ROBERT WALLACE OFFICER
1845-1930
Since few permanent records exist, it is difficult to research the methods used in evangelizing Indian Territory; however the work of Robert Wallace Officer is an exception. He is of rough build and possesses a sturdy constitution. He has light blue eyes, fair complexion and dark hair, just turning slightly grey. He is about six feet in height, and would, in my judgment, weigh one hundred and eighty pounds. There is no doubt that nature has gifted him with more than ordinary powers of endurance. He has traveled much, preaching much, endured much. He has worked hard, studied closely and labored successfully. He is an independent thinker, and is little affected by positions taken by men, unless they can be shown to be reasonable or scriptural. He was born to Alexander and Francis Officer in Murray County, Georgia, on August 18, 1845. Little of his early life is known except for the fact, as a teenager, he served a private in the Confederate army and was wounded in battle. At the age of twenty-five he was living in Winchester, Tennessee where he heard a sermon by a Methodist minister on the resurrection. Standing at the close of the sermon, he said: "I believe with all my heart that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, and I want to be baptized." Bringing out the Methodist manual of discipline, the preacher intended to teach the Methodist doctrine, but Officer refused, insisting that the example he wished to follow was the conversion of the Ethiopian in the book of Acts. The minister denied the request; nevertheless, six months later with Officer's persuasion, he was immersed by a Dr. Barris. In 1881, R. W. Officer sent to Alabama for Murrell Askew, requesting him to help with the work in Indian Territory. Undoubtedly Askew had influenced Officer to work with the Indians since Askew was of Choctaw descent. Askew set up residence in the Chickasaw Nation and converted number of Chickasaws. In 1883, Officer attended the Indian Council at Tishomingo, Chickasaw Nation, to obtain permission to establish an industrial school for Indian teenagers. Permission was granted and he solicited support through the Gospel Advocate.
Early in 1884, Officer received word from the Chickasaw Nation saying that Murrell Askew had died. Discouraged and alone, Officer continued preaching, determined to do his best. Before Askew died, Officer moved his family to Paris, Texas.
The earliest record of any preacher in the Choctaw Nation was reported in January of 1886, when G. W. Williams preached at Shullyville. Officer thought it would be late in 1887 before he could make a permanent move to the Choctaw Nation. In the process of making a decision to locate in Indian Territory he wrote: "I have learned that there is a petition being circulated among the Indians asking me to move into their midst and give my time among them." In the summer of 1886, Officer moved to the Choctaw Nation in Indian Territory where he wrote an optimistic report: "My family is with me. We camp most of the time; eighteen additions in all up to date. There has been much work done which cannot be reported."
Upon arriving in Atoka, Officer preached in a Methodist
Episcopal church building.
Captain James Stirman Standley, retired army officer, and his family were the
first known members of the church to settle in Atoka in
1881.
Being a soldier in the Confederate army, Officer knew how to defend himself.
While in Indian Territory he kept a gun in his possession. During one of his
preaching tours his ponies were taken from his campsite and he went after the
horse thief with his gun. Upon apprehending the thief, Officer turned the man
over to a Texas marshal.
Through the years in Indian Territory, Officer's
work-load increased and his health decreased. In 1892, he was advised to move to
Florida because rheumatism began to hinder his work.
Refusing the advice, he was involved in a wagon accident in 1895, breaking a leg
and dislocating an ankle. Mrs.
Officer wrote the Octographic Review in 1897 reporting that Robert was suffering
from some paralysis.
Officer lost his wife at the turn of the century. In an article published on June 11, 1901, Officer announced his move back to west Texas Rev. Officer died on Augst 25, 1930 at Turkey in Hall County, Texas of old age, and was buried in the Turkey Cemetery. The following statement was sent to his church headquarters:
My
promise to the few faithful ones in West Texas is due. I said when the Indian
Territory was settled up I would go to them and build up a mission in west
Texas. My promise is due and my address is changed from Atoka, Indian Territory,
to Turkey, Texas.
I do have a copy of his death certificate.
If anyone would like to have a copy email me: