James N. Trahern was born 1815 or 1816 in the Choctaw Nation
of Mississippi, more than likely he was born near the town of
Koosha where his mother more than likely lived. James N.
Trahern was the son of Margaret "Peggy" Trahern, and
his father was one of three Trahern brothers who were in the
area, the exact name of his father cannot yet be determined
but it was either Wesley, William or James Trahern. Wesley
Trahern was married to Delilah Brashears, and William Trahern
was appointed trustee of the orphan Indian land allotments
after the Treaty of Dancing Rabbit Creek. James N. Trahern
also had a brother Jeremiah Trahern. Peggy Trahern was the
sister of Chief Oklahoma, and presumably Nitakechi as well,
their mother was Nahomtima, the sister of Chief Pushmataha. In
the treaty of Dancing Rabbit Creek Peggy and her two children
were alloted land in the supplement, the document reads...
And there is given a quarter section of land each to Delila
and her five fatherless children, she being a Choctaw woman
residing out of the nation; also the same quantity to Peggy
Trihan, another Indian woman residing out of the nation
and her two fatherless children; and to the widows of Pushmataha,
and Pucktshenubbee, who were formerly distinguished
Chiefs of the nation and for their children four quarter
sections of land, each in trust for themselves and their
children.
According to statements made by descendants of Eliza Ann
Flack, Peggy Trahern was the mother of 8 children by Charles
Juzan, including Chief Pierre Juzan.
James N. Trahern attended the Choctaw Academy in 1834, and
immigrated to the Skullyville area of the Choctaw Nation
around 1841. In 1843 he married Sarah Hall, the daughter of
William Hall and Susan Riddle. Sarah's sister Jane was the
second wife of Chief David Folsom, and Sarah's cousin Tandy
Walker was the Governor of the Choctaw Nation in later years.
Several of Sarah's cousins through the Riddle family also ran
stations along the Butterfield Stage Coach line. Trahern
Station was the second station inside the state of Oklahoma
along the route.
In 1846, James, his wife Sarah signed the paperwork to sell
the land alloted to his mother, himself and his brother
through the treaty of Dancing Rabbit Creek. In 1851, the
President of the United States approved the sale to Harriet
Sims. In 1849 James was the Clerk of the District Court in the
Choctaw Nation. In the Choctaw Census of 1855 James N. Trahern
is listed with his wife Sarah, and children Robert,
Levina, Lysander, James & Catherine. Two more sons,
William and Joseph were born after 1855.
Sarah Hall Trahern died on December 28, 1873. James married
Virginia Parelli Clossen around 1877 and had two more
daughters Docia and Minnie Trahern. In 1880 James was the
Judge of Skullyville County. He also was a member of the
council as was his son Lysander Trahern.
James N. Trahern died March 29, 1883. Inventory of assets
of J.N. Trahern Estate is dated Tuesday 25, Sept. 1883 and
signed by Turner Daniels, John Wesley LeFlore, Silas W. James.
Four children, twenty three grandchildren and a few great
grandchildren of James N. Trahern are enrolled on the Dawes
Roll. Many of his descendants continue to reside in Haskell
and LeFlore counties of Oklahoma.
Sarah Hall Trahern was
the daughter of William Hall and Susan Riddle. Many of her
family had distinction among the Choctaw.
Sarah's brother Joseph Hall was a classmate of Allen Wright
(Choctaw chief, 1866-70), graduated from Union College,
Schenectady, New York (1852) where he was a member of Sigma
Chi Fraternity. Joseph Hall served as National Secretary
of the Choctaw Nation. He enlisted and was commissioned
Captain of Co.2 H, First Choctaw and Chickasaw Mounted Rifles,
Confederate States Army (1861), and died at Fort Smith during
the War. REF: THE CHRONICLES OF OKLAHOMA,
Vol.XXXIX, page 304
Sarah's sister Jane was married to David Folsom and David Ball
editors of the Choctaw Telegraph. Among Jane and David
Folsom's children were Albert Mckee Folsom and Susan Folsom
Byrd, the wife of the Chickasaw Governor.
Another sister, Margaret was married to William Moncrief. As a
widow, Margaret Moncrief supported her children by operating
eating houses along the Butterfield Stage Coach route. Another
sister, Catherine was married to Thomas Wall.
Among her Riddle cousins were Tandy Walker and John Riddle
both influential men in the Choctaw Nation.
Sarah Hall Trahern and her husband James had seven children.
Louvina Trahern, Robert Trahern, James D. Trahern, Joseph Hall
Trahern, William Trahern, Lysander T. Trahern and Katherine
Trahern Newton.
