Jackson McCurtain

Last updated
Jackson McCurtain
Jackson Frazier McCurtain.jpg
Principal Chief of the Choctaw Nation
In office
1880–1884
Relatives Edmund McCurtain (brother)
Green McCurtain (brother)
Military service
AllegianceFlag of the Choctaw Brigade.svg Choctaw Nation
Flag of the Confederate States of America (1865).svg  Confederate States
Branch/serviceBattle flag of the Confederate States of America (1-1).svg  Confederate army
Years of service1861–1865
RankLieutenant Colonel
UnitConfederate First Regiment of Choctaw and Chickasaw Mounted Rifles
First Choctaw Battalion
Battles/wars

Jackson McCurtain (1830-1885) was a Choctaw politician who served as the principal chief of the Choctaw Nation from 1880 until 1884.

Biography

Jackson McCurtain was born in Mississippi on March 4, 1830, to Cornelius McCurtain and Mahayia Nelson. He fought in the American Civil War serving as a captain in the Confederate First Regiment of Choctaw and Chickasaw Mounted Rifles and later as a lieutenant colonel in the First Choctaw Battalion. [1] After the war he was a successful Choctaw farmer and rancher who married Jane Austin McCurtain in 1865. He who served in the Senate of the Choctaw Nation for many years and who served as the president of the senate from 1870 to 1880 when Principal Chief Isaac Garvin died. [2] [3] After Garvin's death, he was appointed principal chief and served in that position until 1884. [4] He died on November 14, 1885, shortly after leaving office. [2] During his tenure he was known as a progressive chief and for building the first permanent capital for the Choctaw Nation. [3] He was succeeded by his brother, Edmund McCurtain. [4]

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Jane Austin McCurtain was a Choctaw educator and political advisor within the Choctaw Nation, known for her influence on educational and tribal governance throughout her life. Serving as a close advisor to her husband, chief Jackson McCurtain, and later to his successors, she held key roles in Choctaw education, including as superintendent of Jones Academy, and remained active in Choctaw political affairs until her death, serving as custodian of the Choctaw Council House in Tuskahoma.

Cornelius McCurtain (1803-1871) was a Choctaw politician who served as the district chief of the Moshulatubbee District from 1850 to 1854.

Edmund McCurtain was a Choctaw politician who served as the principal chief of the Choctaw Nation from 1884 to 1886.

Gilbert Wesley Dukes was an American and Choctaw politician who served as the Chief of the Choctaw Nation between 1900 and 1902. He was the Republican candidate for Lieutenant Governor of Oklahoma in 1910.

References

  1. Searle, Elizabeth A. "McCurtain, Jane Austin (1842–1924)". okhistory.org. Encyclopedia of Oklahoma History and Culture . Retrieved 3 November 2023.
  2. 1 2 Joseph B. Thoburn (1916). A Standard History of Oklahoma. Chicago, New York: The American Historical Society. pp. 1338–1339. Retrieved 3 November 2023.
  3. 1 2 Ruth, Kent (March 1, 1987). "Influential Wife Backed Honored Choctaw Chief". The Oklahoman . Retrieved 3 November 2023.
  4. 1 2 "List of Chiefs". Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma. Retrieved 3 November 2023.