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Indian Pioneer Papers - Index

Indian Pioneer History Project for Oklahoma
Date: 
Name: George Ballew
Post Office: Tahlequah, Oklahoma
Residence Address:  410 Academy Street
Date of Birth: December 25, 1877
Place of Birth:  Locust Grove, Mayes County, Oklahoma
Father:   Jack Ballew
Place of Birth:  
Information on father:
Mother:   Elizabeth Woodard
Place of birth:   
Information on mother:
Field Worker:  Frank J. Stillfield
Interview #:

Mr. George Ballew lives at 410 Academy Street, Tahlequah, Oklahoma. His wife’s name was Carrie R. Gourd. He was born December 25, 1877, Mayes County, Locust Grove. He is a Cherokee Indian.

Father: Jack Ballew

Mother: Elizabeth Ballew, nee Woodard

Grandfather Jeff Ballew came through the "Trail of Tears" in 1838. He said that the soldiers just drove them like stock. Lots of the Indians died on the way out here. He was a member of the Council in Cherokee times.

SCHOOL AND INDIAN WORK

I went to school at the Cherokee Orphan Asylum at Saline, Oklahoma. I went to Central Business College, Sedalia, Missouri. I also attended the N. E. S. C. at Tahlequah, Oklahoma.

My first school I taught was at Newhope School, 6 miles East of Choteau. The next was at Barber, also Slate Bluff, Cherokee County. I taught at Omega Murphy, Oklahoma, in 1912.

In 1904, I worked with the Dawes Commission. After statehood, I worked in the Tahlequah Post Office. I established the Post Office at Barber, Oklahoma. I served as a numerator in 1920. I also took census in 1930.

I was elected Court Clerk of Cherokee County, in 1920. Served 1921 and 1922.

My oldest daughter, Georgie Ballew, is now employed at Seneca Indian School at Wyandotte, Oklahoma.

I worked in the Indian Office here in Tahlequah, Oklahoma, as interpreter under D. W. Wilson, Filed Clerk.

Transcribed for OKGenWeb by Catherine Widener, August 2002.