OKGenWeb Notice: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by any other organization or persons. Presentation here does not extend any permissions to the public. This material may not be included in any compilation, publication, collection, or other reproduction for profit without permission.
The creator copyrights ALL files on this site. The files may be linked to but may not be reproduced on another site without specific permission from the OKGenWeb Coordinator, [okgenweb@cox.net], and their creator. Although public information is not in and of itself copyrightable, the format in which they are presented, the notes and comments, etc. are. It is, however, permissible to print or save the files to a personal computer for personal use ONLY.


Indian Pioneer Papers - Index

Indian Pioneer History Project for Oklahoma
Date: November 5, 1937
Name: David Milton Beaver
Post Office: 228 1/2 E. Third St., Tulsa, Oklahoma
Date of Birth: July 19, 1878
Place of Birth: six miles north of the site of the present town of Bixby
Father: Milton Beaver
Place of Birth: Alabama
Information on father: full-blood Creek
Mother: Lydia Perryman
Place of birth:
Information on mother: daughter of Lewis Perryman, Chief of the Creeks
Field Worker:
Vol. 14, p. 159-163

  David BEAVER was born July 19, 1878, six miles north of the site of the present town of Bixby.  Like all Creeks, his parent had plenty of land.  His father, Milton Beaver was a full-blood Creek born in Alabama.  His mother was Lydia PERRYMAN, daughter of Lewis Perryman and sister of Legus, later Chief of the Creeks.

 When he was seven months old his parents both died of tuberculosis.  They left four children. His sister is Mrs. Bob ATKINS, (Vera Betty).  Bob Atkins is the brother of Louis CLINTON, mother of Dr. Fred, Paul and Lee Clinton.

 When Milton Beaver and his wife died the four small orphans went to live with "Aunt Rachel" and George Perryman.  In a report on "Aunt Rachel" is found the long list of orphan children whom she mothered.  Dave grew up in the old Perryman "white house", still standing about half-way between Peoria and Lewis on 41st, where the first post office was located.  He remembers the "Old Log House", one-half mile north; this was the ranch house, home of the cowboys who worked for George Perryman on his famous Figure 5 Ranch.  Dave liked to hear the stories the cowboys told and very much regretted moving into town with Rachel and George in 1887, to the fine new house, at Main and Sixth.  Until this time he had gone to the old Mission School at Coweta, now he went to the Mission School where the Cosden Building is today at Boston and Fourth Street.  Lilah D. LINDSEY was his teacher and he has only praise for her work.

 His allotment was seven miles southeast of Tulsa, across from what is commonly called the “Lou North Corner.”  In 1904, he married Buna HEARN, now deceased, from Georgia.  Buna Hearn was a Norwegian, typical of her race, tall, fair, with reddish gold hair and very beautiful. Dave, a full blood Creek was a handsome Indian type of fine physique, regular features and due to his education he was pleasing in his address.

 There were two children, a son, George Milton Beaver, now thirty-two and a daughter Mary Jane, age twenty.  The son, represented a blend of the two races.  He seemed to have inherited physically and mentally the best of each.  Mr. Long describes him as being very tall and commanding, with a clear olive skin and brown hair and very striking in appearance; racially difficult to classify if one did not know his parentage.

 George Beaver attended Central High School, Tulsa; and from there to Wentworth Military Academy at Mexico, Missouri, where he graduated.  In 1925; received an appointment to West Point, where he graduated in 1929 as Second Lieutenant.  While in school camp during his Junior Year his eye was injured while fishing.  Finally sight was restored but due to this mishap his commission hung in the balance.  Only through the influence of another office, who was of indian descent, he did succeed in getting commission.  This officer was Col. Patrick HURLEY, at that time Secretary of War.  After Lieutenant Beaver'’s graduation from West Point he was stationed at Fort sill and then transferred to Fort McKinley, Philippine Islands.  He is now stationed at Fort Crook, Nebraska.  Lieutenant Beaver is the first Indian from Oklahoma to receive a commission from West Point.

 Dave Beaver, now almost sixty years old, has the appearance of a man about forty years of age, well-preserved with fine physique and his white hair gives him a rather distinguished appearance.  He is used as an interpreter in the office of the United State Indian Field Agent.  He has also made a specialty of Indian titles.

 His daughter, Mary Jane, now twenty has not been as fortunate as her brother.  For years almost a cripple from a tubercular one condition, with scientific aid she is overcoming this handicap.  She is now employed at the Morningside Hospital, Tulsa, where she has received treatments which may completely restore her health.

Submitted to OKGenWeb by Joan Case <lcase@manti.com> 02-1999.