Indian Pioneer Papers Project
John B. Acorn
Submitted by Catherine Widener  catz@kcisp.net
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Field worker: E. F. Dodson
April 15, 1937

   Reverend John B. Acorn, Minister of the Missionary Baptist Church is a full blood Cherokee Indian, having been born in the Flint District, Cherokee Nation, January 15, 1874.  He grew to manhood there where he was born, but says that he never attempted school.  Only by the help of some of his folks learned to read and write and has improved in reading and writing until he can read and write the English language some, and reads and writes the Cherokee language well.
  He became a Christian early in life and  at the age of thirty-three years he became a minister of the Gospel and has been active in work since that time.  He says that when he was a young man the Peavine Church about four miles north of the present town or Stilwell, Oklahoma, was the head church in this part of the country, and that there is where the other churches in nearby neighborhoods came to the conference or associations.  Some of the old ministers whose names he remembers are; John Shell, who came here from North Carolina; Allen Ratliff, also from North Carolina; and Lasely Hawkins, but he does not know where Lesely came from.  He says that Peavine was the first church to be established; then next the Muddy Springs; Bell Church on Little Lees Creek; Double Springs; Rock Springs; and later, Echota, Salem, and Fairfield.
  At the age of thirty-six years he married Miss Adeline Smith, a Cherokee woman.  They are the parents of one son and two daughters.
  He gives the account of the old camp meetings very much as does the others of his county.  He says that they held their meetings usually in the summer after people were through with their crops.  They came from miles around to these meetings in wagons, or on horseback, and on foot.  In these days they always brought a goodly supply of food, so that all who attended were fed, also plenty of food for the stock.  Everybody was made to feel welcome to the eats, to the feed for the stock, and to take part in the services.  He tells us these meetings were of great benefit, spiritually and socially.
    Ned Acorn, the father was born in Flint District but the date is unknown.  He was a farmer. He died in 1897 and is buried in the family graveyard at the old home about eight miles south of Stilwell, Oklahoma.
   The mother, Katie (Boling) Acorn, was born in Flint District. Date unknown.  She died in 1912 and is buried beside his father.
   They were all full blood Cherokee and belonged to the Wolfe Clan.

(This story was interpreted by Martin Rowe)
Transcribed by Catherine Widener 2002