Cyrus Harris

Born on the traditional Chickasaw homelands, Cyrus Harris arrived in Indian Territory (present day Oklahoma) in 1837. In 1856, he was elected the first governor of the Chickasaw Nation. Cyrus Harris would serve a total of five terms.

As governor during the opening days of the Civil War, he continued to express concerns over the infiltration of non-Indian people on Chickasaw lands and the railroads. After the war, he continued to lead the Chickasaw people through the difficult reconstruction period.