Okmulgee County, Oklahoma Biographies

Okmulgee County, Oklahoma
Biographies

FARRAR, THOMAS J., lawyer, Okmulgee, born on a farm in Franklin county, Mo., August 15, 1861, son of Richard and Nancy (Thurmond) Farrar. Graduate of the Southwest Baptist University, Bollivar, Mo., and law graduate of Washington University of St. Louis. Is a Republican, and came to Oklahoma, locating at Kingfisher in 1893, where he served two terms as clerk of the District Court: was county attorney of Blaine county, Okla., when that county was first organized. Moved to Vinita in 1898, and was United States Commissioner under Judge Luman F. Parker (deceased) for some time. Went to Okmulgee in 1908 and was district Indian Agent until 1915. Married September 14, 1898, in Shawnee, to Miss Elva M. Allen. No children. [Men of Affairs and Representative Institutions of Oklahoma, 1916 - Submitted by Vicki Hartman]

GRAHAM, MILO F.
The Citizens National Bank of Okmulgee represents not only large financial resources but also some of the best business and financial talent of that city in its officers and directors. The principal officers of the bank are: D. M. Smith, president; M. F. Graham, vice president; R. deSteiguer, vice president; Crittenden Smith, cashier. Other directors are Ed Hart, J. L. Fuqua, L. W. Duncan, H. C. Beckman and Bluford W. Miller. The Citizens National is capitalized at $100,000 and at the close of the year 1915, had a surplus of $20,000. Its total resources aggregate over $900,000 and according to a recent statement the deposits totaled nearly $750,000.
The vice president of this bank, M. F. Graham, has been a resident of Okmulgee a number of years, and throughout that time has been identified with its banks, and came to Oklahoma with considerable banking experience gained while a resident of his native State of Missouri. He was born at Millville, Missouri, July 14, 1875, a son of Fletcher J. and Elizabeth A. (Fowler) Graham.
His father was born in Carroll County, Missouri, in 1838, and his mother in Ray County of that state in 1840. She is now living at Richmond, Missouri, while the father died there in 1913. At the outset of his career Fletcher Graham was a country merchant at Millville, Missouri, until his store was destroyed by the northern bushwhackers. He then joined General Price's army and was wounded in the critical Battle of Pea Ridge. He was shot through the head and in the hip, and lay an entire 'day on the battlefield without attention, being given up for dead by his comrades. As a result of the wound he lost his left eye. After getting his honorable discharge from the Confederate army he again resumed merchandising at Millville, and continued to sell goods in this locality for fifteen or twenty years. At the same time he conducted a large farm and stock ranch. He became a director and one of the organizers of the Exchange Bank of Richmond, one of the old established institutions of that city. He moved his family and home to Richmond about 1885, and lived there until his death. In his later years he was still active in business, and gave practically all his attention to the management of his farm and stock. He was a democrat in politics, and was a deacon in the Christian Church at Richmond at the time of his death. He was a Knight Templar Mason and a man whose influence counted for a great deal in the building of the community. There were five children: Frank Ely, who is unmarried and lives at Richmond with his mother; Forest M., who conducts the old homestead in Missouri; Mary William, wife of J. E. Hill, now deputy county clerk of Ray County, Missouri; M. F. Graham; and Fletcher, who died when four years of age. The mother of this family was one of seven girls who were taken prisoners by Federal soldiers in 1863 charged with making underwear for the southern soldiers. She was held in a prison of war in Iowa for a year before being released and was well treated while thus a prisoner.
M. F. Graham had his home on the farm and in Richmond with his parents until he had finished high school in 1898. He spent three years in the State University at Columbia, taking a literary course, and while there became a member of the Phi Delta Theta fraternity. After one year of farm work he became assistant cashier of the Ray County Savings Bank at Richmond, and it was after two years of experience with that institution that he looked for a newer and broader field in old Indian Territory.
On coming to Okmulgee Mr. Graham became bookkeeper in the Citizens National Bank, but after two years was elected cashier, and two years later became vice president, his present post. Throughout this period he has been actively associated with his fellow officers and directors and has done much to make the bank what it is today. In the meantime he has acquired some interests in the oil fields of his home county and has some good property elsewhere. Besides good farm lands he is associated with John Cain in the ownership and operation of a grazing ranch in Pittsburg County containing 2,500 acres of rough land, suitable to pasturing.
Both in Missouri and after coming to Oklahoma Mr. Graham has taken an active part in local and county politics. He is a democrat and a deacon in the Christian Church at Okmulgee. ("A standard history of Oklahoma" Volume 4, 1916, By Joseph Bradfield Thoburn - Transcribed by Cathy Ritter)

HAMILTON, Robert Willis
The vice president of the Parkinson-Trent Mercantile Company of Okmulgee, Mr. Hamilton is one of the oldest business men of Indian Territory and Eastern Oklahoma. His experience in this section covers a period of fully thirty years. He helped to sell goods here when the population was made up almost altogether of Indians and intermarried citizens. He is first and last a business man, a merchant of exceptional ability and progressiveness, and his own career has been one of progress from the time he was eighteen years of age.
He is a Canadian by birth, having been born at Elgin Mills, Ontario, January 2, 1865. His parents were John and Jessie (Montgomery) Hamilton, natives of Scotland, who married after they went to Toronto. His father spent most of his active career in the cooperage business and had a large plant at Elgin Mills.
One of a family of nine children, Robert W. Hamilton lived in his native town and acquired an education from the public schools until the age of eighteen. He gained his first mercantile experience at Toronto in a wholesale dry goods house, the firm Ogilvy & Company, and later went to St. Louis, where he was connected with the firm of Samuel C. Davis & Company until 1885.
In 1885 young Hamilton became one of the employees of Capt. F. B. Severs, whose career was one of such striking prominence as a merchant, trader and general business man in old Indian Territory. Mr. Hamilton spent about fifteen years with Captain Severs and then started in business for himself with C. J. Shields as a partner. A year later the business was taken over by the Parkinson-Trent Mercantile Company, and since then Mr. Hamilton has been identified with that large and important concern, of which he is now vice president. This firm has been responsible for giving Okmulgee one of the most complete department stores found in the state. Its trade in the course of a year reaches the volume of almost $200,000. The business was established at Okmulgee in 1902, and it is now housed in a largo two-story building occupying ground space 150 by 210 feet. From fifteen to twenty people find employment in the store and Mr. Hamilton gives his entire time and energies to the management of the dry goods department of the concern.
He is also a director in the Guaranty State Bank of Okmulgee and has some interests in oil property. Politically he is a democrat, a member of the Presbyterian Church, and is a Knight Templar Mason and Shriner.
In 1894 Mr. Hamilton married Miss Sue C. Thompson of Tahlequah, Indian Territory, daughter of Rev. Joseph F. Thompson of Tahlequah Methodist Episcopal Church South, one of the oldest ministers of this section. They are the parents of three daughters: Manell, Waunett and Jessie Elgin. The two oldest girls graduated from high school at Okmulgee and also from Howard Payne College at Fayette, Missouri.
[Source: A Standard History of Oklahoma Volume 4 By Joseph Bradfield Thoburn - Submitted by Barb Ziegenmeyer]

HERR, A. HARRY, physician and surgeon, Okmulgee, born El Paso, Ill., June 6, 1888, son of Martin and Lottie C. (Dyke) Herr. Graduated El Paso high school, and went to University of Illinois at Urbana two years. Two years at Northwestern University Medical School, Chicago. Finished in Chicago College of Medicine and Surgery. Came to Oklahoma in 1901 from New York. Is a Democrat. Member Omega Upison Phi. Married June 11, 1912, to Miss Ann M. Wood, of Van Buren, Ark. One child: George Hillman, 2 years. [Men of Affairs and Representative Institutions of Oklahoma, 1916 - Submitted by Vicki Hartman]

JOHNSON, Hon. Samuel L.
One of the few original Oklahomans to have a seat in the Fifth Legislature is Samuel L. Johnson, of Okmulgee, Oklahoma, who has spent fully a quarter of a century in Oklahoma, came in at the time of the first opening, was a prominent man at Alva for a number of years, but has been identified with Okmulgee as a capitalist and oil operator for the past fifteen years. Mr. Johnson represents Okmulgee County in the Fifth Legislature.
Samuel L. Johnson was born in 1855 at Brooklyn, New York, a son of Samuel and Matilda Johnson, both natives of Ireland, who came to America when children. In 1867, when Mr. Johnson was twelve years of age, the family located at Chillicothe, in Peoria County, Illinois. He finished his education in the common schools of that county, but for financial reasons was unable to secure a college education. He utilized all the opportunities at hand and by carrying on the required studies in the office of a lawyer at Chillicothe was ready for admission to the bar soon after he attained his majority. He practiced in Illinois for several years, and in 1889 threw in his fortunes with thousands of others who peopled the strip of territory opened to settlement in that year. He is therefore eligible to membership in the Society of Eighty-niners In 1893 Mr. Johnson participated in the second important opening of public lands, those embraced in the Cherokee strip, and thus took up his residence at Alva, in Woods County. After the organization of Alva, Mr. Johnson was appointed its first postmaster, and gave seven years to that office. Though a lawyer by profession, his interests have taken a much broader scope than those of the average attorney, and while living in Woods County he was a farmer and a stock man on lands he had acquired in that part of the state. In the local history of Alva his name will always be associated with those of the pioneers, and he is remembered as a citizen who always gave his co-operation to every important undertaking. He was an organizer and one of the first officers of the first county fair association in Woods County, also helped to organize the first church at Alva, and he was chairman of the legislation committee that secured the N. W. Normal School at Alva. In 1900 Mr. Johnson removed to Okmulgee, the former capital of the Creek Nation in Indian Territory. That district was then at the beginning of its development as an important oil territory, and Mr. Johnson was among the first to take a practical part in the oil industry, a business that has been much developed in recent years and is now of ranking importance among the sources of wealth in that section. Mr. Johnson organized and was president of the Eagle Investment Company of Okmulgee, and was one of the organizers of the First National Bank of that city, serving as its vice president for several years.
Life has for many years been move or less closely identified with politics in the two territories. In 1902 he was elected the second mayor of the City of Okmulgee. In 1910 he made the race for the democratic nomination for Congress in what was then the Third District, being defeated by James S. Davenport of Vinita who was elected in the following November. In the year that Dennis Flynn, republican, of Oklahoma City, contested with Judge J. R. Keaton, democrat, of Oklahoma City, for delegate to Congress from Oklahoma Territory, Mr. Johnson was chairman of the Democratic Central Committee of the territory. He has been a delegate to nearly every democratic territorial or state convention since 1893. He was elected a member of the Fifth Legislature from Okmulgee County in 1914, and during the session was made chairman of the committee on fees and salaries. He was also a member of the committees on oil and gas and the committees on constitutional amendments and roads and highways. As a legislator his experience has been of great value to his associates on the subject of oil and gas and the workman's compensation act, matters in which his interest naturally lies, since one of the chief industries of his home county is that of oil and gas, and the large coal mines there employing about 2,500 men give prominence to labor legislation.
In 1908 Mr. Johnson was elected grand master workman of the Ancient Order of United Workmen, and after holding that position six years was re-elected in 1914. He also affiliates with the Knights of Pythias and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. His church is the Presbyterian. In 1880 at Chillicothe, Illinois, Mr. Johnson married Miss Elizabeth Mead, whose father, Hiram Mead, was one of the early settlers in that section of the state. Mr. and Mrs. Johnson are the parents of three sons. The oldest, Hugh S., is a first lieutenant in the First United States Cavalry with his present station at the Presidio in California. He has the distinction of being the first Oklahoman to graduate from the West Point Military Academy, receiving his degree and commission in 1900. Lieutenant Johnson is now thirty-two years of age. The second son, Mead S., is a member of the faculty of the State School of Mines at Wilburton, Oklahoma, with a special assignment to extension work and with his station in the lead and zinc fields in Northeastern Oklahoma. Alexander, the third son, is United States Probate attorney for a district comprising Okmulgee and Okfuskee counties. This appointment was in 1914 by the secretary of the interior on recommendation of the commissioner of Indian affairs.
[Source: A Standard History of Oklahoma Volume 4, By Joseph Bradfield Thoburn - Submitted by Barb Ziegenmeyer]

KIMBLEY, ELMER WAYNE, oil producer, Okmulgee, born at Garwin, Iowa, December 1, 1868, son of Henry L. and Susan (Day) Kimbley. Attended public schools and graduated from Garwin high school. Came to Oklahoma in 1901 and engaged in oil business in 1904. Was engaged in telephone business in Arkansas prior to 1904. Owns large production in Okmulgee, Bald Hill and Morris fields. Is a Mason, belongs to Consistory and the Shrine. Married to Miss Nellie May Simpkins, May 11, 1892. Two children: Leona Marion and Russell P., both grown. [Men of Affairs and Representative Institutions of Oklahoma, 1916 - Submitted by Vicki Hartman]

LAMBERT, OSCAR A., physician, Okmulgee, born October 16, 1867, near Plantsville, Ohio, son of Reece B. and Lydia (Hanson) Lambert. After leaving school, he read law. Finally took up the study of medicine, and took first hoors at Strling Medical College, Columbus. Practiced two years at Chesterfield, and then moved to Marietta. Is a Democrat. Member American Medical Association, K. of P., Odd Fellow, M. W. a., staunch Methodist. Served as state senator of Ohio and was mayor of Mrietta. Gave up the practice of medicine and built the Okmulgee Interurban railroad; organized and promoted the American Refinery at Okmulgee; aided in organization of Commercial Club, and was its secretary. married Miss Carrie Lewis, December 4, 1891. Children: Ernest, 22; Harold (deceased). [Men of Affairs and Representative Institutions of Oklahoma, 1916 - Submitted by Vicki Hartman]

PINE, WILLIAM B., oil producer, Okmulgee, born at Bluffs, Ill., December 20, 1877, son of William G. and Margaret H. (Green) Pine. Graduate of high school of Naples, Ill. Taught a short time after leaving school, and was in the grain business for awhile. Came to Okmulgee in 1909 and engaged in the oil business, and today owns a daily production of more than 500 barrels. His leases are mostly in the Okmulgee field and Pine's Pool. He is president of the Okmulgee Oil Producers' Association. Is a Republican. Married Miss Laura M. Hamilton, of Illinois, June 18, 1912. One child, born May 8, 1913, named William Hamilton. [Men of Affairs and Representative Institutions of Oklahoma, 1916 - Submitted by Vicki Hartman]

REBOLD, JOHN H. - RESIDENCE OF JOHN H. REBOLD, Okmulgee, Situated in the center of well-laid grounds the Rebold home stands a model of typical "domestic architecture." Comfort and adaptability are the keynote of its conception. The main decorative idea both for the grounds and the buildings lies in the use of the rose as a decorative unit. The interior is the most complete in the state, and finished in solid walnut. The house alone cost more than $80,000. Carpets and tapestries were made to order in Europe. Each room represents an age, and the furnishings are magnificent and in keeping with the buildings. Mr. Rebold is a lumber dealer and oil producer, and was born In Armstrong county, Pa., September 2, 1872, son of Henry and Margaret (Collar) Rebold. Came to Oklahoma from Kittanning, Pa., in 1906. Is a Democrat. Owns his own timber forests in McCurtain county, Okla., and has yards at Okmulgee, and Boynton. Married to Miss Anna Elizabeth Brickon. Seven children: Grant, 20; Jesse, 18; Bryan, 16; Anna, 15; Joseph. 13; Harry, 11; Cathrine, 9. ["Men of Affairs and Representative Institutions of Oklahoma", 1916 - Submitted by Vicki Hartman]

STUART, WILLIAM A.
A substantial business man whose position is best indicated by his office as vice president and manager of the Fullerton-Stuart Lumber Company, with headquarters at Okmulgee and with yards all over that section of Oklahoma, W. A. Stuart started life under the spur of his own ambition, and thirty years ago was getting acquainted with the lumber business in the humble capacity of a worker engaged in piling lumber in a local yard.
His early life was one comparatively lacking in advantages and opportunities. His father was somewhat of a wanderer, and Mr. Stuart as a boy came to regard a prairie schooner or mover's wagon in the light of a home. He was born at Hillsboro, Highland County, Ohio, April 23, 1867, a son of H. H. and Jane A. (Walters) Stuart, the former a native of Ohio and the latter of Virginia. The mother died in 1875 when W. A. Stuart was eight years old. His father passed away in Missouri in 1910. The father was a farmer, but apparently could not content himself with a permanent abode. W. A. Stuart was one of seven children, four of whom are still living. When he was four years old his father moved out to Kansas and later to Missouri, living successively at Camden, Mexico, Louisiana, Hannibal, Warrensburg and other points. When the boy was ten years of age his father established a home at Effingham, Illinois, where the son secured most of his education in the local schools.
When he was eighteen years of age, with only a few dollars in his pocket, he found his way to Kansas by riding in a box car, and at Delphos in that state gained his first experience as a lumberman by employment in a local yard. He was steady and persistent and desired to get ahead, and continued working in that locality for about nine years. Many years ago he entered the employ of the Chicago Lumber & Coal Company, of which E. H. Fullerton was president, and Mr. Stuart has been associated with Mr. Fullerton as an employee or business associate ever since. For one year ho was located at Horton, Kansas, and then became traveling auditor for three years, and for another three years had charge of the yards at Beloit, Kansas.
Having been taken into partnership with Mr. Fullerton, they bought the lumber yard at Fall City, Nebraska, of which Mr. Stuart became general manager. When that business was sold he came to Okmulgee, Oklahoma, in 1901, and has since been identified with that growing and thriving city in the eastern part of the state. The Fullerton-Stuart Lumber Company is a corporation, of which Mr. Stuart is vice president and general manager.
Fifteen years ago, when he first came to Oklahoma, the town had a population of about 600, chiefly Indians and negroes. His own lumber yards have since furnished more than half the lumber which has gone into the buildings comprising a flourishing city of 10,000 people. The company now has nine yards altogether, located at Okmulgee, Sapulpa, Kiefer, Mounds, Beggs, Henryetta, Wetumpka, Morris, Boynton. About thirty-five men are employed in the different branches of the establishment. Mr. Stuart as general manager has the supervision of all the yards, and keeps his head offices at Okmulgee. The volume of annual business is estimated to be worth about $750,000.
Mr. Stuart has some interests in the oil industry of Oklahoma, but considers that a side issue. He is a republican in politics as regards national affairs, is a Presbyterian, and has been a member of the board of trustees since the church was founded in Okmulgee. He is a Knight Templar Mason and Shriner. In 1914 Mr. Stuart completed at 304 North Grand Avenue a handsome residence regarded as the finest home in the city. He takes a great deal of delight in his home and family. In 1901 at Fall City, Nebraska, he married Miss Eva Maude Jussen, who was born at Fall City, a daughter of P. H. Jussen. To their union have been born six children: Catherine, Robert, Virginia, William, John and Louis.
[A standard history of Oklahoma, Volume 4, 1916, By Joseph Bradfield Thoburn - Transcribed by Cathy Ritter]

TURNER, Clarence William
Clarence William Turner was but ten years of age when his parents removed to Fort Smith, Arkansas, and thirteen years old when his father removed to Okmulgee. He obtained a limited education and very early matriculated in the school of practical business experience as a clerk in his father's store. In 1874 he took a course in Jones Business College, at St. Louis, Missouri, and in 1875, with William Harvison, bought his father's business at Okmulgee. In September, 1881, Mr. Turner sold out and in July, 1882. located at Muskogee, where he has since resided. On coming to this city he bought the hardware business of J. S. Atkinson, established in 1877. the first hardware business established in the Indian Territory. This enterprise Mr. Turner developed, under the firm name of the Turner Hardware Company, to large proportions, as both a wholesale and retail establishment, the line being hardware, implements, furniture and lumber, and after thirty years of continued success, Mr. Turner sold out his interests in 1912, the Muskogee Hardware Company succeeding to the hardware and implement trade, Bass & Harbour to the furniture, and the George D. Hope Lumber Company to the lumber. The business, commenced in small quarters, grew until the building was destroyed by fire, in 1886, when Mr. Turner erected a large and commodious building on the site of the old one on North Main Street. This building was also destroyed by fire, in 1899, and replaced by the present Turner Building. Mr. Turner, since disposing of his interests in the business with which the greater part of his life was devoted, has given his time and attention to winding up the business affairs of the Turner Hardware Company, and to looking after his large real estate interests in the City of Muskogee, of which ho is truly a builder.
Mr. Turner has served several terms, in the capacity of alderman of the city, but beyond this has not cared to hold office. He is a republican in his political views, but not a rabid partisan. Fraternally, Mr. Turner is a thirty-second degree Mason, a life member of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, and a life member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. Mr. Turner was married in September, 1883, to Miss Tookah Butler, and to this union there have been born three children, namely: Tookah, who is the wife of Charles Bagg, of Muskogee; Clarence William, Jr.; and Marion E.
[Source: A Standard History of Oklahoma Volume 4, By Joseph Bradfield Thoburn - Submitted by Barb Ziegenmeyer]