Muskogee Yargee Ross
A Native American woman in a formal portrait. Her hair is arranged up and back, away from her face and shoulders, ears exposed; she is wearing a dark jacket with a light-colored fringed fabric bow at the neck.
Muskogee Yargee Ross, from an 1892 publication.
Born1840s
Indian Territory
DiedMarch 14, 1913
Muskogee, Oklahoma
Other namesMuscogee Yargee Ross, Muscogee Ross, Mrs. Joshua Ross

Muskogee Yargee Ross (1840s – March 14, 1913) was a Creek (or Muscogee) woman, a prominent pioneer resident of Muskogee, Oklahoma.

Biography

Muskogee Yargee was born along the Canadian River, near North Fork Town, Indian Territory (present day Oklahoma), the daughter of Captain Checartah Yargee and Millie McQueen.[1] Her father was a Creek planter. After the Indian Removal Act, he was relocated with his large enslaved workforce from Alabama to Indian Territory, before her birth. She learned to speak and read English when she went to school.[2][3]

Muskogee Yargee married Joshua Ross, a successful businessman[4] and a member of a prominent Cherokee family, in 1864.[5] They raised nine children, including her niece and nephew. The Rosses were considered pioneers of Muskogee, Oklahoma, and founding members of the First United Methodist Church of Muskogee.[6] Muskogee Street in the town was, in part, named for her.[7] She was active in church work and was known for her home remedies. She died in Muskogee in 1913, when she was about 70 years old.[8]

References

  1. ^ Wickman, Patricia Riles (2006-08-27). Osceola's Legacy. University of Alabama Press. p. 247. ISBN 978-0-8173-5332-2.
  2. ^ Mullins, Jonita (August 6, 2016). "Three Forks History: Ross family leaders in early Muskogee". Muskogee Phoenix. Retrieved 2020-08-07.
  3. ^ Susie Ross Martin, interviewed by Ella M. Robinson (August 23, 1937). "Pioneer Creek Indian Woman Mrs. Muskogee Ross".
  4. ^ "Early Merchant Painted Sign in Cherokee as Well as English". Muskogee Daily Phoenix and Times-Democrat. 1915-04-26. p. 14. Retrieved 2020-08-07 – via Newspapers.com.
  5. ^ Allen, Penelope Johnson (1936-05-10). "Leaves from the Family Tree". Chattanooga Daily Times. p. 38. Retrieved 2020-08-07 – via Newspapers.com.
  6. ^ The Indian Territory: Its Chiefs, Legislators and Leading Men. C. B. Woodward Company. 1892. pp. 199–202.
  7. ^ "An Historical Fact". Muskogee Phoenix. 1892-03-24. p. 5. Retrieved 2020-08-07 – via Newspapers.com.
  8. ^ "Death of Mrs. Joshua Ross". Muskogee Times-Democrat. 1913-03-14. p. 10. Retrieved 2020-08-07 – via Newspapers.com.

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