PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD OF OKLAHOMA 1901
Biographies on this page:
Brindley, James M.
Hatchett, J. A.
Stivers, John R.
Svanda, Joseph
White, George W.
Witcher, James T.
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JAMES M. BRINDLEY
is numbered among the enterprising farmers of Mustang township, Canadian county. When he came to Oklahoma in 1893 he bought a relinquishment and has since given his attention to the cultivation of this property, which lies on section 28, township 11, range 5. Much of his time is devoted to his orchard, which covers fifty acres and contains all of the best varieties of fruits. This of course adds greatly to the value of his place, and there is also a vineyard that is in bearing condition. Taken altogether, the place is one of the best in the township, and the owner is recognized as a progressive and deserving man.
Mr. Brindley was born in Indiana, a son of Abijah and Margaret (Cardwell) Brindley, natives, respectively, of Indiana and North Carolina. His paternal ancestors came from England, and were pioneers in this country, as were also the Cardwells. When our subject was three years old his father died, and he was only nine when death deprived him of his sole remaining parent. At that time he secured work on a farm and thenceforward was self-supporting. He continued as a farm hand until he attained his majority, when he started out in the world for himself. He had little to call his own, and what he has gained represents his unaided efforts. Leaving Indiana, he tried his fortune in the west, married and established his home on a farm in Nemaha county, Kans., where he tilled the soil for eight years. From there he came to Oklahoma in 1893 and settled on the place he still owns.
In politics Mr. Brindley is a Democrat. He believes in education and has served efficiently on the school board. While he is not identified with any church, he is in sympathy with religious work and a believer in the doctrines of Christianity.
In 1885 occurred the marriage of Mr. Brindley to Miss Emma Brown, a native of Ohio. They are the parents of five children, Edward W., Roy M., Jason B., James G. and Charles K.
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J. A. HATCHETT, M. D.
Among the prominent physicians of Canadian county, no one is held in higher respect than Dr. Hatchett, of El Reno. He was horn March 4, 1853, in Montgomery county, Mo., a son of LeRoy Hatchett, and a grandson of Joseph Hatchett. The family is of English origin, being able to trace their ancestry in a direct line back to the sixteenth century.
Joseph Hatchett was a Virginian by birth, but in early life became one of the pioneers of Indiana, whence he removed to Hancock county, Ill., where he lived for a while, not far from the town of Warsaw. He was a minister of the Christian Church, in which he held long pastorates, his last having been in Abingdon, Knox county, Ill. He was a pioneer preacher of that denomination, and a contemporary of Barton Stone and Alexander Campbell, prominent leaders in the early church history of those states. He and his sons assisted in driving the Mormons from Illinois, a measure to which the people were obliged to resort.
LeRoy Hatchett was born in Indiana and acquired his education mainly through his own efforts, attending school when he could in his native state and in Illinois. A self-made man in the truest sense implied by the term, he became one of the efficient ministers of the Christian Church, carrying on his active labors in various parts of Illinois, Missouri and Kentucky, where the influence of his good works are yet visible. Now, at the age of seventy-nine years, he is living retired, at Martinsburg, Mo., being the last of his father's family. He married Mary Adams, a daughter of Lebanon Adams, of Kentucky, and the descendant of an old family of that state. Her father became an early settler of Louisana, Pike county, Mo., where he spent his last years. She died at Farmington, Mo. Of the five children born of their union, but two are living, a daughter and one son, the doctor.
J. A. Hatchett received his elementary education in the public schools of Moberly, Mo., and in other towns of Randolph county in which his youth was spent. At the age of nineteen years he began teaching, and when he had accumulated sufficient money to defray his expenses completed the course at the Kirksville (Mo.) Normal School. He subsequently resumed the occupation of a teacher in Missouri, having been principal for a while in the Middlegrove and Renick schools. While thus employed he began the study of medicine with Dr. J. F. Keith, of Sturgeon, Mo. In 1882 he entered the College of Physicians and Surgeons, and in the spring of 1884 he was graduated from the Missouri Medical College at St. Louis, in which he took a postgraduate course in 1891. In 1896 Dr. Hatchett, who has been a lifelong student, never neglecting an opportunity to advance his knowledge of the science of medicine, took a post-graduate course in Chicago, and in 1899 took another course in the city of New York, studying under physicians of eminence in their profession.
In 1884 Dr. Hatchett began the practice of his profession in Sturgeon, Mo., and from there in 1886 he went to Clark, Mo., where he remained six years. In 1891 he settled in El Reno, where he has built up an extensive and lucrative practice, and won an extended reputation for skill and ability as a general practitioner. He has been very prominent in local matters, having served as president of the board of health from 1893 until 1899; has been a member of the El Reno school board since 1892, during which time great advancement in educational affairs has been made, new school buildings having been erected, the schools graded and other improvements formulated. For six years he was president of the pension board, having been appointed under President Harrison, continued through the administration of Cleveland, and reappointed by President McKinley, serving until he resigned to go to New York. He was one of the organizers of the Territorial Medical Association, of which he was president in 1897. Fraternally he is an Odd Fellow, and politically he affiliates with the Democratic party.
In Sturgeon, Mo., Dr. Hatchett married Mary Turner, who was born in Audrain county, Mo., being a descendant of one of its oldest and most respected families. Dr. and Mrs. Hatchett have three children, namely: Ray T., Olivette, and Louisa, Mrs. Hatchett is a member of the Christian Church, in which she is an active worker.
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JOHN R. STIVERS,
who served in the capacity of constable under the appointment of Governor Steele, prior to the organization of Oklahoma territory, is one of our most progressive and representative citizens. He takes great interest in the welfare of the Republican party, and keeps thoroughly posted in all of the prominent issues of the day.
The maternal great-grandfather of the above-named gentleman was Rufus Bennett, a hero of the Revolutionary war, and his patriotic spirit has been found in each succeeding generation of his posterity. He fortunately survived the dreadful Wyoming valley massacre in Pennsylvania and followed the peaceful avocations of a tiller of the soil. He married a lady of the same surname as himself, Martha Bennett, and their daughter, Celesta, was born on their farm in the Keystone state. She became the wife of Randall Stivers, a native of Kentucky, and the paternal grandfather of our subject. Of their children born in Pennsylvania, Thomas B. became the father of John R. Stivers. For a wife, Thomas B. Stivers chose Catherine Stucker, who, likewise, came of an old and respected family of that section of the Union. In occupation, Mr. Stivers was a joiner and carpenter, and made a good livelihood.
The birth of John R. Stivers took place in Luzerne county, Pa., in 1842. He was less than fourteen years of age when he commenced to work, driving horses on the towpath of the northern branch of the Susquehanna canal. When he was fifteen he undertook the heavy work of logging in the woods, and for some time was employed in peeling tanbark for use in the tanneries.
When nineteen years old, John R. Stivers enlisted in Company C. One Hundred and Forty-third Regiment of Pennsylvania Volunteers, and for three years, or until the war was terminated, he stood at his post of duty, making a record of which he has reason to be proud. Though such a young man, he early was fighting in the thickest of the fray, and, among the numerous important battles in which he participated, Chancellorsville and Gettysburg should be mentioned. In the last-named terrible strife he was wounded and when he had sufficiently recovered he was placed in detached service in the quartermaster's department of the Fifth Army Corps. Just previous to the second draft in New York state, the brigade was ordered to Hart Island, New York harbor, for the purpose of guarding prisoners and affording protection in case of riot. All on detached duty were then ordered to report to their respective companies. When the Civil war had ended, our subject was honorably discharged and mustered out of the service at Harrisburg, Pa.
Returning home, Mr. Stivers engaged in carpentering work until 1869, when he went to Shelby county, Mo., and bought a farm. In the Centennial year he went to Winfield, Kans., where he raised one crop, and then, going to the town of Grenola, in the same state, he resumed his former employment as a carpenter. About a year later he embarked in a livery business, which he disposed of in 1881, and later he was similarly occupied in Cowley and Harper counties, same state. In 1884 he sold his livery and for a twelve-month carried on a grocery at Harper. His next move was to the Chickasaw Nation, where he engaged in farming until Oklahoma was opened to the public. Making the run into this county with a host of others, he secured his present quarter-section of land, it being located in the northeastern portion of section 22, township it, range 5, Canadian county. He has met with marked success in his endeavors to raise paying crops, and also deals profitably in cattle and hogs. He has a well-kept orchard, a vineyard and a fine variety of small fruits.
In 1880 Mr. Stivers wedded Emily A., daughter of William and Catherine (Varvel) Thornton, all of Missouri. The parents are now residents of this county, and are highly esteemed by all who know them. Seven children bless the union of our subject and wife, namely: Grace T., Frank R., Annie E., Floyd, Mabel B., John Ray, and
McVay.
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JOSEPH SVANDA
is a successful agriculturist from other shores who has made a name for himself in his adopted territory of Oklahoma. He was born in Bohemia December 20, 1865, and in 1880 came to America, locating first in Omaha, and later settling near Iowa City, where he engaged in general farming and stock-raising. In the fall of 1880 his parents and six brothers came from Bohemia and made their home with him. For years they successfully and amicably conducted their farming enterprises, finally moving to Aurora county, S. D., and farming at White Lake for two years.
At Omaha Mr. Svanda married Anna Spican, of Bohemia. For six years he engaged in the iron-moulding business in Omaha. After traveling over the territory he took up his abode in Oklahoma City, and for four years engaged in the grocery business, after which he sold out his interest and moved to the Cherokee strip. In North Enid he conducted a large and successful business in the mercantile line, and also shipped hay and grain. While living there he became identified with the best interests of the place, and was president of the Farmers' Mill and Elevator Company, that erected the mill in which he conducted his business. He also was interested in the political developments of the community, and held the position of councilman for some years.
In 1899 Mr. Svanda thought to better his condition by a change of location, and moved to Yukon, where his parents and brothers are engaged in farming. Here also he has taken a great interest in the politics of the community, and has several times been a delegate to the county Republican conventions.
To Mr. and Mrs. Svanda have been born three children: John, William and Anna. Mr. Svanda is held in high esteem by the people of his locality, who appreciate his various excellent qualities, his integrity and reliability, and the spirit of generosity which impels him to lend material and other assistance whenever he is called upon to aid in the public welfare. In fact he is a credit to the many sons of Bohemia who have cast their lot among the free-loving people of America, and aided by their ability and sterling national traits the development and improvement of her resources.
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GEORGE W. WHITE,
who faithfully served his country throughout the Civil war, is deserving of special mention in the annals of Canadian county. In days of peace, as well as in those troublous times, he has loyally met every obligation as a patriot, and, as he justly deserves, he holds a high place in the hearts of his neighbors and associates.
The parents of Mr. White were Orin and Esther (Wagner) White, of New York state. They became pioneers of Wisconsin, making the journey to that state by way of the great lakes, and landing at the place now called Milwaukee. Soon afterward they went to the town now known as Waukesha, and subsequently the father opened a jewelry store in Racine. The mother died at her home in that thriving city in 1851, and ten years later Mr. White enlisted in the Eighth Wisconsin Infantry, often termed the "Eagles." He nobly stood at his post of duty, winning the commendation of his superior officers, but the hardships and exposure to inclement weather undermined his health and he died with typhoid fever
and was burred at Sykestown, Mo. Like the majority of inventors, he never realized much from the numerous inventions which he originated, though several of them possessed undoubted merit. He had patent rights to a valuable improvement for lightning-rods, a knitting-machine and the Beehive sewing-machine (used in sewing up the legs of boots), and the telephone, in one of its crude forms.
George W. White was born April 3, 1842, in Cortland county, N. Y. His education was necessarily limited, as the primitive schools of Wisconsin in his boyhood were few and poor. He had commenced learning the carpenter's trade when the war between the north and south began, and though he was only nineteen years of age he possessed the same patriotic ardor which animated his father. He enlisted in Company A, Fourth Wisconsin Infantry. After the battle of Port Hudson his company was provided with horses, and later was counted among tlie regular cavalry. Much of Mr. White's army service was in the department of the Gulf, and at the end of three years he veteranized. In 1862 he was under the leadership of Gen. Benjamin Butler, and proceeded on a transport up the Mississippi river nearly to Vicksburg. On the way the troops took part in a number of skirmishes, and the boat ran the blockade on her return journey and was under heavy fire as she passed the batteries at Grand Gulf, Mr. White had two especially narrow escapes during the war. On one occasion he was the mark for a squad of about twenty Confederates and though they wasted considerable, ammunition on him he almost miraculously escaped without being even slightly wounded. He had started out on his trusty horse to seek a favorite gun which had been lost, and was surprised by the enemy. Another time he had refused to accompany a comrade on an evening expedition, and thus escaped being captured. In December, 1864, he was a convalescent in the hospital at Camp Distribution, near New Orleans, when he was mustered out of the service, though he had been detailed as an escort to General Sheridan, while his own regiment had been sent to the Rio Grande river locality.
Returning to his old home in Racine he continued to reside there until 1883, when he removed to Shelby, Polk county, Neb. For a few years after the close of the war he conducted a photographer's business, and when he found it unprofitable he engaged in carpentering work, often taking and executing contracts. When he went to Nebraska he bought two hundred and forty acres of wild land, and for a period he was occupied mainly in the building of bridges and in contracting. In this manner he earned the means to make desirable improvements upon his homestead, and it was not until 1891 that he finally disposed of the property. In July, 1889 he came to Oklahoma and located on the land where he lives today�his shelter at first being merely a shanty. Later he built a substantial sod-house, and in January, 1890, his family came to the new abode. In the winter of 1892-93 he put up the comfortable dwelling which stands on the farm, and in 1897 he bought another quarter section of land. Thus he now owns the southern half of section 29, township 14, range 6 west.
The marriage of Mr. White and Mrs. Helen M. Dunn took place in Racine, Wis., December 13, 1866. She is a daughter of William H. and Mary (Mitchell) Higgie, and by her marriage she is the mother of five sons and two daughters, namely: Lillie, wife of Frank IngaHs, of Creek Nation; George M., who married Sophia Bailey, and resides in section 20, township 14; Mary G., wife of Frank T. Kidd, of Springfield, Ill.; Albert, Clarence, Garfield and Marshall. With the exception of the last-named, who was born in Nebraska, the children are natives of Racine, Wis. William Dunn, the child of Mrs. White's first marriage, resides with her.
In 1864 Mr. White cast his first presidential vote for Lincoln, and ever since that time he has been a stanch Republican. In 1896 he was elected to the office of township clerk. While a resident of Nebraska he served on the local school board, and meantime a schoolhouse was built in the district. In 1892 he was actively concerned in the effort to secure a postoffice at Clearmont, and three years later the name was changed to Racine. He has had the contract for the building of three bridges, one at Daniel's crossing, across Uncle John's creek; another known as Brown's bridge, and a third at Daniel's Crossing, when the first one there had been swept away by a flood. While living in Racine, Wis., he became a member of McDonowth Lodge No. 137, I.O.O.F., and, besides filling all of the chairs in the lodge, he was chosen as its representative to the grand lodge of the state. He also acted in the capacity of deputy grand master of the Encampment.
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JAMES T. WITCHER
Came to Oklahoma when it was first opened, taking up a claim in El Reno township, Canadian county, and he has been located here ever since, engaging in general farming and stock-raising in a very successful manner.
Born in Saline county, Mo., Mr. Witcher comes of good Virginia ancestry, his forefathers locating there at a very early date. His grandfather, James Witcher, was born in Virginia and migrated to Missouri in 1833, being one of the first settlers in Saline county, where he carried on stock farming extensively. He remained there until his death, which occurred in 1887, at the age of seventy-seven years.
Jesse T. Witcher, the father of our subject, was born in Howard county. Mo., and has been a resident of that state during all of his life, with the exception of the time spent in the service
during the Civil war. He has always been a fanner and has engaged in farming and stock-raising on an extensive scale. Though now sixty-six years of age, he is still a very active man. He was united in marriage with Nancy Gresham, a native of Kentucky, and a daughter of Taylor Gresham, a well-known breeder of horses and mules. To the union of Jesse T. and Nancy Witcher were born the following children: James T.; William H., who lives in Missouri; Jesse, who is farming for the government on the Darlington reservation; Walter and Emmett. Mrs. Nancy Witcher died in August, 1874. Afterward Mr. Witcher married Ellen Gresham, a cousin of his first wife. By this union he had the following named children: Etta; Ella, the wife of Waiter Wilson; Benjamin, deceased; Mrs. Pearl Johnson; Denna, deceased; Daniel, a resident of Missouri; Virginia; Earl and Jessie. Mr. Witcher and his family still reside on the old homestead in Saline county, Mo., where he has lived for forty-three years.
James T. Witcher was reared on a farm and received a country school education. On account of illness, in 1874, at the age of nineteen years he went to El Paso county, Colo., and he lived at Colorado Springs for two years, following stockfeeding amd ranching. In 1877 he went to northern New Mexico, along the Colorado line, and with Levi & Walson contracted and furnished ties for the Topeka, Atchison & Santa Fe Railroad. He remained along the line for four years, during the construction of the road from Tremont to Flagstaff, Ariz., and in 1882 came to the Cherokee Indian Nation he began farming and cattle raising, leasing one hundred acres of land, and continued at that with fair success until Oklahoma was opened. He then brought one carload of stock to Kansas City, and took up the northeast quarter of section 12, El Reno township, Canadian county, Oklahoma. To this property be has made many great improvements, putting one hundred and thirty acres under the plow and erecting substantial farm buildings. He has a very good orchard and also a small vineyard. In cattle he keeps nothing but Shorthorns of good quality, having from fifteen to twenty head; also hogs and some good horses. His principal crops are wheat, oats and corn. He also owns some valuable real estate in the town of El Reno.
In 1883 Mr. Witcher was united in marriage with Virgie Pearson, and they are the parents of four children, whose names are as follows: Beulah, Grover C., Ruth and Addie. In politics he is an unswerving supporter of the Democratic party, and takes an active interest in party affairs, being well informed on all matters of general public interest. For two years he served in the capacity of school director. Fraternally, he is a member of El Reno Lodge No. 7, A. F. & A. M., and has passed through the various chairs to senior deacon. He is also a member of Keystone Chapter No. 9, R. A. M., and is a charter member of El Reno Lodge, I. O. O. F
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