Oklahoma Genealogy - Oklahoma Genealogy

1905 Snyder Oklahoma Tornado

On May 10, 1905, a devastating tornado struck Snyder, Oklahoma, leaving over a hundred dead and many more injured. The storm obliterated buildings, causing extensive property damage and rendering hundreds homeless. Eyewitness accounts describe harrowing scenes, with frantic rescue efforts amid chaos and destruction. The aftermath saw a community rallying for relief, as surrounding towns sent supplies and volunteers. Despite the horror, stories of bravery emerged, highlighting the community’s resilience. A memorial effort began promptly, with a General Relief Committee organizing assistance for the injured and homeless, as Snyder faced the immense challenge of rebuilding.

1895 Indian Nations Map

The following map cutouts come from the 1895 Rand, McNally & Company’s Indexed Atlas of the World. They are specific to the Indian Nation.

Dawes Commission Negotiations

In August 1897, the National Keetoowah Convention members expressed strong opposition to the Dawes Commission, which aimed to negotiate new treaties that would change the Cherokees’ land and governance. They demanded that the U.S. respect their existing treaties, arguing that their rights had been violated. During conferences with the commission, full-blooded Cherokees eloquently conveyed their desire to maintain their sovereignty and criticized the imposition of white laws, urging for the preservation of their laws and treaties. The commissioners acknowledged their sentiments but stated that Congress’s decisions were beyond their control, highlighting tensions over tribal rights.

Trust Funds

On January 1, 1870, the U.S. Government managed several trust funds for the Indians of Northeastern Oklahoma, including significant sums for the Cherokee and Creek tribes. The text critiques the misconceptions held by Easterners about Native Americans, particularly the portrayal of the Five Tribes. It highlights the disconnect between traditional stereotypes and the contemporary realities of these tribes, emphasizing their modern identity over outdated romanticized images. This underscores a need for greater understanding and respect for the current lives and representations of the members of these tribes.

Kiowa County Oklahoma Genealogy

Kiowa County, Oklahoma, was established in 1901 from lands that were part of the Kiowa-Comanche-Apache Reservation. Originally home to the Kiowa tribe, the county’s seat is Hobart, and early settlers arrived between 1901 and 1906. Vital records began in 1908, and crucial historical events include the Great Western Cattle Trail and the 1905 Mountain View tornado. Researchers can access county records at the Hobart courthouse, which contain valuable information about early families and significant local history.

Grissom Cemetery

Grissom Cemetery is situated near Rocky, Oklahoma, and falls under the management of Kiowa County, responsible for its maintenance. The cemetery contains 55 marked graves and approximately 20 unmarked field markers. Notable burials include the families of Grissom, Bachelor, and Evans, with individuals dating from the mid-19th century to the early 20th century. The area serves as a historical site, reflecting the local heritage and ancestry of those interred there.

Kiowa County Oklahoma Pioneers

The following articles contain information about a variety of early pioneering families of Kiowa County, Oklahoma. They come from a variety of published and unpublished sources.

Frank Lugert – Immigrant And Pioneer

Frank Lugert, born in 1869 in Bohemia, was a courageous immigrant who became a prominent pioneer in Kiowa County, Oklahoma. After immigrating to America at age 13, he participated in historic land openings and founded the town of Lugert, establishing a general store and post office. The town thrived until it was devastated by a tornado in 1912, leading to its decline. Despite challenges, Lugert rebuilt and continued to serve the community. He passed away in 1958, remembered for his contributions to the development of Kiowa County.

Wanzor Family of Mountain View

The narrative chronicles the lives of Harry and Mary Wanzor, Oklahoma pioneers, as recounted by their daughter, Sarah Eva Wanzor Stone, in 1977. They journeyed from Kansas to Oklahoma in 1896, establishing a homestead while experiencing hardships and community life. The story highlights their agricultural endeavors, family milestones, and contributions to local society, culminating in Harry’s death in 1934 and Mary’s later years in San Antonio. Their legacy continues through Sarah’s writing, aimed at preserving their experiences for future generations of Wanzor descendants, solidifying their connection to Mountain View.

Mansell Family of Kiowa County

Judge John William Mansell, the first County Judge of Kiowa County, had roots in South Carolina before relocating his family to Oklahoma Territory. After facing hardships and numerous relocations, they settled in Hobart, where Mansell served as a respected judge and community leader. His public service and personal life included managing a newspaper and caring for his family amid challenges, such as smallpox and natural disasters. He upheld the belief that public office belonged to the people and was active in local church and civic activities until his death in 1929.

Marie Bailey Anderson

Marie B. Anderson recounts her family’s journey from Tennessee to Oklahoma, detailing her parents’ dreams of the West and their life in Lone Wolf. Growing up amidst challenges, she shares vivid memories of school, family dynamics, and community events. Marie reflects on her childhood experiences, including friendships, hardships, and the transition from horse-drawn transport to automobiles. After leaving Oklahoma in 1918, the family settled in Alabama, where she completed her education and married Forrest Lee Anderson, Jr. Marie’s nostalgic narrative highlights resilience and the evolving nature of her upbringing.

Colonel Lewellen Clay

Colonel Lewellen Clay moved to Kiowa County from Michigan at age 15 and established a law practice in Hobart in 1901. He married Edna Finley in 1902, the daughter of the county’s first judge. Prominent in the Masons, Clay shared humorous anecdotes from his life, including his adventurous arrival in Oklahoma and amusing encounters while surveying land. His granddaughter, Sallie Sue Nunn Groves, treasures family stories and writings passed down from Clay.

1905 Mountain View Tornado

This Mountain View Progress article recounts the devastating cyclone that struck Mountain View, Oklahoma, on November 4, 1905, resulting in seven deaths and numerous injuries. The storm caused extensive destruction, uprooting buildings and machinery, including the local gin where several victims lost their lives. Eyewitness accounts detail the chaos and the community’s quick response in caring for the injured and deceased. The article highlights the tragic loss of J. S. Barkley and his family members, as well as efforts made by neighboring towns to assist in recovery and relief.

Arthur T. Henderson, Merchant

Arthur T. Henderson, at 83, is likely Kiowa County’s oldest merchant, having operated his store in Cold Springs since 1913. Though the store has diminished to mostly selling soda and bread, Henderson continues to run it partly to stay active and connect with the community. Known for his independent spirit and Biblical scholarship, he is an enduring fixture in Cold Springs, a community that has significantly reduced in population. His life reflects the history of the area and its evolution, as he reminisces about its vibrant past despite the store’s later challenges.

Fannie M. Bramblett Letters

In 1901, Fannie Mae Bramblett, a 24-year-old schoolteacher from Texas, won a 160-acre land claim in Kiowa County during a lottery for homesteads in Oklahoma. Along with the land, she attracted suitors eager to marry her, leading to a collection of letters from them, which her great-niece, Jacqueline Gray, has shared with the Kiowa County site. Fannie, who later married George Arnold, lived in New Mexico until her death at 98 in 1975. The letters showcase the romantic pursuits of men hoping to win her affection amidst the excitement of the land lottery.

Charley Tannyhill, Our Neighbor

In 1929, at three years old, the author recalls riding Mr. Charley Tannyhill’s horse, an experience that ended with a fall into a plowed garden. Mr. Tannyhill, a local homesteader from Indiana, developed the Circle Dot Ranch in Kiowa County, where he lived a unique life, marked by his time with the Ringling Brothers Circus and his unconventional lifestyle. Known for his generosity, he welcomed visitors and had a quirky personality. He passed away in the 1950s.

Mrs. W. A. Thompson Ancestors

This article reflects on the ancestry of Mrs. W. A. Thompson, tracing her family roots from Ireland and Scotland to America. It describes the history and culture of the Scots and Irish, their struggles and resilience in the face of adversity, and their migration to America where they settled and contributed to frontier life. The narrative highlights personal experiences, family connections, and a commitment to community and faith.

Sauerberg Brothers

Mark and Bill Sauerberg, originally from Holstein, Germany, immigrated to the U.S. in 1891. After ten years of moving south through various states, they settled in Lone Wolf, Oklahoma. They established businesses, including a livery stable and later a dray business, while building friendships, including with Native American Chief Lone Wolf. The town was named Lone Wolf in 1912, reflecting the brothers’ influence. Bill later started a successful chicken farm, showcasing their entrepreneurial spirit and resilience through adversity, including natural disasters and encounters with outlaws.

Dick Holly, Trail Drive

Before the 1901 opening of the Kiowa-Comanche-Apache Reservation, eastern ranchers leased pastures from Native tribes. Notable among these was the Texas Waggoner ranch. Early cowboys, including Dick Holly, worked for these ranchers in the late 19th century. Holly’s narrative recounts a cattle drive in 1887, detailing challenges such as managing longhorns, finding water, and navigating by stars during night drives. He describes the camaraderie among cowboys, their reliance on trusted horses, and the hardships faced, including harsh weather and limited supplies during their long journey to New Mexico, where they ultimately settled.

The Art of Cattle Trailing

Cattle trailing emerged as the primary method for transporting cattle to market in the late 19th century, particularly in Texas. Spanning from 1866 to 1890, this practice allowed cattlemen to market surplus livestock economically, often facing challenges like hostile farmers and quarantines. Notable trails include the Chisholm and Western Trails, which facilitated the movement of millions of Texas cattle northward, especially after the Civil War. Innovators like Joseph G. McCoy established key markets, while contract drovers played a vital role in cattle drives, underscoring the significance of this tradition in American frontier history.

Atoka County Fighting Men

THE FIGHTING MEN OF OKLAHOMA was published in 1948 by the Victory Publishing Company of Oklahoma City. The theme of the series was “A Remembrance, An Appreciation, A Memorial.” Six volumes were planned, but for some reason, only two were completed. Volume one is a history of the Second World War. In the back of this first volume were pages dedicated for the owner’s military records, notes, stories, names and address of friends, autographs, etc.; much like a school yearbook might be. The second volume is filled with photos and short biographies of the men and women who served in the U.S. Military who were from Oklahoma. Apparently, the information of the featured men and women was sent to the publishers by their families who later had to purchase the volumes if they wanted them. These extracted names and photos are of persons who had an Atoka County connection.

Biography of Angus A. Spring

In 1937, shortly before his death, Angus A. Spring responded to a questionnaire from the Works Progress Administration for project S-149, the Indian Pioneer History Collection. This project was jointly sponsored by the University of Oklahoma and the Oklahoma Historical Society. It was conceived and carried on primarily with the view to collect from living witnesses vital facts and impressions of pioneer life in Oklahoma. The field worker, Waren D. Morse then took this information to the editors who insured two copies were made, one for each of the sponsors.

From Wooden Rigs to Test Tube Methods

Oil has been central to Ardmore’s growth, starting with an 1888 discovery in Healdton. Significant exploration began in 1903 by H.B. Goodrich, who found the Wheeler Field, with wells still active today. The Healdton Field boom commenced in 1913, and by the next year, over 275 wells were operational. The Hewitt Field discovery in 1919 and its record-breaking well in 1924 furthered Ardmore’s prominence. Recent efforts focus on rediscovering oil in older fields. Carter County is home to 11% of Oklahoma’s oil wells, equating to 10 wells per square mile. Ardmore houses major oil firms and the Ben Franklin Refinery, the county’s second-largest employer.

The Good Old Days

On September 1, 1955, J. E. Williams wrote to the editor of the Daily Ardmoreite reflecting on the way life has changed since 1889. He contrasted the limited resources, poor educational system, absence of public infrastructure, and prevalence of diseases of his boyhood in Ardmore, Indian Territory, with the modern advancements enjoyed in 1955. Williams recalled a world without telephones, electricity, or paved roads, where survival amidst diseases and crime was a harsh reality, vastly different from the conveniences and opportunities available to children of his day. Despite hardships, Williams felt proud of societal progress, including improved employment conditions, community support through the Community Chest, and increased church participation. He commended the present advancements in technology and education, hoping for a bright future for the youth of his time.

Early History of Carter County Oklahoma

Before 1820, Southern Oklahoma was mostly inhabited by scattered plains Indian tribes until treaties with the federal government ceded lands to the Choctaw Nation, one of the Five Civilized Tribes. The Choctaws moved west of the Mississippi to their new home beginning in 1832 on the difficult trek known as the “Trail of Tears.” Throughout the following decades, the land transitioned from Indian to white ownership, as the Chickasaws purchased the right to establish districts in Choctaw land, later forming the Chickasaw Nation with its own government and counties.

Over time, the increasing presence of white men, such as ranchers from Texas utilizing the permit system for grazing, led to a blend of populations and the gradual erosion of Indian land rights. As railroads and settlers flooded into the area, tensions and conflicts arose, culminating with the Curtis Act and Dawes Committee which all but dismantled communal land ownership, allotting individual plots to tribe members.

Ardmore emerged as a significant settlement in the Chickasaw Nation, becoming the Carter County seat at Oklahoma statehood in 1907. The discovery of oil in 1913 greatly impacted the county’s economy, transforming it industrially and socially. Carter County’s history reflects a complex tapestry of expansion, indigenous resilience, and the evolution of community through adversity.