Gilbert Dukes

Native American politician

Gilbert Dukes

Chief of the Choctaw Nation
In office
1900–1902
Preceded by| Green McCurtain
Succeeded by| Green McCurtain
Choctaw National Auditor
In office
1895–1897
Judge for the Choctaw Nation's 2nd district court
In office
1889–1895
Justice of the Choctaw Supreme Court
In office
1885–1889
Personal details
Born| (1849-11-21)November 21, 1849
Bok Tuklo, Choctaw Nation
Died| December 26, 1919(1919-12-26) (aged 70)
Talihina, Oklahoma, U.S.
Citizenship| Choctaw Nation
American
Political party| Tuskahoma Party
Other political
affiliations| Republican
Military service
Allegiance|  Confederate States
Branch/service| Confederate States Army

Gilbert Wesley Dukes was an American and Choctaw 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

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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.[1] He fought for the Confederate States Army during the American Civil War under Jackson McCurtain.[2] 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.[1] 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.[3] 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.[4]

He married Angeline Wade, the daughter of Choctaw Governor Alfred Wade, in 1870.[4] He died on December 26, 1919, southeast of Talihina.[2]

## Electoral history

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Oklahoma lieutenant gubernatorial Republican primary (August 2, 1910)[5] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %

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|
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| Republican | Gilbert W. Dukes  | 60,938  | 100%
1910 Oklahoma lieutenant gubernatorial election[5] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Democratic | J.J. McAlester | 118,544  | 49.3%  | −5.4%
| Republican | Gilbert W. Dukes  | 94,621  | 39.3%  | −2.0%
| Socialist | John G. Wills  | 23,974  | 9.9%  | +6.0%
| Prohibition | I.A. Briggs  | 3,136  | 1.3%  | New
| Democratic hold | Swing |  |

## References

[edit]

1. ^ a b Meserve 1940, p. 54.
2. ^ a b Meserve 1940, p. 59.
3. ^ Meserve 1940, p. 55.
4. ^ a b Meserve 1940, p. 58.
5. ^ a b "1907-1912 Results" (PDF). oklahoma.gov. Oklahoma State Election Board. Retrieved 23 September 2023.

## Works cited

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* Meserve, John Bartlett (Spring 1940). "Chief Gilbert Wesley Dukes". Chronicles of Oklahoma. 18 (1): 53–59. Retrieved 29 September 2024.53-59&rft.date=1940&rft.aulast=Meserve&rft.aufirst=John+Bartlett&rft_id=https://gateway.okhistory.org/ark:/67531/metadc2192154/&rfr_id=info:sid/en.wikipedia.org:Gilbert+Dukes" class="Z3988">

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