Samuel Benton Callahan facts for kids

Samuel Benton Callahan (January 26, 1833 – February 17, 1911) was an important politician from the Creek Nation. He was born in Mobile, Alabama, and had a mixed heritage: his father was white, and his mother was part Creek. When he was young, his father died, and Samuel and his mother had to move to Indian Territory in 1836. This was part of a big forced movement of Native American tribes.

Later, Samuel lived in Sulphur Springs, Texas, where his mother remarried. He went to school and college there. He married Sarah Elizabeth McAllester in 1858 and moved back to Indian Territory. During the American Civil War, he served in the Confederate Army. In 1864, he became a representative for the Creek and Seminole nations in the Confederate Congress. After the war, he returned to Indian Territory and became a key leader in the Creek Nation, serving in various important roles.

Early Life and Moving to Indian Territory

Samuel Callahan was born in Mobile, Alabama. His parents were James Oliver Callahan and Amanda Doyle Callahan. Amanda was born in Georgia and was part Creek. Her mother was Creek, and her father was white.

Samuel's father, James, died when Samuel was young. In 1836, Samuel and his mother, Amanda, were forced to move from Alabama to a new area called Indian Territory. This move was part of the Trail of Tears, where many Native American tribes were relocated.

After moving, Amanda married Dr. Owen Simpson Davis in Sulphur Springs, Texas. Samuel then lived there and went to public schools. He also attended McKenzie College (Texas). After college, he worked as an editor for a newspaper called the Sulphur Springs Gazette for two years. Then, he moved back to Indian Territory and started a cattle ranch near Okmulgee.

Marriage and Family Life

In 1857, Samuel Callahan married Sarah Elizabeth Thornberg in Sulphur Springs, Texas. Sarah was the daughter of a Methodist minister.

Samuel and Sarah had eight children together. Their children were Josephine, James Owen, Jane Evylin, Samuel B., Jr., Sophia Alice, Emma Price, Walter McKenzie, and Edwin Thornberg.

Service During the Civil War

During the American Civil War, Samuel Callahan joined the Confederate Army. He served in the First Creek Mounted Volunteers. He was well-liked by the soldiers in his unit, many of whom were full-blood Creeks. He started as a first lieutenant and was later promoted to adjutant.

In 1863, he helped reorganize his unit and became a Captain. On May 18, 1864, he left the army to serve in the Second Confederate Congress. This was a government body for the Confederate states. He represented both the Creek and Seminole nations as a delegate in Richmond, Virginia. His service there began on May 30, 1864.

While Samuel was away serving in the army, his ranch was attacked. His wife, Sarah, managed to escape to Sulphur Springs, Texas, with their two small children and a helper. She also took a bag of gold with her.

Life After the Civil War

After the Civil War ended, Samuel Callahan returned to his family in Sulphur Springs. Then, they moved back to Indian Territory. He settled near Muskogee and started farming and ranching again.

Samuel quickly became an important leader in the Creek Nation's government. He served in the Creek National Council, which was like a parliament. For four years, he was the clerk of the House of Kings, which was similar to a Senate. He also worked as a clerk for the Creek Supreme Court.

He was a private secretary for three important Creek Principal Chiefs: Roley McIntosh, Samuel Checote, and Isparhecher. From 1887, he worked as an editor for the Muskogee Indian Journal newspaper. He was also the superintendent of the Wealaka Boarding School from 1892 to 1894. In 1901, he was chosen to be a justice on the Creek Supreme Court.

Samuel Callahan passed away in Muskogee County, Oklahoma, on February 17, 1911. He was buried in Greenhill Cemetery. At the time of his death, he was the last living member of the Confederate Congress. His daughter mentioned that he was buried wearing his Confederate Army uniform.