Garvin County, Oklahoma Part of Genealogy Trails

Garvin County Post Masters
(If Anyone has pictures of any of the postmasters named I would love to post them here)

Elmore, Chickasaw Nation, Indian Territory
Mary Williamson was the first postmaster appointed on June 11, 1890, she was preceeded by Henry P. Barry on March 18, 1891.  Jasper N. Black became the next postmaster on November 28, 1893.  William M. Bennett followed on June 23, 1897, with James T. Bennett succeeding him on January 6, 1898.  Tilford H. Eskridge was the last postmaster before statehood.  He was appointed on January 7, 1902.
Elmore, Garvin County, Oklahoma
Samuel M. Muse was appointed postmaster on October 7, 1908.  The towns name was briefly changed to Banner, Garvin County, Oklahoma on September 7, 1910 in which Mr. Muse was appointed the postmaster of Banner on September 7, 1910.  The town name was changed back to Elmore City on March 4, 1911 and Mr. Muse remained the postmaster appointed on March 4, 1911.  Harry B. Williams became the postmaster on August 31, 1914.  Horace B. Manire on January 14, 1919 and then Edward F. Harman on November 21, 1919.  Mrs. Roy M. Muse became postmast on March 1, 1922.  James E. Terrell became the acting postmaster on May 24, 1926 and was was appointed as postmaster on February 18, 1937.  Mrs. Cletus L. McKey became the acting postmaster on March 31, 1963 until August 7, 1964 when William M. Lindsay took over as acting postmaster.  He was then appointed as postmast on August 22, 1964.  Mrs. Cletus L. McKey once again became the officer-in-charge on August 2, 1974 and became the postmaster on November 23, 1974.  The remaining people were John C. Alvardo  January 12, 1979, James L. Hammons was appointed on April 7, 1979.  Ms. Fran Butler on January 21, 1983, Leon C. Collier was appointed May 14, 1983.  Ellie E. Oliver on December 26, 1987. Sheila J. Tuley on March 26, 1988, Becky Howard November 3, 2000, Johnny B. Watson December 16, 2000. then Becky Howard took back over on July 28, 2003.
Foster, Oklahoma Post Masters	Pictures if Available
The Foster Postmaster information and pictures were submitted by Debbie Gann.
J.M. Bass was a merchant at Foster, Indian Territory, before there was a Post Office there.  He petitioned off a small section of his store and different people would go to Whitebead Hill and get the mail, bring it there and put it in this space.  He then allowed people to come and pick out their own mail.  This practice was continued until the Post Office was established.
On August 12, 1891, a Post Office was established at Foster, Indian Territory.  Noah Foster, owner of the blacksmith shop, was appointed Postmaster.  He served as such until September 28, 1894.  After leaving the Post Office, he returned to his blacksmith trade at Foster for awhile.  He later did this same work at Pauls Valley, Indian Territory.
John W. Childers was appointed Postmaster on September 28, 1894 and served until April 30, 1898.	None Available
On April 30, 1898, Dr. George Hanes was appointed Postmaster and served in this capacity as well as community doctor until   December 15, 1899.  At that time he gave up Government work and dedicated his life to his medical career.
On December 15, 1899, William W. Howerton was appointed Postmaster.  He and John Hodges owned and operated a store in conjunction with the Post Office until August 23,1908.
On August 13, 1908, John B. Shelton, the town druggist, was appointed Postmaster. He served until December 23, 1910.  He had the Post Office in his drug store.
Mary Ann (Duck) Bivens, daughter of Mr. & Mrs. J.M. Bass, helped John Shelton in his store and office during the time Mr. Shelton served as Postmaster.
William J. Justice, another Foster merchant, took over the job of Postmaster on December 23, 1910.  He served until July 6, 1914.
Arch Wilson who owned and operated a drug store was appointed as Postmaster on July 6, 1914 and served until April 19, 1922 when he resigned.  He moved to the then new oil town of Pernell, Oklahoma and opened a drug store there.
When Mr. Wilson resigned, the Postal Department talked about discontinuing the Post Office in Foster.  Rather than see this done, William Gann applied for the job and was appointed Postmaster at Foster on July 6, 1914.  He was operating a drug store at that time so he appointed George Ferris as his assistant.  George Farris served as assistant Postmaster for William Gann.  In fact he did about all the office work during Mr. Gann's term. Many people said they never realized that Mr. Gann was Postmaster since Mr. Farris did the job.  Mr. Gann did not like the work and responsibility so he gave the job up on February 5, 1923.
When Mr. Gann resigned the postal department again talked of discontinuing the postal service here.   The people of the community wanted their community to keep growing. They knew in order to do this they would have to keep a post office.  They talked to Edna Henderson, asking her to take the job.  She was a bit hesitant about this as there had never been a lady Postmaster at Foster or anywhere else that she knew of.  She was appointed February 10, 1923 and retired in December of 1942.  She did this being the first Foster Postmaster to retire from the office on retirement.  Walter Justice served as Starr Carrier just about all of Mrs. Henderson's term as Postmaster and during Mrs. Berry's term.  William Floyd "Speedy" Henderson served many years as assistant to Mrs. Edna Henderson, his mother, as well as to Mary Berry, his sisterA rural route was established out of the Foster Post Office on November 16, 1927 and A.J. "Jap" Hinkle was appointed rural carrier. When he retired Fat Conner was hired to take his place.  Mr. Hinkle appointed J.R. "Pat" Conner, as substitute rural carrier a short time before his retirement.  Mr. Conner then served as temporary carrier until Marcus Nash was appointed rural carrier.
Mary Berry, daughter of Edna Henderson, was appointed as Postmaster, December 31, 1942.  She served until July 7, 1968.  She retired on the new retirement plan that had gone into effect during her term in office.  This plan allowed a Postmaster who had worked as long as 20 years to retire at the age of 60 with full retirement benefits.  Upon leaving the postal service she moved to Fort Worth, Texas with her husband, who had taken the job as manager of the Texas Refinery Recreation Ranch.  Marcus Nash was appointed rural carrier on December 27, 1965.
Katie Studdard, who served as Mary Berry's assistant for some time, was appointed as Postmaster on July 6, 1968.
Lindsay, Chickasaw Nation, Indian Territory
The first postmaster of Lindsay on record was Robert A. Diggs who was appointed on March 28, 1902.
Lindsay, Garvin County, Oklahoma
After statehood Lindsay was placed in Garvin County in 1907.  Mr. Diggs remained the postmaster until August 29, 1913 when John L. Avey was appointed.  Marion Jackson Ivie became the acting postmaster on June 1, 1920 and remained in charge until Charles L. Bell was appointed as the postmaster on February 10, 1922.  Carl M. Barnes became the acting postmaster on March 31, 1934 until March 20, 1935 when Benjamin M. Luton Jr. became the postmaster.  James R. Henderson took over on July 26, 1957 as acting postmaster and was officially appointed on June 30, 1959.  Calvin Moore became the officer in charge on May 19, 1967 and was appointed to the position of postmaster on June 20, 1968.  Eugene Gabbard became postmaster on April 29, 1972 but had been acting postmaster since March 21.  Gerald W. Gay took over as acting postmaster on March 31, 1983 until Robert L. Kopycinski was named as postmaster on July 9, 1983.  He remained postmaster until Carol McGowen became officer in charge on November 18, 1996, then Sharon L. Pyle on January 6, 1997, and J. Todd McCullough on March 6, 1997 until Sharon L. Pyle was named as postmaster on October 11, 1997.  Bobby W. Nichols became the officer in charge on August 1, 2000 followed by Kay Carlton on September 12, 2000 who served until Kenneth R. Belden was named Postmaster on February 24, 2001.  Angelma E. Milsap became the officer in charge on March 31, 2005.  Jerry Todd McCullough was named postmaster on April 16, 2005.
McGee, Indian Territory Postmasters
William G. Mood was appointed Postmaster of McGee on April 15, 1891 and  was discontinued March 6, 1907, effective March 30, 1907, when the new post office was opened in Stratford.
Paoli, Chickasaw Nation, Indian Territory
George D. Thompson was the first postmaster of Paoli, his appointment date was June 27, 1888.  Daniel J. Tucker followed on September 22, 1893.  Mary A Klinglesmith became postmaster on January 31, 1895.  Her last name changed to King on May 14, 1896 when she married.  William E. Reel followed her when he was appointed on February 3, 1898.  Thomas J. Patrick on August 9, 1900, Clarence Dillingham was appointed on April 3, 1903.  William H. Poffenburger (born abt 1859 in Maryland) was the last postmaster before statehood.  The exact date of his appointment is not known.
Paoli, Garvin County, Oklahoma
The first postmaster appointed after statehood was Eugene E. Dillingham on December 31, 1907.  Mont A. McClain followed on January 19, 1909. Benjamin S. McClain was appointed March 4, 1910.  Eugene E. Dillingham followed on September 2, 1911.  Judson H. Franks was appointed on November 30, 1914.  Olando M. Beeler took over on July 23, 1917.  Rawley E. Hart became acting postmaster on November 20, 1936 was offically appointed on March 11, 1937.  He was followed by Jacob A. King when he was named the acting postmaster on August 31, 1954 and was offically appointed on August 3, 1955.  Mrs. Lenore R. Stalcup became the officer in charge on July 31, 1970 and was appointed as postmaster on April 17, 1971.  Donald C. Jones assumed the officer in charge position on July 17, 1989 and remained in this position until Michael E. Dunnam was named the postmaster on August 26, 1989.  Rebecca A. Howard became the officer in charge on January 4, 2002 and De An Henderson followed on May 3, 2002.  Lorraine M. Conley was named postmaster on March 22, 2003.  Christine M. Bruehl became the officer in charge on November 10, 2005 until February 4, 2006 when Rebecca A. Howard was named the postmaster.  Ronda D. Davis was named officer in charge on March 29, 2007 and Meliisa D. Hooper took over on August 8, 2007.
Pauls Valley, Choctaw Nation, Arkansas
Two postmasters were named during the time Pauls Valley was under the Choctaw Nation, Arkansas.  They were J. C. D. Blackburn on August 21, 1871 and then Frank Miller on August 15, 1872.
Pauls Valley, Chickasaw Nation, Indian Territory
Some where around 1881 Pauls Valley became part of the Chickasaw Nation.  Calvin J. Grant was named postmaster on February 16,  1890, Theodore F. Harwood followed him on Mary 25, 1890.  James Rennie took over on August 3, 1891.  John McLean Dorchester was the last postmaster before statehood.  He was appointed on February 25, 1898.
Pauls Valley, Garvin County, Oklahoma
Marion Henderson was the first postmaster on July 13, 1912.  William M. Erwin took over on July 23, 1915.  John M. Dorchester once again became postmaster on April 20, 1922.  Joe E. Ventress became the acting postmaster on January 23, 1926 and was offically appointed postmaster on May 12, 1926.  John Poole became acting postmaster on May 16, 1934 until Earl Witten was appointed on August 26, 1935.  Wayne Coffman became acting postmaster on Aeptember  30, 1955 and became the official postmaster on September 6, 1957.  Virgil W. Morris became the officer in charge on February 23, 1973 and was named as postmaster on August 25, 1973.  Sharon L. Pyle became the officer in charge on May 30, 1986.  Leota Hartsell became the postmaster after her appointment on October 25, 1986,  Sharon Kaufman became the officer in charge on September 30, 1992.  K. Joy Keast was appointed postmaster on January 23, 1993 and Barbara J. Mullins took over the position on February 8, 2003.
District 17, Indian Territory (Stratford)
Moses M. Ledford was the first postmaster and was appointed as such on October 23, 1906.  It was changed in 1907 to Garvin County, Oklahoma and was then known as Stratford.
George W. Merrill was appointed postmaster on December 11, 1908 and Simmie Farriss was appointed on April 24, 1914.  John R. Scott became the acting postmaster on November 5, 1921 and remained in this position until James S. Goodwin became the postmaster on March 8, 1922.  George W. Pearce was the acting postmaster on July 12, 1933.  The new postmaster, Samuel H. Freeman, took over the position on March 14, 1935.  Miss Jessie Shi became the acting postmaster on October 14, 1936 and was appointed as such as May 6, 1938.  Mrs. Mayme L. Field took over as acting postmaster on May 25, 1948 and became the postmaster on June 10, 1949. During her time as postmaster her last name changed to Smith on December 30, 1963 when she married.  Mrs. Hazel A. Brundidge became the acting postmaster on November 30, 1967 and Leo L. Johnson became the postmaster when he was appointed on October 12, 1968.  Helen J. Crawford became the officer in charge on March 9, 1987 and Sherry Elaine McKnight was named postmaster on July 4, 1987.
Wynnewood Postmasters
The first postmaster remembered by the old timers was Mr. Walner, who had the post office in his tent store.  The next to serve were a Mr. Kiser and Mr. W.C. Lee who was postmaster in 1895.  Then Mr. Nelson Henry Norman became postmaster in 1897 and served for eight years during the terms of McKinley and Teddy Roosevelt.   He was followed by Dr. E.E. Norvell.  When Wilson was elected Mr. George Rollow was appointed and served until there was another change in political parties.   Mr. T.B. Fessenger was appointed under Harding in 1926 and moved the Post Office from Main Street to 120 North Commercial Avenue where it remained for thirty-one years.   A new building was built on the east side of Dean A. McGee Avenue by Paul Baker and the post office was moved there in 1957.   John Jennings served for several presidentail terms and Lewis Whitaker followed him during the Truman Administration.   Robert Wright succeeded him in 1972.  Helpers and rural carriers were,   A.L. Parks, J.M. Pyle, J.B. Himes, M.A. Young, A.H. McLeon, W .L. Eppler, A.F. Hunt, W.S. Klingsmith, R.E. Luke, Dude Hollis, Milo Wilson, Archie Covington, Mrs. Earl McElhaney, Mrs. J.E. Shearon, Miss Alma Grant, Louis Bolander, Mrs. Elizabeth Baker, J.T. Blackwood, Bart Hensley, Cletus Dixon, and Sharon Pyle.

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