Gilbert Dukes

Gilbert Wesley Dukes was a Choctaw judge and 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.

Biography Gilbert Wesley Dukes was born on November 21, 1849, in Bok Tuklo, Choctaw Nation, to Joseph Dukes and Nancy Collins. His father was an interpreter and translator for missionaries. Dukes attended the Spenser Academy, read the law, and practiced in tribal courts. He fought for the Confederate States Army during the American Civil War under Jackson McCurtain. After he moved to Talihina, Indian Territory he was elected sheriff for Wade County, Choctaw Nation. He was a Choctaw Nation Supreme Court Justice from 1885 to 1889 and a circuit court judge for the nation's 2nd district between 1889 and 1895. From 1895 to 1897 he served as the nation's auditor. He ran for Chief of the Choctaw Nation in 1900 with the Tuskahoma Party. He supported implementing the Atoka Agreement, settling tribal affairs, and using mineral leases to fund education. He defeated Jacob B. Jackson of the National Party and E. N. Wright of the Union Party. He chose not to seek reelection as Chief in 1902 and was succeeded by his predecessor, Green McCurtain.

Following Oklahoma statehood, he was the Republican candidate for Lieutenant Governor of Oklahoma in 1910. He lost the election to J. J. McAlester.

He married Angeline Wade, the daughter of Choctaw Governor Alfred Wade, in 1870. He died on December 26, 1919, southeast of Talihina.

Electoral history