Submitted by 
Marti Graham

WILLIAM HENRY HARRISON
1876 ~ 1929

William Henry Harrison, son of Judge Mitchell Harrison and Louisa Harrison born 1876, near Tamaha, Oklahoma. Died September 25, 1929. Attended Spencer Academy and then Henry Kendall College at Muskogee, from which he graduated. Graduated from Centre College in Law June, 1902. 

Appointed District Attorney for Choctaw Nation, by Chief G. W. Dukes, August, 1902. 

October 31st, 1907, admitted to practice in U. S. Supreme Court.

Began practice of law at Poteau 1904, (Postmaster 1906) . 

1908, married Miss Minette, daughter of Dr. C. S. Roberts, of Lee’s Summit, Missouri. 

Two children, William Henry, Jr., and Katherine Virginia Harrison. 

His wife and daughter, Katherine Virginia, survive him, also his mother, Mrs. Louisa Harrison, three brothers, Albert, Mitchell, and Ben, and one sister, Mrs. Bob Porch. 

Appointed 1922, by Harding, as Principal Chief of Choctaws, which office he filled so creditably as to make a vacancy left by his passing hard to fill. The interests of his people filled a large place in his life, and he fought valiantly to protect them in every way. 

He was an active member of Presbyterian Church, and an elder in good standing. 

Member of School Board, of Poteau, Oklahoma. 

May, 1924, was elected Honorary Member of Oklahoma Historical Society.

Member of State Historical Society, of Mississippi. 

In politics, Chief Harrison was a republican, and he took an active part in all county, State and National campaigns since statehood. Several times, he was county chairman and member of the State committee of LeFlore County. 

He was one-half Choctaw Indian blood, and had been prominently identified with the affairs of his tribe since he began the practice of law. He worked hand in hand with Chief Green McCurt [McCurtain], in bringing about the ratification of the supplemental agreement on September 25, 1902, by popular vote of the Choctaw people. Chief Harrison’s death occurred on the 27th anniversary of the ratification of that agreement which provided for the allotment of the lands and the sale and disposition of the property of his tribe. 

He was universally esteemed, not only as an honorable Chief, but also as a man. This was shown by the great crowd attending his funeral. Rich, poor, white and black, came to slow him reverence. 

The church was far from able to accommodate the crowd, even with standing room. The floral offering was magnificent. 

The Chief’s passing was peaceful and beautiful, symbolic of the life he lived. Just as a gorgeous sunset spread its glory in the western sky, his spirit went to meet its maker. 

Rev. William Rolle, of Norman, (former pastor) Rev. Harry Cog, Pastor of Presbyterian church at Poteau, and Rev. Harry Heincke, S. S. Missionary in this District, conducted the funeral services. 

RESOLUTION 
Be it resolved by the Indian Memorial Association in its annual meeting at Durant, Oklahoma, on October 17, 1929: 

That we have heard with genuine sorrow of the death of William H. Harrison, late Principal Chief of the Choctaw Nation, which occurred at his home in Poteau, Oklahoma, on September 25, last. He was fifty-three years of age and had been prominently identified with the affairs of his tribe since he attained his majority. He had been Principal Chief a little over seven years, having been appointed by President Harding. 

Without show or self-advertisement he conscientiously and efficiently discharged the duties of his office. He was steadfastly loyal to the traditions and best interest of his tribe. During his administration repeated efforts were made in Congress to pass legislation to open the citizenship rolls of the Choctaw and Chickashaw Nations. He vigorously opposed all such legislation, and secured the co-operation of the Oklahoma delegation in Congress and other members of Congress in preventing the passage of such legislation. He rejected offers to settle unjust claims against his tribe. When Congress passed the act of June 7, 1924, authorizing the Choctaw and Chickashaws to sue the Government on all claims they had against the United States, he promptly appointed special attorneys to carry forward the litigation. He insisted upon the work being done with dispatch. As a result of his policy he lived to see all suits which the Choctaws have against the Government filed in the Court of Claims within the time limit fixed by Congress. He earnestly advocated the passage of the act of Congress of May 10, 1928, which extends for twenty-five years from April 26, 1931, the restrictions on 160 acres of land for each Choctaw allottee of one-half or more Indian blood and for each fullblood heir or devisee, and makes such lands exempt from taxation until April 26, 1956. The interests of the tribe were carefully safeguarded by him; and we hereby take this occasion to give public expression of our appreciation of his fine, faithful and patriotic services.

Be it further resolved, that this resolution be kept among the permanent records of this association, and that a copy thereof be sent to the family of the late Chief.   HAMPTON TUCKER.

The body was laid to rest in Oakland Cemetery, Poteau, Oklahoma.

Source:
- Chronicles of Oklahoma, Volume 7, No. 4, December 1929, p. 495-496.
- Henry L. Peck, The Proud Heritage of LeFlore County, A History of An Oklahoma County, (Muskogee, OK: Hoffman Printing Co.) 1963 reprint 1967, p. 125.

Contributed by Marti Graham, August 2003. Information posted as courtesy to researchers. The contributor is not related to nor researching any of the above.

[Tamaha is in current day Haskell County, Oklahoma.]