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ALINTON RUSSELL TELLE
Vol. 3, p. 993

"Atoka has a big gap in the progress and in its citizenship as a
result of the death of Alinton Telle," was the remark of a well-known
pioneer and citizen of that city. "He fit into any movement for
betterment-the most all-around man in Atoka." Alinton Telle is dead,
but his virtues and his deeds remain, entwined in the hearts of his
fellow-citizens. His son, Alinton Russell Telle, is following the
progressive footsteps of his illustrious father; he believes that the
salvation of the Indian race lies in industry and close devotion to
labor.

Alinton Telle was born at Luk-Fata, Choctaw Nation, in 1859. He was
educated under a special teacher employed by his uncle, Governor
Allen WRIGHT, at Boggy Depot. His preparatory work was completed at
Kemper Military Academy, and he then entered Southwestern
Presbyterian University, at Clarksville, Tennessee, from which he was
duly graduated. Following this Mr. Telle took a law course at Albany,
New York, and in 1881 returned to the Indian Territory and began the
practice of law and the raising of livestock. In 1886 he was
appointed national secretary to fill the unexpired term of Thompson
MCKINNEY, and in the year following was elected to the same office by
a large majority. From 1896 until 1900 he represented the Choctaws on
the Dawes Commission. In these various positions of trust he
acquitted himself with honor to himself and to his people. In 1900
Mr. Telle resumed the practice of law, forming a partnership with J.
H. Chambers, and this combination continued to be in force until the
untimely death of Mr. Telle, March 8, 1903, from an attack of
pneumonia.

Mr. Telle held just rank among translators and interpreters of the
Choctaw language. At eight years of age he could speak no language
but his native Choctaw; and at twenty-two he was a finished scholar
and college graduate. His father WAS IMA-NO-BUB-BI, of Mississippi, a
member of the clan Ok-lu-ju-luy-a. He married Miss Kate WRIGHT,
sister of Allen Wright, and they became the parents of two children:
Robinson, who died after reaching manhood; and Alinton.

In 1890 Alinton Telle married Mrs. Emma (RUSSELL) LEARY, of Atoka,
daughter of W. W. Russell, of Virginia. Two children were born to
them: Nanima Louise, who is deceased; and Alinton Russell, of this
review. Alinton Russell Telle was born at Atoka, Indian Territory,
February 25, 1893. He was educated at the Atoka Baptist Academy and
the Atoka High School, graduating from the latter institution with
the class of 1911. He was president of his class during his senior
year and a diligent, assiduous and retentive scholar. For two years
after graduation, Mr. Telle was stenographer in the office of W. S.
FARMER, United States Commissioner, and from August 1913, until
January 1915, was ex-officio clerk of the county court. On January 4,
1915, he was appointed deputy court clerk, by James H. GILL, court
clerk of Atoka County, a position which he has continued to retain.
Mr. Telle also manages the old Telle Ranch near Wapanucka. He has
combined the lure of the law with an interest of electricity and
connection with his various duties has made a close study of the
latter subject, and intends in the near future to enter some
university to prepare himself for a career in electrical engineering.

Mr. Telle is at present living with his mother at Atoka. He is a
member of the Methodist Church, and gives his political support to
the policies and candidates of the democratic party.

Typed for OKGenWeb by: Earline Sparks Barger, December 18, 1998.