G. and Catherine (Maish) Gee. The father was a native of Ohio, where he lived until he removed to Indian Territory. He died at Council Hill in 1910. Mrs. Gee was born in Pennsylvania and died in Missouri in 1907. In January, 1902 Samuel M. Gee came to Indian Territory and located at Adair, where he rented four hundred acres of land, which he farmed for four years. … Read more

Biography of Albert F. Armstrong

Another member of the Armstrong family who is engaged in farming in Nowata County is Albert F. Armstrong, a brother of Charles F., whose sketch appears on another page of this work. A native of Kansas, he was born in Wyandotte County, on the 3d of April, 1865, a grandson of Chief Journeycake and a son of Henry Armstrong, who is now living retired in Coffeyville, Kansas. He is a nephew of J. E. Campbell of Nowata, while H. L. Campbell of the first National Bank of Nowata is a cousin. Albert F. Armstrong received his early education in the … Read more

Biography of Henry Stanley Shelor

Henry Stanley Shelor is conducting a general insurance agency at Muskogee and has here developed a business of large extent that is indicative of his close application, his persistency of purpose and his sound judgment in all that he undertakes. He was born in Montgomery County, Virginia, September 14, 1879, and is a son of Crockett Pierce and Clara (Abell) Shelor, the former a planter, well known in the Old Dominion. Henry S. Shelor obtained his education in the public schools of Danville until he had completed his high school course and then entered the Danville Military Institute. His initial … Read more

Biography of Fred C. Hall

One of the alert and enterprising business men of Nowata is Fred C. Hall, secretary and manager of the Henderson Gasoline Company, with offices in the First National Bank building. He was born in Galt, Illinois, on the 15th of October, 1883. His father, William Boyd Hall, was a native of New York and removed to Illinois at an early day, where he followed farming. His death occurred in 1885. William B. Hall married Miss Alice Buck, a native of Illinois. Her death occurred in Nowata in 1919. In the acquirement of an education Fred C. Hall attended the schools … Read more

Biography of J. C. Bushyhead, M. D.

One of Claremore’s pioneer citizens, who has tirelessly devoted his energies to the development of the town along the various lines is Dr. J. C. Bushyhead, who first located here some thirty-one years ago. During the long period of his residence here he has been engaged in the active practice of his chosen profession and has won for himself an enviable position among the foremost physicians and surgeons of northeastern Oklahoma. A native of Indian Territory, he was born at Fort Gibson on the 29th of June, 1870, a son of Dennis Bushyhead, who was chief of the Cherokee Indians … Read more

Biography of Vernon B. Ellington

Since January, 1919, Vernon B. Ellington has served as postmaster of Wagoner and in that capacity has made an excellent record. He has a thorough understanding of the duties that devolve upon him and is prompt and efficient in their execution. Mr. Ellington was born in Russellville, Arkansas, in March, 1892, a son of Rev. L. G. and Mary A. (Dunlap) Ellington, natives of Tennessee. The father entered the Methodist ministry at the age of eighteen years and preached throughout Tennessee and Arkansas until 1893, when he removed to Indian Territory, where he worked among the Indians in districts where … Read more

Biography of William W. Vanbuskirk

The rich lands of Washington county furnish splendid opportunity to the farmers and stock raisers and the men of enterprise who have taken advantage of the chances here offered along agricultural lines have won substantial success as the reward of their efforts. To this class belongs William W. Vanbuskirk, who was born in central Indiana, near Indianapolis, on the 18th of March, 1863. His father, Bennett Vanbuskirk, was a native of that state, while the mother, who bore the maiden name of Arvey Smith, was born in Georgia. Both have passed away. William W. Vanbuskirk was educated in the country … 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 J. C. Manning

One of the most useful and active citizens of Nowata is J. C. Manning, who has been holding the office of city manager since 1920. A native of Indiana, he was born in La Fayette, on the 7th of April, 1881, and there received his early education. After graduating from high school he became a student at Purdue University and was graduated from that institution in 1901, with the B. S. degree. Subsequently he made his initial step into the business world as an employee in the engineering department of the Illinois Central Railroad and after ten years in that … Read more

Biography of John B. Campbell

John B. Campbell, a strong and forceful representative of the Muskogee bar and a former judge of the court of appeals of Oklahoma, belongs to that class of men whose standards of life are true and whose endorsement of every plan or measure means a consistent and continuous support thereof. John B. Campbell comes to the southwest from Wisconsin, his birth having occurred in Lafayette county, on a farm near Gratiot, March 12, 1868, his parents being Francis and Mary (Cole) Campbell. The father was born in the north of Ireland and was of Scotch descent, while the mother, who … Read more

Biography of William Lenox McWilliams

Many interests claim the time and attention of William Lenox McWilliams, a foremost citizen of Miami, who is president of the First National Bank, being also extensively interested in stock raising and mining, and he is likewise one of the leaders of the republican party in Oklahoma. He was born upon a farm near La Belle, Missouri, April 29, 1865, his parents being George Washington and Lucy M. (Clapp) McWilliams, and is a representative of an old American family, his ancestors having been passengers on the Mayflower. The father fought in the Civil war and gave up his life for … Read more

Biography of Robert Drakely Rood, M. D., D. S.

Dr. Robert Drakeley Rood enjoys the distinction of bringing in the first large oil well in what was then Indian Territory and since the fall of 1903 has made his home in Bartlesville, while through the intervening period he has operated extensively in connection with the development of the oil industry in the south-west. His labors have constituted a most effective and important factor in the up-building and progress of this section of the country, nor has he ever been remiss in duties of citizenship or in recognition and utilization of the chances for contributing to the development and welfare … Read more

Biography of Mack S. Edmondson

Except for looking after his land and other interests of a varied and important nature, Mack S. Edmondson is living retired in Pryor, enjoying the fruits of a life spent in diligence and industry. He was born on the 9th of September, 1853, a son of Van and Laura (Denman) Edmondson, both natives of Georgia. They came to this state after the Civil war but subsequently removed to Texas and located at Kaufman. The mother’s demise occurred there and soon afterward the father removed to Delaware county, Indian Territory, where he engaged in farming and stock raising until his death. … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Eugene B. Lawson

The many and varied business enterprises with which Eugene B. Lawson is connected establishes his position as a prominent figure in connection with the commercial and financial development of the state. A native of Kentucky, he was born in Shelbyville, May 27, 1871, and was a young man of twenty-five years when in 1896 he came to the Indian Territory, settling at Nowata. In the fall of the year 1896 he was admitted to the Oklahoma bar and entered upon the active work of his profession, but for the past twelve years has given no time to law practice. He … Read more

Biography of H. O. Ballard

Dairying is rapidly becoming an important industry in north-eastern Oklahoma and modernly equipped and sanitary establishments of this kind in Washington county are making this section a valuable factor in developing the resources of the state. Among the men who are identified with this phase of activity is numbered H. O. Ballard, a partner in the Empire Dairy Company, which is conducting one of the leading enterprises of the kind in this part of the state. Mr. Ballard is a native of the east. He was born in Friendship, Allegany county, New York, August 7, 1873, and on reaching years … Read more

Biography of P. N. Perrier

P. N. Perrier, an enterprising young farmer of Washington county, who makes his home in Ochelata, is a native son of Oklahoma and a member of one of the honored pioneer families of the state. He was born in Osage county, Oklahoma, December 24, 1896, and is a son of Napoleon and Ellen (Haynie) Perrier, the former of Osage and the latter of Cherokee descent. The father was born near the Osage Mission, in Kansas, September 18, 1859, his parents being Peter and Catherine (Cadrick) Perrier, both of whom were of Osage extraction. In 1872 they removed from Kansas to … Read more

Biography of John W. Capps

Among the leading financial institutions of Muskogee county is numbered the Haskell National Bank, of which John W. Capps is the president, and the successful conduct of the enterprise is largely due to his well formulated and promptly execute plans and marked business ability. He was born in Madison county, Arkansas, June 15, 1880, and is a son of James R. and Louisa (King) Capps, the former a native of Missouri and the latter of Texas. For four years the father cultivated a farm in Arkansas and in 1888 removed to Texas, where he purchased land which he continued to improve and … Read more

Biography of John Owen Bradshaw, M. D.

Dr. John Owen Bradshaw, a man of high professional attainments, has been identified with the medical fraternity of Welch since 1913, and although he engages in general practice he devotes the greater part of his attention to the treatment of diseases pertaining to the eye, ear, nose and throat, in which he has become recognized as an authority. A native of Missouri, he was born in Lebanon county on the 9th of January, 1875 and his parents were Silas R. and Mary (Bradshaw) Bradshaw, the former a native of Kentucky. The mother’s birth occurred in Lebanon County, Missouri, and although … 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