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DR. C. W. GOTCHER is a prominent physician and surgeon of Hobart, especially versed in the diseases of the eye, ear, nose and throat. He was born in Denton county, Texas, July 23, 1873, and was reared on a farm and began his educational training in the rural schools, later pursuing a general academic course, and after graduating there he worked on the farm and clerked in a drug store. While employed as a drug clerk he also read medicine under his father's direction and accompanied him on his rounds of visiting patients, thus gaining valuable information in diagnosing disease. In l891 he entered upon a course of study in the medical department of the University of Kentucky at Louisville, in which he graduated in 1898, and was at once licensed to practice by a Texas board of physicians. Later Dr. Gotcher attended for two terms and graduated in 1900 from the Memphis Medical College at Memphis, Tennessee, and opening an office at Garza, Texas, he soon built up a large and successful practice there; during his stay there also pursued a post-graduate course at the Chicago Polyclinic. He also pursued a course in the Illinois School of Electro Therapeutics of Chicago for the diseases of the eye, ear, nose and throat. studied the diseases of the same organs at the Polyclinic School of New Orleans, later at the New York Polyclinic, and he thus became thoroughly versed in the diseases of the head and body. Dr. Gotcher came to Hobart, in 1906, to assume the practice of his brother, Samuel A., who moved to Oklahoma City after building up a most successful practice here. Dr. C. W. Gotcher has not only succeeded in maintaining his brother's practice, but has broadened and widened his field of labor and he too expects to move to Oklahoma City in order to enjoy a still larger scope for his ability, there to abandon a general practice and specialize in the diseases of the eye, ear, nose and throat. He has a large library of both ancient and modern works, of which he is a constant reader, and in his office are all the modern appliances for successfully pursuing his , work, including a fine up-to-date X-ray machine.
     Dr. Gotcher is a son of Dr. William A. and Elizabeth (Sansford) Gotcher, natives respectively of Missouri and Alabama, and they were married in Texas. Dr. William A. Gotcher, born in 1836, moved with his parents to Texas in 1846, a son of William Gotcher, a prominent and influential farmer and slave owner. He was a leading factor in the early development of that state, and he died in Farmersville, Texas. His children were: Joshua, Joseph, William A., John, James, Edward, Missouri and Caroline. The son William grew to manhood's estate in Texas, receiving a liberal education, and became in time a farmer, slave owner and physician. During the Civil war he entered the Confederate service as a surgeon, and remained at Fort Washington Hospital until the close of the conflict, returning then to his home in the Lone Star state. After a short time he located in Denton, Texas, where he practiced medicine and farmed and in season also dealt quite extensively in cotton. He was a successful physician and surgeon, standing in the front rank of the profession, and he was a prominent and influential citizen, dying at his home in Garza, Texas. January 23, 1890. His widow yet survives and resides in Oklahoma City. Her father was a prominent farmer and slave owner in Alabama in the early days, and was a worthy member of the Methodist church. In his family were four children, Elizabeth, Horace, Letitia and Eugene. The children of Dr. and Mrs. Gotcher are: Robert A., who became a druggist and is now deceased; Samuel A., a prominent physician and surgeon in Oklahoma City; Elizabeth, the wife of S. Smith; Dora, the wife of G. W. Hansard; Cora, the wife of J. H. Morris, a prominent cattle man of Oklahoma City; Charles W., of this review; and Ermangard, the wife of H. P. Swisher, a druggist of Garza, Texas.
      In Texas, in October, 1893, Dr. Charles W. Gotcher married Miss Rosa E. Riley, who was born in that state, a daughter of W. E and Molly (Elbert) Riley, natives respectively of Mississippi and Missouri, and both members of prominent early families of Texas. Mr. and Mrs. Riley yet reside in that state, and they are prominent members of the Christian church. The Riley children numbered four: Rosa R., who became the wife of Dr. Gotcher; George W., a merchant of Garza, Texas;

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James, cashier of the Bank of Garza; and Elbert, who is also a merchant. Six children have been born to the union of Dr. and Mrs. Gotcher: William A., born October 23, 1895; Lola, in 1897; Charles W., in 1899; Hazel, in 1901; Thelma, in 1903; and Mary, in 1907. Mrs. Gotcher is a member of the Baptist church.

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cont.

DR. MARSHALL E. CHAMBERS, who is successful1y engaged in the practice of medicine and surgery at Gotebo, Kiowa county, Oklahoma, was born in Obion county, Tennessee, May l0, 1870, a son of Hardy D. and Amanda E. (Brewer) Chambers, who were born and married in Tennessee. Hardy D. Chambers is a son of Martin and Eliza (Poyner) Chambers, of North Carolina, where they were prominent planters and slave owners in the early days. In their family were twelve children, and the parents were members of the Baptist church.
     Hardy D. Chambers, the sixth of the twelve children, grew to manhood in northern Tennessee, and remained at home until the opening of the Civil war, when he enlisted in a New York regiment and went to the front. Soon afterward he was consigned to General Forrest's command, in which he served for over three years, and was in many of the hard-fought battles of the war. Some time after returning home he married and settled down to farming and stock raising, becoming especially successful in the handling of mules. He also operated a threshing machine for the accommodation of his neighbors, and continued successfully in Illinois until he closed out his business there in 1905 and came to Gotebo, Oklahoma, where he now lives retired from active labor. He has invested in two valuable tracts of improved land, and is a Democrat politically. Mrs. Chambers is a daughter of Calvin and Julia M. (Chandler) Brewer, both from Tennessee. Mr. Brewer served in the Confederate army during the Civil war, and was wounded in the right foot at the battle of Shiloh, which left him disqualified for service after a long hospital confinement, but it was not until after the close of the war that he reached home. He only partially recovered from his wound, and died later in Tennessee. He was a member of the Baptist church, and was a charitable Christian gentleman, loved and honored by all who knew him. Mrs. Chambers was the eldest of his seven children, and by her marriage she became the mother of four: Marshall E.; David Lee, a popular school teacher, farmer and stock man in Tennessee; Samuel, and Martin T., druggists in Gotebo. Mrs. Chambers has membership relations with the Baptist church, and Mr. Chambers is a member of the Masonic fraternity.
     Dr. Marshall E. Chambers, their eldest son, spent the early years of his life on a farm, attending first the country schools and later the Valparaiso University of Indiana, in which he graduated with the class of 1894. During the five years. following his graduation he taught school, but previous to this time, when a boy in his teens, he had read medicine with Dr. D. S. Demyries, of Pierce Station, Tennessee, who continued as his preceptor for two years, and then young Chambers attended lectures at the Medical University of Nashville, Tennessee, and graduated with the class of 1900, returning thence to Tennessee to assist his former preceptor in his practice. Soon afterward, however, Dr. Chambers came from there to Oklahoma and commenced practice at Blackburn in Pawnee county, and at the opening of Kiowa county in 1901 he carne to what was then known as Harrison, the name having since been changed to Gotebo, and here he has won a place among the leading representatives of the fraternity. Soon after coming here he in company with his brother erected a store building and engaged in the drug business, but he has since disposed of his interest therein and the store is now conducted by the brother. Dr. Chambers has given his entire attention to his practice with good results, and has won the confidence and support of the town and surrounding country, his practice extending for a distance of forty square miles around Gotebo. He is a member of the American Medical Association, also of the Oklahoma and Kiowa County Medical Associations, and of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Knights of Pythias.
     In Tennessee, in 1896, he married Miss Sadie Bond, who was born in that state, where her father, Thomas Bond, was a farmer for many years, but his birthplace was Mississippi. He served through the Civil war in the Confederate army, and subsequently returned to Tennessee and yet resides there, a faithful member of the Presbyterian church. Two children were born to Dr. Chambers by his first marriage, Elizabeth and Marshall. The elder, born in 1887, resides with the Bond family in Mississippi, and the son died when a babe of two months. In September, 1904,

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after his removal to Oklahoma, Dr. Chambers wedded Miss Mary Wright, who was born in Illinois, where her father died when she was young, and later the mother moved with her family to Nebraska, where she homesteaded and improved a good claim, and reared and educated her children. The daughter, Mary, after receiving a liberal education became a competent and popular teacher in Nebraska and Kansas, and later, after a thorough examination, was appointed by the United States government a teacher in the Rainy Mountain Indian School, where she taught for four years with excellent results. The union of Dr. and Mrs. Chambers has been blessed by the birth of two sons, Robert E. and Herbert, born respectively on the 9th of July, 1906, and October 6, 1907.

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cont.

DR. F. E. WALKER, a prominent physician and surgeon in Lone Wolf, was born in Madison county, Alabama, November 28, 1875, a son of William J. and Nannie C. Jones Walker, both of whom were also born in that state, and a grandson of Reed Walker, of Welsh descent and a native of Alabama where the family established their home in an early day in its history. In the family of Reed Walker were eight children: James M., who served through the Civil war with General Forrest; John D., a farmer; William J., of whom later; Robert and Alexander, .also agriculturists; Elizabeth, Rodema and Sarah. The family were members of the Cumberland Presbyterian church.
William J. Walker has spent his entire life in Alabama, a prominent farmer and minister in the Cumberland Presbyterian church. He has achieved renown in evangelistic work in Texas and other parts of the country, and his life work has, borne rich fruit. He was too young for service in the Civil war, but both armies passed over his home county, destroying everything in their wake. Rev. Walker has dedicated his life to the bettering of mankind, and is loved and honored by the many to whom he has ministered. In 1900 death came to his home and took from him his life companion. She was a daughter of Colonel Bill Jones, a prominent planter and slave owner in the ante-bellum days of Alabama. He assisted in moving the Indians from his district to Indian Territory, and was prominent in the construction of the railroad from Memphis to Chattanooga, being a heavy loser by the project. During the Civil war he was too old for active service, but used his influence and means in the support of the Confederacy. Be was a stanch Democrat in his political affil1ations, was an elder in the Cumberland Presbyterian church, and he passed away in 1888. His children were Sally, Bell, Nannie C, George, an attorney; John, a physician; and Levitt and James, farmers. Eight children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Walker, namely: Herbert L., a minister in the Cumberland Presbyterian church; Madeline, the wife of John Warren; F. E., who is mentioned later; Edgar W., a farmer; Mary R., the wife of William Miller; Ernest, a medical professor; and Clarence and Henry O., who are students.
     Dr. F. E. Walker after leaving the common schools pursued a full course and graduated with the degree of A. B. at the Cumberland University of Lebanon, Tennessee. After this he taught in the Robert Dannell High School in Gurley, Alabama, and following his year's work there began reading medicine with Dr. Graham. While under his preceptorship he accompanied him in his rounds of visits, attended lectures and received valuable information in diagnosing disease. Later he entered the medical department of Grant University, Chattanooga, Tennessee, in which he graduated with the class of 1900, and following this practiced one year in that state. In August of' 1901 he came to Oklahoma, and soon after the opening of Lone Wolf came to this city and has since practiced with success here. He is a member of the American Medical Society, the Oklahoma State and the Kiowa County Medical Societies, and is medical examiner for many of the leading Life insurance companies, including the Pacific Mutual and the New York Life and the Manhattan Life.
      In Tennessee, in 1900, he married Miss Susie E. Edwards, who was born in that state in 1883, a daughter of Arthur O. and Elizabeth (Prior) Edwards, also from Tennessee. Mr. Edwards served through the Civil war in the Confederate army, was captain of his company in the Twenty-third Tennessee regiment, and although at one time quite seriously wounded in the head he recovered and served until the close of the war. Returning home he resumed his farming and merchandising, and as a representative of the Democratic party filled many public offices. Both he and his wife were earnest members of the Cumberland Presbyterian church, and in their family were five children: George, a business man of Chattanooga; Edward, with the

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Union Pacific Railroad Company; Anna, the wife of Rev. B. M. Stockard; Susie E., who became Mrs. Walker; and Owen, chief of police in Chattanooga. Mr. Walker has fraternal relations with the Independent Order Of Odd Fellows, the Knights of Pythias and the Modem Woodmen Of America.

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cont.

WILLIAM C. MOORE descends from one of the most prominent old families of Tennessee. His paternal grandfather, Clean Moore, a man of wide acquaintance, was the owner f the Red Bridge Farm on the Houston river, and of the old country inn and stage stand there, where the wayfarer was always welcome, with or without money, and he served as hast to many statesmen and men of prominence in his day, an old time hospitable Southern gentleman. The Red Bridge inn was known throughout that portion, of the country, and there its popular proprietor died at a ripe old age. His children were: William, Kendrick, John C., Cleon, Margaret, Mary and Josephine.
      John C. Moore was brought up among the aristocracy of Tennessee, receiving a liberal education, and through the influence of his father and the senator of the state he became a student at West Point and graduated as a lieutenant in 1849, when twenty-six years of age. Afterward for four years he was with the United States military service in New Mexico and other places, and as he was absent from his wife and family all this time he asked far a furlough to return home, which was refused him and he accordingly resigned in 1854. Later he accepted a professorship at a popular seminary, in which he filled the chair of civil engineering until he, became the professor of the Shelbyville, Kentucky, Military College. At the opening of the Civil war he resigned his position there, and moving to Texas raised a regiment for, the Confederacy, the Second Texas Infantry; of which he was made the colonel, and his command was assigned to the Army of the Tennessee and took part in the siege of Vicksburg, where they were obliged to surrender and were, held as prisoners of war until paroled shortly afterward. Colonel Moore continued all through the heat of war, and for meritorious service at the battle of Shiloh received the rank of brigadier general, while after the battle of Lookout Mountain he was put in command at Mobile, Alabama, and remained there until the close of the war. Returning thence to his home in Texas, he had charge of the gas works at Galveston far two years, during a similar period filled the chair of mathematics at Capital Hill University, for three years was principal of the high school at Belton, Texas, for four years was principal of the high school at Coryell, and then going to Ennis, Texas, had charge far two years of all the schools there. From there he went to Mexico, that state, and after four years as principal of the graded and high schools there retired from his labors of the school room. He was numbered among the greatest educators of Texas in his day, and he is now spending the remaining years of his life at the home of his daughter in Coryell at the advanced age of eighty-four years, practically retired save for his correspondence with newspapers. His wife died in the spring of 1907, aged seventy-eight, both worthy members of the Episcopal church. Their union was blessed by the birth of four childten: William C., Sarah, now Mrs. Brittan, and with whom her father lives; John C., Jr.; and Edward C., of Mangum, Oklahoma.
     William C. Moore was born in Hawkins county, Tennessee, February 4, 1855, and when but a lad of six he moved with his parents to Texas, where he passed through the common schools .and graduated at the Souel University of that state. During several years after the completion of his education he clerked in a general mercantile store, then took up farming, and when twenty-two, in 1857, he married and began farming in Caryell county, continuing there very successfully for thirty years. Then purchasing an interest in a gin he, conducted it in connection with his agricultural pursuits until 1902, when he sold, his possessions in Texas to join the tide to emigration to Oklahoma. Locating at Lone Wolf he became associated with the Oklahoma Gin & Oil, Company and assisted in the erection of the first gin at this place. This company now own about ninety plants and many compress and oil mills in Oklahoma, and their combined output for the year of 1906 was over forty-five hundred bales. Mr. Moore has been in the ginning business for twenty-eight years, a practical and successful operator and cotton producer, and he now has full charge and management of the business at Lane Wolf for the Oklahoma Gin & Oil Company. He has also leased a quarter section of school land, which he has brought to a high state of cultivation and is engaged in raising , diversified craps, his home being in

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the town. His political affiliations are with the Democratic party and the only public service he has ever performed was as grand juryman in Coryell county, Texas. He has fraternal relations with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.
     Mrs. Moore bore the maiden name of Miss Rhoda Armstrong, and was born in Coryell county, Texas. Her father, John Armstrong, moved from Tennessee to that state in his early life and became one of its influential farmers and politicians. He was a stanch Republican and served in the Texas legislature under Provisional Governor Davis, the carpet bag governor, during the reconstruction period. He was also a very prominent Mason and a member of other societies, and he died in Coryell county in 1886. Both he and his wife were of the old-school Presbyterian faith, and they were the parents of three children: Sarah Dean, Rhoda Moore and John F, Armstrong. Eight children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Moore: John, a farmer; Gertrude, Mrs. Jayroe; Mary, Mrs. Schaull; Jessie, Mrs. Edwards; Dallas C., of New Mexico; and William D., Marvin M, and Leon, at home. The family are members of the Methodist church.

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cont.

GEORGE J. HELENA, the well known banker of Snyder, has been connected with the financial interests of this city since the early days of its inception. In 1903 he assisted. in organizing the Bank of Snyder, the officers being E. F. Dunlap, president; G. J. Helena, vice-president, Mr. Eastman, cashier, and A. J. Dunlap, director. These Dunlap Brothers, of Iowa, organized seventeen banks in Oklahoma and Indian Territory, and the Snyder bank opened with a good business and a five thousand dollar paid up capital. In June, 1907, its cashier, George J. Helena, purchased the controlling interest in the institution, and reorganized with himself as president, E. E. Helena, vice-president, and G. P. Vinson, cashier, and these officers also constitute the directors. The bank was reorganized with a cash capital of five thousand dollars, and now has $1,000 surplus; deposits of $32,918; notes and bills discounted, $11,374; loans and discounts, $27,980; and cash and light exchange, $14,322. Mr. Helena has had a long and successful banking experience, and has placed the Bank of Snyder among the solid financial institutions of the state. He also owns farms and outside property. Mr. Helena was born in St. Louis, Missouri, a son of George and Rachel (Windel) Helena, natives respectively of Maryland and Virginia. They were married in the former state, from whence they moved to St. Louis, Missouri, and soon afterward bought land in McLain county, Illinois, where they were numbered among the early pioneers, and both died at their old homestead there, worthy members of the Methodist church. Their five children were: Martin L. and Simon, who reside in Kansas; George J.; Lue and William, also of Kansas. The eldest son, Martin, is a farmer, but the three others who reside in Kansas are business men of Wichita.
      George J. Helena was reared on a farm in McLain county, Illinois, receiving a good education in the common and high schools, and also attending a business college. After leaving school he engaged in the hardware business at Wichita, Kansas, and in 1898 he left there and came to Oklahoma, first locating in the old town of Mountain View, where he continued in the hardware business until 1902. He then became the cashier of the Mountain Park Bank at Mountain Park, organized by the Dunlap Brothers, and he remained there until coming to Snyder to enter upon his long and prominent connection with the banking interests here.
     Mr. Helena was married at Wichita, Kansas, to Miss Emma Lain, who was born in Iowa, a daughter of Reuben Lain, of that state. He later became a prominent farmer near Wichita, where he yet resides, an honored veteran of the Civil war. His wife died at their home there, and he was a second time married. Mrs. Helena was the second born of the four children of the first union. Five children have blessed the union of Mr. and Mrs. Helena, namely: Percy, the teller of the Bank of Snyder; Cecil, a student; and Retha, Lessie and Pauline, at home. Mr. Helena is a member of the order of Masons, and of the Knights of Pythias and Elks fraternities.

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cont.

WILLIAM M. HARRIS. Prominent among the energetic, far-seeing and progressive men who have been instrumental in promoting and advancing the growth and prosperity of Mangum is William M. Harris, a wealthy capitalist, who has largely devoted his time and money to the establishment of industries that have already won for this wide awake city a firm position among the best municipalities of Oklahoma. A man of action and brains, he is ever on the alert,

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ready to take advantage of opportunities to further the manufacturing, mercantile, financial or building interests of the community, and has, mayhap, mre than any other individual assisted in its upbuilding. A son of William Harris, he was born, February 9, 1848, in Washington county, Arkansas, and there spent the first ten years of his life. Going then with the family to Missouri, he was brought up on a farm, and until past thirty-one years old received such educational advantages, only, as could be obtained at home, but after that age he attended school. and acquired a practical knowledge of the various branches of learning taught in the common schools.
     William Harris was born, reared and married in Tennessee, where he learned the trade of a cabinet maker. Going with his family to Missouri in 1858, he took up land, began the improvements on a homestead, and was there employed at farming, and at his trade, until the breaking out of the Civil war. Enlisting then in the First Arkansas Battery, he was commissioned lieutenant of his company, and, with the Department of the Mississippi, served in Missouri and Arkansas. In 1864, while on duty, gathering his number of horses, he was murdered by bushwhackers, and his body was subsequently sent home for burial. He was ever noted for his patriotism and public spirit, and in 1846 served in the Mexican war. His wife, whose maiden name was Margaret Kiffer, was born in Tennessee, in 1811, and died on the Missouri homestead in 1904, at the venerable age of ninety-four years. She was a woman of much force of character, a devoted member of the Methodist church, and brought up her family in a manner to reflect credit upon her teachings. Her children, eight in number are as follows: Andrew, of Gainesville, Texas; Susan, deceased, married Dock Wilks, and at her death left ten children; Francis M., of Dallas, Texas; William M., the subject of this sketch; Elizabeth, wife of George Sterrett, of Lincoln county, Oklahoma; Phebe J., wife of C. Smith; Kate, wife of George Wilks, a Missouri farmer; and Alice, who remained at home, and tenderly cared for her mother during her later years. She now owns and occupies the old home farm, which was deeded to her by her brother, William, who bought out the interests of the remaining heirs, and presented it to her.
      Remaining at home after his brothers had settled in life for themselves, William M. Harris assisted his mother in the management of the homestead until 1869, when he began life on his own, account. Locating in Texas, near Paris, Lamar county, he was engaged in farming and stock raising for nearly twenty years, being quite successful as an agriculturist. In 1887, disposing of his land in that section, he came to Oklahoma, bringing with him a herd of cattle, and located about twelve miles south of Mangum. Taking up a claim of four sections of land under the Texas laws, he tried the experiment of raising grain of all kinds, including wheat, oats and corn, but, very naturally, he failed, the severe drought being unfavorable to these crops. He succeeded subsequently in raising excellent crops of Kaffir corn and Milo maize, and decided in his mind that the agricultural products of Oklahoma should be limited, necessarily, to enough of these crops to feed stock. When the title of Greer county was settled in the courts, Mr. Harris closed out his stock business, but remained on his farm until 1901, when he took up his residence in Mangum. When the government divided the lands of Greer county, he retained the allotment of one hundred and sixty acres, purchased an adjoining one hundred and sixty at $1.25 an acre, and has since bought the remainder of the section, and now rents four farms there, and has another farm of one hundred and sixty acres which he rents.
     Settling in Mangum in 1901, Mr. Harris purchased one hundred acres adjoining the corporation, and now has, in addition to his commodious residence, several tenement houses, and will in the near future plat a Harris addition to the city. Soon after coming here, Mr. Harris with three other men, organized the Harris Grocery Company, he being made president, Mr. Tacket vice president, and Mr. Copps secretary, treasurer and business manager. At the end of two years Mr. Copps had the most money, the others the experience, and the venture, not being a financial success, was closed out. Subsequently, with a few farmers to assist him, Mr. Harris, in 1904, established a cotton seed oil mill, capitalizing it at $41,000. It was incorporated with W. M. Harris as president, James Little as vice president, and E. L. Derby as secretary and treasurer, and E. C. McKinzey as general manager. This enterprise proved so successful that its capital has been increased to $71,000, its ca-

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pacity to fifty-five tons daily, and it is now paying good dividends, and the Chickasha Oil Company has procured a part of the stock, although Harris is still the largest shareholder. This firm has, also, two cotton gins in Mangum, several tenement houses, and employs a large number of hands. Mr. Harris has many other substantial interests in the city, having erected the Harris House, a handsome two-story stone and brick structure, which is one of the best managed hotels, in this section, and likewise erected the Opera House, which is made of stone and brick, the ground floor being used for business purposes, with the auditorium above. He has also other buildings in the business section of the city, and in the residential portion has ten houses that he rents, some of them containing as many as fifteen rooms. He is an extensive property owner, and pays the largest individual tax of any person in Greer county.
     Mr. Harris' ventures have not always proved financially successful, as in the case of the proposed railway between Mangum and Abilene, which he, with six other residents of the city, promoted. Mangum was chosen as the northern terminus of the road, and these gentlemen bought the right of way through the town, and did a great deal of grading along the route, taking up subscriptions to pay for these. The railroad failed to continue the work, and the local committee, of which G. W. Boyd was chairman, and R. C. Echols secretary, had to pay all expenses from their own pockets, the subscribers refusing to assist unless the road should be completed.
     In 1867, Mr. Harris married Elizabeth Strothers, a native of Missouri, and daughter of Elisha Strothers, a farmer, who lost his life while in the Confederate service. His wife, whose maiden name was Malinda, survived him, lived for a number of years with Mr. and Mrs. Harris, and died at their home in Lamar county, Texas. She reared seven children, namely: Samuel, who died in Paris, Texas; Sally, now Mrs. Crouch; Mrs. Tabitha Gee, of Paris, Texas; Elizabeth, now Mrs. Harris; William died in Lamar county, Texas; Frank L., a farmer in Greer county, was brought up by Mr. Harris; and Burg, a farmer in Lamar county.
     Mr. and Mrs. Harris have no children of their own, but they have reared from childhood four orphans, educating them and caring for them as kindly as their own parents could have done. They took William McCoy when he was but a year old, gave him a good education, and he is now a prosperous real estate dealer in Blair, Oklahoma, They subsequently took into their home, and carefully reared three other children, Napoleon B. Strothers, aged four years, Anna Strothers, two years of age, and Dora Strothers, a year old. Napoleon B., now engaged in the grocery business in Mangum, is married and has three children. Anna is the wife of Mr. Carter, a successful agriculturist of Greer county. Dora, wife of Mr. Hambright, a ranchman in Hartley county, Texas, has one child.

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cont.

PROF. JOHN E. TAYLOR. It is perfectly safe to say that no person has a more thorough knowledge of the status of the Greer county schools than Prof. John E. Taylor, county superintendent of these institutions. His education, character, strong personality, and his many years of experience as a teacher, have eminently fitted him for the position which he is so well filling, and have gained for him the confidence and respect of a wide community. A son of the late William P. Taylor, he was born, May 28, 1872, in Montgomery county, Mississippi, coming from substantial Scotch-Irish ancestry.
     Born in Alabama, William P. Taylor was brought up and educated in Kentucky. From there he went when a young man to Mississippi, purchased land, and as a general farmer was meeting with most happy results when the tocsin of war rang throughout our fair land. Responding to his country's call, he, with four of his sons, enlisted in the Confederate army. His regiment being assigned to the Army of the Tennessee, he remained with it until the close of the strife, taking an honorable part in all of its campaigns, marches and battles, and, although he suffered the hardships, privations and exposures of camp and field, was never wounded nor taken prisoner. Returning home at the close of the war, he continued his agricultural labors, remaining on his farm until his death, in 1883. He was a man of sterling qualities, an unswerving Democrat in politics, and a member of the Missionary Baptist church. He was twice married, and by his first wife had twelve children, as follows: Jay, James, John, deceased; Benjamin, William, Albert, Betsey, Molly, Susan, Sally, Frances and Mary. He married for his second wife Anna Hurt, who bore him six children, namely: Emma, who mar-

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ried Dr. Hunter, of Texas, died, leaving one daughter; John E., the subject of this sketch; Walter N., principal of the Florence, Mississippi, High School; Edwin W., of Collins, Mississippi, editor of the Collins Commercial; Oscar B., of Jackson, Mississippi, an attorney-at-law; and Arthur H., engaged in teaching in western Texas. Mrs. Anna (Hurt) Taylor was born in South Carolina, daughter of Dr. W. A. Hurt, a prominent and popular physician, who settled in Mississippi in early life, and was successfully engaged in the practice of his profession at Winona until his death, about 1861. He was a citizen of prominence and influence, and both he and his wife, whose maiden name was Elizabeth Bomar, were esteemed members of the Missionary Baptist Church. They were the parents of seven children, namely: William A., Jr., a physician, was captain of a company in the Confederate army during the Civil war; R. E., a merchant, served in the Confederate army; Alden B., an attorney-at-law of Memphis, Tennessee, Doorkeeper of House of Representatives during both of Cleveland's administrations; Walter N., a newspaper man; Anna, the mother of Professor Taylor, is living near Jackson, Mississippi; Della, wife of R. H. Bond; and Josephine, wife of M. Darden.
      Brought up on the Mississippi homestead, John E. Taylor acquired his elementary education in the common and high schools, and the knowledge thus obtained was supplemented by intelligent reading and hard study. Having fitted himself for a teacher, he began his professional career in Texas, remaining as a teacher in its schools from 1891 until 1898. Coming then to Greer county, Professor Taylor taught in the rural schools until 1905, when he was elected to his present important position as County Superintendent of the Greer county schools. When he assumed the duties of his office, on July 1, of that year, the county embraced its original area, and contained one hundred and forty-six schools, in which eleven thousand pupils were enrolled. Under his intelligent supervision the number of both schools and scholars was increased, the number in November, 1907, when Oklahoma became a state, being one hundred and sixty-five rural schools, and sixteen thousand, three hundred and ninety-four pupils. The subsequent division of the county reduced the numbers, there being now eighty-one district schools, with an enrollment of eight thousand, six hundred and ninety-four.
He, together with his brother, A. H. Taylor, publish, manage and own the Mangum Star.
     In 1892, in Texas, Professor Taylor married Emma Bright, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. H. C. Bright, natives of Illinois. After farming in Illinois for a number of years, Mr. Bright moved with his family to Idaho, where he was meeting with excellent success in mining when, in the eighties, he was killed by an accident in the mine. His children were then away from home, attending school, and after the death of their mother, a few years later, they went to Illinois to live with their grandfather, Mr. Caldwell. In 1890 the two children, Emma and Ella, twins, came with a neighboring family to Texas, where Emma married, as above mentioned, Professor Taylor. Ella married J. H. Smith, who in 1901 came to Greer county, locating at Eldorado, where he is carrying on a prosperous business as a blacksmith. Mrs. Taylor and Mrs. Smith were brought up in the Presbyterian faith, to which they have proved true. The Professor and Mrs. Taylor are the parents of four children, namely: Allain, born in 1893; Anna, died in 1898, aged three years; Frederick, born in 1898; and Josephine, born in 1906.

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THOMAS N. SLATEN is a retired business man of Mangum, Greer county, who is managing and developing a large property, amassed by his Scotch will and thrift, broad business methods founded on common sense and those honorable dealings which inspire an enduring confidence. From the time of his coming to the community from Texas, in 1887, he has also been an untiring and influential supporter of the public interests and developmental institutions of Mangum, and now that he has reached a comfortable private station in life he is more than ever a strong factor in the city's fine advancement. Born in White county, Georgia, on the 25th of March, 1853, Mr. Slaten is the son of a representative planter and slave owner of the South, who, after his military service in behalf of the Confederacy, removed to Mississippi, where he died. The early years of the boyhood of Thomas N. Slaten covered the stirring and disorganized period of the Civil war, during which his education was necessarily somewhat neglected. He left his home in Georgia at fifteen years of age and later his family moved to Mississippi. Seeing little opportunity for such an advancement as his ambition demanded he left the old homestead and sought his field in the broad ranch life of the Texas plains.
     In 1868 Mr. Slaten found himself seeking employment in the streets of Dallas, Texas, and discovered his first opportunity for advancement in his new career with a cattle ranching firm in the capacity of a cowboy. He first took to the saddle in southwest Texas, and later drifted into the northwestern part of the state and over the Red river into Greer county, Oklahoma. After becoming well versed in the rough duties of a cowboy as the result of several years of widely extended experience, he was employed as a clerk in several Texas towns, and finally in 1887 settled in Mangum and commenced a careerI of permanent and unusual progress. For a number of years he was a general trader, but could always be depended upon to contribute something of his private gains to any enterprise which promised well for the general advancement. With the increase of his profits he gradually commenced to deal in real estate, buying, selling and erecting buildings, and developing property in every possible way. He erected the first modern house of amusement in the city, a fine brick structure, which has been pronounced the handsomest opera house in southwest Oklahoma, and he himself occupied space in the building for stocks of general merchandise and groceries. He is the owner of much valuable and productive residence property, and has also five well improved farms in the county, consisting of 1,200 acres, of which 700 acres are under cultivation and all rented to desirable tenants. His capital has been invested in such industries as cotton oil mills and compress and cotton yards, and his enthusiastic energy and infectious confidence are everywhere manifest in the most substantial forms. In politics, his Democracy is strong and founded on intelligent conviction, while his fellows have called upon him to assist in the conduct of public affairs by electing him to the aldermanic board.
      Samuel H. and Martha (Vonner) Slaten, the parents of our subject, were both natives of Georgia, of Scotch-Irish descent. They were married in that state, and there their children were born. The father was a prominent planter, a strong Democrat and quite influential in local affairs up to the period of the Civil war. He served throughout the Rebellion as a faithful soldier of the Confederacy, chiefly as sergeant of his company, and, although he was never wounded or taken prisoner, he endured with fortitude all the other hardships of military life in active warfare. At the close of the war he returned to his Georgia farm, but later removed to Mississippi, continued his agricultural pursuit_ under the changed conditions of labor, and finally died in that state. His wife was a daughter of John Vonner, also a Georgia farmer, of unpretentious, industrious and sterling character. Like her husband, she died in Georgia, both being worthy members of the Methodist church. The Vonner family consisted of George, William, Nancy, Sally, Betty, and Martha (Mrs. Samuel H. Slaten). Mr. and Mrs. Slaten were the parents of the following: Frank, who died in Mississippi and left two children; George W., who resides on the old Georgia homestead; John, who died in Mississippi; Thomas N., of this biography; James, who lives on the Mississippi homestead; Seth, Samuel and Nancy, who all died in Mississippi, the last named leaving a husband.
    Thomas N. Slaten has been twice married—first, at Dallas, Texas, in 1873, to Miss Charles S. Chinault, a native of that city and daughter of William and Ruth A. (Jackson)

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Chinault, early settlers of that locality. The father was a native of Indiana, a substantial farmer and stockman, and died in Cleburne, Johnson county, Texas. The widow resides with a son in New Mexico. The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Chinault were: Eliza; Charles, wife of Thomas N. Slaten; Dora, now Mrs. Day; Muggy, Mrs. Farris; B. M., a farmer; and J. E. Chinault, also engaged in farming in Greer county, Oklahoma. By his first marriage Mr. Slaten became the father of one child—George W., who is married and a substantial farmer of Greer county. The second marriage occurred, in 1893, at Vernon, Texas, to Miss Dolly Shipe, a native of the Lone Star state, born in 1876, who was left an orphan at an early age and thoughtfully and tenderly reared by Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Smith. Her brothers and sisters are as follows: Edward, a butcher of Headrick, Oklahoma; Fanny, now Mrs. Finch, who married a real estate man of McKinney, Texas; Mrs. Moody, who resides in Cleburne, Texas;. and Cora, a school teacher of Quanah, Texas. The second marriage of Mr. Slaten was blessed with two children, viz.: Laurabell, born August 22, 1895, and Fairford C., born February 12, 1904.