James Coody Johnson facts for kids

James Coody Johnson (born 1864, died 1927) was an important leader. He was an African-Creek person who worked as a businessman, interpreter, lawyer, and politician. He fought for the rights of African Americans. He was also a citizen of both the Creek and Seminole nations.

Early Life

James Coody Johnson was born in 1864 near Fort Gibson. His father, Robert Johnson, was an African-Creek interpreter for the Seminole nation. His mother was Elizabeth Davis Johnson. Elizabeth's mother, Sarah Davis, was a successful African-Creek businesswoman. Sarah had bought freedom for herself and her two daughters. She even owned a hotel in what is now Arkansas.

James grew up speaking both Seminole and English. He went to school at the Presbyterian Mission near Wewoka. The Seminole nation helped him go to college. He studied at Lincoln University in Pennsylvania. This was a historically black college. After finishing college in 1884, James went back to the Indian Territory. For about a year and a half, he worked as a cowboy.

Career and Fighting for Rights

After the Civil War, in 1866, the Creek Nation signed a treaty with the United States. This treaty gave full citizenship to former slaves of the Creek Nation. These people were called African Creeks. They made great progress in education and politics.

In 1886, James's father passed away. James then returned to the Creek country. He became an interpreter for a Federal Judge named Isaac Parker. James studied law with Judge Parker. Soon, he was allowed to practice law in federal courts.

James Coody Johnson was one of the few freedmen who had citizenship in both the Creek and Seminole nations. He became an important advisor to the Seminole Chief Halputta Micco. He also served as an official interpreter for the Seminole nation.

Before Oklahoma became a state in 1907, Johnson led the Negro Protection League. He strongly supported rights for African Americans. He worked against the introduction of Jim Crow laws in Oklahoma. These laws aimed to separate people and take away rights. When Oklahoma became a state, people had to register for land allotments. African Creeks lost much of the freedom they had before. The Dawes Commission decided that people of African descent could not be full members of the Creek Nation. This divided the people after statehood.

James Coody Johnson kept working for full citizenship rights for African Americans. He did this even after the new state government passed laws that created segregation and other unfair rules.

Later Life and Memorials

James Coody Johnson died at his home in Wewoka, Oklahoma, in February 1927.

The J. Coody Johnson Building is in Wewoka. He built this building in 1916 for his law offices. In 1985, it was listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This means it is an important historical site.