A history of the state of Oklahoma, Volume II, Part 16

Author: Hill, L. B. (Luther B.)
Publication date: 1909
Publisher: Chicago, New York, The Lewis publishing company
Number of Pages: 810

USA > Oklahoma > A history of the state of Oklahoma, Volume II > Part 16

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Mr. and Mrs. J. S. Shanks are the parents of two children ; Therza Lee and Catherine Maxine.

JOHN SCAGGS GARRISON. Bringing to the practice of his profession an active brain, a well trained mind, and an excellent technical knowledge of law, John S. Garrison, of Lindsay, has become an experienced and skillful attorney, and in the legal fraternity of Garvin county holds an honored position. A son of Charles and Susan (Zion) Garri- son, he was born, October 27, 1866, in Pen- nington Gap, Lee county, Virginia, coming from substantial ancestry.

Obtaining the rudiments of his education in the public schools of Lee county, Mr. Garrison continued his studies at Curry Col- lege, in the Old Dominion state. Beginning the practice of his profession in his native state, Mr. Garrison won success from the first, and became very prominent and active in the administration of public affairs, serv- ing as mayor of Pennington Gap, and as a judge of the city courts. He also served for awhile in the federal service, being appoint- ed, in 1893, as storekeeper and gauger in the internal revenue department. Since coming to Lindsay, Mr. Garrison has successfully followed his chosen profession, and in 1904 was elected city attorney. At Pennington Gap, Virginia, Mr. Garrison married Miss Martha Ely, and to them five children have been born, namely: Bradalie, Donald C., Mary S., Minnie Ethel, and Joseph T.

HISTORY OF THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA.

THOMAS EDWARD SMITH, occupying a position of influence and prominence among the leading business men of Garvin county, town of Lindsay, is a trustworthy phar- macist, whose many years of experience have given him a thorough knowledge of medicines. A son of T. J. and Fannie (Slack) Smith, he was born on a farm in Barber county, Alabama, and in his native district received a substantial common school edu- cation. Beginning the battle of life at an early age, he entered the drug store of Weeden and Dent, at Eufaula, Alabama, and was there a clerk until 1879. The fol- lowing six years he was similarly employed at Newport, Arkansas, and was subsequent- ly in the same line of business at Texarkana, Arkansas, first with W. L. Lyons, and later with Webster Brothers.

Going to Austin, Texas, in 1888, Mr. Smith clerked for Morley Brothers for a year, and the ensuing two years was with the Armstrong Drug Store, in Mineola, Tex- as, and then for two years, continuing in the same city, was with W. O. Murphy. Set- tling in Anson, Jones county, Texas, in 1893, Mr. Smith, feeling the need of outdoor rest and exercise, was for nine years engaged in agricultural pursuits, managing a ranch and dealing in stock. Coming to the Oklahoma country in 1902, he entered the employ of I. J. Abernathy, a druggist at Lindsay, Okla- homa, and continued with him until January 15, 1905, when he opened his present store in Lindsay. Possessing an excellent knowl- edge of the business in which he is engaged, and being careful and painstaking, Mr. Smith is meeting with eminent success as a pharmacist, having gained the confidence of his many patrons, and built up a success- ful trade.

At Anson, Texas, Mr. Smith married, in 1891, Mrs. Adelia Martin, a woman of pleas- ing personality. Mr. Smith is well known in his profession, and is a member of the Oklahoma Pharmaceutical Society.

ALBERT RENNIE. A man of conspicuous ability and recognized worth, Albert Rennie, of Pauls Valley, is a lawyer of note, and since the days of his early manhood has been actively and prominently identified with the highest and best interests of this part of Ok- lahoma. A native of Canada, he was born, January 1, 1863, in Hamilton, Ontario, a son of Alexander Rennie, a well known business man of that city. His mother, whose maiden name was Elizabeth G. Servos, was the

daughter of Colonel Servos, an officer in the British army, while her grandfather Servos was an extensive landholder in the United States, owning at one time the property on which a portion of the city of Philadelphia now stands.

Completing his early education in the pub- lic schools of Hamilton, Albert Rennie was articled for three years to a barrister, Valan- cey E. Fuller, under whose tuition he quali- fied for a practitioner. In June, 1883, de- sirous of trying the hazard of new fortunes, he came to the Indian Territory, and as a tenderfoot began his career as cowboy at White Bead, in what is now Garvin county. In this capacity he became familiar with the country and with the cattle industry, and in course of time embarked in business on his own account, beginning his ranching opera- tions on a modest scale, taking his herds over the trail himself. Gradually enlarging his business, he developed extensive stock interests, accumulating land and money, as well as cattle.

As cowboy and ranchman, Mr. Rennie kept up his knowledge of law, and when the courts were established for the Indian Ter- ritory, at Muskogee, he was admitted to the bar by Judge James K. Shackelford, and at the same time, taking out his naturalization papers, was made a citizen of the United States. He began the practice of his profes- sion at Purcell, Indian Territory, and was subsequently appointed United States com- missioner at Topeka, Kansas, bv Judge Fos- ter, for the Oklahoma and Indian Territor- ies, while they were a part of the Kansas district. At the opening of the Oklahoma country, Mr. Rennie was serving as post- master at White Bead, and on April 22, 1889, participated in that memorable event, going on horseback, and stampeding from the Indian Territory side. Joining the great crowd, which was, almost to a man, armed with six-shooters, and fortified with bologna sausages, he put forth his best efforts to acquire a desirable property. Being splen- didly mounted, and an excellent horseman, he established a townsite in Cleveland coun -. ty, and named it Noble in honor of John W. Noble, secretary of the interior. The in- habitants insisted that Mr. Rennie should serve as first postmaster of the new town, so that he had the distinction of serving in that capacity in two different offices at the same time.

HISTORY OF THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA.

When Mr. Rennie was appointed United States commissioner, he located at Wewoka, from there going on emergency calls to Ardmore. He subsequently took up his resi- dence at Ardmore, and in 1893 was deputy clerk of the court. He has also held other public offices, having been assistant United States attorney at Pauls Valley, serving un- der United States Attorney W. B. Johnson.

Mr. Rennie married Laura Matthews, and they were the parents of six children, name- ly : Albert MI., Melville Alfred, Florence Christina, Anna Elizabeth, Hazel Ernestine, and Ishteopa. In his political affiliations, Mr. Rennie is a Republican. He still takes delight in agriculture, carrying on farming for pleasure, mostly, his home estate of two hundred acres, practically within the city of Pauls Valley, being an ideal rural farm. Mr. Rennie and family are members of the Episcopal church. Fraternally he is a thirty- second degree Mason and member of the consistory at Guthrie.

OLIN WELBOURNE JONES. Prominent among the keen-witted, progressive men who are doing so much to promote the up- building and growth of Garvin county, not only as a superb agricultural region, but as a manufacturing, mercantile and commer- cial center, is Olin W. Jones, a well known lawyer of Pauls Valley, and secretary of the "Ten Thousand Club" which was organized for the purpose of advancing the interests of the public.

A son of Joseph A. and Rebecca (Jenkins) Jones, Olin W. Jones was born, November 17, 1881, in Bowie, Texas, and in its public schools received his elementary education. He afterwards continued his studies at the Oklahoma Agricultural and Mechanical Col- lege, at Stillwater, after which he went to Lebanon, Tennessee, where he was gradu- ated from the law department of the Cum- berland University with the degree of LL. B. Locating then in Greer county, Mr. Jones began his professional career as an educator, serving first as superintendent of schools at Mangum, and later at Texola, remaining a year in the latter place. In 1905, he came to Pauls Valley, the following year was ad- mitted to the bar before the United States courts, and commissioned to the practice of law. In 190} he was made secretary of Pauls Valley's most valuable organization, the club that has for its object the advance- ment of the commercial interests of this live-

ly town, and the increasing of its population to ten thousand.

Mr. Jones became a resident of Greer county in 1896, when it was a part of the state of Texas, making him then a citizen of that state. This strip of land was in the same year transferred to Oklahoma Terri- tory by legislative decision, and later by statehood act to the state of Oklahoma, thus changing his citizenship without a change of residence. In 1907 Mr. Jones married Miss Anna (Love) Kimball, a young lady of culture and refinement, who is active in social circles, and in sympathy with her hus- band in his beneficial projects.

Pauls Valley was named in honor of one of its early pioneers, Smith Paul, who lo- cated on the banks of the Washita river, and within a few years amassed a fortune in raising corn and selling it to the United States army forces, then stationed at old Fort Arbuckle and Fort Reno. This famous valley, known throughout the Union, is about four miles wide and ten miles long, as level as Nature could design and as rich as the Nile, and is indeed imperial in its way, rich in its nature, dear in its history, and beautiful beyond description. From its every acre comes as great a product as can be produced from any acre of land in any irrigated valley within reach of the kiss of the western sun. Its alfalfa, untouched by irrigation, sends its roots through a depth of fifteen feet to everlasting waters, and its cotton bloom lias never yet withered for want of abundant rain. Its stalwart stalks of corn wave defiance to the world in pro- ducing one hundred bushels to the acre, while its marvelous yield of vegetables. fruits and flowers make this valley truly the "Garden Spot of the World."

In the midst of this luxuriant vale stands the city of Pauls Valley, whose population of four thousand is not a transient one, but that of men of stability and integrity, its business men being largely those who have been reared with the country, and know its wealth and worth. Recently made a city of the first-class, Pauls Valley will within a few months have a charter, and its own code of laws for its own regulation. Its schools are among the best in the state, the most harmonious relations between the members of the school board and the faculty prevailing, and its high school is affiliated with the State University.

HISTORY OF THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA.

Pauls Valley is the county seat of Garvin county, the central county of the fourteenth judicial district of Oklahoma, a county con- taining twenty-five thousand people. Garvin county sends two representatives and two senators to the state legislature, and one of the citizens of Pauls Valley will be a mem- ber of the next Congress. This city has also furnished the state, in the person of Hon. Joseph B. Thompson, the ablest chairman the Democratic party ever had.

Three railroads are already running in and out of Pauls Valley and two more systems are under consideration. Fourteen passen- ger trains pass daily through Pauls Valley, six being on the main branch of the Santa Fe, four on each the Oklahoma Eastern and the Kiowa, Chickasha and Fort Smith rail- ways, giving more passenger traffic at its union station here than at any other place of three times its size.

The Ten Thousand Club has just accepted a proposal, and guaranteed a bonus of $30,- 000 cash, for an electric line from Pauls Val- ley to Anadarko, and it will, doubtless, soon be under process of construction. There is another proposed line to Oklahoma City. Pauls Valley is the market for nearly all of the cotton and corn raised in Garvin county, and is also a central point for shipping hogs. Throughout this fertile valley fruits and veg- etables yield abundant harvests, and ere long the largest canning and pickling plant in the state will be in full operation. It already has an efficient ice plant, a mill, four gins, bot- tling works, a steam laundry, cotton com- press, a brick plant, and there is still a fine opening for several more industrial institu- tions.

Pauls Valley is truly a commercial center, having forty-eight mercantile establish- ments, including eight groceries, five dry- goods stores, and four general stores, all of which are doing a substantial business.

There are here located two large whole- sale grocery firms, the wholesale houses of the Turner Produce Company, and of Swift's Packing Company, the excellent railroad fa- cilities making this a most desirable distrib- uting point.

There are five churches in Pauls Valley, a Methodist, Baptist, Presbyterian, Chris- tian and Episcopal. The First National Bank has recently let the contract for a new $20,000 bank building, a $10,000 opera house will soon be erected, and it is estimated that

two hundred new residences will be built within a year.

Land in the Washita Valley can now be bought for from fifty to one hundred dollars per acre, and outside the valley from ten to fifty dollars an acre. Much of the land in Garvin county is now alienable, and rents for cash at from two to six dollars an acre, or else for a portion of the crops.

WILLIAM H. PAUL. Noteworthy among the thorough-going, substantial business men of Pauls Valley is William H. Paul, an extensive real estate dealer, one of the alder- men of the city, and an appraiser of school lands in the loan department of the state, a position to which he was appointed, in 1908, by Governor Haskell. He is a native and to the manner born, his birth having oc- curred in what is now called Pauls Valley, Indian Territory, March 5, 1806. He is a son of Samuel and Sarah (Lambert) Paul, whose homestead included the site of the present city of Pauls Valley. His paternal grandfather, Smith Paul, for whom Pauls Valley was named, was an Irishman by birth, and on coming to this country settled first in North Carolina, from there treking westward to Mississippi, afterwards migrat- ing with the Indians to the Indian Territory. He intermarried with the Indians, remained in their hunting grounds, and came with them to the Chickasaw Nation. This val- ley was originally called Smith Paul's Val- ley, he being owner of much of the land, and being the leader and counsellor of the red people.

Receiving the rudiments of his education in the schools of White Bead, William H. Paul subsequently continued his studies at the Tishomingo Academy, under the in- structions of Judge Benjamin Carter, at Sa- voy, Texas, at Austin College, and at Sher- man, Texas. Embarking then in the cattle industry, he was successfully employed as ranchman, and cattle raiser and dealer until 1903. Locating in that year in Pauls Valley, Mr. Paul has since been here profitably em- ployed in the real estate business, and in looking after his own personal investments until the present time, having at first been a member of the firm of Hybarger, Moore, & Co., but now being alone. He is a man of much influence, and is quite prominent in fraternal circles, being a thirty-second de- gree Mason. At White Bead, in 1898, Mr. Paul married Victoria Rosser, and they have

HISTORY OF THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA.

four children, namely: William G., Victoria Sue, Homer, and Haskell.

YERKER ERNEST TAYLOR. Thoroughly versed in the intricacies of law, and giving close attention to his professional duties, Yerker E. Taylor, of Pauls Valley has right- fully assumed a foremost position among the active attorneys of this city, by the exercise of his legal knowledge and skill having won the confidence of the community in which he resides. He was born, January 28, 1878, in Fannin county, Texas, and was reared and educated in his native state.

Mr. Taylor's father, Hon. Robert H. Tay- lor, a professional man, was a prominent member of his community, and a leader in public affairs. He was a stanch Republican, an anti-secessionist, and was a member of the constitutional convention of Texas, and at the head of the minority representation to the secession convention of Texas. The maiden name of his wife was Delilah Burn- ey

During his earlier years, Yerker Ernest Taylor was under the instruction of private tutors, after which he attended Prof. Flem- ing's Academy, at Bonham, Texas. He sub- sequently studied law with Judge C. L. Galloway, of Sherman, Texas, and in 1898 was admitted to the bar, to practice before the Texas courts. Coming then to Pauls Valley, Mr. Taylor opened a law office, and in the years that followed built up an ex- ceedingly fine practice, continuing alone until 1904, when he became associated with Messrs. Albert Rennie and J. W. Hocker, under the firm name of Rennie, Hocker and Taylor. The firm being dissolved in 1906, Mr. Taylor resumed the individual practice of his profession, and is meeting with the same good success that has always attended his efforts. In 1902 he served as Referee in Bankruptcy in his court district, being ap- pointed to the position by Judge Hosea Townsend.

Mr. Taylor married, in 1904, Miss Pearl Crabb, who lived but a comparatively short time after their marriage, which occurred in June of that year. A prominent Republican in politics, Mr. Taylor, through complimen- tary sentiment, was nominated as candidate for representative to the state legislature, but his party being in the minority he was not elected. He is a good sportsman, a fan- cier of fine bird dogs, and in fishing and hunting small game finds his chief recrea- tion.

Vol. II-6.

CHARLES FLOYD WORLEY. A clear, cool- headed, wide-awake man, active and alert, Charles F. Worley, of Pauls Valley, has been prominently identified with the leading interests of this part of Oklahoma for many years, and has the distinction of being the first man elected sheriff of Garvin county under the new state organization, his elec- tion to his present official position having been in September, 1902. He was born, Jan- mary 2, 1872, in Grayson county, Texas, but is, in reality, a product of this newer coun- try, having been reared and educated in the Indian Territory. His father, John C. Wor- ley, a ranchman, married Frances Story, the daughter of a minister of the gospel, and settled in the Indian Territory in 1873.

Charles F. Worley was but a year old when brought to the Chickasaw Nation by his parents, who located at what was then known as Criner Ranch, but is now included in the town of Story. Brought up on a ranch, he early began to assist in the various labors incidental to agricultural pursuits, passing through all the experiences of an energetic cowboy. Becoming widely known as a young man of upright conduct, daring and fearless, Mr. Worley was made, in 1895, a peace officer, a constable, and deputy mar- shal of the United States courts, with head- quarters at Purcell and Pauls Valley. At the expiration of his term of office, Mr. Wor- ley embarked in an entirely new line of bus- iness, from 1898 until 1906 running a bakery and confectionery establishment. Form- ing then a partnership with R. S. Mitchell and W. J. Thompson, he was engaged in the hardware business at Pauls Valley, under the firm name of the Washita Hardware Company, until elected sheriff of Garvin county, as above mentioned. In this posi- tion, he is serving ably, and most satisfac- torily to all concerned, performing the du- ties devolving upon him in a manner reflect- ing credit upon himself, and honor to his supporters. On March 19, 1899, Mr. Worley married Etta Hughes, of Pauls Valley, the daughter of a Tennessee planter.

JOHN WESLEY YEATES. Among the men who have been active in the development and progression of Stratford's interests is John Wesley Yeates, popularly known throughout this section of Garvin county as "Jack Yeates." He has been a resident since the inception of the town, and has been iden- tified with many of its industries, at the present time being successfully employed

HISTORY OF THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA.

as an insurance writer and a cotton broker. A son of Joshua and Margaret Ann (George) Yeates, he was born, September 17, 1864, in Putnam county, Indiana, and at the age of ten years came with his parents to the Indian Territory, locating in the Cherokee Nation, ten miles from Vinta Cabin.

Brought up on a ranch, "Jack" Yeates at- tended the territorial schools until fourteen years of age, when he began railroading, working in the bridge and building depart- ment of the Missouri, Kansas & Texas Rail- way Company for ten years. He was subse- quently engaged in the express and transfer business, being located for three years at Madill, Indian Territory. Going from there to Lehigh, in the Choctaw Nation, he was for a time in the employ of the Western Coal and Mining Company. Returning then to the Chickasaw Nation, Mr. Yeates be- came a contractor and housemover at Mc Gee, and when that town was moved to the new townsite of Stratford he moved many of the buildings from their original site to their new. Immediately taking up his res- idence in Stratford, he soon acquired promi- nence in its business affairs, and as the first shipper of coal into its precincts established himself as a pioneer merchant of the place. Mr. Yeates married, in 1891, Angie Tyson, and into their home five children have made their advent, namely : May, Theresa, Arthur, Grace, and Jack.

LEONARD A. BRALEY. The First National Bank of Stratford, Garvin county, was or- ganized early in 1907, being the first finan- cial institution of the new town of Stratford. M. F. Bayless, J. T. Eldridge, A. E. Shi, H. L. Norman, J. R. Craig and W. B. Alexan- der were the organizers, and the present set of officers are: J. M. Bayless, president ; J. T. Eldridge, vice president; M. F. Bayless, cashier, and L. A. Braley, assistant cashier. The capital is $25,000, and since the estab- lishment of the bank its deposits have grown to about $50,000, which indicates a substan- tial condition of business prosperity in this vicinity and also the confidence felt by the citizens generally in the personnel of the bank's officials. One of the best business blocks in the town, which was completed and occupied in March, 1908, is the home of the bank.

Mr. Braley, the assistant cashier, was born in Indian Territory, in what is now Bryan county, at Thackerville, on Red river, April 9, 1879, a son of J. A. and Nancy F.

Braley, the former from Texas and the latter from Missouri. The parents were married in Cooke county, Texas, and came to Indian Territory in 1875. The father, who has been a farmer all his life, is now a resident of Gainsville, Texas. The mother died in 1903. Their seven children were the following: Leonard A., Lofton H., in the cotton-buyer's office at Stratford; J. T., a clerk at Roff ; Gardner, a clerk at Stratford; Joseph, in school; Beulah, wife of R. M. Dorsey, of Roff ; and Jewell, wife of Dr. M. M. Web- ster, of Stratford.

Mr. L. A. Braley is one of the compara- tively few citizens of Oklahoma who have lived here all their lives. He attended school in the Indian Territory, and since leaving school has been connected with the lumber and banking business, showing unusual bus- iness capacity in both lines. He is promi- nent in the various interests of his home town, being president of the Stratford Com- mercial Club, and in Masonry is affiliated with the blue lodge and Royal Arch chapter at Roff, and is also a member of the Knights of Pythias and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Politically he is a Democrat, and is a member of the Missionary Baptist church.

WILLIAM BRYANT MARION MITCHELL. The legal fraternity of the new state of Okla- homa has no more worthy and able repre- sentative than Judge William B. M. Mitch- ell, of Pauls Valley, county judge of Garvin county. Well versed in the intricacies of the law, and a close student, he is well qual- ified, both by education and training, for his eminent position, and has the respect of bar and bench. He is a son of Franklin P. and Bridget M. (Wade) Mitchell, Kentucky farmers, who brought up their children to habits of industry and usefulness.

Reared on the home farm, William B. M. Mitchell performed his full share of its work as a boy and youth, early acquiring an ex- cellent knowledge of the many branches in- cluded in agriculture. Ready to start in life for himself, he came to Oklahoma from his Kentucky home, locating near Ardmore, at a little town called Cheek, where for three years he was engaged in farming on rented land. Returning to Kentucky in 1895, Mr. Mitchell resided in Union county for about two years. In 1897, after a short trip through Missouri, he again visited the new country, the land of promise and plenty, and decided to remain permanently. The ensu-

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A history of the state of Oklahoma, Volume II, Part 16

Author: Hill, L. B. (Luther B.) Publication date: 1909 Publisher: Chicago, New York, The Lewis publishing company Number of Pages: 810

Author: Hill, L. B. (Luther B.)
Publication date: 1909
Publisher: Chicago, New York, The Lewis publishing company
Number of Pages: 810