There is so much mis-information in print and on line I decided to try to set the story straight.  The following has been gleaned and cross checked thoroughly, then submitted to two descendents I am in contact with.  It is the most correct history we can come up with.

 

William Oscar Cardin was born in Miami Township, Miami County Kansas in 1879 to Thomas Jefferson and Esther Archangel (LaFontaine) Cardin.  Thomas was born in 1843 in Fayette County, Georgia to Besley and Antoinette Cardin.  In 1856, the Cardin family moved to Southeast Kansas near Osawatomie.  Esther was born Feb 11, 1852 in Huntington Indiana to Louis and Mary ( Bordeau) LaFontaine.  Louis was Chief of the western Miami Tribe.  His father, Francis was the principal chief of the Miami Indians in Indiana and Ohio until his death in 1847.  Esther’s great grandfather, John B. Richardville was the principal chief before Francis.  The LaFontaine family moved to Miami County, Kansas in 1856.  It has been reported that the LaFontaines and the Richardvilles were among the wealthiest Indians of the time.

Thomas served in Company E, 12^th Missouri Cavalry, Shank’s Regiment during the Civil War.  He was mustered out June 14, 1865 at Shreveport, La.

 

Thomas and Esther were married Dec 24, 1869 in Miami County Kansas.  John Alexander was born in 1871, Atha Josephine (Josephine Alta?) in 1872, and Louis LaFontaine in 1876.  W. O. in 1879, and Felicia Magdalene in 1884, still in Kansas.  The family moved to Miami, Indian Territory in 1885, where Sarah C. was born July 9, 1886. 

Esther and the children were adopted into the Quapaw tribe since they were of Indian blood.  Each of them (except Atha, (Josephine?) who died in 1892) received 240 acre allotments in 1895.  John Alexander and Esther’s allotments were contiguous and neither was mineral laden.  Alexander’s was east of Spring River while Esther’s was south of Commerce. Louis had 200 acres south of Picher; Felicia, 200 acres east of Stringtown Road (River Street), and Sarah had 200 acres south of Cardin.  Wm. Oscar had scattered 40 acre tracts and one 80 acre tract south of Commerce containing the New State mine, which was a rich one.  He also owned the 40 acre tract that became the town of Cardin.  Stories vary on how this was achieved.  One has him agreeing to pave the streets which seem unlikely since in those days “paving” consisted if graveling.  The other, which seems more likely is that he construct sidewalks in the business district.  According to Velma Neiberding’s book “History of Ottawa County”, he agreed to build one half mile of sidewalks.  I have a picture that shows sidewalks in front of business in the teens.  Esther died Aug 16, 1895, only a year after she received her allotment; Thomas, Jan. 18, 1921 and both are buried in a family plot in G. A. R. Cemetery at Miami, Oklahoma. Thomas bought an eight place plot, and there are still three open.  It has a large upright stone in the center, with Cardin on one side along with Esther, Atha (Alta?), T. J., and W. O.’s stones.  The other side says Kenoyer, and has Felicia’s stone along with the three empty spaces..

John Alexander married Martha Etta Kenoyer and their children were:  William Thomas born 1895 and William Fred (who became a renowned musician).  John and Martha are both buried in Miami, OK. (more to follow)

Atha (Alta?) Josephine died in 1892 and is believed to be one of the first buried in G. A. R. Cemetery, Miami, Oklahoma. 

William Oscar married Isa Wade.

Since Isa also received an allotment of 240 acres, that gave Oscar control of a large area.  Among other things, he constructed the Cardin Building in Miami, in 1917 (Later to be Security Bank) and served as Vice President of the Miami Trust and Savings Bank. Isa was active in many civic groups including the Red Cross.  They divorced in 1919.  William died Nov. 19, 1949.

Felicia Married Samuel Kenoyer July 8, 1900 in Seneca, Missouri and had a son, Harold Aaron Kenoyer.  Among other things, they built and owned the Kenoyer Hotel in Miami (Which became the St. James) .  Felicia died in 1929

Sarah married Frank Staton April 12, 1903.  Frank was the son of Abner and Emeline (Pooler) Staton.  Emeline’s father was Moses, an Ottawa Chief.  Sarah and Frank had the following children: Traverse “Bo” Staton, born July 28, 1903, Lloyd A. born Jan19, 1905, Leland Earle born Oct. 5, 1906, Randolph born Aug. 30, 1908 and Esther Emeline born July 21, 1911.  They built the Staton Building in Miami.  Sarah and Frank were divorced April 28, 1925, and Sarah married Claude Corbett Oct. 29, 1925.  Sarah and Claude built two Corbett buildings, back to back between Main and A Streets on1st S. E. Sarah donated the Main Street building to the American Legion.  It has been said that the Staton building was a wooden building, and was torn down and replaced with one of the Corbett buildings.  Sarah Died in Washington State Feb. 7, 1942, with her brother Wm. Oscar at her side.