Cherokee's Story
Native American Roots
Managing Owner, Mike Tallis founded Cherokee Hauling as a way to honor his families rich Native American roots. Roots that can be traced back to 1807 in North Carolina, where Mike's 4th great-grandfather, Wi Waw Se Ty Ketcher was born. Wi Waw Se Ty Ketcher and his wife, Na' Ke along with their two sons were forced like many to head west on the Trail of Tears in 1838 for Oklahoma. Unfortunately, Wi Waw Se Ty Ketcher, his wife and the oldest child all died on this journey leaving behind their youngest son, Tonniette at the age of 3 years old. Tonniette was cared for and raised in Oklahoma where he later served in the American Civil War for the Confederate Army in 1861. By 1872 Tonniette had a son named Levi, Mike's 2nd great-grandfather. Levi would be the last full-blooded Native American in the families blood line. Many of Mike's family still live in the Cherokee Nation territory, residing in the Grove, Delaware District of Oklahoma. As a citizen of Cherokee Nation, Mike loves telling his families story and seeing the Cherokee Hauling logo on the highway and at job sites. The seven point star in the logo represents the seven tribes that make up Cherokee Nation and the oak leaf wreath represents the eternal flame of the Cherokee people.