Seminole Nation, I. T.

Here is a brief biographical history of the leaders for the Seminole Nation starting prior to the removal. They have made and continue to make significant contributions to the lives of their families and their people.

Although the Seminole women did not have voting privileges in the tribal government until 1968, they have been and continue to be very active in tribal affairs since before statehood.

Where it was possible, interviews with the individuals or relatives were made. The remainder of the information was compiled from books, newspaper articles or periodicals. May the desires, dreams, ambitions and hopes of the people mentioned help produce a generation that appreciates the fact that it takes the contributions of many people in a pluralistic society to enrich the quality of life in the United States.

The five tribes, Cherokee, Choctaw, Seminole, Creek, and Chickasaw, were removed by the United States Government 1817 to 1842, from their lands in the East to the lands in the West which was later known as Indian Territory.

Micconapy and many of the Seminole leaders fought desperately against removal. After two wars, many band chiefs with their families and followers were removed from Florida.

Micconapy was born in Florida and served as the head chief there before immigrating West. After reaching the Indian Territory, the Seminole had a difficult time in adjusting to the West. Some of the problems arose over the right to land, location, and their rights in regard to government. They were reluctant in subjecting themselves and their property to the laws of the Creek Tribe. During this period, Micconapy served as the head chief for the Seminole Nation in trying to settle the land problem.

In history, Micconapy is also referred to as Sint-Chahkee, Pond Governor or Pond Chief. Micconapy was not a name but a title bestowed upon the head chief of the tribe. According to some people, the name may come from the two Creek-Seminole words "Mekku-unvpv"(top chief).

Micconapy acted as the head chief of the Oklahoma Seminoles until his death in December, 1849.

John Jumper was born in Florida about 1820. He came to Indian Territory about 1843 as a prisoner. Chief Jumper had five sons and two daughters.

After reaching the Indian Territory, John Jumper worked many years on the Seminole Tribal Council before becoming Chief of the Seminole Nation.

During the Civil War, the Seminole Nation was divided as some bands sided with the Confederacy and some with the Union. During this period, the Seminole Nation had two recognized head chiefs. John Jumper served as the head chief for the Confederate Seminoles. He attained the rank of Lt. Colonel of the Mounted Seminole Volunteers in the Confederate Army during the Civil War. After the war, he continued to serve as Chief of the Seminole Nation for over ten years. He declined re-election in 1877 to devote more time to missionary ministry. He was re-elected in 1882 after the death of Chief Hvlpvtuce.

John Jumper was very concerned with the welfare and education of his people. In addition to being a Chief, he served as a pastor at Spring Baptist Church at Sasakwa, Oklahoma from 1850 until his death. According to Routh, author of The Story of Oklahoma Baptists, (1932), John Jumper was one of the most influential Chiefs among the Seminoles. John Jumper died October 15, 1896.

The outbreak of the Civil War caused the Seminole Nation to split. In 1861, Commissioner Albert Pike concluded a treaty with the Seminoles on behalf of the Confederate States.

John Chupco, a town chief, refused to sign this treaty. He with the members of his town, together with Town Chief Billy Bowlegs and his followers joined forces with the Creek Leader Opathleyahola in Kansas. They were later enlisted in the Indian Home Guard Brigade of the Union Army. During the Civil War and after, John Chupco served as the Principal Chief of the Seminoles for the Northern faction.

While serving as Chief, John Chupco was an advocate of rigid law enforcement and the Seminole laws.

Seminoles who knew John Chupco well claimed he could out walk all others and required less time than as average individual to walk any distance. One story claims that John Chupco walked from Little River to Fort Gibson in a day’s time. This would be from sun-up to sun-down; a distance of some one hundred ten miles.

The tribe continued with two Chiefs for the Seminole Nation until 1872. John Chupco died in 1881.

'Alligator King,' a.k.a., Billy Bowlegs, was the last hereditary Seminole Chief to leave the native lands of Florida.
He was also the leader of the last of the Seminole Wars against removal.

Hulbutta Micco tried to remain in seclusion in the Florida Everglades, but the demand for Seminole land continued.
Various parties were sent to negotiate with Hulbutta; the government even offered him a substantial amount of money for his land to immigrate west.
Eventually believing the promises of the government, he left his homeland and went to Indian Territory, he was never compensated, and the money was never paid.

Once in Indian Territory, Hulbutta Micco became a Captain during the Civil War with the Union Army.

The portrait on the left hangs in the Smithsonian Institute in Washington, D.C.
The oil painting on the right entitled Billy Bowlegs and Son was painted by Carl Wimer,
it is an oil on canvas and was auctioned not long ago for over three-quarters of a million dollars.

Alice Brown Davis was the daughter of Dr. J. F. Brown and Lucy Graybeard. She was born near Parkhill, Oklahoma, September 10, 1852.
Alice belonged to the Tiger Clan (Katcvlke). She was a sister to Gov. J. F. Brown. She attended Rev. Ross Ramsey’s School (Wewoka Mission)
north of Wewoka.

She married George Rollin Davis in 1874. They had eleven children. The Davis' owned a trading post and post office at Arbeka, in the north part
of the Seminole Nation. Alice was a teacher and in 1905, served as Superintendent of Emahaka School.

Mrs. Davis was a member of the Spring Baptist Church at Sasakwa, Oklahoma. On behalf of the church, she went to Florida for mission work.
She was also active in the Muskogee, Seminole, and Wichita Baptist Association.

Before serving as Chairman for the Seminole Tribe, she was the interpreter for the Seminoles in the courts of law in business dealings involving
the Seminole Indians because she was bilingual. She also served with the Dawes Commission. President W. G. Harding appointed Mrs. Davis to
serve as the Chairman of the Seminole Tribe because of her education and knowledge of laws in 1922. She was the first Seminole woman to be appointed to this position.

Mrs. Davis died June 21, 1935. In 1961, she was nominated to be placed in the American Indian Hall of Fame at Anadarko, Oklahoma. In 1964, a bronze bust of Mrs. Davis was
sculpted by Willard Stone and unveiled at the World's Fair in New York City.

Chief George Jones
1936 to 1942

Chief Willie Haney
1942 to 1944

Chief Jeffie Brown
1944 to 1946 (Principal)

George Harjo was the son of Lehomahte Wesenta, the last hereditary Tvsekayv Haco Band chief and Rosa Harjo. He was born July, 1886, at Sasakwa, Oklahoma. He attended school at the Mekusukey Indian Mission.

He was a member of Spring Baptist Church at Sasakwa, Oklahoma and served as pastor until the time of his death. This was approximately forty-two years.

George Harjo was a member of the Tvsekayv Haco Band and belonged to the Bear Clan . He served as a member of the Seminole Council for many hears before being appointed Chief. He obtained much experience and knowledge of the problems and the economic affairs of his people as an able leader.

While serving as Chief of the Seminole Tribe, he appeared several times before the officials in Washington and conferred with the Indian Committee on the Houses of Congress. One trip was for the purpose of filing of Seminole Claims with the Indian Claims Commission involving several tribal cases.

George Harjo served as Chief of the Seminole Nation from 1948 to 1952. He was re-elected to serve a second term in June, 1952, and served until his death in December, 1952.

He was married to Lillie Factor Harjo. They had one daughter, Eula Mae Harjo. Eula Mae is of the Beaver Clan, and a member of the Rewahle Band. She worked as bilingual assistant at Sasakwa Elementary School.

Marcy Cully was born February 6, 1910, at Sasakwa, Oklahoma. His parents were William Cully and Susie Cloud Cully. He belongs to the Bear Clan
(Nokusvlke). Many Indian people call him Nokuse, his Indian name.

Marcy Cully is an ordained minister. He is a member of Cedar Creek Eufaula Church near Konawa, Oklahoma. Rev. Cully served as pastor for many
years at Cedar Creek Church. He was proud of his Indian and American heritage. Marcy served in World War I and had many experiences to tell about.

Rev. Cully dedicated many years in working with his tribe. He served on the Tribal Council and was assistant chief or the second chief to Chief George
Harjo. At the death of Chief Harjo in 1952, Marcy Cully finished out the term as Chief of the Seminole Nation. He was re-elected in June of 1953 and served
until July, 1954. He made several trips to Washington on behalf of the tribe while he served as Chief. Even though Rev. Cully he devoted his time in working
for tribal affairs. He served as Chairman of Fus-hvtce Band of which he is a member.

John A. Brown, the son of Charlie Brown and Lottie Factor Brown was born in Sasakwa, Oklahoma, where he resided with his wife Mabel Wood Brown. They have three sons, Stanley, John Robert and Bill. John A. Brown is the great-great grandson of Dr. J. F. Brown, and the great-grandson of the former Seminole Gov. J. F. Brown. He is of the Alligator Clan (Hvlpvtvlke) and member of the Tom Palmer Band. His Indian name is Cvstvle (watermelon).

John served as the second chief under Phillip Walker and was elected to serve as chairman of the tribe in 1960. he was re-nominated to serve a second term in 1964. In 1967, he served as vice-president of the Inter-Tribal Council of the Five Civilized Tribes of Oklahoma.

John made many trips to Washington, D.C. to confer with governmental leaders regarding interest of the Seminole Tribe. He worked closely with the Area Director of the Muskogee Area Office and the Superintendent of the Wewoka Agency to improve the condition of his tribal members. While serving with the Inter-Tribal Council, he and other Indian leaders were instrumental in having the State Legislature pass the enabling act which established the legal authority to set up Housing Authority for the various Indian Tribes throughout the State of Oklahoma.

Not only has John Brown worked with the tribe on the Tribal Council, but he also was a minister, and member of the Spring Baptist Church at Sasakwa, Oklahoma. He served as evangelist for many years, and continued to be evangelist to the Seminole Tribe of the State of Florida.

Chief Terry Walker
1969 to 1972

Chief Floyd Harjo
1972 to 1973

Edwin Tanyan was Chief of the Seminole Nation, and a native to Seminole County. He is the son of Nina and Sally Tanyan. His father served many years as
a councilman of the Seminole General Council. He married Francis Burgess Tanyan and live in Wewoka, Oklahoma.

Edwin Tanyan graduated from Butner High School near Cromwell, Oklahoma and attended Oklahoma City University for two and one-half years.

Chief Tanyan served in World War II and in the Korean Conflict. During WWII, he was wounded in action and received a Purple Heart. In the Korean Conflict,
he was awarded three Bronze Stars (valor awards).

Chief Tanyan worked for the Corp. of Engineers in Tulsa, Oklahoma. When he was elected Chief in 1973, he gave up his job with the Federal Aviation
(Aeronautical Center) Will Rogers Airport, Oklahoma City, to devote full time as Chief of the Seminole Nation.

Soon after being elected, Chief Tanyan stressed unity among the Seminole people so that the tribe could progress. Since his election, he kept busy
with the affairs of the Seminole Tribe. He along with tribal members traveled to Washington, D.C. to discuss education, health, and mineral rights claims
on behalf of his tribe. Also, they have traveled to Florida to promote goodwill among the Florida Seminoles and the Miccosukees, in addition, they examined and reviewed the ways
the tribal programs were advancing under the tribal government there.

Chief Richmond Tiger
1977 to 1978

Chief Tom Palmer
1978 to 1981

Chief James Milam
1979 to 1985 (Principal)

Chief Jerry Haney
1989 to 2001

Kenneth Edward Chambers was elected in August of 2001
and was sworn in as Principal Chief of The Seminole Nation on September 1, 2003.

Mary Ann Emarthala became the first woman in history to be elected to the position of Assistant Chief.

Note:
The election of 2001 was ruled invalid so Chief Haney continued to be in this position until the federal government recognized the General Council
in February of 2003. The General Council appointed Chambers and Emarthala to their positions in March of 2003, therefore they are appointed. Not elected.

24th chief of the Seminole Nation in Oklahoma since 1866 and the 30th Principal Chief since 1826,
sworn in on September 5th 2009 at Mekasukey Mission by Enoch Kelly Haney.