Samuel Checote, full blood Creek Indian for whom the city of Checotah was named, was born near Ft. Mitchell, Alabama in 1819.  He attended Asbury Labor School in Alabama and came to Indian Territory with his parents in 1829.

 

Checote was elected Principal Chief of the Creek Nation, under the Creek Constitution, in 1869, 1872 and 1879.  He was a great influence for unity and good government, an advocate of education and the Christian way of life among his people.

 

A mapmaker’s error spelled the town’s name as Checotah.

After a long, unselfish service to his people, Checote died at Okmulgee, I.T., on September 3, 1884, rich in his peoples’ love and esteem but poor in worldly goods.

(from a painting by his grandson, Thomas Chicote)

Published 2012                     checotah.com