Stone Gardens: Tahlequah Cemeteryis the final resting place of the US Secretary of Treasury under President Woodrow Wilson
- Dennis McCaslin
- Jul 14, 2025
- 2 min read
In Tahlequah Cemetery lies Houston Benge Teehee, a man whose signature appeared on every U.S. banknote and Liberty Bond during World War I.
Born on October 31, 1874, in the Cherokee Nation, Indian Territory, Teehee rose from humble beginnings to become a key figure in American history.
Teehee’s father, Rev. Stephen Teehee Sr., was a respected Cherokee leader. Born in 1837 in Georgia, Stephen was a Baptist minister, judge, and briefly Assistant Chief of the Cherokee Nation. Known for his wisdom and kindness, he spoke only Cherokee and guided younger generations.
He married Rhoda Benge, Houston’s mother, and later Frances Ellen Riggs, raising a family dedicated to Cherokee public service. Houston followed his father’s path of leadership. After graduating from the Cherokee Male Seminary and Fort Worth University, he worked at the Cherokee National Bank and studied law.
He passed the bar in 1908 and was elected mayor of Tahlequah that same year.
In 1915, President Woodrow Wilson appointed him Register of the United States Treasury. During World War I, Teehee signed Liberty Bonds that funded America’s war effort, a task so demanding it permanently injured his right hand and arm.
After leaving Washington in 1919, Teehee returned to Oklahoma, serving as Treasurer of Seamans Oil Company, Assistant Attorney General, and a commissioner on Oklahoma’s Supreme Court Commission. In 1942, he was inducted into the Oklahoma Hall of Fame.
Despite his achievements, Teehee’s later years were modest. After retiring in 1939, he faced financial struggles and lived quietly in Tahlequah, active in groups like the Masons and Knights of Pythias.
His contributions faded from public memory, and his injured hand remained a painful reminder of his service.
Houston Benge Teehee passed away on November 19, 1953, at age 79. In 2008, his portrait was unveiled at the Oklahoma State Capitol, a belated tribute to a Cherokee leader whose name once appeared on millions of dollars worldwide.
