Marshall and Bryan County, OK - Benjamin Overton, Gov. Chickasaw Nation http://files.usgwarchives.net/ok/marshall/newspapers/o1630001.txt http://files.usgwarchives.net/ok/bryan/newspapers/o1630001.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. ------------------------------------------------------------------ Source: Excerpts for The Chickasaw Times November-December, 1980 ------------------------------------------------------------------ B.F. Overton Was Energetic Tribal Governor Benjamin F. Overton Governor, Chickasaw Nation Excerpts for The Chickasaw Times November-December, 1980 Benjamin Franklin Overton, was born Nov. 2, 1836 in Mississippi, and died Feb. 8, 1884 at his home on the Red River in Oklahoma. Overton was the son of John Overton and the former Tennessee Allen. His family moved to Indian Territory (Oklahoma) in the Early 1840’s, settling on a farm near Colbert in Bryan County. His father, who was a white lumberman, deserted the family early in Benjamin’s life, and his mother died soon after. Following the desertion of his father and the death of his mother, young Franklin Overton was raised by his uncles, Isaac (my ggggrandfather) and Robert Love . Overton served as Governor of the Chickasaw Nation for four two-year terms. He died just a few months prior to completing his last term of Office, and was buried in the family cemetery on his farm near Willis, Oklahoma. The dynamic, and often energetic, Governor was slender, standing 6 ft. tall and weighing only 165 lbs. He became a Christian early in his life, and was an active member of the Odd Fellows. He was often described as being friendly and severe at times, loving his friends and hating his enemies with equal passion. He fought against political apathy, which by the time of his death was widespread among the Chickasaw people. His mother was one-quarter Chickasaw, and the daughter of John Allen and the former Elizabeth Love. His father apparently was named after Benjamin’s grandfather, who founded Memphis, Tennessee. Benjamin’s grandfather on his father’s side also had an interesting story. He was a native Virginian who came to Kentucky following the American Revolution, and he took up the profession of practicing law. He then moved to Nashville, Tennessee, arriving during the same month as Andrew Jackson, who had arrived from North Carolina. The two became close friends and business associates. In 1794, John Overton bought 500 acres of land at Chickasaw Bluffs on the Mississippi River for $500. He sold half of it to Jackson, who resold it at a nice profit later. John Overton succeeded Jackson on the Tennessee Supreme Court later, and in 1819 Overton founded Memphis-- (Editor) The future Governor’s education consisted of six months at the Chickasaw Male Academy in Tishomingo county, Oklahoma. Overton became a farmer and established his home near Willis, Okla., while still a young man. He was to live there all his life. Overton had exceptionally band luck in married life. He first married Sarah Clementine Jones, who died in 1869. He then married Mary C. Gaines, who died in 1872. His next wife was Elizabeth Smith, whom he married in Kentucky, but she died in 1876. His last wife was Mattie Carter, who was born in 1862 and whom he married in 1878. (After Overton’s death, Mattie married Edward Sacra) Overton became involved in tribal government while still a young man, serving in both the House and Senate. He often served as a delegate in Washing, D.C. where he is said to have well represented the Chickasaw people. In 1874, at the age of 38, he became a candidate for governor of the Chickasaw Nation, running as a member of the Pullback Party. The Pullback Party was made up primarily of full-blood Chickasaw and non-progressive whites (primarily cattlemen), who feared that the fast approaching Allotment Act would result in the loss of open rangeland. History was to prove them correct. Overton’s opponent was Cyrus Harris, who ran as a candidate of the Progressive Party. This party was made up primarily of mixed-bloods that favored allotment of tribal lands. The Progressive Party was supported by; the mixed bloods, some full bloods, and intermarried and adopted. whites. Overton was elected in 1874, and was reelected in 1876. During these four years the cattle business became the predominate industry of the area. Cattleman from Texas used the Texas and Chisholm Trails to drive their herds through the Chickasaw Nation to shipping points in Kansas. The cattlemen were supposed to pay a tax to the Chickasaw Nation for use of the open range, but many failed to do so. They also failed to reckon with Governor Benjamin Overton. Governor Overton backed the formation of a tribal militia in 1876, and the Texas cattleman quickly saw the errors of their way and began paying the tribal tax. In his second inaugural message to the legislature Sept. 5, 1876, Overton praised the attack led against Custer by Chief Sitting Bull, and he urged the uniting of all tribes in order to preserve the independence of all Indian people. The Chickasaw people, seeing allotment just around the corner, became less and less active in tribal political life. Governor Overton was to end his very active and dynamic political life as the head of a slumbering nation. Submitted by Ella Byrd Reirdon Brown