Sapulpa (c. 1824-March 17, 1887)

Sapulpa (Ah ha Lovk Yalola*), a Creek Native American, from which our town is named after, has a gravestone that marked he's passing on March 17, 1887. The marker also states he was 75 years old (making his birthdate circa 1812). However, Sapulpa's Civil War discharge paperwork describes Sapulpa being 40 years old at five feet and eight inches tall, with black eyes, black hair (April 1, 1863). If the age is correct on the paper, Sapulpa would have been born closer to 1824. Although we do not know his birth date, on this day, we celebrate Sapulpa and the family history.

Sapulpa was born of full-blood, lower Creek parentage of the Kasihta Tribe in the area later known as Alabama. His father's name was Omiya (the Swimmer), and his mother's name is unknown.

Sapulpa was well-educated, well-traveled, and learned to speak English. Because of his education, Sapulpa began to trade and establish relationships with merchants and customers.

One account of Sapulpa's life states that Sapulpa and another Kasihta leader, Ispocogee, traveled to the Creek Nation, Indian Territory (later Oklahoma) circa 1840. They then left the council in Ocmulkee (now Okmulgee) and started council three miles south what would become the Sapulpa town. Sapulpa settled first overlooking the confluence of Polecat Creek and Rock Creek, calling the place Cone Hutchee (or Kunahutcha) Polecat.

It was unsure what happened to the marriage - or in the correct order - but Sapulpa married three times. Tenofe was (possibly) his first wife, but because they didn't have any children, they separated. Sapulpa's third wife was Chopok-sa.

Around this time, NaKitty, of the Fox Clan, moved to the area with her family. NaKitty and Sapulpa married, and had three children: James, Sarah, and Hannah. Soon the house was full with eight children at home (three girls and five boys) - it is unknown if the other children were born or adopted in the family.

NaKitty passed away in 1889 and is buried at the Sapulpa family cemetery**. The three children mentioned above are confirmed as their children, but the other children at home: John, Lucy, and unknown two children***. Chopok-sa died in 1890, and is also buried at the family cemetery. With Chopok-sa, Sapulpa had Moses, Yarna, Samuel, William, Rhoda, Rebecca, and Nicey****.

In 1850, Sapulpa opened a store in connection with his blacksmith shop at his home. They raised cattle, horses, and hogs. When the Civil War broke out, Sapulpa loaned $1,000 to the Confederacy. He joined the Creek Regiment of the Confederate Army, serving 3 years, and rose to first lieutenant rank.

After his discharge in 1864, Sapulpa moved his home, one-half mile up the hill from its former location, building a large long log house. In 1872, he established another store, larger than the last one, trading with Sac and Fox Agency.

Sapulpa devoted his later years in life to his ranch, lying ten miles of Sapulpa township. By 1883, the railroad line was extended to Sapulpa for freighting out the walnut logs found on the banks of Rock Creek. In 1886, the first passenger train came down and his son, William, took his father to Tulsa at the invitation of the Frisco officials, to ride on the first passenger train into Sapulpa. "Chief" Sapulpa - a given nickname from the Frisco workers - died on March 17, 1887 and is buried at the Sapulpa family cemetery.

​(Image from Merle Sapulpa, great-grandson of Sapulpa).

*Sapulpa's Creek Native American name may be misspelled.
**Sapulpa family cemetery is located on S Division St in Sapulpa, OK.
***James, 1847-1931 (buried at cemetery), married Elizabeth Barnett; Hannah, married Ahulah-Laso, died before 1899; John died before 1899, married Nellie Tiger (they had one child, Esther); Sarah, 1861-1940, married Shawnee Harjo/Hayes (they had Henry Hayes), she later married Timmy Fife and had Jessie, Bixby, and Dawes; Lucy died in 1900.
****Moses, 1856-1864, buried at Porter family cemetery, Leonard Cemetery (believed to have married into Porter family); Yarna died in 1898 or 99 married Marshall Macellius McCombs, having Joe and Mollie; William, 1861-1942, (buried in Sapulpa cemetery), married 3 times: Elizabeth Hardridge - had Harrison - then married Phoebe Perryman - had George - and  then married Susan Biggs -  had one child; Rhoda, 1865-1886, (buried at Sapulpa cemetery), married Archie Bruner, having Maggie, Bessie, and Mary; Rebecca died at 8 years old; Nicey died as a baby.