Nowata Co., Oklahoma - Bio for A. W. Ketchum
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Submitted by:  Vivian Brinker      vivianb@coffeyville.edu
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MUSKOGEE AND NORTHEASTERN OKLAHOMA:
Including the counties of Muskogee, McIntosh, Wagoner, Cherokee,
Sequoyah, Adair, Delaware, Mayes, Rogers, Washington, Nowata, Craig,
and Ottawa. Vol. II.

by John D. Benedict

1922
The S.J. Clarke Publishing Co., Chicago 
Page 142

A.W. KETCHUM

In the demise of A.W. Ketchum, which occurred on the 8th of February,
1921, when he was seventy-one years of age, Oklahoma lost one of its
honored pioneers who was a witness of the growth and development of the
state and an active factor in its progress. He was a sagacious business
man whose interests were capably managed and at his death he was able
to leave his family in comfortable financial circumstances. 

He was born in Leavenworth, Kansas, December 15, 1850, and came to
Indian Territory with the Delaware Indians under Chief Johnnycake, who
was one of the great leaders of his tribe. Mr. Ketchum’s first cousin,
Mrs. Nannie Bartles, was the widow of Colonel Jacob Bartles, who became
the founder of the towns of Bartlesville and Dewey. Mr. Ketchum first
located on Lightening creek, the home of Chief Johnnycake, and later
moved to Verdigris creek, six miles east of Nowata, where he resided
for nineteen years, during which period he operated a ferry boat. From
there he moved to Woodward county, Oklahoma, thinking that the climate
in that section of the state would prove beneficial to his son, Charles
C. Ketchum, who was then in failing health. Subsequently he purchased
the farm upon which his widow now resides, acquiring a tract of land
one-half mile west of Wayside, in Washington county. Through hard work
and persistency of purpose he brought his land to a high state of
development, adding many improvements to his place, while the discovery
of oil upon his property greatly increased its value. He was called to
public office, acting as a deputy policeman for three years in Indian
Territory and for an equal period served as interpreter for the United
States government, making a highly creditable record in both connections. 

Mr. Ketchum was married twice, Herbert D. Ketchum being a son of the
first marriage. For his second wife he chose Miss Roxie J. Davis, a
native of Illinois and a daughter of Thornton and Sarah Ellen Davis, who
settled at Coodys Bluff, in Nowata county, Oklahoma, when she was sixteen
years of age, and there her father passed away, while her mother’s demise
occurred in Harper county, this state, in 1917. In their family were six
children: Harry C., Charles N., Roxie J., William Henry, James A., and
Francis A., all of whom are still living. Mr. and Mrs. Ketchum became the
parents of the following children, namely: Mary C., who married Fletcher
Johnson and is living near her mother; Charles C., who wedded Bertha
Florence Scoval and is also residing near the home farm; Annie Adeline,
the wife of James Parker; Abraham W.; Enoch Wesley; Nancy Pearl;
Wannetta; Willard W.; James Louis and Violet. 

Mrs. Ketchum still resides upon the farm which her husband purchased near
Wayside, the land being operated by one of her sons, and she is also the
owner of a one hundred and twenty acre tract in Nowata county, situated
upon the bank of a river. This property she is renting and she also
derives a substantial income from her oil interests. Mr. Ketchum was a
man of sterling worth, capable and enterprising in business, loyal in
citizenship and faithful to every trust reposed in him. His was an
honorable and upright life, his earnest toil bringing him success and
his incorruptible integrity winning for him the high regard of all with
whom he was brought in contact. 

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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 archivist to store
the file permanently for free access.

Submitted by:  Vivian Brinker      vivianb@direct-net.net
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