Cyrus Harris

Cyrus H. Harris (August 22, 1817 – January 6, 1888), a mixed-blood Chickasaw born in Mississippi, was elected the first Governor of the Chickasaw Nation, and served five non-consecutive two-year terms. Although his formal schooling was limited at an elementary level, he became fluent in both the English and Chickasaw languages. He and his family relocated to Indian Territory in 1837, where he was employed in business and also served as an interpreter and developed a keen interest in Chickasaw politics. In 1856, he was elected to his first term as governor of the newly established Chickasaw Nation His accomplishments included organizing a national government after the Chickasaw Nation and Choctaw Nation formally separated into two distinct entities. He also executed a formal alliance between his nation and the Confederate States of America after the outbreak of the American Civil War. After the cessation of hostilities, he played a major role in the recovery of the nation from its devastated condition. He retired from politics in 1874, after serving his fifth term as governor. He died in 1887 at his home in Mill Valley, and was buried at the cemetery in Mill Valley.

Early life Cyrus Harris was born August 22, 1817, to Elizabeth Oxbury (Some sources spell Elizabeth's surname as Oxbury.)

Cyrus' grandfather, General William Colbert, was a notable Chickasaw warrior and leader.

Fluent in both English and Chickasaw, Cyrus Harris became useful as an interpreter in the many meetings with government officials to discuss details of the removal. Cyrus, himself, moved in November 1837, and settled along the Blue River in what is now Johnston County, Oklahoma, where he opened a mercantile business.

Chickasaw Nation political life Cyrus Harris' diplomatic experience before and during removal sparked his interest in Chickasaw political affairs. He was selected to accompany Edward Pickens in 1850 and 1854 on missions to meet with Federal officials about tribal business. In 1855, after returning from his 1854 journey to Washington, Harris moved to Mill Creek, Oklahoma, which remained his home for the rest of his life. He only emerged from political retirement in 1886 to vigorously support his nephew, William Guy, who was the Progressive Party candidate for governor. Guy's opponent, the "Conservative Party candidate, William L. Byrd, lost this election. However, their political fortunes reversed, and Byrd defeated Guy in the 1890 election.

In 1960, flooding along Mill Creek threatened to wash away the old Mill Creek Cemetery. Relatives of Governor Harris decided to have his remains moved to the Drake-Nebo Cemetery. His wife and one daughter, Emily, had been buried there during the 1990s. Their other daughter, Lucy Harris Lael, had been reburied in Oaklawn Cemetery in Wynnewood, Oklahoma.