Oklahoma

Biography of O. H. P. Brewer

O. H. P. Brewer, member of the Muskogee county bar, who on the 8th of August, 1921, retired from the office of postmaster, having filled the position for eight years, has devoted no inconsiderable part of his life to public service and his labors have constituted an important force for public good. Mr. Brewer was born at Webbers Falls, in the Indian Territory, a little village situated twenty-five miles southeast of Muskogee. His parents were Cherokee citizens, who voluntarily removed from Georgia to the Indian Territory in 1838, in accordance with the terms of a congressional act. His father, O. … Read more

Biography of C. B. Mitchell

Although one of the more recent additions to the Miami bar, Charles B. Mitchell has already demonstrated his ability to cope with the intricacies of the law and is building up a good practice. He is also well known as a writer of ability and has contributed many interesting articles to leading magazines. He was born at Brunswick, Maine, on the 9th of October, 1870, his parents being George E. and Agnes E. Mitchell, also natives of the Pine Tree state, the former born at Brunswick, August 3, 1850, while the birth of the latter occurred at Oldtown in 1854. … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Roscoe Simmons Cate

Roscoe Simmons Cate, an attorney of Muskogee, was born in Bradley county, Tennessee, on the 2d of September, 1876, his parents being William Lea and Joanna E. (Julian) Cate, the former an educator. Roscoe Simmons Cate obtained his education in the public schools of St. Louis, Missouri, and of Little Rock, Arkansas, while his professional training was received in the Benton College of Law of St. Louis, from which he was graduated in June, 1901. He first located for practice at McAlester, Oklahoma, and there followed his profession until 1908, when he became chief clerk to the superintendent of the … Read more

Biography of David Nicholas Fink

David Nicholas Fink, banker and oil man of Muskogee, was born August 4, 1868, in Russia, Shelby county, Ohio. His father, Henry David Fink, now eighty-four years of age, is residing in Spokane, Washington. His mother, Mrs. Clara Elizabeth Fink, nee Work, passed away in Vernon County, Missouri, in August, 1876. The educational advantages of David Nicholas Fink were only such as the common schools afforded. He never had the opportunity of attending college and his life is a verification of the fact that no matter what the advantages of education one may enjoy he must essentially formulate and determine … Read more

Biography of Ed Darnell

Ed Darnell, a prominent farmer and stockman, living five miles southwest of Bartlesville, was born in Terre Haute, Indiana, August 19, 1874, but was only three years of age when taken to southern Kansas by his parents, L. J. and Rachel (Clark) Darnell, the family residing in that state for a period of fifteen years. On the 22d of April, 1889, they went to old Oklahoma, settling in Payne County, eleven miles west of Stillwater. The father became the first county recorder of Payne County and was appointed to the office by the first governor of the state. This position … Read more

Biography of James W. Brady

Natural talent, acquired ability, determination and energy have brought James W. Brady to a foremost position in the ranks of the legal fraternity of Haskell, where since 1905 he has followed his profession. He has been called upon to fill various public positions of honor and trust and is now capably discharging the duties of city attorney, in which connection he is making a highly commendable record. A native of Indiana, he was born in Dubois county, May 22, 1871, of the marriage of James and Margaret (Payne) Brady, both of whom were born in Tennessee. In 1863 the father … Read more

Biography of Thomas K. Stout

Thomas K. Stout, who has been actively identified with merchandising interests in Bartlesville during the past sixteen years, has since 1919 been the proprietor of Stout’s Specialty Shop at No. 217 East Third street and in this connection enjoys an extensive and high-class patronage. He was born in Shelbyville, Shelby County, Kentucky, on the 4th of January, 1875, his parents being J. K. and Sarah L. (McCallister) Stout, the latter also a native of Kentucky. J. K. Stout removed with his family to St. Clair County, Missouri, in 1885 and throughout the remainder of his active business career successfully devoted … Read more

Biography of J. T. Gunter, M. D.

The medical profession of Ochelata finds a prominent representative in Dr. J. T. Gunter, who devotes the greater part of his attention to surgical work, in which he has developed that expert skill which is the result of broad experience and innate ability. He was born at Lagrange, Mississippi, January 1, 1876, his parents being George Washington and Mary Catherine Gunter, the former a native of Pickett County, Tennessee, while the latter was born in Carrollton, Mississippi. The father engaged in merchandising. Both Mr. and Mrs. Gunter are deceased. In the acquirement of an education J. T. Gunter attended Millsaps … Read more

Biography of Robert A. Wilkerson

Since 1915 Robert A. Wilkerson has resided in Pryor and he is recognized as one of the prominent and representative members of the Oklahoma bar. He was born near Carthage, Smith county, Tennessee, on the 30th of January, 1884, a son of James A. and Elizabeth (Hale) Wilkerson, both natives of Tennessee and still living. The father is actively engaged in farming and has won substantial success in that connection. Five sons and four daughters have been born to their union, of whom Robert A. is the youngest. On reaching school age Robert A. Wilkerson attended the public schools of … Read more

Biography of J. M. Greenwood

J. M. Greenwood, a native son of Oklahoma and a member of one of the old and’ prominent families of the state, has spent his life in the section where he now resides and is recognized as one of the leading stockmen of Washington county and a progressive, public-spirited citizen, whose influence is ever on the side of advancement and improvement. He was born six miles north of Ramona on the 2d of September, 1894, and is a son of J. P. Greenwood, a pioneer resident of Washington county, who figures prominently in financial circles as president of the Citizens … Read more

Biography of Joseph Tolover Hairston

One of the prominent citizens of Salina is Joseph Tolover Hairston, who was born on the 10th of March, 1862, at Saltillo, Mississippi. The Hairston family is of Scotch descent, its progenitor in this country having migrated from Scotland to Virginia at an early day. His sons, William, John and Peter, removed to South Carolina during the Revolutionary war, and William and John have many descendants in the southern states. The grandfather of Joseph Tolover was William Hairston, who died in his eightieth year. His son, Little Tolover Hairston, fought in the Civil war and was killed at Chickamauga at … 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

Biographical Sketch of William Dexter Halfhill

William Dexter Halfhill, who has been a representative of the legal fraternity for a period covering forty-three years, took up his abode in Muskogee in 1904 and has here since engaged in general civil practice, in which connection he has built up a clientage of enviable proportions. He is a native of Morrow county, Ohio, and a son of Moses and Lydia (Kingman) Halfhill, the former a farmer by occupation. The public schools afforded him his early educational advantages and on attaining his majority he began teaching school. This he considered but an initial step to other professional labor; however, … Read more

Biographical Sketch of W. P. Jacobs

Although death claimed W. P. Jacobs in 1906, a year after his arrival in Bartlesville, he had already gained a well established position in business circles here, his enterprise and integrity winning for him the respect and confidence of all with whom he was brought into contact. He was born in Hammond, Indiana, in 1866, and acquired his education in Danville College, after which he became connected with the lumber business at Toledo, Ohio. From there he went to Findlay, Ohio, where he was identified with the same line of activity, and he subsequently removed to Lima, that state, where … 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 Irwin Donovan

Irwin Donovan, who has been admitted to practice in all of the Oklahoma state courts and also before the United States supreme court, is now devoting his attention to civil law in Muskogee, having an extensive clientele, who recognize the strength and power of Mr. Donovan as advocate and counselor. He was born in St. Louis, Missouri, August 3, 1879, and is a son of Joseph Thomas and Mary Lucy (Mahoney) Donovan, the former a well known real estate dealer of St. Louis. Reared in his native city, Irwin Donovan supplemented his early education by study in Smith Academy of … Read more

Biography of Wade Hampton Kornegay

For three decades Wade Hampton Kornegay has been a representative of the Vinita bar and with the passing years his clientele has steadily increased in volume and importance. as he has demonstrated his ability to cope with the intricate problems of the law, while he is also recognized as one of the most progressive agriculturists and stock raisers of Craig county. He was born in Duplin county, North Carolina, April 17, 1865, and was named for General Wade Hampton, the noted Confederate leader. His parents were Henry and Jeannette (Williams) Kornegay, who were also natives of North Carolina, the former … Read more

Biography of Floyd E. Staley

One of the promising young members of the legal profession in Oklahoma is Floyd E. Staley, junior member of the firm of Miles & Staley at Checotah. He was born in Ottawa, Kansas, on the 17th of October, 1895, a son of William and Grace (Anderson) Staley, the former a native of Missouri and the latter of Kansas. William Staley engaged in farming in the latter state until 1909, when he came to Oklahoma and located in Checotah. Here he established a grain business; in the conduct of which he was active until 1921, when he disposed of that business. … Read more

Biography of Arthur C. Trumbo

The development and success of the Muskogee National Bank is attributable in no small measure to Arthur C. Trumbo, an alert, energetic and farsighted business man, who in financial circles has made a most creditable name and place for himself. He was born on a farm in Allen county, Ohio, on the 6th of August, 1866, and attended the country schools until he reached the age of seventeen, when he began teaching and soon afterward was made principal of the Columbus Grove high school at Columbus Grove, Ohio. Desirous of enjoying still further educational advantages himself, he later became a … Read more

Biography of Edward D. Hicks

Edward D. Hicks is numbered among Tahlequah’s representative business men and is one whose life record should be a stimulus to the effort and ambition of others. He was born at Fort Gibson, Indian Territory, on the 1st of January, 1866, a son of Daniel R. and Nancy J. (Rider) Hicks. His grandfather on the paternal side Elijah Hicks, was chief of the Cherokee Nation in Georgia and Indian Territory and died in 1856. Mr. and Mrs. Hicks came with the immigration of Cherokees in 1837 and 1838 to Indian Territory and the father became a successful farmer and stock … Read more