| Office | Governor of the Chickasaw Nation |
|---|---|
| Term start | 1878 |
| Term end | 1880 |
| Predecessor | Benjamin Franklin Overton |
| Successor | Benjamin Franklin Overton |
| Office 2 | Treasurer of the Chickasaw Nation |
| Term start 2 | 1876 |
| Term end 2 | 1878 |
| Birth name | Benjamin Crooks Burney |
| Birth place | Shreveport, Louisiana |
| Birth date | January 15, 1844 |
| Death place | Aylsworth, Chickasaw Nation, Indian Territory, U.S. |
| Death date | November 25, 1892 (aged 48) |
| Relatives | J. J. McAlester (brother-in-law) |
Benjamin Burney was a Chickasaw politician who served as the governor of the Chickasaw Nation from 1878 to 1880 and as treasurer of the Chickasaw Nation from 1876 to 1878.
Biography
Benjamin Crooks Burney was born to David C. Burney and Lucy James in Shreveport, Louisiana, on January 15, 1844. He was born during his family's removal from the Chickasaw lands in northern Mississippi. He was named after the steamboat captain of the ship that transported his family to Indian Territory. The family brought eighteen slaves with them during their removal and settled in Burneyville.[1]
Burney attended the Chickasaw Orphans School in Tishomingo and enlisted in the Indian cavalry loyal to the Confederate States of America, serving in Shocoe's battalion. After the war he returned to Burneyville, became a farmer and rancher.[1] In 1872, his sister Rebecca Burney married J. J. McAlester.[2]
In 1876, he was elected Treasurer of the Chickasaw Nation.[1] In 1878, Burney ran for Governor of the Chickasaw Nation against Cyrus Harris and won by 5-votes.[3] He succeeded Benjamin Franklin Overton and served until 1880.[1][4] He did not run for reelection and was succeeded by Overton. He died on November 25, 1892, near Aylsworth.[1]
References
- ^ Meserve, John Bartlett (June 1938). "Governor Benjamin Franklin Overton and Governor Benjamin Crooks Burney". Chronicles of Oklahoma. 16 (2): 221-233. Retrieved 24 September 2024.
- ^ Cathey, Mike (3 July 2020). "The House that J.J. Built". McAlester News-Capital. Retrieved 24 September 2024.
- ^ Delashaw, Corie (January 15, 2010). "Harris, Cyrus (1817–1888).". okhistory.org. Encyclopedia of Oklahoma History and Culture. Retrieved 24 September 2024.
- ^ "Benjamin Burney Elected As Governor". Chickasaw.tv. Retrieved 24 September 2024.