Claude Luman Steele, who for two decades was an active and prominent business man, of Muskogee, dealing in real estate and farm lands, was born at Paines Point, Illinois, and was the youngest son of John Roland and Adelaide (Grant) Steele, the latter a representative of the same branch of the family as General U. S. Grant. John Roland Steele was born in Edinburgh, Scotland, and was brought to America when but three years of age, the family home being established in Rochester, New York. After attaining adult age he wedded Adelaide Grant, a native of the Empire state. Removing to Illinois, they lived for a time at Paines Point and for a considerable period at Rochelle, Illinois, and it was in the latter place that Claude Luman Steele was reared and educated. He was seventeen years of age when he became a resident of Parsons, Kansas, and there he engaged in business with his brother, J. F. Steele. He continued his residence at Parsons until 1900, when he removed to Muskogee, where he established a real estate and farm land business, in which he continuously and successfully engaged to the time of his demise, which occurred on the 16th of March, 1920.
In 1895 Mr. Steele was united in marriage to Miss Leda Crawford and they became the parents of two sons: John Russell, who was born in Parsons, Kansas, July 20, 1896 ; and Myron Whitney, born in Parsons, May 23, 1898. Both became charter members of the Muskogee Boy Scout organization and became assistant scout masters. Russell was the first boy west of the Mississippi River to become an Eagle Scout. Both served in the World war, one in the Aviation and the other in the Ordnance department. The family has long occupied an enviable social position. Because of the sterling worth of his character which endeared him to many friends, the death of Claude Luman Steele in 1920, was deeply deplored.
