Monroe, Oklahoma

[wamiller]

Does anyone have any history on Monroe? All I can find on the internet is that the post office was established on February 25th, 1881.

[Eric Standridge]

I haven't done any research on Monroe yet, but I'll see what I can find next week. I think I may have a few interview from the 1920's of people that lived there. When I get a chance, I'll sift through what I have and if I find anything I'll post it here.

[wamiller]

Great! Thanks for generously volunteering some of your time!

[Eric Standridge]

I did a brief search to see what I could come up with. Although I didn't have a lot of time, there was a few things that I found that was interesting.

Before I share what I found, earlier, I remembered a book that was published that gives a lot of details about Monroe. I loaned out the book, but once I get it back then I'll try to share some more information. The title of the book is "In the shadow Of Sugarloaf", and they have a copy of it at the Ft. Smith public library.

(http://books.google.com/books/about/In_the_shadow_of_Sugar_Loaf.html?id=ZLyMGwAACAAJ)


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The post office was established February 25, 1881. The town was named for Simon Monroe Griffith, first postmaster.



Stories and Biographies from Monroe, SugarLoaf County, Indian Territory:


April 1.—Memphis and Weatherford R. P. 0., train 1. The tender was derailed near Monroe, Ind. T., 11.50 a. m., causing a delay of thirty minutes. No damage to the mails or car or injury to the clerk followed. 1900


Dr. B. D. AVoodson of Monroe, Ind. T., was the valedictorian of the class. His address was received with applause; the class was proud of him, and the Professors Of the College and members of the Board of Trustees have just reason upon which to base the hope that young Woodson as well as his associates will do honor to their alma mater. 1890



CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS MATHIES

CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS MATHIES, son of William Henry Mathies and Ann Alford Mathies, born May 3, 1850, at Gadsden, Etowah County, Alabama. Died January 7, 1915, at Wister, LeFlore County, Oklahoma. At age of 13, when nothing but a stripling of a boy he sought service in the Confederate Army, joining Lunden’s Battery at Mobile, Alabama, and participated in the battle of Missionary Ridge and other important engagements. He was wounded at Mobile and reported as dead. On May 9, 1865, he was paroled at Meridian, Mississippi, then being a private in Lunden’s Battery, Williams’ Regiment Light Artillery C. S. A. Having had no educational advantages, but realizing the need of same he worked his way through school in Smithville, Mississippi.

In 1872, soon after reaching his majority, he came to Hartford, Arkansas, and taught school for three years. In 1875 he married Almeda Killen, who was a citizen by marriage of the Choctaw Nation, and settled on a farm at Monroe, Indian Territory, but she lived only about a year. In 1879 he was again married to Ocy Woodson, who died July 4, 1883. Of this union were born two children, one now living, Mrs. M. L. Harris, of Wister, Oklahoma. In 1884 he was again married to Annie Carnall, of Fort Smith, Arkansas. Six children were born in this wedlock, all of whom, including the widow, survive him, the children being as follows, towit: Mrs. D. C. McCurtain, Poteau, Oklahoma; Henry, who is in the Civil Service at Texarkana, Arkansas; Mrs. E. E. Taylor, of Little Rock; Paul, of Poteau, at present County Commissioner of LeFlore County; Woodson, of Wister, Oklahoma, Cashier of the First State Bank; Wharton, of Clayton, Oklahoma, Cashier of the Clayton State Bank.

Captain Mathies, as he was familiarly known, was a farmer-stockman, but served in many official positions. He resided at Monroe from 1875 until 1910, when he removed to Wister, where he resided until his death. During President Cleveland’s first administration he was appointed Postmaster, succeeding Monroe Griffith, the first Postmaster at that place, the post-office having been named for him. He served for about twenty years. He was also clerk of the Choctaw County court, and assisted in the payment of the Choctaw Net Proceeds Funds in that immediate section. He was elected and served as a delegate from District No. 100 to the Oklahoma Constitutional Convention, and on the erection of the State, was for two successive terms representative from LeFlore County in the House of the Oklahoma Legislature, and afterwards served two terms as County Commissioner in said county—active in both church and civic affairs, he served in many official capacities in party organizations, both prior and after statehood, he being a democrat. He served as member of the official board of the local M. E. Church, South, and was frequently a delegate to the District and Annual Conferences of said church.

[wamiller]

Wonderful information and history!

Thank you!

[Eric Standridge]

This information comes from the book, "In the Shadow of Sugar Loaf", by Dr. Noble Ballard and edited b Betty J. Whitson.

The post office was established on February 25, 1881 with Simon M. Griffith appointed as the first postmaster. This was most likely established in the trading post that Mr. Griffith operated east of Monroe's present location.

The town of Monroe was named for an old settler who opened a place of business some three miles east of the present site. This business has been traced back to 1869, when it was established as a trading post. Monroe Griffith operated the post office until after June 1882.

The present site of Monroe was essentially established when Lindsey Harris built and operated a cotton gin there.

As with many Oklahoma towns, Monroe experienced a major boom when the railroad came through eastern Oklahoma. After the depot was constructed, most of the early businesses gravitated towards the depot.

The book, mentioned above, has close to 500 pages of information on Monroe throughout the years, as well as many photos and illustrations. I just picked out some of the highlights, but it seems that a massive amount of research has gone into this book. When I get time, I'll try to post a few more snippits..

[wamiller]

I'm going to search for it online to see if I can get my hands a copy on this amazing work.

[Eric Standridge]

I don't know if it's still in print, but there may be a used copy out there somewhere. As I mentioned before, the library at Fort Smith has a copy of it. I don't know if it's a reference copy, or if it's one that can be checked out. If it can be checked out, you may be able to talk to someone about having them send it to Poteau (or other local library).

In the mean time, if there's something specific that you'd like me to look up then I'd be happy to do so. I have to get the book back in a few days, but once my friend is done with it then I'll have a lot more time with it.

[wamiller]

With so much information is this book, I can't think of anything specifically that I'd like. I saw that the publisher was "The Committee" from Monroe, Oklahoma. Do you know how I could get in contact with the publisher? I can't find anything on "The Committee" on the internet.

[Eric Standridge]

I don't know specifically how to get in contact with them, but I'll share the information that the book has..

On the cover of the book, it has this information:

Betty J. Whitson, Editor
Dr. Noble Ballard (not sure who this is)

On the inside of the book, it has this information:

Written and compiled by the Monroe History Book Committee and the many citizens of Monroe

Monroe History Book Committee:
Tom Basinger
Blevlyn Benefield
Darrell G Bookout
Ruth Gardenhire
Joe Paul Hemphill
Wilma Hemphill
Bernice Riggs
J. B. Riggs
Betty J. Whitson
Russell Whitson


You may be able to find at least one of these people through Facebook or Google and ask them. Other than that, I'm not sure. I think the book was self-published, which would mean that there isn't any specific publishing house that would have the book. If I find out anything though, I'll let you know.

[wamiller]

Thanks. I should be able to contact at least one of them. I'll let you know how it goes.

[Eric Standridge]

Please do.. I'd actually like to talk to them myself, I just don't have a lot of time to hunt them down. ;D

[dgober]

Hello, new member here. My dad's family is from Monroe. His name is Archie Gober. Dad will turn 88 this August - Lord willing. He does not own a computer but I will try to answer questions and provide information if someone is interested.

Dad was born in 1924 and pretty much grew up around the Poteau river and that whole area of Monroe. He moved to TX after WWII and has been here ever since, but always returned to his hometown on a regular basis until about 8 years ago. His father was O.H. Gober and he also lived in the area most (or all) of his life. He was born in 1889 and lived to age 99, passing away around 1987.

Dad wrote a geneology book several years ago with help from lots of family and friends. I'm sure he could add a lot of info about Leflore County that people might find interesting.

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