Adna (Starr) Benge
Adna (Starr) Benge
(3/1/1871-6/28/1951)
Cherokee Nation
Abby Ridley (TU BA Class of 2026)
Early History
Adna (“Addie”) Starr was born March 1, 1871, near Fort Gibson, Indian Territory, to George (“Hop”) Starr (10/10/1844-8/26/1886) and Mary Scott (4/21/1847-8/2/1938).1 George and Mary wed on March 26, 1868.2 George’s main occupation was a farmer, though the Collinsville Star reported that he also had an “unsavory reputation in the eyes of the officers of the law.”3 Even with this reputation, he was nominated in 1881 to be a Council Member for the Illinois District of the Cherokee Nation.4 Mary Scott’s father, Sterling Scott, was a Major General for the Confederacy during the American Civil War. During her childhood, Mary Scott’s family was often involved in conflicts with Cherokee people who supported the Union.5 After George Starr’s death, Mary Scott remarried twice.6
Addie had three siblings: Elizabeth (1869-1914), Sterling (unknown birthdate-unknown death date), and Henry (1873-1921).7 Her brother, Henry Starr, was an infamous outlaw and bank robber.8 Sterling’s birth and death dates are unknown; however, since no census of the United States, Oklahoma, or Indian Territory list him, it is likely he died in infancy or childhood. Addie was also the cousin of Emma McDonald, a fellow student at the Presbyterian School for Indian Girls (PSIG).
School
Before attending PSIG, Addie was educated at South Bethel School, which the Cherokee Advocate described as a “sabbath” school located southwest of Braggs, Indian Territory, established in 1876.9 After studying at South Bethel School, she began attending PSIG. The Muskogee Morning News noted that while at the school, Addie roomed in the Minerva home with fellow student Addie Willey for five years. Thus, it is likely that when she was around fourteen years old, Addie started attending PSIG during the beginning of the 1885 academic year, which was the same year Alice Robertson became head of school.10
During her time as a student at PSIG, Addie displayed exceptional academic ability. Reports of her high marks during the 1888 school year demonstrate Addie’s impressive educational performance. In November of 1888, she received a perfect deportment record and a score of 97 on a written examination.11 In December of that year, she received a score of 93 on a written examination.12 Later that month, she earned a score of 100 on another written examination, and she was named a “star member” of the school after earning scores of 100 on both scholarship and deportment.13 On June 5, 1889, Addie graduated from PSIG alongside Susan Hampton and Emma McDonald. At the Closing Concert ceremony of PSIG, Addie performed a recitation of “Brown Bill” by Grace Robertson and sang “Ah Could I Teach the Nightingale” by Karl Keller, along with Susan Hampton, Emma McDonald, and Ida Perryman (Emma and Susan appear with Adna in the accompanying photo).14
Caption: Photograph of Addie Starr (standing left) with fellow students from the Presbyterian School for Indian Girls: Susan Hampton (seated) and Emma McDonald (standing right).
Image Credit: Alice Robertson Papers, TU Department of Special Collections and University Archives ID: 1931-001-4-3-2-17c
Later that year, in September, Addie, as well as Susan Hampton and Emma McDonald, began studying at the Female Seminary in Oxford, Ohio.15 United States census records suggest that Addie completed two years of schoolwork at the Oxford Female Seminary.16 Muskogee Morning News reported that while at the institution, Addie “received a scholarship but didn’t take it as her health wasn’t any too good at the time.17” After attending the Oxford Female Seminary, she returned to Fort Gibson, Indian Territory, to utilize her education while working as a teacher.18 Addie was typical of many PSIG graduates in her chosen career; the PSIG Project’s “Life at School” page notes that the “progressive gendered education allowed the girls to pursue careers as teachers.”
Caption: An image of the Presbyterian School for Indian Girls’ Closing Concert Card in 1889. That year, Addie graduated, and at the concert, she performed a recitation and sang a song with her fellow classmates.
Image Credit: Alice Robertson Papers, TU Department of Special Collections and University Archives ID: 1931.001.3.8.1.3.
Adult Life
Throughout her adult life, Addie pursued and accomplished a notable career as a teacher. In 1899, she was appointed as an elementary school teacher for the Three Rivers school in the Illinois District of the Cherokee Nation.19 After she was hired, The Fort Gibson Post reported, “Miss Benge is young in the profession, but is well educated, of lovely disposition, and liked by all.”20 In 1900, she was hired as a high school teacher for the Fort Gibson Cherokee school, which was also located in the Illinois District.21 That year, she was described as “one of the best teachers in the Cherokee nation, [who] holds a first class certificate” by the Fort Gibson Post.22 While working as a teacher, Addie attended education conferences: in 1908, she went to the Teachers Insitute in Muskogee, Oklahoma, and in 1910 she went to the North Eastern Teacher Association meeting in Vinita, Oklahoma.23 She worked as an educator for much of her life; her obituary noted that she was a teacher for thirty years.24
In 1918, Addie entered the race for Superintendent of Muskogee County, Oklahoma. In a local newspaper advertisement, she lobbied her fellow citizens for their support, stating, “I have been a democrat all my life; have had a wide experience as a teacher. I feel well qualified to perform the duties of the office and solicit your votes.”25 After failing to be elected, she ran for the position again in January 1920.26 Months later, in June 1920, the Muskogee Pheonix reported that Addie “withdrew from the race, in a letter to Secretary Sheets.”27
In December of 1894, Addie married Martin (“Clu-Clu”) Van Benge in a double wedding with her cousin, Emma McDonald, who married William Vann Carey.28 These couples were well-known throughout the Cherokee Nation, and after their double wedding a local newspaper stated, “the Telephone joins the whole Cherokee people in wishing these distinguished people a pleasant voyage on the matrimonial sea.”29 Martin Van Benge worked as a senator and delegate for the Cherokee Nation government.30 He and Addie had four children: Ruth Benge (ca.1895-unknown death date), Leo Benge (1/7/1896-5/4/1968), Charles Benge (7/29/1900-3/1/1969), and George Benge (1/18/1903-2/25/1944).31 Addie also had five stepchildren from Martin’s previous marriage: May Benge (ca.1881-unknown death date), Amy Benge (7/23/1882-5/2/1930), Martin Benge (9/14/1885-7/28/1967), John Benge (7/14/1889-1/3/1957), and Emma Benge (8/1/1891-1/11/1945).32 The family lived on a farm with a stable, well, and orchard in Fort Gibson, Indian Territory.33
Caption: A newspaper clipping from the Muskogee Times-Democrat on June 25, 1918, displaying Addie’s message to voters in Muskogee County.
Image Credit: Muskogee Times-Democrat, June 25, 1918. Newspapers.com.
Death and Legacy
Addie’s husband, Martin V. Benge, died thirty-six years before her, on November 27, 1915, at the age of 60 after experiencing “heart failure.” His funeral took place at their home in Fort Gibson, Oklahoma.34 Reports conflict on where he was buried; although his newspaper obituary noted that he was buried at his home, his headstone is located at Greenleaf Cemetery in Tahlequah, Oklahoma.35 Years later, Addie’s stepdaughter, Amy Benge, died in 1930 at the age of 47.36 Her son, George Benge, died in 1944 at the age of 39.37 Her stepdaughter, Emma Benge, died in 1945 at the age of 53.38
Six years after Emma’s death, on June 28, 1951, Addie died at the age of 80 in her home. Her funeral took place at a Methodist Church in Fort Gibson, Oklahoma, and she was buried at the Fort Gibson Cemetery. Addie’s obituary in the Muskogee Morning News reported that she was survived by one of her daughters, May Benge Vandergriff, and four of her sons, Martin Benge, John Benge, Leo Benge, and Charles Benge. That same newspaper also noted that at the time of her death, Addie had “21 grandchildren and 27 great-grandchildren.”39
Tribal Enrollment Information:
Cherokee Nation (Dawes Roll) Enrollment Card
Enrollment Number: 4786
Card Number: 1812
Enrollment Date: 2/16/190540
Caption: Addie Starr’s Cherokee Census (Dawes Roll) Card
Image Credit: National Archives
Endnotes
1 Mary Scott Gordon, Interview by Jennie Selfridge, March 31, 1937, Ardmore, transcript, The Indian Pioneer Papers Collection, The University of Oklahoma Digital Collections, https://digital.libraries.ou.edu/cdm/ref/collection/indianpp/id/5339, [Hereafter cited as Scott, IPP Interview] p. 39.
2 Scott, IPP Interview, p. 39.
3 “Bandits Still at Large,” Weekly Examiner (Bartlesville, Oklahoma), March 21, 1908, Newspapers.com, https://www.newspapers.com/image/657892359/ (accessed 2 January 2024); “Starr Pardoned by Governor,” Collinsville Star, March 21, 1919, Newspapers.com, https://www.newspapers.com/image/583352593/ (accessed 2 January 2024).
4 “Popular Nominations,” Cherokee Advocate (Tahlequah, Indian Territory), June 8, 1881, Newspapers.com, https://www.newspapers.com/image/5779410/ (accessed 2 January 2024).
5 Scott, IPP Interview, p. 39.
6 United States of America, Oklahoma and Indian Territory, Marriage, Citizenship and Census Records, 1841-1927, “Department of the Interior, Commission to the Five Civilized Tribes,” Ancestry.com, https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/9026/images/42492_332099-01177; United States of America, Tulsa, Oklahoma, County Marriage Records, 1890-1995, “Marriage License September 1909,” Ancestry.com, https://www.ancestry.com/discoveryui-content/view/63757247:61379.
7 Scott, IPP Interview, p. 39.
Mary R. Nunneley, “Elizabeth Starr Daugherty,” Findagrave.com, https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/39523899, (accessed January 8, 2025);“Henry Starr Dies from Wound,” Adair Gleaner, February 25, 1921, Newspapers.com, https://www.newspapers.com/image/607294473/ (accessed 2 January 2025).
8 May, Jon D., n.d. “Henry Starr,” Okhistory.org, The Encyclopedia of Oklahoma History and Culture, https://www.okhistory.org/publications/enc/entry?entry=ST060.
9 “Communicated,” Cherokee Advocate (Tahlequah, Indian Territory), September 23, 1876, Newspapers.com, https://www.newspapers.com/image/665405256/ (accessed 2 January 2024).
10 “How to be a Success at Teaching,” Muskogee Morning News, October 20, 1949, Newspapers.com, https://www.newspapers.com/image/898083057/ (accessed 2 January 2024).
11 “Presbyterian Mission Notes,” Muskogee Phoenix, November 22, 1888, Newspapers.com, https://www.newspapers.com/image/611267031/ (accessed 2 January 2024).
12 “Presbyterian Mission Notes,” Muskogee Phoenix, December 6, 1888, Newspapers.com, https://www.newspapers.com/image/611267091/ (accessed 2 January 2024).
13 “Presbyterian Mission Notes,” Muskogee Phoenix, December 20, 1888, Newspapers.com, https://www.newspapers.com/image/611267173/ (accessed 2 January 2024).
14 “Presbyterian School for Girls, Closing Concert,” 1931.001.3.8.1.3. Papers of the Robertson and Worcester Families, 1815-1932, Special Collections, McFarlin Library, The University of Tulsa, Tulsa, OK; “Photo of Adna Starr, Susan Hampton Tiger, and Emma McDonald,” 1931-001-4-3-2-17c. Papers of the Robertson and Worcester Families, 1815-1932, Special Collections, McFarlin Library, The University of Tulsa, Tulsa, OK.
15 “Personals,” Muskogee Phoenix, September 5, 1889, Newspapers.com, https://www.newspapers.com/image/611268724/ (accessed 2 January 2024).
16 Adna S. Benge, U.S. Census Bureau, 1940 United States Federal Census, Muskogee, Oklahoma, Roll m-t0627-03313, Page: 5B, Enumeration District: 51-26, Accessed through Ancestry.com on January 8, 2025, https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/2442/images/m-t0627-03313-00604.
17 “How to be a Success at Teaching,” Muskogee Morning News, 1949.
18 “How to be a Success at Teaching.”
19 “Cherokee Schools,” Fort Gibson Post, September 7, 1899, Newspapers.com, https://www.newspapers.com/image/586098887/ (accessed 2 January 2024); “School Appointments,” Indian Sentinel (Tahlequah, Indian Territory), January 19, 1899, Newspapers.com, https://www.newspapers.com/image/657313824/ (accessed 2 January 2024).
20 “School Teachers,” Fort Gibson Post, September 14, 1899, Newspapers.com, https://www.newspapers.com/image/586099029/ (accessed 2 January 2024).
21 “Appointment of Teachers,” Indian Sentinel (Tahlequah, Indian Territory), January 13, 1900, Newspapers.com, https://www.newspapers.com/image/657313253/ (accessed 2 January 2024).
22 “Brief Local Items,” Fort Gibson Post, January 18, 1900, Newspapers.com, https://www.newspapers.com/image/586100618/ (accessed 2 January 2024).
23 “Fort Gibson,” Muskogee Daily Phoenix, December 5, 2024, Newspapers.com, https://www.newspapers.com/image/584042119/ (accessed 2 January 2024);
“Local and Personal,” Fort Gibson Post, March 31, 1910, Newspapers.com, https://www.newspapers.com/image/586035566/ (accessed 2 January 2024).
24 “Burial Services Held Here for Two Elder Citizens,” Muskogee Morning News, July 5, 1951, Newspapers.com, https://www.newspapers.com/image/898060421/ (accessed 2 January 2024).
25 “To the Public,” Muskogee Times-Democrat, June 25, 1918, Newspapers.com, https://www.newspapers.com/image/608258515/ (accessed 2 January 2024).
26 “Big Pay Brings ’Em Out,” Muskogee Daily Phoenix, January 25, 1920, Newspapers.com, https://www.newspapers.com/image/607985143/ (accessed 2 January 2024).
27 “Two Murphys in Race,” Muskogee Daily Phoenix, July 4, 1920, Newspapers.com, https://www.newspapers.com/image/608005816/ (accessed 2 January 2024).
28 Martin V. Benge’s nickname, “Clu-Clu,” comes from the Cherokee word for the bird known as a martin. Depending on the pronunciation, the Cherokee phonetic spelling of this word is either “tlu tlu” or “clu clu;” the Cherokee syllabary spelling of this word is “ᏡᏡ.” See: Cherokee Nation Word List, Cherokee Nation Lexicon Sound Files, Cherokee Nation Syllabary Chart, and Findagrave.com Memorial for Martin V. Benge; “Tahlequah I.T.” Cherokee Telephone (Tahlequah, Indian Territory), January 11, 1894. Newspapers.com, https://www.newspapers.com/image/611423955/ (accessed 2 January 2024).
29 “Tahlequah I.T.”
30 “Death Claims Martin V. Benge,” Fort Gibson Gazette, December 2, 1915, Newspapers.com, https://www.newspapers.com/image/586448535/ (accessed 2 January 2024).
31 U.S. Veterans Affairs Office, “Leo Bennett Benge,” Findagrave.com, https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/353828, (accessed January 8, 2025); Alice P., “Charles Starr Benge,” Findagrave.com, https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/74825844, (accessed January 8, 2025); Alice P., “George Ross Benge,” Findagrave.com, https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/8465502, (accessed January 8, 2025).
32 Donna Rankin, “Amy Benge Starr,” Findagrave.com, https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/28714831, (accessed January 8, 2025); OkieBran, “Martin Van Benge,” Findagrave.com, https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/28422671, (accessed January 8, 2025); U.S. Veterans Affairs Office, “John Benge,” Findagrave.com, https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/353826, (accessed January 8, 2025);
Alice P., “Emma Benge Mounts,” Findagrave.com, https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/8593056, (accessed January 8, 2025); Addie Starr Benge, Cherokee Nation, Dawes #4786, Field #1812, August 22, 1900, Oklahoma and Indian Territory, U.S. Dawes Census Cards. National Archives and Records Administration, https://catalog.archives.gov/id/218569441.
33 Martin V. Benge Application for Allotment and Homestead, Cherokee Land Office, Familysearch.org, Oklahoma Applications for Allotment, Five Civilized Tribes, 1899-1907, https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HT-65W9-ZF6.
34 “Death Claims Martin V. Benge,” Fort Gibson Gazette, December 2, 1915, Newspapers.com, https://www.newspapers.com/image/586448535/ (accessed October 18, 2024).
35 “Death Claims Martin V. Benge"; Alice P., “Martin Van ‘Clu-Clu’ Benge Sr,” Findagrave.com, https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/10648785/ (accessed January 8, 2025).
36 “Hold Rites for Mrs. Starr,” Muskogee Times-Democrat, May 5, 1930, Newspapers.com, https://www.newspapers.com/image/898548286 (accessed 2 January 2024).
37 “Funeral Arrangements for George Ross Benge,” Muskogee Daily Pheonix, February 28, 1944, Newspapers.com, https://www.newspapers.com/image/898556666/ (accessed 2 January 2024).
38 “Deaths and Funerals,” Muskogee Times-Democrat, January 11, 1945, Newspapers.com, https://www.newspapers.com/image/905138691/ (accessed 2 January 2024).
39 “Burial Services Held Here for Two Elder Citizens,” Muskogee Morning News, July 5, 1951, Newspapers.com, https://www.newspapers.com/image/898060421/ (accessed 2 January 2024).
40 Addie Starr Benge, Cherokee Nation, U.S. Dawes Census Cards. National Archives and Records Administration, https://catalog.archives.gov/id/218569441
Bibliography
“Appointment of Teachers.” Indian Sentinel (Tahlequah, Indian Territory). January 13, 1900. Newspapers.com.
“Bandits Still at Large.” Weekly Examiner (Bartlesville, Oklahoma). March 21, 1908. Newspapers.com.
Benge, Addie Starr. U.S. Dawes Census Cards, Oklahoma and Indian Territory. Cherokee Nation. Dawes #4786, Field #1812, August 22, 1900. National Archives and Records Administration.
Benge, Martin V. Application for Allotment and Homestead. Cherokee Land Office.
Familysearch.org. Oklahoma Applications for Allotment, Five Civilized Tribes, 1899-1907.
“Big Pay Brings ’Em Out.” Muskogee Daily Phoenix. January 25, 1920. Newspapers.com.
Brewer-Budinot Cemetery. Oklahoma and Indian Territory, Indian and Pioneer Historical Collection, 1937, p. 1310. Ancestry.com
“Brief Local Items.” Fort Gibson Post. January 18, 1900. Newspapers.com.
“Burial Services Held Here for Two Elder Citizens.” Muskogee Morning News. July 5, 1951. Newspapers.com.
“Cherokee Schools.” Fort Gibson Post. September 7, 1899. Newspapers.com.
“Communicated.” Cherokee Advocate (Tahlequah, Indian Territory). September 23, 1876. Newspapers.com.
“Death Claims Martin V. Benge.” Fort Gibson Gazette. December 2, 1915. Newspapers.com.
“Deaths and Funerals.” Muskogee Times-Democrat. January 11, 1945. Newspapers.com.
“Fort Gibson.” Muskogee Daily Phoenix. December 5, 2024. Newspapers.com.
“Funeral Arrangements for George Ross Benge.” Muskogee Daily Pheonix. February 28, 1944. Newspapers.com.
Gordon, Mary Scott. “Gordon, Mary Scott. Interview.” Interview by Jennie Selfridge, March 31, 1937, Ardmore, Oklahoma. Transcript. Indian-Pioneer Oral History Project, The University of Oklahoma, Western History Collection, Norman, OK.
“Henry Starr Dies from Wound.” Adair Gleaner. February 25, 1921. Newspapers.com.
“Hold Rites for Mrs. Starr.” Muskogee Times-Democrat. May 5, 1930. Newspapers.com.
“How to be a Success at Teaching.” Muskogee Morning News. October 20, 1949. Newspapers.com
“Local and Personal.” Fort Gibson Post. March 31, 1910. Newspapers.com.
May, Jon D. n.d. “Henry Starr,” The Encyclopedia of Oklahoma History and Culture. Okhistory.org.
“Mother of Early Outlaw Dies; Burial at Ardmore.” Tulsa World. August 7, 1938. Newspapers.com.
Nunneley, Mary R. M. “Elizabeth Starr Daugherty.” Findagrave.com.
OkieBran. “Martin Van Benge.” Findagrave.com.
P., Alice. “Emma Benge Mounts.” Findagrave.com.
P., Alice. “Charles Starr Benge.” Findagrave.com.
P., Alice. “George Ross Benge.” Findagrave.com.
P., Alice. “Martin Van ‘Clu-Clu’ Benge Sr.” Findagrave.com.
Papers of the Robertson and Worcester Families, 1815-1932, 1931-001. Special Collections, McFarlin Library, The University of Tulsa, Tulsa, OK.
“Popular Nominations.” Cherokee Advocate (Tahlequah, Indian Territory). June 8, 1881. Newspapers.com.
“Personals.” Muskogee Phoenix. September 5, 1889. Newspapers.com.
“Presbyterian Mission Notes.” Muskogee Phoenix. December 6, 1888. Newspapers.com.
“Presbyterian Mission Notes.” Muskogee Phoenix. December 20, 1888. Newspapers.com.
“Presbyterian Mission Notes.” Muskogee Phoenix. November 22, 1888. Newspapers.com.
Rankin, Donna. “Amy Benge Starr.” Findagrave.com.
“School Appointments.” Indian Sentinel (Tahlequah, Indian Territory). January 19, 1899. Newspapers.com.
“School Teachers.” Fort Gibson Post. September 14, 1899. Newspapers.com.
“Starr Pardoned by Governor.” Collinsville Star. March 21, 1919. Newspapers.com.
“Tahlequah I.T.” Cherokee Telephone (Tahlequah, Indian Territory). January 11, 1894. Newspapers.com.
“To the Public.” Muskogee Times-Democrat. June 25, 1918. Newspapers.com.
“Two Murphys in Race.” Muskogee Daily Phoenix. July 4, 1920. Newspapers.com.
United States of America, Oklahoma and Indian Territory, Marriage, Citizenship and Census Records, 1841-1927. “Department of the Interior. Commision to the Five Civilized Tribes.” Ancestry.com.
United States of America, Tulsa, Oklahoma. County Marriage Records, 1890-1995. “Marriage License September 1909.” Ancestry.com.
U.S. Census Bureau. Adna S. Benge. 1940 United States Federal Census. Muskogee, Oklahoma; Roll m-t0627-03313; Page: 5B; Enumeration District: 51-26.
U.S. Veterans Affairs Office. “John Benge.” Findagrave.com.
U.S. Veterans Affairs Office. “Leo Bennett Benge.” Findagrave.com.