Edmund Aaron McCurtain (1842 - 1890)

Born 4 Jun 1842 in Fort Coffee, Skullyville, Le Flore County, Choctaw Nation, Indian Territory, Oklahoma

Ancestors

Husband of Susan (King) McCurtain — married about 1862 (to 1876) in Choctaw Nation, Indian Territory, United States

Died 9 Nov 1890 at age 48 in Skullyville, Le Flore County, Choctaw Nation, Indian Territory, Oklahoma

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Preceded by Chief Jackson McCurtain

Edmund McCurtain Chief of the Choctaw 1884—1886

Succeeded by Chief Thompson McKinney

Biography

Edmund was Choctaw.

Chief Edmund McCurtain was born at Fort Coffee, Indian Territory, June 4, 1842. He was the son of Cornelius McCurtain and Mahayia Nelson Belvin, granddaughter of Sho-ma-ka. Edmund attended neighborhood schools until he was 17. At the age of 19, he enlisted in the Confederate Army and served as a Second Lieutenant under the command of his brother Captain Jackson McCurtain. After his military service was over he established a home at Sans Bois in Haskell County. He married Susan King in 1862 and after her death, he married Harriet Austin in 1876. Edmund was married to Lucy Webster, they divorced in 1881 per Green McCurtain's testimony.^[1] In 1881 he married Clarissa LeFlore upon the death of his second wife.

He distinguished himself by his persistent efforts and effective interest in the education of his people. He served as Judge of Sans Bois County, Trustee of Schools, and Representative to the National Council, and Superintendent of Education while his brother was Principal Chief. Edmund became Chief of the Choctaws at the end of J. F. McCurtain's term of office. He served from 1884 to 1886. He declined to run for re-election and gave his support to Thompson McKinney, who was elected. Edmund was elected Senator from San Bois County in August 1888. He also served o­n an adjustment committee designated to settle certain fees growing out of the old Net Proceeds matter.

Chief McCurtain died at Skullyville while en route to his home. He had been attending a meeting of the National Council. His death occurred on November 9, 1890. He was buried at Skullyville in a carefully marked grave.^[2]

Sources

1. ↑ Applications for Enrollment in the Five Civilized Tribes, compiled 1898 – 1914, Publication Number: M1301, Content Source: NARA, Nara Catalog Id: 617283, Footnote Job: 08-003, Footnote Publication Year: 2008, Place: Oklahoma, Record Group: 75, Rg: 75, Roll: 0020 - https://www.fold3.com/image/54132173
2. ↑ Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma https://www.choctawnation.com/chief/1884-edmund-mccurtain

• "United States, Native American, Census Rolls, 1885-1940," database, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:W1QP-2ZW2 : 29 October 2020), Edmund McCurtain, United States; citing Census, NARA microfilm publication M595. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1967.

See Also:

• Find A Grave: Memorial #24408331

• FamilySearch: Edmund McCurtain LZLW-95K

• WikiTree: Choctaw_Chiefs page

• Wikipedia: Edmund McCurtain House