My father ( James Turner BATTIEST )was born in Colbert, McClain Oklahoma on March 9, 1925. He was born to Benjamin Glen BATTIEST and Lou Belle RICHEY. Benjamin was born July 9, 1899, in Colbert McClain Oklahoma on the Choctaw Reservation. Lou Belle was born abt March 2, 1893 in Stephens County, Oklahoma. They had 5 natural born children (James, Claude, Kolb, Audrey and Obera) and 1 adopted son, Ben. My grandfather, Benjamin Glen BATTIEST was born to Frank BATTIEST and Sallie Bates GLEN. Frank BATTIEST was born February 10, 1880 in Colbert McClain, Oklahoma. He died on November 13, 1971 in Contra Costa, California. Sallie Bates was born on December 29, 1876 in Texas and died on April 19, 1963 in Contra Costa, California. I am not sure but believe they also had a daughter, Lila Battiest HULL, born August 20, 1909.

Since my parents are deceased, I do not have a source of information concerning my heritage.

My grandfather, Benjamin Battiest, was a deputy sheriff in San Jose, California. I was told that my grandfather is in the Choctaw Hall of Fame as the first Choctaw Indian to hold a position of deputy sheriff. This information is unsubstantuated.