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. 2 > Part 39
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Isaac Wikoff, father of our subject, was born
on an Ohio farm, situated on the Miami river, near Dayton. He was young when he was taken to Illinois, early in the '40s, and for more than two-score years he continued to dwell in that state. He was a druggist and merchant in Lacon and Metamora, and for twenty years was the pro- prietor of Wikoff's Bank. The partner in many of his enterprises was his brother, Lewis H., who served throughout the Civil war in the Federal army. For a wife Isaac Wikoff chose Miss Har- riet Ireland. a native of South Bend, Ind., and her father, Pleasant Ireland, of English descent, was born in the same part of the Hoosier state. He originally was a farmer, but later was the owner of a hotel at Michigan City, Ind., and subsequently became an extensive land-holder in Illinois, owning over eighteen hundred acres in Marshall and Woodford counties. He was in his eightieth year when he was called to the better land. Isaac Wikoff and wife have lived in Winfield. Kans., for the past fourteen years, and two of their five children, a daughter and son, also reside there. The elder daughter lives in Chicago, Ill., and Dr. C. H. Wikoff, next to the youngest son, lives in Stillwater, Okla.
The birth of Frank J. Wikoff took place in Metamora, Ill., March 27, 1867, and until he reached his twentieth year he continued to dwell in that thriving place. He was graduated in the high school there, after which he attended the State University at Champaign, Ill., until his senior year. Then he accompanied his parents to Winfield, Kans., and a year later entered the Cincinnati College of Law, where he was grad- uated in 1889, and admitted to the bars of Ohio and Kansas.
Mr. Wikoff's professional career and Okla- homa's territorial government began at the same time, and year by year increasing prosperity has blessed them. As previously stated, the young man at once cast in his fortunes with Stillwater, and has served as city attorney and county attor- ney and as one of the pioneer judges of Payne county. To the last-named office he was ap- pointed by Governor Steele, under the laws of Nebraska, but after the county was duly organ- ized Mr. Wikoff resigned, and later was ap- pointed county attorney by the same governor. In the fall of 1891 the Farmers & Merchants' Bank of Stillwater was organized by Alexander Campbell and Mr. Wikoff and others, the latter becoming its cashier and continuing in that ca- pacity for six years, when he sold out, and, in company with H. E. Hand, founded the Citizens Bank. He was the cashier of this institution until June, 1900, when it was incorporated as the National Bank of Commerce, with a paid-up capital stock of $25,000. He was cashier of the concern until quite recently, when, for rest and improvement of health, he discontinued active
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work and was made vice-president of the bank. This institution is meeting with the confidence and patronage of many representative firms and private citizens of this section. A finely-ap- pointed modern bank building, at the corner of Main and Eighth streets, 25x100 feet, has re- cently been completed, capacious vaults and burglar-proof safes and deposit boxes having been arranged with due regard to the security of the banking interests of the public. The bank building is one of the finest in the territory and reflects great credit upon the directors and offi- cials.
Always active in the ranks of the Republican party, F. J. Wikoff was a member of the first territorial central committee, and gives his earn- est support to McKinley. He is a director in the Commercial Club of this city, belongs to the Territorial Bar Association and to the Territorial , Bankers Association. He was secretary of the committee which played an active part in obtain- ing good railroad service through Stillwater and the county, and has used his influence for prog- ress in every direction. Under appointment of Governor Steele he served on the board of trus- tees of the Edmond Normal, aiding in the work of organizing the school and getting the building erected. In 1897 Governor Barnes appointed him a member of the board of regents of the Agricultural and Mechanical College, located at Stillwater, and in 1899 he was elected to his present position, that of president of the board. His zeal and interest in this great educational factor in the territory's future prosperity has been manifested in material ways, and during his connection with the work the handsome and convenient Mechanical building, the Chemical laboratory and the Library building have been erected.
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Ten years ago the wedding of Mr. Wikoff and Miss Jennie Munhall, a popular young lady in Stillwater society, was solemnized. She was born in Bloomington, Neb .. and is a daughter of T. Munhall, who is a well-known real-estate busi- ness man of Stillwater. Two little daughters bless the hearts and home of our subject and wife, their names being, respectively, Marguerite and Miriam. Mrs. Wikoff is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
H ON. J. M. STOVALL. The name which heads this sketch, will be handed down in the territorial history of Oklahoma, for the gentleman who bears it took a very import- ant part in its formative period. His services on behalf of the people, when acting as a states- man in the legislative halls of this future state, . " !! be long remembered, and especially do the inhabitants of Cleveland county feel indebted to
him. Though he has almost arrived at the age of three-score and ten, given by the Hebrew songster of old as the allotted years of man, he yet enjoys strength of mind and body, and puts to shame many a man of half his age in the amount of active work which he carries on continually.
One of the old and honored families of the "Old South," the Stovalls originated in Wales many generations ago. Representatives of the family were early colonists of Virginia, and the great-grandfather of our subject fought for the infant republic in the war for independence. About one hundred and ten years ago the Sto- valls took up their abode in the wilds of Kentucky, whence some of the name came to the West. The birth of Jesse, grandfather of J. M. Stovall, occurred in Halifax county, in the Old Dominion, and from 1790 until his death he dwelt in the Blue Grass state. His son, William P., father of our subject, was born in Jessamine county, Ky., in 1797. For a period he lived in Tennessee, and in 1836 became a pioneer of Missouri. He died during the Civil war, in 1862, when in his sixty-sixth year. His wife, whose maiden name was Polly McPheron, died when J. M. Stovall was an infant twelve days old. Of her four other children only one survives, Jesse C., now a resident of California.
J. M. Stovall was born in Franklin, county, Tenn., in 1831, and when five years old accom- panied his father to Carroll county, Mo., where he was reared. He experienced the many pri- vations and hardships of frontier life, for the country was very wild sixty or more years ago. and for sixteen years he dwelt upon the paternal farm. Then, starting out in business on his own account, he improved and managed a farm in the same county, but when the Civil war came on lost about all of his possessions. He enlisted and served in General Price's army, with the rank of first lieutenant until he was captured by the Federal forces, which event took place in his own, Carroll, county. Resuming his in- terrupted agricultural labors at the close of the war, Mr. Stovall proceeded to improve another Carroll county farm, and resided thereon until 188t, owning two hundred and forty acres. During the ensuing years he was occupied in the cattle business in the Chickasaw Nation. owning several hundred head of stock and meeting with fair success in the enterprise.
On that famous day, April 22, 1889. Mr. Stovall, with his three sons, made the race for Oklahoma homesteads, and all were fortunate, for they secured good property, their claims adjoining. Our subject, with characteristic energy, at once began making improvements upon his place, building a house that autumn. An orchard, covering four acres, and a good
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vineyard, soon were in bearing condition, and the fertile soil produced abundant harvests each season. A beautiful grove of forest trees sur- rounds the house, two large wells afford an abundance of water, and substantial farm build- ings bespeak the enterprise of the owner. He carries on general farming and stock-raising, keeping a good grade of horses, cattle and hogs.
Always active in the interests of the Demo- cratic party, Mr. Stovall was chosen to represent the people of his district in the first general assembly of Oklahoma. He was elected to the legislature again in 1892, and in 1896, and thus served in that honorable body for three terms, or for six years. In company with Mr. Wagner, he introduced the bill which located the state university at Norman, and was a member of the commission which established the agricul- tural college at Stillwater. He also introduced the bill authorizing the building of the bridge between Purcell and Lexington, and was actively connected with many other important measures. Frequently he has attended congressional and territorial conventions as a delegate, and in every way manifests his great interest in the success of his party. He belongs to Lexington Lodge No. 14, A. F. & A. M., and has taken the Royal Arch degree. He is past master of lodges in Carroll county, Mo., Purcell and Lexington, and has represented his home lodges in the grand lodges of Missouri and Oklahoma.
In 1857 Mr. Stovall married Mary E. Grow, and four children were born to this estimable couple. W. W. Stovall married Maude Har- wood, and has one son, Leslie. Presley J., who married Miss Boyer, lives in Lexington. Mettie is the wife of J. E. Shurley, of Purcell. Lycur- gus M., who served during the Spanish-Ameri- can war in Company D., Tenth United States Infantry regulars, and was slightly wounded at Santiago, now is connected with the quarter- master's department of our government in Santa Clara, Cuba.
F RED STRUBE. Under the capable man- agement of Mr. Strube. the Shawnee Saddle Company has been enabled to realize a season of uninterrupted prosperity, quite in keeping with its position as the pioneer in its special line, and with its substantial char- acter as one of the commercial forces in the growth of the town. For a time after coming to Shawnee, Mr. Strube conducted his affairs in partnership with M: E. Keller, a half-brother. and they started a shop on Broadway. The rapid increase of population, and the consequent demand for the reliable goods furnished by them, necessitated the removal to more com-
modious quarters, and in 1896 they located on the present site, No. 109 Main street, in a build- ing 25x90 feet in dimensions. Here they manu- factured all manner of leather goods, including harness, saddles, whips, collars, bridles, buggies, and trimmings, as well as sporting goods and ammunition. In January of 1900 Mr. Strube bought out Mr. Keller, and has since conducted the business as sole manager and proprietor. He has worked up the largest trade in the county, and possibly in the territory, and by his upright and conscientious business methods, has won the confidence and esteem of all who realize that he is the embodiment of concen- trated and well applied western enterprise.
Of German descent, Mr. Strube was born January 23, 1869, at Shreveport, La. His pater- nal grandfather was born in Saxony, Germany. and upon coming to the United States identified himself with the early pioneer days of Milwau- kee, Wis. He was a tinner by occupation, and was well-to-do. His demise was sudden and unexpected, and was the result of contracting the cholera. His wife died soon afterward. His son, William, the father of Fred Strube, was a tinner by trade, and came to America with a brother, and settled in Louisiana, where he applied his trade in Shreveport. Later he engaged in the mercantile business until 1887. when he located in Wichita Falls, Tex., and entered the employ of Keller & Durrett, return- ing to Shreveport in 1897. His wife, Margaret Knippe, was born in Germany in the Rhine Prov- ince, and her parents died in the fatherland when over eighty years of age. By a former union with Mr. Keller, Mrs. Strube became the mother of three sons and one daughter, William. Tony, John, and Mrs. Lillian Storer. To Mr. and Mrs. Strube were born three children : Her- man, who is a barber in Shreveport, La .; Fred, in the harness and leather business in Shawnee : and Henry, who is a bookkeeper for Goldstein, Mayberry & Co., and resides in Shreveport.
When sixteen years of age, Fred Strube, hav- ing derived a good education in the public schools of his native town of Shreveport, re- moved in 1886 to Wichita Falls, Tex., where he served an apprenticeship to a harness maker. and subsequently worked at his trade off and on until 1895. when he availed himself of the possibilities of Oklahoma. In Shawnee he has been identified with the element that makes for growth and progress, and is ably assisted in the carrying out of his enterprises by a fortunate tact and good fellowship which has won him an enviable popularity. As a Democrat he has served as councilman for one term from the First ward, and is one of the charter members of the Shawnee Club. Fraternally he is asso- ciated with the Ancient Order of United Work -
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men, of which he is financier, and with the Knights of Pythias, of which he is Past Chan- cellor. He is a member of the Presbyterian Church. The marriage of Mr. Strube and Fred- die M. Kohler occurred in Fort Worth, Tex. Mrs. Strube is a daughter of Fred Kohler, a merchant tailor by occupation. Of this union there is one daughter, Thelma.
W ILLIAM S. TRAYLOR. For a quarter of a century Mr. Traylor has dwelt in this portion of the United States, and, in consequence, has experienced the hardships of frontier life. Within his recollection, won- derful changes have come to pass in lands which were almost uninhabited when he first beheld the territory, and the genius and enterprise of the citizens of Oklahoma have accomplished. more within the past decade than was even dreamed of during the first period of his resi- dence here. In this great work of progress he has performed his full share, and is entitled to be called one of the founders of Oklahoma.
Born in Jackson county, Ga., William S. Traylor is of English and Holland-Dutch descent on the paternal side. His father, George WV. Traylor, spent his life in Georgia and Ala- bama, and, during his active year's followed the trade of a blacksmith and also carried on a farm. His life almost spanned a century of our country's history, lacking but one decade. His wife, the mother of our subject, bore the maiden name of Nancy Little, and her father, Jo- seph Little, was a representative of one of the early colonial families of Virginia, of German origin. Eight children were born to G. W. Tray- lor and wife, and five of the number survive at this writing.
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William S. Traylor was reared chiefly in Ala- bama, and in his youth learned the blacksmith's trade with his father. While three of his broth- ers were serving in the Confederate army, he manifested his devotion to the cause by manu- facturing guns for his comrades. He contin- ued to follow the trade more or less until he came to the West. in 1876. For the ensuing thirteen years he was occupied in general farming near Pauls Valley, in the Chickasaw Nation, I. T., and then removed to the vicinity of Purcell, where he remained until the opening of Oklahoma. Making the race, he secured a claim near Noble, but abandoning it, came to his present location, buying the place, which was being contested. In a humble way, he commenced making improvements on the property, and, as success blessed him, kept add- ing to the conveniences. To-day substantial farm buildings are to be seen here, a fine or- chard, with a wide variety of fruits, and many
other valuable improvements. The owner raises a general line of cereals and devotes some atten- tion to the raising of live stock.
Self-made and self-educated, Mr. Traylor de- serves great credit for the success he has achieved in the battle of life. Kind-hearted and liberal, he takes pleasure in assisting the poor and needy, and is respected by all who know him. In his political affiliations he is a Demo- crat, and fraternally is a Mason, connected with the Lexington Lodge.
In 1900 William S. Traylor and wife, form- erly Miss Mary Nealey, celebrated their half- century of married life. Four of their children survive, namely: Joseph H., who has been en- gaged in railroading and now lives in Mexico : Frances, wife of Mace Pugh; Nancy, wife of L. C. Wantland ; and Sallie Lee, wife of Adolph Thill. Seven other children of this worthy couple lived to maturity, but, one by one, have been called to the better land. Four grand- children, now living with their grandparents, were educated by the latter, who provided their own children, also, with as excellent school ad- vantages as lay within their power.
L. A. THOMPSON. A pioneer business man of Shawnee, Mr. Thompson has been an influential factor in its progress, and by his characteristic eastern enterprise has fostered many substantial local industries and public improvements. As a town is ranked ac- cording to the standing of its leading business men, he has contributed, indirectly as well as directly, to the prosperity of his chosen place of abode. In political circles, he is an ardent defender of the Republican platform and policy, and makes a point of attending county and terri- torial conventions of the party. For two years he served as a member of the city council of Shawnee.
On both sides of the family, Mr. Thompson is descended from good old New England stock. His parents, Conklin and Jane E. (Powers) Thompson, were natives of Wayne county, N. Y. The father, who followed agricultural pur- suits for several years, later conducted a livery business in Clyde, N. Y., until his death, in 1860. In the following year, his widow and children removed to the vicinity of Addison, Hillsdale county, Mich., and now the family re- side in Shawnee. The only daughter, Estella, is the wife of Waldo Thorn, of this place.
L. A. Thompson was born in the village of Clyde, N. Y., November 14. 1857, and spent about twelve years of his life there. Then, go- ing to Michigan, he received a public school education, completing his high school course in Hillsdale. When about sixteen years of age
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A. S. SAMPSON, M. D .. Earlsboro.
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he learned the butcher's business, and soon em- barked in an enterprise of his own at Hillsdale. Later he conducted a market at Pittsford, Mich., for several years, and in 1892 decided to try his fortunes in the West. Locating in Hazard, Neb., he commenced dealing in live stock and grain, shipping extensively to Omaha. In November, 1894, he came to Shawnee, and was one of the first to embark in business in the new town. In the following spring he built a store, and therein opened the second meat- market in the place, his predecessor having been in business for a month. He now is the pioneer merchant in his line here, for the other sought employment elsewhere. The firm was Thompson & Thorn for some time, after which our subject was alone for a period. In the spring of 1899 he has been a member of the firm of Colvard & Thompson, and in November of the year mentioned the store was established at the corner of Main and Beard streets. A fine line of meats and supplies are kept, and the best local patronage is bestowed upon the firm.
The marriage of Mr. Thompson and Miss D. J. Foster was celebrated in Hillsdale, Mich., seventeen years ago. She is a native of that state, where she obtained a liberal education. She presides over the household affairs of the pretty modern residence which her husband erected here in 1895, and is an active member of the Presbyterian Church of this place. Do- mestic in his tastes, he rarely is absent from home during his leisure time, though he oc- casionally attends the sessions of his lodge of the Ancient Order of United Workmen.
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A LFRED SYLVESTER SAMPSON, M. D. In tracing the history of Dr. Alfred S. Sampson, the fact, so often emphasized in America, is again seen, that in this republic a young man may rise to almost any goal which he sets before him, however poor and limited his advantages may be. Determination and per- severance in his chosen task were the sole secrets of Dr. Sampson's success, and he is deserving of great credit.
This representative citizen of Earlsboro, Pot- tawatomie county, was born July 1, 1848. in Car- roll county, Tenn., and was reared on a farm sit- tated in the valley of the Mississippi river. His parents were James W. and Julia A. (Merritt) Sampson, who were unable to give their children many advantages in the unsettled period prior to and during the Civil war. In fact, Dr. Samp- son barely knew the multiplication table when he had arrived at his majority, his progress in other studies being proportionate. He had worked hard on the home farm, and, needless to say, the public schools of his locality were almost use-
less at that time. In 1869 he removed to Arkan- sas and carried on a farm near Fort Smith for a number of years. Becoming con- vinced that a better education was desira- ble, he commenced studying by himself, and at length took up medical works, systematically preparing himself for the profession which .he set as his goal. That he was thorough, may be seen from the fact that though he was self- educated, he was given a certificate entitling him to practice, when, according to the law in Arkansas, he submitted to an examination. For nine years he continued his work as a physician and surgeon near Fort Smith, before he went to college, and it was not until the winter of 1896-97 that he pursued a course in the Louisville (Ky.) Medical College. In 1888 he had located at McGee, I. T., and in January, 1898, came to Earlsboro, where he has built up a large and paving practice.
June 28, 1874, the marriage of the doctor and Augusta A. Jones, a daughter of Joseph and Margaret (Delaughter) Jones, was solemnized. She is a native-of Wichita county, Ark., and by her marriage is the mother of five children, namely: Gus, who is a farmer of the Indian Territory, his home being near McGee; George W., who is employed as an engineer at South AIcAlester, I. T .; James, who is assisting his father; and Minnie Belle and Ida May, who are at home.
Both the doctor and wife have been identified with the Methodist Episcopal Church since childhood. He has been an active worker in the Sunday-school of his own denomination, and also in those of the Baptist and Christian Churches, for he is not a narrow sectarian, be- lieving, rather, in doing good wherever an op- portunity presents itself. In politics he is a Democrat. and fraternally is a member of the Ma- sonic lodge at McGee. In 1887 he was initiated into the order in Scott county, Ark .. and later was transferred to Edna Lodge, of Fort Smith, Ark., where he served as master, and repre- sented the lodge in the grand lodge of the state.
JAMES TREASTER, a veteran of the Civil war, and a respected citizen of Payne county, was born in Pennsylvania in 1843. a son of Jacob and Margaret Treaster, like- wise natives of the Keystone state. He was reared as a farmer and received a district schoo! education, such as country lads obtained about half a century ago, in that section of the Union. When the Civil war came on three of the sons of Jacob Treaster volunteered in the defense of the Union, and all survived that terrible chapter in our country's history. Lewis and William
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and James, the sons mentioned, were in Penn- sylvania regiments, the latter being a private of Company E, One Hundred and Thirty-sev- enth Volunteer Infantry, and after nine months of hard campaigning, in 1862, was honorably discharged, on account of sickness, at Harris- burg, Pa.
Resuming his interrupted labors, as soon as he had sufficiently recovered, James Treaster continued to carry on farms in his native state until after the opening of this territory. In No- vember, 1889, he came to Oklahoma, and bought a homestead in Elm Grove township, Payne county, for his daughter, Anna. In the following year he purchased a quarter section of land in section 35, township 18, range 2, for himself, and has operated this place ever since, planting a good orchard, building a house and barns, and making other needed improvements.
Mr. Treaster was the supervisor of his town- ship for four years, and always has been deeply concerned in all local improvements benefiting the public. From the time that he first enjoyed the right of franchise he has loyally given his support to the Republican party in national af- fairs. He assisted in organizing the Grand Army Post at Perkins, and retains a warm in- terest in his comrades of the Federal army.
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