cherokee chiefs pt 2-Joseph Vann Vann, born February 1, 1789, was the first Assistant Chief of the Cherokee Nation under the new 1839 Constitution, serving with Principal Chief John Ross. His brother, Andrew Vann also spent time serving as an assistant chief, completing Joseph’s term after he resigned from office. Another brother, David, served as treasurer of the Cherokee Nation. He was also related to Principal Chief Lewis Downing through his mother’s side.Letter from John Ross, Principal Chief After a long absence on the business of the Nation, I was unavoidably prevented, by a tedious journey, from returning home previous to the meeting of the present session of the National Council; and I now appear before you amid the sorrows which fill the hearts of all, on account of the trials and afflictions with which our land has been visited, by sickness and death. By these deep calamities our people have sustained a loss, in the death of public men, unparalleled, for any one given year, in the annals of our country, alike as to number, integrity of character and usefulness. While we bow in submission to this most signal dispensation of Providence, we should always bear in mind that our career in life will soon end – when we all must follow the departed. We cannot, therefore, be too strongly impressed with the importance of so discharging our respective duties, as food and faithful servants, that our individual and National prosperity may be promoted and our future happiness secured. In referring to the documents containing the correspondence of the Delegation with the Secretary of War, you will perceive that our [?] unsettled affairs with the United Sates Government, remain still open and unadjusted. As this correspondence will be fully read for your information, I deem in unneccesary to comment upon the policy which seemed to have dictated the course, pursued by Secretary Wilkins towards the Delegation, in conducting the desired negotiations as it will appear evident that is was adopted merely to evade the fulfillment of President Tyler’s written pledge of the 20th of September, 1841, for a new Treaty of indemnification, etc. The righteous demands of our people upon the United States Government for justice, and the deep wrongs requiring it, with the reasonable assurance; already given, that they shall be redressed, leave us only, to hope on, and to prosecute them with prudence and perserverance, until they shall be finally settled. Without touching upon such other topics as may require your attention during the present session, I close these very brief remarks by introducing the correspondence of the Delegation with the Secretary of War: -- leaving other subjects for a future communication, should circumstances make one necessary. Information provided by the Cherokee Nation Cultural Resource Center [email protected] Lewis Downing 1867 – 1872 Born in Eastern Tennessee, he came over the Trail of Tears and settled near Breadtown Baptist Mission. After converting to Christianity, he became an ordained minister. He was elected to the Cherokee Senate in 1845, and on four separate occasions was a member of the Washington Delegation. He served in the Union Army during the U.S. Civil War. Downing was elected Acting Principal Chief by the National Council during the time while Principal Chief John Ross was in exile. After Ross’ death, Downing carried the official responsibility until 1866. Downing helped organize a new political party, and has been credited with bringing peace between the full-blood and mixed-blood factions. He died while in office. Chiefs of the Cherokee Old Settlers Col. John Bowles, 1795 – 1813 Takatoka, 1813 – 1818 Tahlonteskee, 1818 – 1819 John Jolly, 1819 – 1838 John Rogers, 1838 – 1839 John Looney, 1838 – April 22, 1839 and July 1839 – September 1839, when the Old Settler (Western) Cherokee signed an agreement with the Eastern Cherokee, and the Cherokee Nation’s 1839 Constitution was signed into agreement. Ross O. Swimmer 1975 – 1985 Ross Swimmer holds a B.A. degree and law degree from University of Oklahoma. He is a businessman and is involved in many civic organizations. While Principal Chief, he helped improve economic development, health care and education. He worked with the Rensselaerville Institute of N.Y. to implement self-help for rural development, which became a model for other tribes throughout the U.S.Samuel H. Mayes 1895 – 1899 Born near present-day Stilwell in 1837, Mayes served in the Confederate Army during the U.S. Civil War. He was the brother of former Principal Chief Joel Mayes. During his term, there was a political scandal about the Freedmen compromise of 1896; one attorney was accused of receiving too much Cherokee money and it was said the treasury was being looted. He was elected Sheriff of the Coo-wee-scoo-wee District from 1881 through 1885, and was elected to the Cherokee Senate in 1885 and 1891. He served one term as Principal Chief, being elected in 1895. He later served as a delegate to the Sequoyah State Convention. Thomas M. Buffington 1899 – 1903 Born in the Goingsnake District of the Cherokee Nation, he attended tribal school in what is now Delaware County. His brother, Ezekiel Buffington, was a missionary who removed from Georgia to the West in 1835. Buffington began his career in tribal politics as secretary to his brother who was a member of the Cherokee Senate. He was elected district judge of Delaware District in 1889 and resigned in 1891 to become a member of the Cherokee Senate. He was later named President of that body. When Joel Mayes died in 1891, Buffington became Acting Principal Chief where he served until C.J. Harris was named Chief. Then becoming Mayor of Vinita, he soon was nominated as a Downing Party candidate for Principal Chief, winning the election of 1899. He served as Chief in a very trying and controversial time. Most of the details of land surveys and allotments preparing for statehood occurred during his tenure. Known for many years as the “last Cherokee Chief” because his successor W.C. Rogers never had the power and authority usually exercised by tribal chiefs, he died at his home in Vinita February 11, 1938. William C. Rogers 1903 – 1907 Known as “The Merchant Prince of the Cherokee,” he won his election by only five votes. Rogers actually worked with the U.S. government representing the Cherokees until 1917 signing documents. In 1905, he refused to call an election for members of the National Council; he saw it useless and expensive due to the approaching Statehood. An election was nevertheless held, and members of the National Council opposed to him were elected. In November, the newly elected council members met and proceeded to impeach him; they chose Frank J. Boudinot as Chief. In the dispute, he was given official recognition by Sec. E.A. Hitchcock, U.S. Department of the Interior. For many years, he owned a store at Skiatook, where he is buried in Hillside Cemetery William P. Ross William R. Ross was Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation During two separate terms. On October 19, 1866, he was chosen by the National Council to fill the unexpired term of Chief Ross. His job was to ratify the new constitutional amendments made necessary by the newly signed treaty with the Federal government. From 1872 through 1875, after being elected by the National Council to fill the unexpired second term of Lewis Downing, there were still conflicts resulting from the Civil War, in which he had served as a Colonel on the Union side. Because of this, he faced pressures and opposition from three distinct groups: full bloods, mixed bloods and black freedmen. There was a crime wave as a result, and in 1875, 40 armed members of the Downing Party threatened his life if any more Downing Party people were killed. He sought to unite the Nation, lessen expense and promote education. By the efforts of Ross and D.W. Bushyhead, Treasurer, expenses reached an acceptable level. During his administration, the population was vastly factionalized as new and various political groups were formed to demand reforms in almost all areas, as well as opposition to the U.S. attempts to establish a territorial government. Under his leadership, reconstruction in the Cherokee Nation was accomplished. Many changes were made in the legislative system, freedmen were declared citizens, a census was provided for every ten years, the judicial system was modified, procedures for electing civil officials and terms of office were changed, and much more. He was born in 1820 and died in 1891, and was married to Mary Jane Ross (1827-1908), the daughter of Lewis Ross and Francis Holt. He was a graduate of Princeton, and an editor of the Cherokee Advocate as well as the Vinita Daily Chieftain. He is buried in the Cherokee National Cemetery, now known as Fort Gibson City Cemetery. William C. Rogers 1903 – 1907 Known as “The Merchant Prince of the Cherokee,” he won his election by only five votes. Rogers actually worked with the U.S. government representing the Cherokees until 1917 signing documents. In 1905, he refused to call an election for members of the National Council; he saw it useless and expensive due to the approaching Statehood. An election was nevertheless held, and members of the National Council opposed to him were elected. In November, the newly elected council members met and proceeded to impeach him; they chose Frank J. Boudinot as Chief. In the dispute, he was given official recognition by Sec. E.A. Hitchcock, U.S. Department of the Interior. For many years, he owned a store at Skiatook, where he is buried in Hillside Cemetery William P. Ross William R. Ross was Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation During two separate terms. On October 19, 1866, he was chosen by the National Council to fill the unexpired term of Chief Ross. His job was to ratify the new constitutional amendments made necessary by the newly signed treaty with the Federal government. From 1872 through 1875, after being elected by the National Council to fill the unexpired second term of Lewis Downing, there were still conflicts resulting from the Civil War, in which he had served as a Colonel on the Union side. Because of this, he faced pressures and opposition from three distinct groups: full bloods, mixed bloods and black freedmen. There was a crime wave as a result, and in 1875, 40 armed members of the Downing Party threatened his life if any more Downing Party people were killed. He sought to unite the Nation, lessen expense and promote education. By the efforts of Ross and D.W. Bushyhead, Treasurer, expenses reached an acceptable level. During his administration, the population was vastly factionalized as new and various political groups were formed to demand reforms in almost all areas, as well as opposition to the U.S. attempts to establish a territorial government. Under his leadership, reconstruction in the Cherokee Nation was accomplished. Many changes were made in the legislative system, freedmen were declared citizens, a census was provided for every ten years, the judicial system was modified, procedures for electing civil officials and terms of office were changed, and much more. He was born in 1820 and died in 1891, and was married to Mary Jane Ross (1827-1908), the daughter of Lewis Ross and Francis Holt. He was a graduate of Princeton, and an editor of the Cherokee Advocate as well as the Vinita Daily Chieftain. He is buried in the Cherokee National Cemetery, now known as Fort Gibson City Cemetery. Wilma P. Mankiller 1985 – 1995 Born in Tahlequah and raised in Stilwell, Mankiller is recognized for developing rural areas and providing services for Cherokee citizens. During her term in office, the Cherokee Nation grew from 55,000 to 156,000 tribal citizens. Through her work, she earned world-wide recognition for the Cherokee people.
Posted on: Sat, 22 Mar 2014 17:21:42 +0000
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