USA > Oklahoma > Portrait and biographical record of Oklahoma; commemorating the achievements of citizens who have contributed to the progress of Oklahoma and the development of its resources, V. 1 > Part 41
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Ilis old love for educational work led the pro- fessor to accept the position as principal of the Mulhall schools, in 1898, after he had been in charge of schools in the country for three terms, and made a marked improvement in' the system and daily work. He has also transacted consid- erable business in real estate and loans and is a notary public.
In Carroll county, Professor Calvert and Mat- tie A. Newkirk were married, March 8. 1877. She was born and reared in Andrain county. Now and is a daughter of C. C. and Martha Now- kirk. In her girlhood she obtained a liberal edu-
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cation, completing her studies in the DeWitt high school. Then she taught school for two terins before her marriage, and since that time once had charge of a school for one term. With her husband and elder daughter, she holds mem- bership in the order of the Eastern Star, and each member of the family is popular in the best social circles of the town. Lizzie, the first-born, is numbered among the successful teachers of Russell county, Kans. May, who was graduated in our schools, is counted among our successful county teachers, and George, her twin brother, also has completed the course in the Logan county schools; Pearl was born in Russell county, Kans .; Robert, in Barton county, Mo .; and Gertrude in Jefferson county, Mo.
Fraternally, the professor enjoys the honor of being chancellor commander of Mistletoe Lodge No. 21, K. of P. He also is a member of the Masonic order, belonging to St. John's Lodge No. 12, A. F. & A. M., of Mulhall.
B EN CLARK is a typical frontier character, having the freedom of the sweeping prairies in thought and movement, and a breeziness and fearlessness about him engendered by long and intimate association with the red men of the plains, whose bravery, cruelty and picturesque- ness are fast receding to the happy hunting ground, and into the dim wood shadows of the past, and whose strong, bold and ofttimes terrify- ing faces will soon live only on the painter's can- vas, in the song of Hiawatha, and in the Ales- sandro of Ramona's dream.
Without a peer as a scout and Indian inter- preter. Ben Clark has won his spurs, and for a life spent in such service has received the appre- ciation of the country, and the friendship of the Indians. That he could ever feel at all kindly towards the Indians argues a broad spirit of tol- erance, for his father, Silas Clark, was killed by the . Apache Indians in the Arizona desert in 1849. while crossing the plains for California. Silas Clark was young in years and enthusiastic for a life in the far west, and his untimely and cruel taking off at the age of thirty-four was indeed a How to his family. His wife, Mary M. (Peters) Clark, died in Peoria, Ill .. in March, 1865. An older brother of Ben Clark, who lived in Joplin, Mo., was actively engaged in business there.
Ben Clark was born in St. Louis, Mo .. Feb- raary 2. 1842, and there spent his early child- hood, going in 1855-6 to Fort Bridger, where he entered the government as post courier. From the very first he was engaged in adventures of a more or less adventuresome nature, and began with his appointment in 1857 with the expedition ei Albert Sidney Joliston against the Mormons. Hle afterwards entered a battalion of United
States volunteers, and was engaged against the Mormons until mustered out in 1858. At the be- ginning of the Civil war he enlisted in an inde- pendent company of cavalry under command of Capt. Charles Clark, which company was subse- quently attached to the Sixth Kansas Cavalry. They served during the entire war, mostly en- gaged in frontier service along the borders of Arkansas, Missouri and the Indian Territory. He acted as guide for General Blunt during Price's raid into Missouri and Kansas (1864). At the close of the war Mr. Clark was employed by Indian traders to take charge of their mule trains and freighting through their country, and in this way was thrown into close relations with them, and became familiar with their language and customs. His advice was highly prized by the traders, who often consulted him when an outbreak was feared.
At the beginning of the Indian wars in 1868, Mr. Clark's services were eagerly sought by General Sully, in command of the government forces, at the time of the outbreak among the Cheyennes, Apaches, Arapahoes, Comanches and Kiowas. He was next attached to General Sheridan's command, as scout and guide, and spent several years with the western division of the army, giving valuable and conscientious as- sistance. After the Indian troubles had sub- sided, he was transferred to Camp Supply as post guide and interpreter, and was later sent to Fort Reno, and has since been on the govern- ment pay roll. He was several times called upon to guide the army across the plains, and through the country where the Indians were troublesome. In 1874 he was with General Miles during his campaign against the Southern Cheyennes, Kio- was and Comanches, and was hext with General Crook during the Sitting Bull outbreak. He was also in the Dull Knife campaign of 1878. and took an important part in the subduing of the northern Cheyennes.
To the commanders of the western posts, the services of Mr. Clark have been of inestimable valne, and he has in his possession many letters from the various famous men to whom he has been a guide and counselor, as well as many relics which attest the friendship and confidence of the Indians. Through all the troublesome negotiations, and at times critical situations, he has ever been on friendly terms with the red men, who have trusted in his honor and have never been disappointed. He has often gone among them when they were on the point of re- bellion, and by his diplomacy and tact has dis- suaded them from their course. He is most complimentarily mentioned by General Sheridan in his memoirs, and in General Miles' book.
Mr. Clark's marriage was no less romantic and adventurous than the other incidents in his
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career. His wife was a full-blooded Cheyenne, and the mother of eleven children, seven of whom are living. All have good educations, and some are graduates of the Carlisle Indian School, while others are now acquiring their edu- cation.
K ARNS HOAGLAND COLLINGS, who passed to his reward July 14, 1899, is de- serving of a place in the pioneer history of the ' now flourishing and beautiful Oklahoma .. He performed his full share in the herculean task of developing its resources, and in spite of many discouragements steadfastly pressed to- ward the goal which he had set before him-an excellent and well improved homestead. Hc was not long permitted to enjoy the consumma- tion of his energetic toil here, but passed to the heavenly home, mourned by a large circle of sincere friends.
For several generations members of the Col- lings family have been numbered among the sturdy frontiersmen who have led the way for civilization. John C. Collings, father of. the sub- ject of this memoir, accompanied his relatives to Indiana in the carly part of this century, and he and his brother Richard were actively engaged in the wars with the Indians, which culminated with the fight at Pigeon Roost. Richard and his entire family, with the exception of one little girl, were massacred by the redskins. John C. Collings and his loved ones passed through some extremely exciting times, and on one occasion the Indians attacked them in their cabin. Mrs. Collings bravely did her share in the conflict, loading the guns until their scanty store of am- munition was exhausted. The husband then threw open the door, and, rushing into the midst of his foes, as a last resort, clubbed them right and left. and, it is said, killed seven.
The birth of Karns Hoagland Collings took place in the cabin which his father had so he- roically defended. This humble home was sitt- ated in Scott county, and the date of our sub- ject's birth April 5, 1834. Such education as he obtained was gained in the old-fashioned sub- scription schools of that day, and among his schoolmates was the lady who became his wife in later years. After reaching manhood he en- gaged in farming on a small scale until the Civil war broke out, when he was among the first to offer his services to his country. He enlisted in the Sixty-sixth Indiana Infantry, and at first was sent to Camp Noble, whence he proceeded to the camp at Indianapolis.
After taking part in a number of important campaigns in the south, Mr. Collings was taken captive by the Confederates, but. fortunately. he and his comrades were exchanged at the end of
thirteen days and returned to Indianapolis and to Camp Noble. Thence soon sent to the front again and was actively engaged in the battles of Mission Ridge, Charleston, Richmond, Ga .. and many others of about equal importance. He saw such hard service and suffered so greatly from exposure to inclement weather and front poor and insufficient food that he never fully re- gained his former fine health. It was not until his country no longer needed him that he re- turned to his home, at the close of the war. Hle then bought one hundred acres of land in Scott, his native county, and began i: improvement and cultivation. In 1883 he removed to Pottawatomie county, Kans., where for ten years he conducted a stock farm. In 1893 he came to Oklahoma territory and pur- chased the southwestern quarter of section 27. township 16, range 4, Logan county. The land was unimproved, and it was no slight task to prepare it for the raising of fine crops. He built a substantial house and fences and planted a large variety of fruit trees and small fruits, be- sides making other improvements, which ren- dered this a model country home.
For a companion and helpmate in life's jour- ney Mr. Collings made a wise choice, his wife being Sarah C., daugliter of Ezekial and Eliza (Cunningham) Clark. She was born near Phila- delphia, Pa., and comes of a family notable for the number of patriotic soldiersit furnished in the wars of our country. Her paternal grandfather and two of her uncles were heroes of the Revolu- tion, and two of her own brothers were soldiers in the war with Mexico, while three of her broth- ers took part in the Civil war. One of the brothers was killed in the Mexican war and an- other laid his life on the altar of the Union. Surviving our subject are two children. Z. H., whose sketch appears elsewhere in this work, and Lizzie Jane, wife of Francis Mcclellan, of Cedar township.
L ARS CHRISEN. Though his residence in the United States covers but a score of years, Lars Chrisen. one of the leading busi- ness men of Guthrie, has won an honored place in the community, and is considered a represent- ative citizen of his adopted country. His parents. Christian and Ellen ( Petersen) Chrisen, were natives of Shelland. Denmark. and lived upon a farm during their lifetime. The father served in the Danish army while the war of 1848 was in progress, and his death occurred in 1864. Our subject's grandfathers, Christian Chrisen and Peter l'etersen, also were numbered among the agriculturists and substantial, honorable citizen ; of Shelland, Denmark.
The birth of our subject occurred June 25.
S. F. SCOTT, M. D., Waukomis.
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1860, and of the nine brothers and sisters who grew to maturity he is the only one in America. When he was in his fifth year he was bereaved of his parents, and for several years thereatter lived with an uncle on a farm. He attended the public schools until he was fourteen years old, and then was apprenticed to a painter, serving five years at his trade. He became proficient in the art of decorating and frescoing, and thus the better class of work falls to his share.
When he was twenty years of age Mr. Chrisen determined that he would try his fortunes in the United States, and on the 12th of November, 1880, he sailed from Copenhagen in the good ship "Florida." Arriving in New York city. on the 4th of December, he then proceeded to Chi- cago and soon went to Ottumwa. Iowa. where he was employed at his trade five years. Hav- ing acquired a practical knowledge of the lan- guage and local business methods, he then embarked in business on his own account, and in 1885 located in Springfield, Seward county. Kans., at which time a hotly contested struggle was going on between that place and Fargo Springs, both desiring to be made the county- seat. As Springfield came off the victor. our subject found plenty of employment, and steadily added to his bank account. In 1888 he went to St. Joseph, Mo., where he continued to live until Oklahoma was opened to white settlers. Since June 1, 1889, he has been actively engaged in doing contracting in Guthrie, and his handiwork is to be seen on every hand. Among the finest examples of his skill in this locality we cite the painting and decorating of the Hotel Royal and the Opera-house, the Oklahoma Hotel, the Bank of Indian Territory. the Lyon Block, the Victor Block and the Goodrich Building. the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, the Presbyterian Church and St. Joseph's Convent. Many beauti- ful homes here also bespeak his good taste in the selection of tints and combinations of shades. Ilis office is centrally situated, being at No. 113 North First street.
The pleasant home of Mr. Chrisen is located at No. 421 South First street. The lady who pre- sides over its hospitalities bore the maiden name of Florence M. Hall. She was born in Nodaway county, Mo., and was married to our subject at her home in this city in 1891. They belong to the membership of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, Mr. Chrisen being one of the official board of the same at present. In his po- litical creed he is a Democrat.
D R. S. F. SCOTT. The material, intellectual and social growth of Wankomis is largely interwoven with the ambitions, attainments and generosity of Dr. Scott. When he first cast
his fortunes with the embryo town in 1895 there were but six families there, and very few evi- dences of future prosperity. In keeping with his universally recognized spirit of progress, Dr. Scott erected the first stone building on Main street, the stone being brought from his claim on the southeast quarter of section 7, Flynn township, a distance of twelve miles. This claim had come into the doctor's possession at the opening of the territory, and his family and liim- self had since been living there.
Dr. Scott's success in his chosen life work, while largely due to excellent educational ad- vantages, application and hard work, has, never- theless, been augmented by an inherited apti- tude, his father and grandfather having been creditable members of the profession. During the Civil war his father, R. H. Scott, removed from his home in Texas to Centralia, Ill., where he became prominently identified with the medi- cal and other interests of the community. He was a graduate of the University of New Or- leans, and for forty-five years practiced medicine and surgery in Texas, Louisiana and Illinois. During the war he was a southern unionist. His useful and enterprising career terminated in Illi- nois at the age of sixty-three years. His father, Hugh Scott, was born in Scotland, and gradu- ated in medicine at Edinboro, soon after which he migrated to the United States. Upon arriving in America he settled first in Virginia, and lived later in Missouri, where he died at the age of fifty. Dr. R. H. Scott married Mary Agnes Smith, and six of their children are living, namely: William, of Illinois: S. F., of Wauko- mis: Dora, wife of William Renfrow; Mrs. Ida Rogers; Lola and Charles. The parents both died in Centralia, Ill.
Dr. S. F. Scott was born in northeastern Texas and began to study medicine with his father when twenty years of age. This study was sup- plemented by a course at the Missouri Medical College at St. Louis, and at the Northwestern Medical College in St. Joe, Mo. After prac- ticing in his home town of Centralia for a time he located in Fort Scott, Kansas, where he lived for nine years. Thence he went to Blue Ridge. Mo., where he remained for three years, subse- quently locating on his claim in Oklahoma.
In addition to the fine stone business block erected by Dr. Scott he also has a commodious and modern residence in Waukomis. In politics he has ever taken a prominent place, and is a member of the Populist party, having formerly been a Republican. For two years he served as a member of the city council. He has been con- nected with the county board of health for some time and is a member of the Garfield County Medical Association. Fraternally he is associa- ted with the Masons and the Independent Order
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of Odd Fellows at Enid, the Ancient Order of United Workmen at Waukomis, and is past mas- ter workman of the same.
In 1874 Dr. Scott married Lena D. Maddux, and of this union there are three children: Hugh, who is practicing medicine; Mollie and Lura.
As a physician, Dr. Scott has been especially successful in his treatment of rheumatism, liav- ing adopted the hot air treatment, and he is the only physician in the town who resorts to this ex- cellent method of circumventing a truly stubborn disorder.
J ULIUS C. CROSS. As manager of the Pabst Ice Plant, also as deputy grand master of the Grand Commandery of Oklahoma, and as an all around enterprising and successful citizen of Kingfisher, Mr. Cross has won for him- self an enviable reputation as one of the most reliable and esteemed dwellers of the newly- opened territory.
Early in the century, his paternal grandfather, who was a descendant of an old New York fam- ily, brought his family from New York and set- tled in Lenawee county, Mich., where he became one of the most prosperous and influential jew- elry merchants in the town of Adrian. He be- came prominent in many lines of interest, amassed considerable of this world's goods, and became the possessor of a large amount of real- estate, having previously owned the site now oc- cupied by the court house. He was a courageous soldier in the war of 1812, and died at the age of eighty-six. Following in their father's foot- steps, the sons became jewelers. J. C., who was a jeweler and settled in Three Rivers, Mich., becoming identified with the growth of the town, when war was declared enlisted in 1862 in Com- pany D, Twenty-fifth Michigan Infantry, as cap- tain of his company. His career in the war was unexpectedly cut short owing to severe wounds received at Stone River, which so impaired his health that he was mustered out of service. He is now conducting a flourishing business at Adrian, Lenawee county, Mich. He is a mem- ber of the Masonic order and of the Grand Army of the Republic. His wife. Harriett C. (Gilmore) Cross, was born in New Hampshire, and is de- scended from an old and distinguished family of that state. Her family moved from New Hamp- shire to Michigan and thence to Savanna, Ill.
To this couple were born three children, two boys and one girl. Their son, Julius C., was born in Toledo, Ohio, January 28, 1850, and is the oldest and only surviving member of the younger portion of the family. He received his education in Adrian, Mich., and in 1860 moved to . Three Rivers, where he remained for a short time, and in the fall of 1865 he located in Savan-
na, Ill. Subsequently he engaged in the rail- road business, as conductor on the Racine divis- ion, which position he retained until 1876. He then took charge of the car service at Savanna for a time, after which he resigned and went into the grocery business, with George N. Macken as partner. In 1885 Mr. Cross took up his abode in Kansas, locating at Protection, Comanche county, operating under the firm name of Cross & Krummer. This association was amicably continued until April 22, 1889, when he came to Kingfisher and located permanently. Until 1892 he engaged in the wholesale feed business, at which time he assumed charge of the Pabst Ice Plant, which was the first of its kind erected in the territory. There are twenty-five machines, which are run to their full capacity during the season.
Mr. Cross was married in Milwaukee, Wis., to Eva A. Risley, a native of Libertyville, Ill. Of this union there are four children: Laura, a pupil of the Hollowell Academy, Kansas, and a grad- uate of Kingfisher College; Hattie, a student in the high school; William J., also a pupil in the high school; and Mary Adell.
Mr. Cross has taken a conspicuous part in the undertakings of his town, and is politically and fraternally prominent and active. He was for two years city treasurer of Kingfisher and school treasurer for the same number of years. He was further appreciated by his Republican colleagues, who appointed him a member of the city council, fourth ward, for one term, and elected him a member of the high school board for the same length of time. He is an extremely influential member of the Masonic order, being a member of the Kingfisher Chapter No. 8; charter member of the Cyrene Commandery No. 6; charter mem - ber of the Grand Commandery of Oklahoma, to which he was elected in 1894, and from which he has risen to his present position of deputy grand commander of the Commandery of Oklahoma : also is connected with the India Temple. N. M. S., Oklahoma City. The Independent Order Odd Fellows, Hennessey Lodge No. 11. has him as a member: also of the Ancient Order . United Workmen. With his wife he is a member of the Eastern Star. They are actively and prom- inently identified with the interests of the Con- gregational Church.
G I EORGE H. DODSON, librarian of Okla- homa territory, is known throughout the middle west as one of its ablest politicians and most public-spirited citizens. The title of the "young prophet of the west" was bestowed upon him because of the clever prediction which lie made in the spring of 1896 that McKinley would be nominated on the first ballot. This conclusion
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was not a wild guess, but a well founded opinion, based upon his careful research and correspond- ence with the secretaries of the Republican leagues in different parts of the country, and the article which he wrote containing his propliecy was extensively copied throughout the United States. It so happened that he missed the mark by only a trifle. Few young men are better posted on the great issues of the day, and few are more aggressive or more competent to give sound reasons "for the faith that is in them." As a public official he has given excellent satis- iaction to all concerned, and year by year his popularity is increasing. Believing that a review of the salient facts of his career will prove of interest to his numerous friends the following has been compiled.
The Dodson family originated in England, but at an early period in this country's history two brothers bearing the name, settled, respect- ively, in Virginia and Tennessee, while a third took up his abode in Ohio. Capt. E. W., father of George H. Dodson, was born in Tennessee and was early orphaned. He enlisted in the Mexican war as a private and was promoted to the rank of second lieutenant. Subsequently he located in Arkansas, and, when the disruption of the Union was threatened. his sympathies went out toward the defenders of the government. In spite of his bitter protestations, he was forced into the ranks of the rebel army, but vowed that he would never strike a blow against the Union. In the first engagement with the boys in blue he hoisted a flag of truce and crossed over into their ranks, thenceforth serving with the Federals. He did heroic duty in the Third Arkansas Cavalry, being the captain of Company A during the most of the war, and being connected with the Army of the West. When the war closed he engaged in merchandising in Nashville until 1870, when he returned to Arkansas. In 1872 he was elected to the office of sheriff-the only Republican who was ever thus honored in Pope county. Party feeling ran high, and to the everlasting disgrace of that locality it must be recorded that every one of the Republican officials of that county were assassinated while engaged in the discharge of their duties. Among the first to fall a victim to this political fury was Captain Dodson, who pos- essed many strong friends and was a citizen and Mason of high standing. His widow, Mrs. Nona C. Dodson, died at the home of our subject when in her sixtieth year. She was a daughter of Wil- liam Satterfield, who owned and operated a flour mill in Murray county, Tenn., and also was an extensive manufacturer of fine furniture. His ancestors were Scotch. Of the twelve children born to Captain Dodson and wife eight are liv- ing. the six daughters being residents of Arkan- si and the sons of Guthrie. Ulysses Edward is
the proprietor of the Guthrie steam laundry. Another son, the Rev. William J. Dodson, was prominently connected with the conference of Arkansas from his twentieth year until his death, which occurred in Little Rock.
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