Bryan and Marshall County, OK - Biography - Judge Isaac Overton Lewis http://files.usgwarchives.net/ok/marshall/biography/l2000001.txt http://files.usgwarchives.net/ok/bryan/bios/l2000001.txt --------------------------------- Copyright © 2000 by Ella Brown ellabbrown@email.msn.com This copy contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives. --------------------------------- USGENWEB ARCHIVES NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by any other organization or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contributor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access. ------------------------------------------------------------------ Sources: Marie Garland “Chickasaw Loves and Allied Families” My interviews in the 1980’s with: Aunt Alta Lewis Wyrick -daughter of Isaac Overton in Atoka, Okla. Sarah Ann Shaw-daughter of Fitzhugh Lewis in Madill, Oklahoma LoRene Reirdon in Madill, Oklahoma Excerpts from an article with unknown author. ------------------------------------------------------------------ JUDGE ISAAC OVERTON LEWIS My ggrandfather Isaac Overton Lewis was the son of William L. Lewis and Elsira Love. He was the father of Claudie Ella Lewis and grandfather of Jack Joseph Reirdon. (my father) He was born Nov. 14, 1856, at old Fort Washita and was reared by his maternal grandfather Isaac Love. He is buried in the Oakland Cemetary. For many years one of the conspicuous representatives of the Chickasaw Nation, a leader in its politics, a popular official, able lawyer and wise judge, and now one of the strongest characters in the founding and development of the new state, Judge Isaac Overton Lewis, of Madill, Marshall county, is recognized throughout southern Oklahoma as one of the most prominent representatives of that sturdy band associated with the work and influence of the famous Love family. His mother Elsira Love (1815- 1857/59) was the daughter of Isaac Love and Eliza McKinney. Elsira Love’s grandparents were Thomas Love and Sally Colbert (daughter of Logan Colbert). His father, William L Lewis, (1823-1897) came to this country from Wales with his brother and under the supervision of some one in this country until they could support themselves. Family tradition is that William and Elsira left Holly Springs, Miss. in 1845 and settled near Fort Washita where Lewis worked for the Government as a blacksmith.They accompanied the Loves and many other prominent Chickasaws who migrated to Pickens county, Indian Territory. She died in 1857, leaving the following children: Mary, Beatrice, Jennie, and Isaac Overton, of this biography. After his mother’s death, Isaac O. Lewis was reared in the home of his maternal grandfather Isaac Love until he was twelve years of age. He returned to his father in Texas, but after living for two years at Colbert Station became dissatisfied, ran away and found a home with a Mr. Ingham in Collin County. Remaining there for two years he next went to Coleman County, Texas, and worked for a like period on a ranch owned by Grounds and Taylor. Returning to Collin county he became a member of the family of George W. Coffman, a school teacher and a good man who took a deep interest in the youth and was the means of stimulating his mental capacities toward the large fruition of the after years. Through his earnest friend and his won earnest application he became well grounded in the common branches, and when he returned to the Chickasaw Nation and entered the employ of Judge Overton Love, then a ranchman at Love’s Bend. He was a fine example of the young man of this region, strong and alert both mentally and physically, and capable of taking advantage of the varied opportunities which may only be seized by such virile personalities. After remaining four years with “Sobe” Love, Mr. Lewis engaged with the “Three I” Cattle Company as its superintendent at Cornish, where the business was really operated in his name. Later he took charge of the Jerry Washington ranch, eight miles west of Fort Arbuckle, and remained thus employed for four years. Becoming an independent stockman he located just west of Ardmore, Carter county, and was in that locality until the Santa Fe Railroad was built, where he erected the first three residences in the new town, which he made his home until 1900. He organized the Madill Town Site Company and became a prime figure in its development. Soon after settling in Ardmore Judge Lewis entered the employment of R. Hardy, a merchant, but soon became interested in the political situation and as an active Democrat was appointed county clerk under the Indian jurisdiction. This position tended to soon familiarize him with the statutes and legal and judicial procedures and he also pursued a thorough course of reading in the office of Hardy and Potter. Isaac Overton Lewis was first married to Rebecca Jones, daughter of Jerry Jones, a non-citizen. She died in Ardmore in 1857. There were 3 children of this union: An infant daughter Jennie, Claudie Ella ( 1883- 1946 ), and Quincy Hardy. (Claudie Ella shared this information with her daughter-in-law LoRene T. Reirdon concerning her parents:) My mothers father died before she was born and my Grandmother and my own mother died when I was 4 years old. Have been told by many people, she was the most beautiful character and loveable person in her day. Daddy Lewis was said to be one of the best Lawyers and best versed in Indian affairs of any in Indian Territory. One thing of his I was proud, although he was not perfect--He was never known to open or close court without the Lord’s Prayer. He was County Judge of Marshall County for 16 years. Probate Judge for Indian affairs for 25 years and Lawyer for Frisco Railroad for 25 years. Isaac Overton Lewis was married a second time to Loretta Yeargin. There were four children born to this union. William Chelsey (1892-1965), Dixie Ellen b. 1894, Alta b. 1895, Gen. Fitzhugh Lee b. 1898 , and Lillian Madill b.1900 Isaac Overton Lewis was married a third time to Mary E. Lucus. * Aunt Alta told me he had been married a third time and she had met his daughter Tiguana . In this article it is mentioned, James F. Lewis, now living in Seynour, Texas. It appears that he had two children. In 1888 he was admitted to the bar of the court of the Indian Territory, and in 1892 by the Federal court, before Judge James Shackelford. He held the latter office for four years, and in 1805 was elected district judge, resigning in the following year to accept the place of delegate to Washington to protest, for the Chickasaw Nation, against the Choctaw agreement. In September 1896, the report of the commission of which he was a member was made to the legislature, and he was afterward elected by that body to formulate what is knows as the Atoka agreement, which was signed April 23, 1897. At the conclusion of this work, Mr. Lewis’ official services for the nation ended, and he located in Oakland for the practice of law. When the Frisco Railroad was built into the country he organized the Madill Town Site Company, and with others, laid off the town in 1900. With W.N. Taliaferro he purchased a half interest in the site, and commenced to plat and sell lots. Soon afterward he formed a partnership with George E. Rider, with whom he resumed his law practice. The firm is the local representative of the Frisco road, and has substantial business of high grade. Judge Lewis has considerable property interests in and near Madill and his family allotments, which are valuable and productive, are in the vicinity of Oakland or adjoin it. In the formative period of the state and ever since, the Judge was an active figure and a valued counselor, and is now a most enthusiastic believer in the splendid future of Oklahoma. He was a very prominent Mason, having served as master of Oakland lodge for six years and represented the grand lodge upon several occasions. He was also an Odd Fellow and identified with the Woodman of the World. Submitted by: Ella Byrd Reirdon Brown