Richard Baxter Choate, Principal Chief for a day

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from A history of the state of Oklahoma Vol II by Luther B Hill A.B. 1910

Richard B. Choate. A native of the Cherokee nation and a resident of Bunch, Adair county, since his boyhood days, Richard B. Choate has been actively identified with official affairs for many years, and is now serving as assistant Indian agent. He was born, January 24, 1863, in what was then Flint District of the Cherokee nation, a son of Sanders and Eliza Choate.

Sanders Choate was born, in 1821, in Willstown, Alabama, and came to the Cherokee nation with the emigrants of 1835. He was twice married. He married first Jane Riley, by whom he had one child, George W. Choate. After her death he married Eliza Childers, who died in 1896, leaving six children, namely: Emma, wife of John H. Adair, of Sallisaw, Oklahoma; Joshua; Isabelle, wife of Houston J. Payne, of Fort Smith, Arkansas; Mary Alma, who married Dr. R. L. Rye and now resides at Porter, Oklahoma; John C., who married Fannie Foreman; and Richard B.

Coming with his parents to Bunch in 1870, Richard B. Choate obtained his elementary education in the public schools, completing his studies at the Cherokee National Male Seminary in Tahlequah. He subsequently taught school two years, first at Skinboyan, then at Sallisaw, and afterward at Round Springs, near Bunch. Turning his attention subsequently to agricultural pursuits, Mr. Choate was for a time engaged in farming and stock-raising. Entering then upon an official career, he was assistant clerk for the National Council, afterward becoming chief of that body. For two years thereafter he was elected district clerk, and still later elected district judge, which office he held when tribal government was abolished. In these various positions Mr. Choate served most satisfactorily to all concerned, giving to his duties his best efforts, and now as assistant Indian agent is equally as faithful.

Mr. Choate married, January 24, 1885, Lydia H. Striker, a full blood Cherokee. She was educated at the Cherokee Orphan Asylum in the Cherokee nation. Mr. and Mrs. Choate have two children, namely: Elmer E., ten years of age; and Robert M., thirteen years old. Politically Mr. Choate is an earnest supporter of the principles of

the Republican party. He was defeated as a delegate to the first constitutional convention, but went as a delegate to the first Republican state convention, and helped nominate Frank Frantz for governor. Mr. Choate is three-eighth Cherokee and is proud of his Indian blood. He is loved by all the Cherokee people, and has the confidence of all with whom he comes in contact.