Wells Family - Person Sheet
Wells Family - Person Sheet
NameJames Nichols Trahern
Birthabt 1814, Choctaw Territory, MS
Death29 Mar 1883, Trahern Station, Skullyville Co, Choctaw Nation, Indian Territory
BurialTrahern Station, Le Flore Co, OK
FatherJames Wesley Trahern (~1770-1829)
MotherMargaret “Peggy” Shanke (~1771-1856)
Misc. Notes
1/2 Choctaw Indian
James N. Trahern was born 1815 or 1816 in the Choctaw nation of Mississippi. More than likely he was born near the town of Koosha where his mother probably lived. James N. Trahern was the son of Margaret "Peggy" Trahern, and his father was one of three Trahern brothers who were in the area. The exact name of his father cannot yet be determined but it was either Wesley, William or James Trahern. Wesley Trahern was married to Delilah Brashears, and William Trahern was appointed trustee of the orphan indian land allotments after the Treaty of Dancing Rabbit Creek. James N. Trahern also had a brother Jeremiah Trahern.
James N. Trahern lived with Robert M. Jones for a while before he attended the Choctaw Academy with his two "cousins" George W. and William Trahern, and is listed in 1838 as being in attendance. He returned home in July 1839 (expenditure report). He then immigrated to the Skullyville area of the Choctaw Nation around 1841. In 1843 he married Sarah Hall, the daughter of William Hall and Susan Riddle. Sarah's sister Jane was the second wife of Chief David Folsom, and Sarah's cousin Tandy Walker was the Governor of the Choctaw Nation in later years. Several of Sarah's cousins through the Riddle family also ran stations along the Butterfield Stage Coach line. Trahern Station was the second station inside the state of Oklahoma along the route. In 1846, James, his wife Sarah signed the paperwork to sell the land allotted to his mother, himself and his brother through the treaty of Dancing Rabbit Creek. In 1851, the President of the United States approved the sale to Harriet Sims. In 1849 James was the Clerk of the District Court in the Choctaw Nation. In the Choctaw Census of 1855 James N. Trahern is listed with his wife Sarah, and children Robert, Levina, Lysander, James & Catherine. Two more sons, William and Joseph were born after 1855.
His wife, Sarah Hall Trahern died on December 28, 1873. James subsequently married Virginia Parelli Clossen around 1877 and had two more daughters Docia and Minnie Trahern. In 1880 James was the Judge of Skullyville County, it is said he held the position longer than anyone else in the territory. He also was a member of the council as was his son Lysander Trahern.
James N. Trahern died March 29, 1883.
Spouses
Birthabt 1825, Choctaw Territory, MS
Death28 Dec 1873, Trahern Station, Skullyville Co, Choctaw Nation, Indian Territory
BurialLatham, Le Flore Co, OK
Misc. Notes
1/2 Choctaw Indian
Sarah Hall Trahern was the daughter of William Hall and Susan Riddle. Many of her family had distinction among the Choctaw.
Sarah's brother Joseph Hall was a classmate of Allen Wright (Choctaw chief, 1866-70), graduated from Union College, Schenectady, New York (1852) where he was a member of Sigma Chi Fraternity. Joseph Hall served as National Secretary of the Choctaw Nation. He enlisted and was commissioned Captain of Co.2 H, First Choctaw and Chickasaw Mounted Rifles, Confederate States Army (1861), and died at Fort Smith during the War.
Sarah's sister Jane was married to David Folsom and David Ball editors of the Choctaw Telegraph. Among Jane and David Folsom's children were Albert Mckee Folsom and Susan Folsom Byrd, the wife of the Chickasaw Governor.
Another sister, Margaret was married to William Moncrief. As a widow, Margaret Moncrief supported her children by operating eating houses along the Butterfield Stage Coach route. Another sister, Catherine was married to Thomas Wall.
Among her Riddle cousins were Tandy Walker and John Riddle both influential men in the Choctaw Nation.
MarriageSep 1843, Trahern Station, Skullyville Co, Choctaw Nation, Indian Territory
ChildrenLouvina (~1844-~1892)
 Lysander T. (1851-1909)
 Catherine (1852-1918)
 Robert (1853-~1897)
 James D. (1855-1900)
 Joseph Hall (1856-1897)
 William (1860-)
Birth1855, Fort Smith, Sebastian Co, AR
Death1907, Antlers, Pushmataha Co, OK
FatherJohn Clawson (1826-1889)
MotherChristina Northern (1828->1889)
Misc. Notes
Dau of John (1830) & Christina (1832) Clossen. Marriage record appears to show her name as Clapen.
Marriage7 Jun 1880, Skullyville Co, Choctaw Nation, Indian Territory
ChildrenMinnie (1878-1900)
 Docia (1882-1919)
Last Modified 5 Jun 2017Created 4 Jan 2024 using Reunion on a Mac