Born on Christmas Day 1838 on the infamous 'Trail of Tears.'

Lieutenant - Company A 2nd Indian Regiment.

Cause of death - over exertion in battle leading to consumption/pneumonia

Died Sept 13, 1864 in Scraper Hollow, Goingsnake District, Cherokee Nation (present day Adair County, Oklahoma).

On July 17th 1863, a great battle was fought at Honey Springs. It would become known as the "Gettysburg of the West." Three thousand Federal troops led by the Indian Home Guard Regiments, and commanded by General William Blunt, out fought six thousand Confederate troops. This battle swung the tide of war in Indian Territory in favor of those loyal to Chief John Ross and the Union Armies of the north. William Scraper did his part that dark and bloody day in helping to secure victory, but would not live long enough to see peace return to his nation. He was treated by the Camp physicians, and then sent to Tahlequah where he was treated by the doctors there. His illness continued to worsen so his mother took him home to Scraper Hollow and cared for him there to the best of her ability. His little sister, Eliza, though only six years old at the time, later recalled combing his hair and helping to care for him there on the front porch of their cabin. She related that they had to hide him in the woods on a liter at times when Watie's marauders passed through the area killing all able bodied men and boys who could not or would not join them. William died there at his home on Sept 13th 1864 and was laid to rest in the family burial ground.

Joe Scraper Jr. - Scraper family research