Ella (Harvison) Wilcox

Ella (Harvison) Wilcox

(1875-11/26/1961) 

Muscogee (Creek) Nation, Euchee (Yuchi) Tribe

By Abby Ridley, (TU, BA Class of 2025)

Early History

Ella Harvison was born ca. 1875 in Okmulgee, Indian Territory, to William Harvison (ca.1843-1897) and Anna Brown (c. 1850-1881).1 William was an owner of a general merchandise and livestock store.2 Ella’s Dawes Census Card indicates that her father was Mvskoke and from Hickory Ground Tribal Town. Her mother, Anna, was a member of the Euchee Tribe.3 [While the federal government does not recognize the Euchee Tribe as a sovereign tribal nation, they maintain citizenship within the Muscogee (Creek) Nation as longstanding members of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Confederacy. The relationship between the Euchee Tribe and the Muscogee (Creek) Nation began before the forced removal of Indigenous people from their southeastern homelands to Indian Territory.] There is conflicting information about Anna’s date of death; however, it is likely that she died in 1881. Anna was also a student of Ann Eliza Worcester Robertson, who was the mother of Alice Robertson.4 Ella had one sister, Katie (Harvison) Watson (1871-1922).5 In 1885, when Ella was ten years old, Alice Robertson adopted and raised Ella alongside Susanne Barnett (1879-1974), who was also a student at the Presbyterian School for Indian Girls.6

School 

Documentation confirms that Ella was attending the Presbyterian School for Indian Girls in 1889, when she was around fourteen years old. However, due to the fact that Alice Robertson had adopted her, and that Robertson became head of the school in 1885, it is likely that Ella was enrolled at PSIG before 1889. At the Presbyterian School for Indian Girls, Ella developed musical talents such as playing the piano and singing. In June of 1889, she performed by playing piano and singing for the closing concert of PSIG. At the ceremony, she played a piano duet of “Favorite Gallop” with Lucy Quesenbury, played a piano duet of “Edelweiss Guide” with fellow student Ida Perryman, and sang “Sweet and Low” with Susanne Barnett, Sara Foreman, Nina Porter, and May Sanger.7 At the end of the 1889 school year, Alice Robertson presented to Ella a Bible for Scholastic Achievement.8

Available documents from PSIG indicate that Ella was a strong student who flourished in her studies. In May of 1889, for example, she averaged a grade point of ninety-eight for Scholarship and one hundred for Deportment.9 At least four other available report cards show similarly impressive grades, such as in November of 1892, when she averaged a grade point of ninety-seven for Scholarship, ninety-six for Deportment, and a General Average score of ninetyseven.10 A newspaper containing Ella’s obituary reported that she was also a graduate of Henry Kendall College in Muskogee, Indian Territory. The Presbyterian School for Indian Girls transitioned into Henry Kendall College in 1894.11  In 1895, The Record-Democrat, a newspaper from Wagoner, Indian Territory, reported that “Miss Ella Harvison, who has been attending school at Muskogee, returned home last week. She is one of our most popular Creek ladies.”12

Adult Life 

After her time at PSIG and Henry Kendall College, Ella focused on working in volunteer and church organizations. In 1918, she was a chairperson for the American Red Cross of Leonard, Oklahoma. As a Red Cross officer, Ella coordinated and managed donations of personal goods such as sweaters, hospital garments, and socks.13 In 1929, she helped organize the opening of a Children’s home in Tulsa.14 Decades later, in 1952, she became an officer of the Women’s Society of Christian Service (WSCS) in Bixby. As both a member and officer, she attended regular WSCS social meetings.15 A funeral announcement described her as a member of the Presbyterian Church.16

Ella married Hiram H. Wilcox (H. H. Wilcox) on March 29, 1899, when she was twenty-three years old, and he was thirty-three.17 Hiram was born ca. 1866 in Michigan.18 After moving to Muskogee, Indian Territory around 1894, he became closely connected to Miss Alice Robertson, and he worked as a photographer for the Robertson Photography Studio in Muskogee from 1894 to 1896.19 In January, 1905, Hiram purchased the company and continued working as a photographer.20 He also held a career in government and law enforcement. He was approved as the Justice of Peace for the Bixby Township on June 7, 1911.21 In 1918, Hiram was a candidate for sheriff of Tulsa County; however, no sources report that he became sheriff, so it is likely that he lost the election.22 In 1923, he was elected as a county patrolman for the Bixby township.23 

Hiram was a Mason at the Bixby Masonic lodge, and in 1922, Ella and Hiram attended a Masonic banquet together.24 A year later, in 1923, he was also a member of the “Week-End Gun Club” of Frederick, Oklahoma.25 An article in The Bixby Bulletin from 1924 listed “H. H. Wilcox” among men who spoke publicly in favor of the Ku Klux Klan at a Democratic County Convention in Tulsa.26 No other documentation of his support for the Klan has been found, and no evidence has been found to indicate Ella’s opinion about her husband’s public comments in 1924. That same year, Hiram attended a Knights of Derrick, “the international association of oil men,” meeting in Tulsa. He was a farmer in Leonard, Oklahoma.27

Ella and Hiram had one son, John “Firpo” Wilcox, on December 28, 1901, in Wagoner, Indian Territory. On July 28, 1905, the United States Secretary of the Interior approved the enrollment of John as a Muscogee (Creek) Nation citizen, following Ella’s enrollment five years earlier.28 

John Wilcox was an accomplished boxer, wrestler, and football player. In 1923, while playing guard for the University of Oklahoma’s football team, he was awarded an athletic scholarship titled “football O,” which was the highest award the university offered student-athletes He also was a member of the University of Oklahoma’s wrestling team.29 While studying at the University of Oklahoma, John was a member of a fraternity, Pi Kappa Alpha.30 After attending the University of Oklahoma, he held careers in both professional football and professional wrestling. He was a World War II veteran, a member of the Carlson-Wilson American Legion Post, and member of the Tulsa Elks Lodge.31

The family lived in Wagoner, Indian Territory until Ella received a Federal Land Allotment near Leonard around the years of 1907 to 1910. There, the family lived together on a farm.32 The 1910 United States Federal Census reports that H. H. Wilcox’s sister Mollie Harmon, his brother-in-law William Harmon, and his nephew Walter Harmon, as well as Bert Wilcox, a “hired man,” lived with the family.33 Additionally, the 1920 United States Federal Census reports that Sarah Squire, a “boarder,” lived with the family.34 After H. H. Wilcox’s death, Ella moved to Bixby, Oklahoma, in 1934.35 One year after moving to Bixby, she was declared bankrupt and received a bankruptcy adjudication.36

Death and Legacy

On November 26, 1961, Ella died in a Tulsa hospital from an unspecified illness. Her funeral took place at the Tulsa-Whisenhunt Funeral Home, and she was buried at Bixby Cemetery in Bixby, Oklahoma.37 Thirty years earlier, on July 1, 1931, H. H. Wilcox had died at his home from an unknown cause. His funeral took place at the Bixby Masonic Lodge, and he was buried at Bixby Cemetery.38 In 1962, John Wilcox died in a Muskogee hospital from a heart attack in Hot Springs, Arkansas. His funeral took place at the Tulsa-Whisenhunt Funeral Home, and he was buried at Bixby Cemetery in Bixby, Oklahoma.39

 Since Ella’s son, John, did not have children, she does not have any direct descendants.

 Tribal Enrollment Information 

On May 16, 1900, Ella’s Muscogee (Creek) Nation Census Card was approved; her Dawes Roll Number is 6040.40

Endnotes

[1] Ella Wilcox Enrollment Card; huntindead, 2017, “Ella H. Wilcox (Harvison).” Billiongraves.com, 

https://billiongraves.com/grave/Ella-H-Wilcox-Harvison (accessed March 12, 2024).

[2] lpayneus, “John and Lisa (Thrower) Payne Family Tree,” Ancestry.com, n.d. https://www.ancestry.com/family-tree/tree/54113048 (accessed March 12, 2024).

[3] Ella Wilcox Enrollment Card, National Archives. Ancestry, Native American Enrollment Cards for the Five Civilized Tribes, 1898-1914. Dawes #6040, https://www.ancestry.com/discoveryui-content/view/177049:60543. 

[4] Anna Harveson, to Eliza Worcester Robertson,” 1931.001.2.12.13. Papers of the Robertson and Worcester Families, 1815-1932, Special Collections, McFarlin Library, The University of Tulsa. Tulsa, Oklahoma.

[5] lpayneus. “John and Lisa (Thrower) Payne Family Tree.”

[6] “Miss Alice, Former Aide to be Buried during Same Hour,” 1931, 1931.001.6, Papers of the Robertson and Worcester Families, 1815-1932, Special Collections, McFarlin Library, The University of Tulsa, Tulsa, OK.

[7] “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.

[8] “Indian Rites Pend for Ella Wilcox,” Tulsa Daily World, November 27, 1961, Newspapers.com, https://www.newspapers.com/image/897330498 (accessed March 13, 2024).

[9] “Local Items,” Muskogee Phoenix, May 30, 1889, Newspapers.com, https://www.newspapers.com/image/611404684 (accessed March 12, 2024).  “Local News,” Muskogee Phoenix, November 14, 1889, Newspapers.com, https://www.newspapers.com/image/611404876 (accessed March 12, 2024).

[10] “Presbyterian Mission,” Muskogee Phoenix, October 23, 1890, Newspapers.com, https://www.newspapers.com/image/611428845 (accessed March 13, 2024); “Roll of Honor,” Muskogee Phoenix, April 7, 1892, Newspapers.com, https://www.newspapers.com/image/611434534 (accessed March 13, 2024); “Roll of Honor,” Muskogee Phoenix, April 28, 1892, Newspapers.com, https://www.newspapers.com/image/611434759 (accessed March 13, 2024); “Roll of Honor, Muskogee Phoenix, December 8, 1892, Newspapers.com, https://www.newspapers.com/image/611444582 (accessed March 13, 2024).

[11] “Indian Rites Pend”

[12] “Personals,” Record-Democrat, July 12, 1895, Newspapers.com, https://www.newspapers.com/image/509047209 (accessed March 13, 2023).

[13] “Leonard,” Bixby Bulletin, November 22, 1918, Newspapers.com, https://www.newspapers.com/image/585606588 (accessed March 13, 2024).

[14] “New Children’s Home Dedicated with Ceremonies,” Tulsa Tribune, November 18, 1929, Newspapers.com, https://www.newspapers.com/image/900739139 (accessed March 14, 2024).

[15] “New Officers Elected for WSCS,” Bixby Bulletin, May 22, 1952, Newspapers.com, https://www.newspapers.com/image/602455515 (accessed March 14, 2024).

[16] “Mrs. Ella H. Wilcox,” Tulsa Tribune, November 27, 1961, Newspapers.com, https://www.newspapers.com/image/900135999 (accessed March 14, 2024).

[17] United States of America, Indian Territory, Northern District, “Marriage License March 1899,” Ancestry.com, https://www.ancestry.com/discoveryui-content/view/963718328:61379 (accessed March 14, 2024).

[18] U.S. Census Bureau; Ancestry, 1910 United States Federal Census, Bixby Township, Creek Nation, Indian Territory, Roll T624_1274, Page 5B, Enumeration District 0212, https://www.ancestry.com/discoveryui-content/view/186381924:7884.

[19] “Miss Alice, Former Aide.”

[20] “Artistic Photographer,” Muskogee Phoenix, June 7, 1905, Newspapers.com, https://www.newspapers.com/image/611426624 (accessed March 14, 2024).

[21] “County Commissioners Proceedings,” Tulsa Post, June 22, 1911, Newspapers.com, https://www.newspapers.com/image/662633574 (accessed March 24, 2024).

[22] “Hiram H. Wilcox,” Jenks Enquirer, July 26, 1918, Newspapers.com, https://www.newspapers.com/image/630951478 (accessed March 14, 2024).

[23] “Tulsa County Patrolmen,” Morning Tulsa Daily World, September 23, 1923, Newspapers.com, https://www.newspapers.com/image/901273656 (accessed March 14, 2024).

[24] “Celebrate Maundy Thursday with Banquet,” Bixby Bulletin, April 21, 1922, Newspapers.com, https://www.newspapers.com/image/630942052 (accessed March 14, 2024).

[25] “Week-End Gun Club Buys Shooting Box on Banks of River,” Frederick Leader, February 24, 1923, Newspapers.com, https://www.newspapers.com/image/607817560 (accessed March 14, 2024).

[26] “Democratic County Convention Last Saturday,” Bixby Bulletin, February 1, 1924, Newspapers.com, https://www.newspapers.com/image/630948165 (accessed March 14, 2024).

[27] “Knights of Derrick to Meet Here October 4,” Morning Tulsa Daily World, September 27, 1924, Newspapers.com, https://www.newspapers.com/image/901276524 (accessed March 14, 2024).

[28] “Birth Affidavit for John Wilcox, Department of the Interior, Commission to the Five Civilized Tribes,” Muscogee (Creek) Nation Digital Archive, The Muscogee (Creek) Nation, Okmulgee, OK.

[29] “Bixby Boy Wins Letter at Football,” Bixby Bulletin, December 14, 1923, Newspapers.com, https://www.newspapers.com/image/630947629 (accessed March 14, 2024).

[30] “Pi Kappa Alpha Entertains Fathers,” Oklahoma Daily, November 4, 1923, Newspapers.com, https://www.newspapers.com/image/613811857 (accessed March 14, 2024).

[31] “Sports Figure John Wilcox Rites Today,” Tulsa Daily World, August 4, 1962, Newspapers.com, https://www.newspapers.com/image/887367775 (accessed March 14, 2024).

[32] “Ella Wilcox,” Hastain’s Township Plats of the Creek Nation, Oklahoma Historical Society, Township 2 North, Range 14 East, Section 23, Page 205.

[33] U.S. Census Bureau; Ancestry, 1910 United States Federal Census.

[34] “U.S. Census Bureau; Ancestry, 1920 United States Federal Census, Bixby Tulsa, Oklahoma, Roll T625_1486, Page 2B, Enumeration District 200, https://www.ancestry.com.au/imageviewer/collections/6061/images/4385102_00491.

[35] “Social and Personal,” Bixby Bulletin, February 1, 1934, Newspapers.com, https://www.newspapers.com/image/602454605 (accessed March 14, 2024).

[36] “United States District Court,” Tulsa Daily Legal News, January 21, 1935, Newspapers.com, https://www.newspapers.com/image/904990470 (accessed March 24, 2024).

[37] “Indian Rites Pend.”

[38] “Miss Alice, Former Aide”

[39] “Sports Figure John Wilcox Rites Today,” Tulsa Daily World.

[40] Ella Wilcox Enrollment Card, National Archives.

Bibliography

“Artistic Photographer.” Muskogee Phoenix, June 7, 1905. Newspapers.com.

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Tribes.” Muscogee (Creek) Nation Digital Archive. The Muscogee (Creek) Nation.

Okmulgee, Oklahoma.

“Bixby Boy Wins Letter at Football.” Bixby Bulletin, December 14, 1923. Newspapers.com.

“Celebrate Maundy Thursday with Banquet.” Bixby Bulletin, April 21, 1922. Newspapers.com.

“County Commissioners Proceedings.” Tulsa Post, June 22, 1911. Newspapers.com.

“Democratic County Convention Last Saturday.” Bixby Bulletin, February 1, 1924.

Newspapers.com.

“Harveson, Anna. To Eliza Worcester Robertson.” 1931.001.2.12.13. Papers of the Robertson

and Worcester Families, 1815-1932, Special Collections, McFarlin Library, The

University of Tulsa. Tulsa, Oklahoma.

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1910. Online version, Oklahoma Historical Society.

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huntindead. 2017. “Ella H. Wilcox (Harvison).” Billiongraves.com.

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“Knights of Derrick to Meet Here October 4.” Morning Tulsa Daily World, September 27, 1924.

Newspapers.com.

“Leonard.” Bixby Bulletin, November 22, 1918. Newspapers.com.

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lpayneus. “John and Lisa (Thrower) Payne Family Tree.” Ancestry.com. n.d.

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1898-1914.

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Newspapers.com.

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McFarlin Library, The University of Tulsa, Tulsa, OK.

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“Social and Personal.” Bixby Bulletin, February 1, 1934. Newspapers.com.

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