Residing in Tulsa, I have been a member of the Goingsnake District Heritage  Association for several years and have served as Secretary of the organization since 2004.

I was born and raised until age 11 on my great-grandfather George Washington Goss’ Cherokee allotment  near Chouteau.  His allotment was taken by the government to build the “powder plant” during World War II, and is now  located in the Mid America Industrial Park.

My parents  were John Thompson Goss and Mary Elsie (Whitmire) Goss.  My mother died when I was 9 days old and I was raised  by my grandparents  Benjamin Franklin and Flora Etta (Alberty) Goss. I have been unable to trace my Whitmire ancestors back any further than Henry, but according to “family history” they are Cherokee.

One of my Goss ancestors,  great-great-great grandfather  Benjamin Franklin and his sister Rachel were born in Georgia,  CN East.  After the death of their parents Thomas and Mary (Adair) Goss, they were brought by their uncle John Thompson Adair, in 1837 to the Stilwell area.  Benjamin was a  Clerk of the Goingsnake District in 1874 and 1875 and Judge on the Middle Judicial Circuit in 1895.  He fought with Stand Watie’s army during the Civil War.  Benjamin is buried in Oak Grove Cemetery, Stilwell, Goingsnake District.

My great-great-great-great grandfather Jeremiah Clinton  Towers built the first mill, where the Hildebrand-Beck Mill is today.  His granddaughter Annie Charlotte married  Jacob Udolphus Alberty.  They were the parents of my grandmother Flora Etta (Alberty) Goss.

I am related to many Cherokee families – Adair, Alberty, Bean, Buffington,  Eaton, Emory, Grant,  Goss, Harlan, Mayes, Starr, Towers, Whitmire, Wright, and am a direct descendant of Nancy Ward, the Cherokee’s Beloved Woman.