Pontotoc County, Oklahoma Biographies

Major League Baseball Player. Harry "The Cat" Brecheen gained fame for being the first ever left-handed pitcher to notch three wins in a World Series, doing so in the 1946 Classic against the Boston Red Sox. A screwballer, he had a very steady career after becoming a full-time member of the Cards staff in 1943. He was nicknamed "The Cat," for his expert fielding and cat-like movements. He was part of 3 Pennant winners and two World Series Champions for St. Louis. His only a World Series loss was in 1943, when he came into the 8th inning of game 4, giving up a run to the Yankees, with Marius Russo winning the game for New York. After that, Breechan would be perfect in World Series play. He won Game 4 of the '44 Series against the Brown, 5-1, as the Cards won the series in 6 games. The '46 World Series brought forth his greatest achievement, 3 wins, including a 3-0 blanking of Boston in Game Two as he threw a four-hitter. In that game, he also excelled at bat, singling in the Cards' first run, and laying down a sacrifice bunt to set up two more runs. In Game Six, he beat Boston pitcher Mickey Harris for a second time. Then, with one day's rest, he pitched two innings of relief in Game Seven to pick up his third win. On his stellar performance Harry years later, "The 1946 World Series was a great series. When Harry Walker hit the ball, I can remember feeling a little relieved. And when Enos Slaughter scored that run, it was a wonderful feeling. Winning the World Series is one of the greatest thrills you can ever have as a baseball player. It was terrific to be part of that team." During the course of his career, Harry Breechan accrued a lifetime record of 133-92 with a 2.92 ERA and 18 saves in 318 league games. He also had a 0.45 ERA in the World Series with a lifetime ERA 0.83, which is the best ever. (bio by: Frank Russo)

Thomas Deitz "Tom" McKeown was born in Blackstock, South Carolina, on June 4, 1878, U.S. Representative Thomas Deitz McKeown was the son of Theodore B. and Annie Robinson McKeown. Educated in the public schools and by private tutors, the future solon attended special law lectures at Cornell University. Admitted to the bar in 1899, he began his practice in Malvern, Arkansas. By 1901 he had moved his practice to Ada, in Indian Territory. A year later he married Anna Sanders. A member of Oklahoma's first state bar commission, McKeown served in various judicial positions until 1916. That year he made a successful campaign for Oklahoma's Fourth District seat in the U.S. House of Representatives. Elected as a Democrat, he served two terms. Defeated in 1920, he regained the seat in 1922 and served continuously for five more terms. While in Congress, he was a member of various committees, including Insular Affairs, Revision of the Laws, Coinage, Weights, and Measures, Merchant Marine and Fisheries, Roads, and Judiciary. During his congressional tenure he coauthored the LaGuardia-McKeown Corporate Bankruptcy Bill, introduced the first old-age assistance bill and the first oil compact bill, formulated numerous bills favoring veterans, and called for various farm relief programs. Following his defeat for reelection in 1934, McKeown moved to Chicago, where he opened a law practice. He returned to Ada in 1937 and devoted his time to farming and oil production. In April 1946 he reentered public service when he became Pontotoc County attorney. The following year he became county judge and served until his death in Ada on October 22, 1951. He was interred in Rosedale Cemetery.

Colbert A. Burris was born in Pontotoc County, Mississippi in 1827. His father died when he was five years old, and in 1837 with a Chickasaw contingent of emigrants he came to Push-ma-lein, Choctaw Nation, and later lived near Tuskahoma and then at Doaksville in 1849 and during 1850 in Jacks Fork county, where he married Anhoyi, whose surname was Palmer. In 1856 he removed to the Chickasaw Nation and located in Pontotoc County, and from this county was elected as a representative, and afterward in 1859 from that district as a senator, in the legislature. In 1861 he was elected a Chickasaw delegate to the meeting of the five tribes at Old North Fork Town (Eufaula), and joined in the treaty with the Confederate States of America, frequently referred to as the Albert Pike treaty, and after the close of the Civil War participated at Fort Smith in negotiating with the United States what is generally referred to as the Treaty of 1866. He was a member of the delegation on the part of the Chickasaws in the three conferences between the Choctaws and Chickasaws, the last in 1886. During his public service in addition to that as a member of the legislature (lower house and senate) he was a member of the Chickasaw Supreme Court. An ordained minister of the Methodist Church, he was active in church work. After the death of his first wife, he married Miss Laura E. Bradley, an educated and cultured white woman, by whom he had seven children, only two having survived of the children by his first wife, to-wit., Hindman H. and Isaac. Buried: Stonewall Cemetery

Hindman H. Burris, born at old Stonewall, now Frisco, Chickasaw Nation, Indian Territory, June 28, 1862, was the son of Colbert A. Burris and his wife, Anhoyi (Palmer) Burris. In his youth, Hindman H. Burris attended schools at Stringtown, Atoka, and Caddo, and in 1875 and 1876 at the Colbert Chickasaw National School at old Stonewall. and took advanced studies at Robberson's Academy a few miles southeast of Tishomingo, the name later changed to Chickasaw Male Academy when Joshua M. Harley was superintendent, same later being rebuilt at a new site just north of Tishomingo and called Harley Institute. It turned out many good and useful men. Its department of music was unexcelled and a student paper under leadership of Hindman H. Burris was published for the students and patrons, type being set and the paper printed by the boys of the academy. Hindman H. Burris was united in marriage on April 28, 1885, with Miss Rhoda McGill, who died without children, and on February 26, 1898 was united in marriage with Miss Viola Jackson, by whom he had five children: Hindman H. Burris, Jr., Tishomingo; Anne Worthington, Arcadia, California; Annita Newman, Colbert A. Burris and Perry Burris of Tishomingo. In the early 80's he managed the general store of Governor William L. Byrd at old Stonewall; shortly thereafter he taught a Chickasaw neighborhood school for a few months at Yellow Springs, Pontotoc County. In the late 80's he clerked in the Byrd & Perry Store in Tishomingo, Frank Byrd, a brother of Governor Byrd, being the senior member, and was United States Postmaster there at that time. Then he was there associated with Jim Easton in the mercantile business. Later about 1890 he, with Governor R. M. Harris, and Frank Byrd jointly owned and operated a store in Tishomingo, and later acquired their interest. During this period he established a country home nearby where he operated a farm and engaged in stock raising, on which he erected a suitable building for use by the community as a church and schoolhouse, which was called Burris Chapel. In 1890 he was chairman of the commission that codified the laws of the Chickasaw Nation and a delegate to Washington on part of the tribe; in 1891 auditor of the Chickasaw Nation; in 1896 representative in the Chickasaw legislature from Tishomingo County, and its speaker, and resigned on October 7 at the close of the legislature; in 1896 and 1897 trustee of Burris National School, and treasurer of the Chickasaw Nation, and in 1898 he was a formidable candidate on part of the National party for governor. In 1899 he was trustee of Harley Institute. In prior years he had served as Chickasaw interpreter for the Chickasaw Supreme Court, and at the time of his death was a member of the Chickasaw Council by appointment of the governor of the Nation. He died at Tishomingo on Friday, September 20, 1940, interment in the Chickasaw Cemetery, and survived by his wife and said children, also by two half brothers, George W. Burris, Ada, and Marvin J. Burris, Oklahoma City, and four half-sisters, Mrs. J. H. McKoy, Norman, Mrs. W. W. Woolly, Old Stonewall (Frisco), Mrs. Daisy Farnham, Duncan, and Mrs. Lula D. Rennie, Durant.

William L. Byrd, from the most reliable information, was born in Poutotoe, Mississippi, being the son of John Byrd, a white man and Mary Moore, of Chickasaw and Irish descent. Some of Mr. Byrd's political opponents declare him to have been a white child, adopted in infancy by the family; but we do not see any grounds for this supposition. In youth William was sent to school at Pine Ridge, Choctaw Nation, and later to the Chickasaw Male Academy. The first office he held in the service of his country was that of representative, in 1867, and afterward draughtsman of the House for two sessions. At this time he was residing in the Choctaw Nation. Moving to Stonewall in 1875, he was elected one of three in 1887 to revise the Chickasaw laws. In 1881 he was appointed school superintendent, and in 1882 was elected delegate to Washington; was national agent until 1885, and the following year was a candidate for the governorship against William Guy, ex-Governor Wolf, B. C. Burris, Palmer Moseley and R. L. Boyd. The result was considerably in Guy's favor; but, as usual, when a candidate fails to secure a majority of the total votes cast, the matter was referred to the Legislature, and Guy was elected by only one majority over Byrd. In 1888 the race between Byrd and Guy was again run, resulting as before; but Byrd's party being in a majority in the legislature body, they resolved to contest the election, and so doing, cast out a score of devils in the shape of illegal votes, electing Byrd by a majority of forty-eight. Here was a repetition of the Overton-Harris affair, and which was followed by disagreeable results, the United States being called upon to decide the quarrel. Here, again, Byrd was victorious, Uncle Sam being partial to the man of sober aspect and business parts. In 1890, when Sam Paul was in the arena as a representative candidate of the Progressive party, Governor Byrd met him in the lists and defeated him by an immense majority. The disfranchisement of the white voters accounts for this majority, for had the latter been permitted to vote, Paul must undoubtedly have been the victor. In less than a week after the election, the report was passed far and wide that Byrd had been assassinated; but no attempt of the kind has ever come to light. The governor declares his intention of looking after the interests of all his people, without respect to their political creed, nor will he interfere with the landed rights of the white citizens. This he has declared to the writer of this present biography. Governor Byrd entered the mercantile business in 1873, at Doaksville, and moved to Stonewall, where he has been doing an immense business. He has 300 acres under cultivation and 1,000 head of graded cattle. In 1862 he married Susan Folsom, daughter of David Folsom, ex-chief of the Choctaws, but has no family. The children of his neighbors, of whom he is extremely fond, rejoice in climbing to the knees of the big, good-natured man, while he is reading what the press has to say about his barbarous treatment of the white man. Governor Byrd, on his mother's side, is of the house of In-cun-no-mar.
Source: The Indian Territory, Its Chiefs, Legislators and Leading Men

McALESTER, JAMES JACKSON (1842-1920)

James Jackson McAlester, also known "J. J." McAlester, contributed to the development of the Choctaw Nation in Indian Territory and later emerged as a prominent and influential leader in the state of Oklahoma. He has been hailed as "the Father of Eastern Oklahoma," and contemporaries acclaimed him as the founder of the Oklahoma coal industry and the southeastern Oklahoma town of McAlester. McAlester served as one of Oklahoma's most respected businessmen and politicians. Born in Sebastian County, Arkansas, on October 1, 1842, McAlester spent his formative years in Fort Smith, Arkansas. Volunteering for service in the Confederate Army at the outbreak of the Civil War, he rose to the rank of captain prior to discharge. At the conclusion of war McAlester boarded with Oliver Weldon while pursuing studies in Fort Smith. Weldon, a former engineer who had surveyed Indian Territory, gave McAlester his memorandum book that detailed vast coal fields at the Cross Roads area in Indian Territory. With this valuable information, McAlester left school and moved to Indian Territory. At age twenty-four he entered the Choctaw Nation. He found employment with the Indian trading firm of Harlan and Rooks. Later he worked for Reynolds and Hannaford, a firm of post traders. Eventually McAlester bought out his partners and established a store near the outcroppings of coal. In 1872 McAlester courted and married Rebecca Burney, a Chickasaw girl and sister of Ben Burney, a future governor of the Chickasaw Nation. This union brought McAlester full citizenship and rights in both Choctaw and Chickasaw nations. His citizenship entitled him to stake a claim to coal deposits within a one-mile radius from point of discovery. Over time, McAlester's interests in coal burgeoned, and with the arrival of the Missouri, Kansas and Texas Railroad through the Cross-Roads area, the J. J. McAlester Mercantile Company flourished as coal production soared. During McAlester's colorful lifetime he worked in politics, mining,banking, business, law enforcement and ranching. In 1893 Pres. Grover Cleveland appointed him the U.S. marshal for Indian Territory. He served one term ending in 1897. From 1907 to 1911 he acted as a member of the Oklahoma Corporation Commission. In 1911 the people of Oklahoma elected him lieutenant governor under Gov. Lee Cruse. On September 21, 1920, J. J. McAlester died in the town that bears his name.
Taken out of the The Chronicles of Oklahoma II (June 1933).

Conway Oldham Barton, Jr., son of Conway Oldham Barton, Sr., from North Carolina, and his wife, Martha Cox, from South Carolina, was born June 7, 1856 on his father's plantation in Milam County, Texas, near Calvert, which consisted of three leagues of land with 157 slaves, He had three brothers: Lemuel, John Harold, and Frank, all of whom served in the Confederate States army. Said Conway Oldham Barton was educated in a private school at Port Sullivan, Texas Military Academy at Austin, and University of Virginia, 1876-77, taking a course in law, and began to practice at Cameron, Milam County, Texas, and married Mary Blanche Crow, who died in 1882, and had two daughters by her, Manda Galen, who married Felix E. Smith, and Ann Caroline, who died in 1924. His second wife was Carrie Moshen of Buda, Illinois, whom he married at Las Animas, Colorado, on January 4, 1887. Six children came to this marriage: Raymond O., born at Granada, Colorado, August 22, 1889; Percy O., born Pauls Valley, Indian Territory, February 11, 1897, and the other four children died in infancy. Raymond O. graduated from West Point, and is now stationed with the rank of Colonel at Fort Benning, Georgia. Conway Oldham Barton moved from Granada, Colorado, to Wellington, Collingsworth County, Texas, where he was elected and served a term as county judge in said county in 1892. In 1895 he came to Pauls Valley, Indian Territory, where he practiced law until the establishment of the United States Court at Ada in 1902, when he removed to Ada and continued the practice of law until his death. In 1910 he was appointed county judge of Pontotoc County to fill out an unexpired term. In the general election that year he was elected to said office and served that full term. He was mayor of Ada in 1906-08. As a devoted husband and father, he was appreciated and so remembered. Source: Chronicles of Oklahoma Volume 20, No. 1, Pgs 102-103

Ada native Clarence G. Oliver Jr. is to speak at the upcoming Rotary meeting. He has been a teacher, journalist, Army officer, school administrator, newspaper editor and publisher, author, university professor and dean of a university school of education. Most recently the Dean of Education at Oral Roberts University and named by the university regents as Dean Emeritus in 1999, he is best known for his work as superintendent at Broken Arrow Public Schools where he as a school administrator for 32 years during the years when Broken Arrow was recognized as the fastest growing school district in Oklahoma and one of the fastest growing communities in the nation. He continues with the university work, serving as Emeritus Professor, teaching in the ORU Graduate School of Education and serving on doctoral dissertation committees. In 2002, the Cooperative Council of Oklahoma School Administrators published Oliver’s book “Ethical Behavior — An Administrator’s Guide on Ethics and Values in School Administration,” for distribution to all the organization’s members. The book has been chosen as a supplemental textbook in some graduate school courses at universities and colleges. Oliver wrote of his childhood days in Ada in his 2004 book, “One from the Least Disappearing Generation,” a memoir of a depression-era kid. For a four-year period prior to Broken Arrow’s Centennial Year, Oliver served as chairman of the editorial committee and was general editor and co-author of Broken Arrow’s Centennial history book, “Broken Arrow: The First Hundred Years.” Oliver’s newest book is “Tony Dufflebag ... and Other Remembrances of the War in Korea.” Oliver and his young family moved to Broken Arrow in 1955 when he joined the Broken Arrow High School faculty as an English and journalism teacher. The next year, he returned to his journalism roots, becoming the managing editor of the Broken Arrow Ledger and other newspapers owned by McWilliams Publications, Inc. In 1961, he became the marketing education teacher at Broken Arrow High School, and then became the assistant superintendent to then Superintendent Norval Baldwin. In 1974, he was named Broken Arrow superintendent of schools and served in that role until his retirement from the school system in 1992 after 32 years with Broken Arrow Public Schools. After retiring in July 1992, he joined Retherford Publications, Inc., as publisher of the Broken Arrow Scout and assistant to owner/publisher Bill Retherford, who was publisher of several other Tulsa area newspapers. In 1993, he was invited to become associated with ORU to lead in development of new graduate degree programs and was named Dean of the School of Education. Oliver served in that capacity until 1999 when he was named to faculty emeritus status. Oliver was born in Ada, where he attended public schools and graduated from Ada High School in 1947. He attended ECU, OSU, TU and the United States Army Advanced Officers Infantry School, Fort Benning, Ga. He received his master’s and doctorate degrees from TU where he received the Distinguished Alumnus recognition in 1986. He was inducted in the Oklahoma Educators Hall of Fame in 1989 and was honored as Distinguished Alumnus at ECU in 1991. In April 2007, Oliver was inducted into the Educators Hall of Fame at ECU. In June 1999, Oklahoma Association of School Administrators recognized Oliver for four decades of service to education with the presentation of the Lifetime achievement Award for Distinguished Service to Education. Executive Educator Magazine twice selected him in the 100 Outstanding educators of the United States and Canada awards program. Oliver and his wife, Vinita, have been married for 57 years. They have three children, Mark, Paul and Shirley, all are graduates of Broken Arrow Public Schools, seven grandchildren and one great-grandson.
Article on Clarence Oliver published in the Ada Evening News on May 26, 2008

Robert Samuel Kerr, Democrat. Served from 1943-1947. Oklahoma's first native-born governor, was born near Ada, Indian Territory, September 11, 1896. His college work was done at East Central Normal School, and Oklahoma Baptist University. He was admitted to the Oklahoma Bar in 1922, and practiced in Ada. Beginning as a drilling contractor in 1926, he built up a large oil producing company and at the time of his death was President of the Kerr-McGee Oil Industries, Inc. He served as Governor of Oklahoma from January 13, 1943, to January 13, 1947. He was elected U.S. Senator on November 2, 1948, and served until his death January 1, 1963. While governor, Kerr's administration liquidated the state debt. During his tenure as U.S. Senator, he worked to get the McClellan-Kerr Arkansas River Navigation System developed, changing much of Oklahoma's landscape. He is buried at his birthplace near Ada.

Oklahoma's First Lady Molly (Shi) Boren receiving The Keep Oklahoma Beautiful Award on May 31, 2006.
Molly was born in 1933 to Mr. & Mrs. Augustine Henry Shi. She had five siblings that attended her wedding along with Congressman Lyle Boren and his wife, parents of the groom and Governor Borens sister Susan Boren of Washington D. C. "Extraordinary security surrounded the marriage of Governor Boren to Pontotoc County Special District Judge Molly W. Shi on November 27, 1977. Only Boren's family and immediate top-level staff members knew of the approaching wedding until hours before the event." David and Molly Boren made history. It was the first time an Oklahoma governor was married while in office. They exchanged vows in the Governor's Mansion with only immediate family members in attendance. First Lady Molly Boren was born in Ada, taught school after receiving an English degree from East Central State University, and completed her master's degree in English and law degree at the University of Oklahoma. She practiced law in Ada before being appointed special district judge in 1975. Molly is a committed activist for Oklahoma, Molly Shi Boren is Oklahoman right down to the tips of her toes. Mrs. Boren received a master's degree in English in 1971 and a juris doctorate in 1974 from the University of Oklahoma. She began the practice of law in Ada and in 1975 was appointed special district judge for Pontotoc County. One of the youngest district judges in Oklahoma history, she served until 1977 when she married David Boren, then the governor of Oklahoma. Inaugural recipient of the Keep Oklahoma Beautiful First Lady's Award May 31, 2006--Molly Shi Boren has been named president of the Oklahoma Arts Institute, the state's official school of the arts. Boren is a longtime volunteer and board member of the arts institute, a nonprofit organization that recruits nationally recognized artists to teach programs for students and adults. "It is a great honor to be asked to serve as president of the Oklahoma Arts Institute," Boren said in a statement.

Granville Oral Roberts was born January 24, 1918, in Pontotoc County, Oklahoma, the fifth and youngest child of Rev. and Mrs. Ellis M. Roberts. He is proud of his Oklahoma and Indian heritage, and in 1963 he was honored as "Indian of the Year" by the American Indian Exposition. In 1973 he was inducted into the Oklahoma Hall of Fame. In 1974 he was named "Oklahoman of the Year" by the American Broadcasters Association. He received an honorary doctor of laws degree from Centenary College in 1975 and an honorary doctor of divinity degree from the International Church of the Foursquare Gospel in 1988. He has been listed in Who's Who in America, Who's Who in the South and Southwest, Who's Who in Society, Who's Who in Religion, Current Biography, Contemporary Authors, Webster's American Biographies, New York Times Biography Edition, Biography Index, Celebrity Register, and the World Almanac Book of Who. Roberts’ “darling wife” Evelyn, to whom he was married for more than 66 years, went home to be with the Lord on May 4, 2005. Oral and Evelyn Roberts are the parents of four children: the late Mrs. Rebecca Nash, the late Ronald Roberts, Richard Roberts, and Mrs. Roberta Potts. They have 13 grandchildren, one of whom is in heaven, and several great-grandchildren. Roberts has been active in Tulsa community life. He has served on the boards of the Bank of Oklahoma and Oklahoma Natural Gas and is a lifetime member and a Harris Fellow of Rotary International.
Source: Part of the Offical Biography from Oral Roberts University site.

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Major League Baseball Player. Harry "The Cat" Brecheen gained fame for being the first ever left-handed pitcher to notch three wins in a World Series, doing so in the 1946 Classic against the Boston Red Sox. A screwballer, he had a very steady career after becoming a full-time member of the Cards staff in 1943. He was nicknamed "The Cat," for his expert fielding and cat-like movements. He was part of 3 Pennant winners and two World Series Champions for St. Louis. His only a World Series loss was in 1943, when he came into the 8th inning of game 4, giving up a run to the Yankees, with Marius Russo winning the game for New York. After that, Breechan would be perfect in World Series play. He won Game 4 of the '44 Series against the Brown, 5-1, as the Cards won the series in 6 games. The '46 World Series brought forth his greatest achievement, 3 wins, including a 3-0 blanking of Boston in Game Two as he threw a four-hitter. In that game, he also excelled at bat, singling in the Cards' first run, and laying down a sacrifice bunt to set up two more runs. In Game Six, he beat Boston pitcher Mickey Harris for a second time. Then, with one day's rest, he pitched two innings of relief in Game Seven to pick up his third win. On his stellar performance Harry years later, "The 1946 World Series was a great series. When Harry Walker hit the ball, I can remember feeling a little relieved. And when Enos Slaughter scored that run, it was a wonderful feeling. Winning the World Series is one of the greatest thrills you can ever have as a baseball player. It was terrific to be part of that team." During the course of his career, Harry Breechan accrued a lifetime record of 133-92 with a 2.92 ERA and 18 saves in 318 league games. He also had a 0.45 ERA in the World Series with a lifetime ERA 0.83, which is the best ever. (bio by: Frank Russo)
Thomas Deitz "Tom" McKeown was born in Blackstock, South Carolina, on June 4, 1878, U.S. Representative Thomas Deitz McKeown was the son of Theodore B. and Annie Robinson McKeown. Educated in the public schools and by private tutors, the future solon attended special law lectures at Cornell University. Admitted to the bar in 1899, he began his practice in Malvern, Arkansas. By 1901 he had moved his practice to Ada, in Indian Territory. A year later he married Anna Sanders. A member of Oklahoma's first state bar commission, McKeown served in various judicial positions until 1916. That year he made a successful campaign for Oklahoma's Fourth District seat in the U.S. House of Representatives. Elected as a Democrat, he served two terms. Defeated in 1920, he regained the seat in 1922 and served continuously for five more terms. While in Congress, he was a member of various committees, including Insular Affairs, Revision of the Laws, Coinage, Weights, and Measures, Merchant Marine and Fisheries, Roads, and Judiciary. During his congressional tenure he coauthored the LaGuardia-McKeown Corporate Bankruptcy Bill, introduced the first old-age assistance bill and the first oil compact bill, formulated numerous bills favoring veterans, and called for various farm relief programs. Following his defeat for reelection in 1934, McKeown moved to Chicago, where he opened a law practice. He returned to Ada in 1937 and devoted his time to farming and oil production. In April 1946 he reentered public service when he became Pontotoc County attorney. The following year he became county judge and served until his death in Ada on October 22, 1951. He was interred in Rosedale Cemetery.
Colbert A. Burris was born in Pontotoc County, Mississippi in 1827. His father died when he was five years old, and in 1837 with a Chickasaw contingent of emigrants he came to Push-ma-lein, Choctaw Nation, and later lived near Tuskahoma and then at Doaksville in 1849 and during 1850 in Jacks Fork county, where he married Anhoyi, whose surname was Palmer. In 1856 he removed to the Chickasaw Nation and located in Pontotoc County, and from this county was elected as a representative, and afterward in 1859 from that district as a senator, in the legislature. In 1861 he was elected a Chickasaw delegate to the meeting of the five tribes at Old North Fork Town (Eufaula), and joined in the treaty with the Confederate States of America, frequently referred to as the Albert Pike treaty, and after the close of the Civil War participated at Fort Smith in negotiating with the United States what is generally referred to as the Treaty of 1866. He was a member of the delegation on the part of the Chickasaws in the three conferences between the Choctaws and Chickasaws, the last in 1886. During his public service in addition to that as a member of the legislature (lower house and senate) he was a member of the Chickasaw Supreme Court. An ordained minister of the Methodist Church, he was active in church work. After the death of his first wife, he married Miss Laura E. Bradley, an educated and cultured white woman, by whom he had seven children, only two having survived of the children by his first wife, to-wit., Hindman H. and Isaac. Buried: Stonewall Cemetery
Hindman H. Burris, born at old Stonewall, now Frisco, Chickasaw Nation, Indian Territory, June 28, 1862, was the son of Colbert A. Burris and his wife, Anhoyi (Palmer) Burris. In his youth, Hindman H. Burris attended schools at Stringtown, Atoka, and Caddo, and in 1875 and 1876 at the Colbert Chickasaw National School at old Stonewall. and took advanced studies at Robberson's Academy a few miles southeast of Tishomingo, the name later changed to Chickasaw Male Academy when Joshua M. Harley was superintendent, same later being rebuilt at a new site just north of Tishomingo and called Harley Institute. It turned out many good and useful men. Its department of music was unexcelled and a student paper under leadership of Hindman H. Burris was published for the students and patrons, type being set and the paper printed by the boys of the academy. Hindman H. Burris was united in marriage on April 28, 1885, with Miss Rhoda McGill, who died without children, and on February 26, 1898 was united in marriage with Miss Viola Jackson, by whom he had five children: Hindman H. Burris, Jr., Tishomingo; Anne Worthington, Arcadia, California; Annita Newman, Colbert A. Burris and Perry Burris of Tishomingo. In the early 80's he managed the general store of Governor William L. Byrd at old Stonewall; shortly thereafter he taught a Chickasaw neighborhood school for a few months at Yellow Springs, Pontotoc County. In the late 80's he clerked in the Byrd & Perry Store in Tishomingo, Frank Byrd, a brother of Governor Byrd, being the senior member, and was United States Postmaster there at that time. Then he was there associated with Jim Easton in the mercantile business. Later about 1890 he, with Governor R. M. Harris, and Frank Byrd jointly owned and operated a store in Tishomingo, and later acquired their interest. During this period he established a country home nearby where he operated a farm and engaged in stock raising, on which he erected a suitable building for use by the community as a church and schoolhouse, which was called Burris Chapel. In 1890 he was chairman of the commission that codified the laws of the Chickasaw Nation and a delegate to Washington on part of the tribe; in 1891 auditor of the Chickasaw Nation; in 1896 representative in the Chickasaw legislature from Tishomingo County, and its speaker, and resigned on October 7 at the close of the legislature; in 1896 and 1897 trustee of Burris National School, and treasurer of the Chickasaw Nation, and in 1898 he was a formidable candidate on part of the National party for governor. In 1899 he was trustee of Harley Institute. In prior years he had served as Chickasaw interpreter for the Chickasaw Supreme Court, and at the time of his death was a member of the Chickasaw Council by appointment of the governor of the Nation. He died at Tishomingo on Friday, September 20, 1940, interment in the Chickasaw Cemetery, and survived by his wife and said children, also by two half brothers, George W. Burris, Ada, and Marvin J. Burris, Oklahoma City, and four half-sisters, Mrs. J. H. McKoy, Norman, Mrs. W. W. Woolly, Old Stonewall (Frisco), Mrs. Daisy Farnham, Duncan, and Mrs. Lula D. Rennie, Durant.
William L. Byrd, from the most reliable information, was born in Poutotoe, Mississippi, being the son of John Byrd, a white man and Mary Moore, of Chickasaw and Irish descent. Some of Mr. Byrd's political opponents declare him to have been a white child, adopted in infancy by the family; but we do not see any grounds for this supposition. In youth William was sent to school at Pine Ridge, Choctaw Nation, and later to the Chickasaw Male Academy. The first office he held in the service of his country was that of representative, in 1867, and afterward draughtsman of the House for two sessions. At this time he was residing in the Choctaw Nation. Moving to Stonewall in 1875, he was elected one of three in 1887 to revise the Chickasaw laws. In 1881 he was appointed school superintendent, and in 1882 was elected delegate to Washington; was national agent until 1885, and the following year was a candidate for the governorship against William Guy, ex-Governor Wolf, B. C. Burris, Palmer Moseley and R. L. Boyd. The result was considerably in Guy's favor; but, as usual, when a candidate fails to secure a majority of the total votes cast, the matter was referred to the Legislature, and Guy was elected by only one majority over Byrd. In 1888 the race between Byrd and Guy was again run, resulting as before; but Byrd's party being in a majority in the legislature body, they resolved to contest the election, and so doing, cast out a score of devils in the shape of illegal votes, electing Byrd by a majority of forty-eight. Here was a repetition of the Overton-Harris affair, and which was followed by disagreeable results, the United States being called upon to decide the quarrel. Here, again, Byrd was victorious, Uncle Sam being partial to the man of sober aspect and business parts. In 1890, when Sam Paul was in the arena as a representative candidate of the Progressive party, Governor Byrd met him in the lists and defeated him by an immense majority. The disfranchisement of the white voters accounts for this majority, for had the latter been permitted to vote, Paul must undoubtedly have been the victor. In less than a week after the election, the report was passed far and wide that Byrd had been assassinated; but no attempt of the kind has ever come to light. The governor declares his intention of looking after the interests of all his people, without respect to their political creed, nor will he interfere with the landed rights of the white citizens. This he has declared to the writer of this present biography. Governor Byrd entered the mercantile business in 1873, at Doaksville, and moved to Stonewall, where he has been doing an immense business. He has 300 acres under cultivation and 1,000 head of graded cattle. In 1862 he married Susan Folsom, daughter of David Folsom, ex-chief of the Choctaws, but has no family. The children of his neighbors, of whom he is extremely fond, rejoice in climbing to the knees of the big, good-natured man, while he is reading what the press has to say about his barbarous treatment of the white man. Governor Byrd, on his mother's side, is of the house of In-cun-no-mar. Source: The Indian Territory, Its Chiefs, Legislators and Leading Men
McALESTER, JAMES JACKSON (1842-1920) James Jackson McAlester, also known "J. J." McAlester, contributed to the development of the Choctaw Nation in Indian Territory and later emerged as a prominent and influential leader in the state of Oklahoma. He has been hailed as "the Father of Eastern Oklahoma," and contemporaries acclaimed him as the founder of the Oklahoma coal industry and the southeastern Oklahoma town of McAlester. McAlester served as one of Oklahoma's most respected businessmen and politicians. Born in Sebastian County, Arkansas, on October 1, 1842, McAlester spent his formative years in Fort Smith, Arkansas. Volunteering for service in the Confederate Army at the outbreak of the Civil War, he rose to the rank of captain prior to discharge. At the conclusion of war McAlester boarded with Oliver Weldon while pursuing studies in Fort Smith. Weldon, a former engineer who had surveyed Indian Territory, gave McAlester his memorandum book that detailed vast coal fields at the Cross Roads area in Indian Territory. With this valuable information, McAlester left school and moved to Indian Territory. At age twenty-four he entered the Choctaw Nation. He found employment with the Indian trading firm of Harlan and Rooks. Later he worked for Reynolds and Hannaford, a firm of post traders. Eventually McAlester bought out his partners and established a store near the outcroppings of coal. In 1872 McAlester courted and married Rebecca Burney, a Chickasaw girl and sister of Ben Burney, a future governor of the Chickasaw Nation. This union brought McAlester full citizenship and rights in both Choctaw and Chickasaw nations. His citizenship entitled him to stake a claim to coal deposits within a one-mile radius from point of discovery. Over time, McAlester's interests in coal burgeoned, and with the arrival of the Missouri, Kansas and Texas Railroad through the Cross-Roads area, the J. J. McAlester Mercantile Company flourished as coal production soared. During McAlester's colorful lifetime he worked in politics, mining,banking, business, law enforcement and ranching. In 1893 Pres. Grover Cleveland appointed him the U.S. marshal for Indian Territory. He served one term ending in 1897. From 1907 to 1911 he acted as a member of the Oklahoma Corporation Commission. In 1911 the people of Oklahoma elected him lieutenant governor under Gov. Lee Cruse. On September 21, 1920, J. J. McAlester died in the town that bears his name. Taken out of the The Chronicles of Oklahoma II (June 1933).

	Ada native Clarence G. Oliver Jr. is to speak at the upcoming Rotary meeting. He has been a teacher, journalist, Army officer, school administrator, newspaper editor and publisher, author, university professor and dean of a university school of education. Most recently the Dean of Education at Oral Roberts University and named by the university regents as Dean Emeritus in 1999, he is best known for his work as superintendent at Broken Arrow Public Schools where he as a school administrator for 32 years during the years when Broken Arrow was recognized as the fastest growing school district in Oklahoma and one of the fastest growing communities in the nation. He continues with the university work, serving as Emeritus Professor, teaching in the ORU Graduate School of Education and serving on doctoral dissertation committees. In 2002, the Cooperative Council of Oklahoma School Administrators published Oliver’s book “Ethical Behavior — An Administrator’s Guide on Ethics and Values in School Administration,” for distribution to all the organization’s members. The book has been chosen as a supplemental textbook in some graduate school courses at universities and colleges. Oliver wrote of his childhood days in Ada in his 2004 book, “One from the Least Disappearing Generation,” a memoir of a depression-era kid. For a four-year period prior to Broken Arrow’s Centennial Year, Oliver served as chairman of the editorial committee and was general editor and co-author of Broken Arrow’s Centennial history book, “Broken Arrow: The First Hundred Years.” Oliver’s newest book is “Tony Dufflebag ... and Other Remembrances of the War in Korea.” Oliver and his young family moved to Broken Arrow in 1955 when he joined the Broken Arrow High School faculty as an English and journalism teacher. The next year, he returned to his journalism roots, becoming the managing editor of the Broken Arrow Ledger and other newspapers owned by McWilliams Publications, Inc. In 1961, he became the marketing education teacher at Broken Arrow High School, and then became the assistant superintendent to then Superintendent Norval Baldwin. In 1974, he was named Broken Arrow superintendent of schools and served in that role until his retirement from the school system in 1992 after 32 years with Broken Arrow Public Schools. After retiring in July 1992, he joined Retherford Publications, Inc., as publisher of the Broken Arrow Scout and assistant to owner/publisher Bill Retherford, who was publisher of several other Tulsa area newspapers. In 1993, he was invited to become associated with ORU to lead in development of new graduate degree programs and was named Dean of the School of Education. Oliver served in that capacity until 1999 when he was named to faculty emeritus status. Oliver was born in Ada, where he attended public schools and graduated from Ada High School in 1947. He attended ECU, OSU, TU and the United States Army Advanced Officers Infantry School, Fort Benning, Ga. He received his master’s and doctorate degrees from TU where he received the Distinguished Alumnus recognition in 1986. He was inducted in the Oklahoma Educators Hall of Fame in 1989 and was honored as Distinguished Alumnus at ECU in 1991. In April 2007, Oliver was inducted into the Educators Hall of Fame at ECU. In June 1999, Oklahoma Association of School Administrators recognized Oliver for four decades of service to education with the presentation of the Lifetime achievement Award for Distinguished Service to Education. Executive Educator Magazine twice selected him in the 100 Outstanding educators of the United States and Canada awards program. Oliver and his wife, Vinita, have been married for 57 years. They have three children, Mark, Paul and Shirley, all are graduates of Broken Arrow Public Schools, seven grandchildren and one great-grandson. Article on Clarence Oliver published in the Ada Evening News on May 26, 2008
	Robert Samuel Kerr, Democrat. Served from 1943-1947. Oklahoma's first native-born governor, was born near Ada, Indian Territory, September 11, 1896. His college work was done at East Central Normal School, and Oklahoma Baptist University. He was admitted to the Oklahoma Bar in 1922, and practiced in Ada. Beginning as a drilling contractor in 1926, he built up a large oil producing company and at the time of his death was President of the Kerr-McGee Oil Industries, Inc. He served as Governor of Oklahoma from January 13, 1943, to January 13, 1947. He was elected U.S. Senator on November 2, 1948, and served until his death January 1, 1963. While governor, Kerr's administration liquidated the state debt. During his tenure as U.S. Senator, he worked to get the McClellan-Kerr Arkansas River Navigation System developed, changing much of Oklahoma's landscape. He is buried at his birthplace near Ada.
Oklahoma's First Lady Molly (Shi) Boren receiving The Keep Oklahoma Beautiful Award on May 31, 2006.	Molly was born in 1933 to Mr. & Mrs. Augustine Henry Shi. She had five siblings that attended her wedding along with Congressman Lyle Boren and his wife, parents of the groom and Governor Borens sister Susan Boren of Washington D. C. "Extraordinary security surrounded the marriage of Governor Boren to Pontotoc County Special District Judge Molly W. Shi on November 27, 1977. Only Boren's family and immediate top-level staff members knew of the approaching wedding until hours before the event." David and Molly Boren made history. It was the first time an Oklahoma governor was married while in office. They exchanged vows in the Governor's Mansion with only immediate family members in attendance. First Lady Molly Boren was born in Ada, taught school after receiving an English degree from East Central State University, and completed her master's degree in English and law degree at the University of Oklahoma. She practiced law in Ada before being appointed special district judge in 1975. Molly is a committed activist for Oklahoma, Molly Shi Boren is Oklahoman right down to the tips of her toes. Mrs. Boren received a master's degree in English in 1971 and a juris doctorate in 1974 from the University of Oklahoma. She began the practice of law in Ada and in 1975 was appointed special district judge for Pontotoc County. One of the youngest district judges in Oklahoma history, she served until 1977 when she married David Boren, then the governor of Oklahoma. Inaugural recipient of the Keep Oklahoma Beautiful First Lady's Award May 31, 2006--Molly Shi Boren has been named president of the Oklahoma Arts Institute, the state's official school of the arts. Boren is a longtime volunteer and board member of the arts institute, a nonprofit organization that recruits nationally recognized artists to teach programs for students and adults. "It is a great honor to be asked to serve as president of the Oklahoma Arts Institute," Boren said in a statement.