1950s

1950 Federal Census - Milton township, Antrim, Michigan, sheet 6

Preceding East from Township Line to Kewadin School Road

line 14, 2nd house on right, dwelling #52, not a farm, not 3 or more acres. Johns, Harry H. head, Ind, male 33, married, born Michigan, worked last week, 40 hours, welding at automobile parts wholesale factory, private industry,  685 3761 - meaning of numbers not given 

line 15, Ida M. wife, Ind, female, 29, married, born Michigan, keeping house

line 16, Thomas H., son, Ind, male, 7, never married, born Michigan

line 17, Harry J., son, Ind, male, 5, never married, born Michigan

line 18, Raymond D., son, Ind, male, 3, never married, born Michigan

line 19, Cheryl L., daughter, Ind, female, 1, never married, born Michigan

extra questions line 17, highest grade attended Kindergarten

line 20, 3rd house on right, back a few feet, dwelling #53, not a farm, not 3 or more acres. Antoine, Lucius A., head, Ind., male, 37, married, born Michigan, ot (other), did person do any work last week - no; is person looking for work - yes; occupation, handyman at canning factory, private industry, 690 4081

line 21, Madeline, wife, Ind, female, 29, married, born in Michigan, keeping house

line 22, Carolyn J., daughter, Ind, female, 8, never married, born Michigan

line 23, Darlene A., daughter, Ind, female, 5, never married, born Michigan

line 24, Theresa E., daughter, Ind, female, 2, never married, born Michigan

line 25, Bennett, Elizabeth, sister-in-law, Ind, female, 25, married, born Michigan, keeping house

line 26, Russell, brother-in-law, Ind., male, 24, married, born Michigan, worked, 48 hours, farm hand at farm, private industry, 820 1051

line 27, Marlin P., nephew, Ind., male, born July, never married, born Michigan.

extra questions line 22, highest grade attended second grade.

1950 Federal Census - Milton township, Antrim, Michigan, sheet 22

Proceeding east from Kewadin School Corner

line 25, 2nd house on left, #249, yes (farm) agriculture schedule 120, Mamagona, Benjamin, head, Ind. male, 77, widowed, born Michigan, worked last week, farmer on farm, O (own business), 100 1053 (extra questions finished 5th grade, worked 52 weeks last year.)

line 26, David, son, Ind, male, 27, married, born Michigan, worked last week, 65 hours, farmer on farm, O (own business) 100 1053

line 27, Laura A., daughter-in-law, Ind, female, 28, married, born Michigan, worked last week, 36 hours, pracitcal nursing at convalessent home, private business 781 8681

line 28, James, brother, Ind, male, 79, never married, born Michigan, U (unable to work) 

1950 Federal Census - Elk Rapids, Antrim, Michigan sheet 5

3rd and Ash 

line 23, dwelling 62, not a farm, not on 3 acres or more, Crampton, Robert J., head, Ind, male, 44, married, born Michigan, doing other last week, did no work last week, not looking for work, has a job, stock handler at miscellaneous parts factory, private industry, 970 376 1

line 24, Shirley M., wife, Indi, female, 28, married, born Michigan, keeping house, did no work last week, not looking for work last week, does not have a job.

line 25, Janice M., daughter, Ind, female, 11, never married, born Michigan

line 26, Marion E., daughter, Ind, female, 9, never married, born Michigan

line 27, Paul R., son, Ind, male, 7, never married, born Michigan

line 28, Emily T., daughter, Ind. female, 6, never married, born Michigan

line 29, John L., son, Ind., male, 6, never married, born Michigan

extra questions - line 27, lived in same place last year, parents born in US, in 2nd grade, not finished, attending school

1950 Federal Census - Elk Rapids, Antrim, Michigan sheet 9

Elm going south Fourth to Third

line 8, dwelling #106, not a farm, not on 3 acres, Beaver, Silas, head, Ind., male, 50, married, born in Michigan, doing other last week, did no work last week, looking for work, does not have a job, care taker at summer resort, private industry, 790 836 1

line 9, Delia, wife, Ind, female, 47, married, born Michigan, keeping house

line 10, Anderson, John, son, Ind., male, 23, divorced, born Michigan, doing other last week, did no work last week, looking for work, does not have a job, labor in building construction, private industry, 970 246 1

line 11, Anderson, Chester T., son, Ind., male, 16, never married, born Michigan, doing other last week, did no work last week, not looking for work, does not have a job.

line 12, Beaver, Mary J., daughter, Ind., female, born last June, never married, born Michigan

line 13, James, Levi, father-in-law, Ind., male, 67, widowed, doing other last week, did no work last week, not looking for work, does not have a job.

Extra questions line 11, lived in same place last year, parents born in US, in 6th grade, not finished, attending school.

1950 Federal Census - Elk Rapids, Antrim, Michigan sheet 25

Going East on US 31 Ames Street

line 3, dwelling 321, not a farm, not on 3 acres, Nada, Elizabeth, head, Ind., female, 66, widowed, keeping house, did no work last week, not looking for work, does not have a job.

line 4, King, Anna, daughter, Ind., female, 43, widowed, doing other last week, did no work last week, not looking for work, does not have a job.

line 5, King Mary L., granddaughter, Ind, female, 24, never married, doing other last week, did no work last week, not looking for work, does not have a job.

line 6, Bird, Margaret A., granddaughter, Ind, female, 16, never married, doing other last week, did no work last week, not looking for work, does not have a job.

Extra questions line 6, lived in same place last year, parents born in US, finished 9th grade, not attending school, earned in last year as employee - $5, earned in last year at own business - $91.

1950 Federal Census - Elk Rapids, Antrim, Michigan, sheets 33 and 34

Sheet 33

Loops Cabins - tourist cabins, Second and Lake

line 25, dwelling #424, not a farm, not on 3 acres, Wilson, Nicholas J., head, Ind., male, 22, married, born in Michigan, worked 24 hours in the week at farm helper, private industry, 820 105 1

line 26, Elsie I., wife, Ind., female, 23, married, born in Michigan, keeping house, did no work last week, not looking for work, does not have a job.

line 27, Eugene M., son, Ind., male, 4, never married, born in Michigan

line 28, Lillian L., daughter, Ind, female, 2, never married, born in Michigan

line 29, William A, son, Ind, male, born last September, never married, born in Michigan

line 30, dwelling #425, not a farm, not on 3 acres, Wilson, James, head, Ind., male, 27, married, born in Michigan, worked 24 hours last week as laborer at building contractor, private industry, 970 246 1

extra questions line 25 [Nicholas] lived in same place las year, parents born in US, finished 8th grade, not attending school, last year worked 50 weeks, made $1,200 in wages, relatives in the household made $15 in wages and $30 from their own business.

extra questions line 30 [James], last year worked 39 weeks, made $1,755 in wages, relatives in the household made $50 from their own business.

sheet 34

line 1, Wilson, Delora V., wife, Ind., female, 20, married, born in Michigan, keeping house, did no work last week, not looking for work, does have a job, basket weaver at home, own business, 690 308 3

line 2, Moses L., son, Ind, male, 3, never married, born in Michigan

line 3, Julia, daughter, Ind, female, 2, never married, born in Michigan

line 4., Donald E., son, Ind., male, born in Feb., never married, born in Michigan

line 5 dwelling #426 was vacant

Sandhills (Indian Village) Bathing Beach Road 

line 6, dwelling #427, not a farm, not on 3 acres, Anderson, Wesley, Teresa, wife, Ind., female, 66, married, born in Michigan, keeping house, did no work last week, not looking for work, does not have a job.

line 7, Koon, Irene, daughter, Ind., female, 36, divorced, doing other last week, did no work last week, not looking for work, does not have a job.

line 8, Wesley, Frank, head, Ind., male, 66, married, born Michigan, worked 16 hours last week, farm helper on farm, private industry, 820 105 1 [due to enumerator error, Frank answered the extra questions in place of line 6]

line 9, dwelling #418, not a farm, not on 3 acres, Anderson, Percy, head, Ind., male, 41, married, born Michigan, worked 48 hours last week, laborer for village street and water department, government job, 970 596 2

line 10, Louise, wife, Ind, female, 39, married, born Michigan, keeping house, worked 8 hours, doing house work at private house, 720 826 1

line 11, Gerald, son, Ind., male, 19, never married, born Michigan, doing other last week, did no work last week, not looking for work, does not have a job.

line 12, Florine, daughter, Ind., female, 17, never married, born Michigan, doing other last week, did no work last week, not looking for work, does not have a job.

line 13, Percy Jr., son, Ind., male, 16, never married, born Michigan, doing other last week, did no work last week, not looking for work, does not have a job.

line 14, Robert, son, Ind., male, never married, born Michigan, doing other last week, did no work last week, not looking for work, does not have a job.

line 15, son. Ind., male, 12

line 16, Russell, son, Ind., male, 10

line 17, Edward, son, Ind., male, 7

line 18, Albert, son, Ind., male, 5

line 19, David, son, Ind., male, 3

line 20, dwelling #429, not a farm, not on 3 acres, Anderson, Edward, head, Ind., male, 48, married, born Michigan, worked 20 hours last week, labor at canning plant, private industry, 970 408 1

line 21, Lena, wife, Ind., female, 35, married, born Michigan

line 22, Agnes, daughter, Ind., female, 12, never married, born Michigan

line 23, Howard, son, Ind., male, 9, never married, born Michigan

line 24, Elizabeth, daughter, Ind., female, 6, never married, born Michigan

extra questions line 6 [Frank] lived in same place last year, parents born in US, finished 5th grade, age over 30, worked no weeks last year, no wages, made $590 from own business, $348 from other income, relatives received $345, not a veteran

extra questions line 11 [Gerald] lived in same place last year, parents born in US, in 10th grade, not finished, attending, worked 9 weeks last year, made $200

extra questions line 16 [Russell], lived in same place last year, parents born in US, in 2nd grade, not finished, attending.

extra questions line 21 [Lena] lived in same place last year, parents born in US,, finished 12th grade, age over 30, worked 4 weeks, made $185 in wages last year.

Traverse City Record-Eagle 23 Aug 1955

Traverse City Record-Eagle  27 Aug 1955

copyright (c) 2024 Vicki Wilson

1940s

In 1940 only four Native families are living in Kewadin. The Ben Mamagona family (descendants from one of the original 1850 land owners) is still here 90 years later.

Newcomers are Isaac Wilson and his mother Lizzie; her brother Frank Wesley with wife Alice, daughter Elizabeth and son-in-law Elijah Wanegeshik; and Alice's brother widower George Russett. These three families are from Mason county by way of Mancelona, Alpena and even Vilas County, Wisconsin, following the work in the lumber camps.

Edward Anderson Sr., husband of Theresa, son of Jacob Anderson and unknown (said to be Sarah Aiken) died 17 Feb 1940 in Elk Rapids. Cause of death was apoplexy. He was buried in the Kewadin Indian Mission Cemetery.

The 1940 Federal Census shows Ben Mamagona, age 66, a farmer, on his own farm, worked 52 weeks in 1939 earning no money. He lived in the same house in 1935 which he owns and values at $650. Ben had a 4^th grade education. With him are his daughter Gladys, age 20. She has an 8^th grade education and does housework for a private employer, earning $300 for the 32 weeks she worked in 1939. Ben's son Mark is 19, has an 8^th grade education, is a laborer on the farm and worked 41 weeks. Son David is 17 and has completed the first year of high school. Ben's brother Jim, age 68 is also living with the family. He has a 4^th grade education and was a laborer on the farm for 40 weeks, also claiming no income. Perhaps this means they only farmed for their own subsistence and did not sell anything to others.

Isaac Wilson lived in a rented home, paying $3 per month, is 22, and a laborer for a pulp wood company. He has a 3^rd grade education, worked 52 weeks in 1939 and earned $364. His mother Lizzie lives with him. She is 65, widowed, unemployed and never went to school. They lived in rural Antrim in 1935.

George Russett is 56 and widowed. He owns his home valued at $125 and is a farm laborer, working 42 weeks, earning $160. He never went to school and lived in the same house in 1935.

The house Frank Wesley owns is valued at $100 and is the same one his family resided in in 1935. He is 56, never went to school and works as a laborer for a pulp wood company, earning $450 in the 45 weeks he work. Wife Alice, age 65, also didn't go to a formal school and worked 15 weeks at making baskets, but showed no income. Daughter Elizabeth is 24, unemployed, and completed 7^th grade. Her husband, Elijah Wanegeshik, 26, is also a pulp wood laborer, working 45 weeks for $402. He completed 8^th grade and lived in rural Leelanau in 1935.

Nearby in Elk Rapids are families who have ties to Milton township. One such family is the Anderson family.

Census family #221 is Aaron Shaw age 49. He is a veteran whose usual occupation is laborer for road construction but did not work in 1939. Aaron has completed the 4^th grade and his family lived in the same place in 1935. They pay $3 per month for their rented home. Wife Lucille is the person who gave the information and while all the children are listed as sons and daughters of Aaron, Lucille gave each of the children their actual father's last name. She is 37, with a 7^th grade education and worked 15 weeks doing general housework in private homes earning $20 in 1939. Daughter Madeline Shaw is 19, completed the 7^th grade and was living in Ann Arbor in 1935, the only family member to not be living in Antrim county. Geneva Shaw is 17 and completed the 7^th grade. Albert Shaw is 16 and also has a 7^th grade education. Elizabeth Judson is 15 and completed the 7^th grade. Elsie Mark is 14 but only completed the 3^rd grade. Effie Judson is 11 and finished 1^st grade, while Irving Shaw, age 7, and Evelyn Lewis, age 5, have not completed any school yet.

Next door (family #222) is Lucille's brother Percy Anderson and family in a $5 per month rented house. Percy is 29, a truck driver for a retail lumber company, earning $936 for 52 weeks worked. He has completed 6^th grade and lived in the same place in 1935. Wife Louise is 28 and finished the 8^th grade. Children are Gerald, 9, (3^rd grade), Florine, 7, (1^st grade). Those too young for school are Percy, 5, Robert, 4 and Steven, 2.

Theresa Anderson, (mother of Lucille and Percy) is family #223. Theresa, 51, rents a house for a monthly fee of $2. She is listed as married with a 6^th grade education (attended Mt. Pleasant School). Her daughter Irene Koon is 26 and also married. She has completed 4^th grade and is a laborer doing general housework, working 17 weeks in 1939 and earning $200. They lived in the same place in 1935. In actuality Theresa is a widow, her husband Edward dying on the 17^th of February of 1940. It is unknown where Irene's husband Edwin is living/working at this time.

Family #224 is another of Theresa's children, Edward Anderson. They also live in a rented, $2 per month house, and lived in the same place in 1935. Edward is 39, a laborer for road construction and worked 34 weeks earning $450 in 1939. He has finished 4^th grade. Wife Lena is 25 and also completed 4^th grade. Daughter Agnes Theresa is 2.

Others in Elk Rapids are:

Louise M. Gould, 52, widow, rents a house for $6 a month. She has completed 4^th grade and lives with her grandchildren, George Sawmick, 15, (7^th grade) and Dorothy Sawmick, 14, (6^th grade). The family lived in the same place in 1935.

Sampson Nada owns his home, valued at $400. He is 74, widowed and has a 4^th grade education. Son Wallace is 43 and single. He finished 7^th grade and is a laborer at a resort property, working 17 weeks in 1939 and earning $150. They lived in the same house in 1935.

Elizabeth Nada also owns her home. It is valued at $500. She is 46, widowed, completed 6^th grade and her family lived in the same place in 1935. Elizabeth shares her home with her niece, Elizabeth Southbird, 16, (8^th grade), nephew Isaac Southbird, 13, (4^th grade), granddaughter, Delora Bird, 10, (3^rd grade), grandson Percy Bird, 8, (2^nd grade) and granddaughter Margaret Bird, 6, not in school yet.

Clifford Carl Martinson is listed as Indian, 27, 8^th grade education. He is a fir cutter at a lumber camp, earning $420 for the 52 weeks he worked in 1939. He lives in a $5 per month rented house with his wife Ruth (listed as white), 18. Ruth finished the first year of high school. Both lived in Antrim county in 1935.

Mary K. Smith is a 63 year old widow living in a rented house which costs $5 per month. She has never attended school. Son Alden is 30, (6^th grade) and unemployed. Wallace, 20, was a woodman at the pulp wood forest for 52 weeks earning $260 in 1939. Moses, 18, was a wood cutter, also at the pulp wood forest, working 28 weeks for $188. Both Wallace and Moses completed the first year of high school. All three boys attended Mt. Pleasant School. The family lived in rural Otsego County in 1935.

Next door is Mary's daughter Anna and her husband Charles Wilson. Charles is 43, a wood cutter at the pulp wood forest, worked 52 weeks and earned $350 for the year. He pays $2 per month for their rental house. Charles completed 6^th grade. Wife Anna is 33. She has finished the 5^th grade. Son James is 17. He finished the 6^th grade and is also a wood cutter at the pulp wood forest. In 1939 he worked 16 weeks and earned $40. Nicholas is 12 (3^rd grade) and Mary is 1. The family also lived in rural Otsego County in 1935. [Their daughter, Angeline, 18, lives with her husband Anthony Sineway, 24 and daughter Virginia, 1, in Cold Springs township, Kalkaska county.]

Carl Martinson, 58, is white, born in Norway, coming to the US in 1903. He owns a farm valued at $500. He was a fir cutter at the evergreen swap for 52 weeks earning $300. He has finished the 7^th grade. Wife Mary is 63, Indian, finished the 6^th grade. Son Calvin, 21 has finished the second year of high school and worked 35 weeks in 1939 earning $240 as a fir cutter at the evergreen swamp. The family lived in the same house in 1935.

Lastly is Amos Gould, a single, 40 year old lodger. He is unemployed, finished the 3^rd grade and lived in the same place in 1935.

The question on the census about grade completed is statistical only and says nothing about a person's intelligence. Someone who never went to school could know the medicinal uses of every flower and herb and have knowledge equivalent to a pharmacist or could be the best basket maker in the county, something that could not be learned from a book.

Geneva Shaw, 17 year old daughter of Aaron Shaw and Lucille Anderson died 11 Sep 1940 at the Michigan State Sanitarium in Howell, Michigan. Cause of death was pulmonary tuberculosis.

Mark Mamagona, private first class, service number 36411925, date missing 18 Feb 1945, unit 172nd Infantry Regiment, 43rd Infantry Division, U.S. Army. Listed on wall/tablet at Manila American Cemetery. Mark was declared dead while missing, awarded the bronze star and purple heart.

Traverse City Record-Eagle 16 Jun 1945

Traverse City Record-Eagle 23 Jun 1945

Emery Nada, son of Sam Nada and Jennie Antoine, died 16 Jun 1946 in Allen Park, Wayne, Michigan. Cause of death was tubercular meningitis. Burial was in Kewadin Indian Cemetery.

Application for Emery Nada's military headstone.

Clarence Nada, son of Sam Nada and Jennie Antoine, died 17 Sep 1946 in Cleveland, Cuyahoga, Ohio. Cause of death was hypertensive vascular disease. Buiral was in Elk Rpaids [Kewadin].

Raymond Lucius Antoine, son of Lucius Antoine and Madeline Shaw died 5 Feb 1949 at the age of 1 day. Cause of death was premature birth. Burial was in the Kewadin Indian cemetery.

 Wallace Nada, son of Sam Nada and Jennie Antoine,  died3 Nov 1949 in Kearney, Antrim, Michigan. Cause of death was heart disease. Burial was in the Kewadin Indian cemetery.

copyright (c) 2024 Vicki Wilson

1930s

The Great Depression Era

By the 1930 Federal Census only three Native families were living in Milton township.

family #9 -
White, Peter, head, owns home valued at $200, Indian, 81, age at first marriage was 30, farm laborer, can't read/write; Chippewa, mixed, Chippewa

White, Mary, wife, white, 72, age at first marriage was 14, can read/write, born Canada (English), father born England, mother born North Ireland, speaks English, to US 1865, Naturalized citizen

White, John Van, grandson, Indian, 11, goes to school, can read/write, Chippewa, mixed, Chippewa

family #85 -
Mamgona, Benjamin, head, rents, lives on farm, age 56, widowed, can read/write, born Michigan, mixed blood, Chippewa, farmer on general farm

Gladys, daughter, 9, attends school, can read/write, born Michigan, mixed blood, Chippewa
Mark, son, 10, attends school, can read/write, born Michigan, mixed blood, Chippewa
David, son, 7, attends school, can read/write, born Michigan, mixed blood, Chippewa
James, brother, 58, can read/write, laborer on farm, born Michigan, mixed blood, Chippewa
Francis, brother, 47, can read/write, laborer on farm, born Michigan, mixed blood, Chippewa

family #93
Sogod, Jacob, rents $1, 81, widowed, can't read/write, born Michigan, full Ottawa

Several other families lived in Elk Rapids township

family #14 -

Bush, Thomas, head, rents, age 32, age at first marriage was 20, laborer at odd jobs

Elizabeth, wife, 32, age at first marriage was 20

Leo, son, 12

Luella, daughter, 10

Oakley, son, 8

Dail, son, 6

family #34 -

Nada, Elizabeth, head, owns home valued at $300, 47, widowed

Bird, Julia, daughter, 19, married at 17

    Julius, son-in-law, 24, married at 22, laborer at odd jobs

    Delora, gr. daughter, 10/12

Southbird, Stephen, brother, 44, widowed, laborer at odd jobs

    Elizabeth, niece, 6

    Isaac, nephew, 3 6/12

    Mary, mother, 81, widowed

family #142 -

Russell, Clarence, head, rents, 35, married at 21, no occupation given

Margaret, wife, 33, married at 18

Ivan L., son, 13

Mary, daughter, 111

Myrtle, daughter, 9

Carl, son, 6

Dorie, daughter, 3 8/12

Nettie M., daughter, 1 8/12

family #191 - 

Anderson, Edward, head, owns home valued at $75, 54, married at 24, no occupation

Theresa, wife, 48, married at 18, laundress for private famiies

Edward Jr., son, 27, married at 25, laborer at the power company

Percy, son, 20, laborer for the highway

Irene, daughter, 16

Mary, daughter, 13

Ida M., daughter, 9

Dorothy, dau-in-law, 19, married at 17

family #192 -

Shaw, Lucy, Head, owns home valued at $50, 27, widowed

    Madeline, daughter, 9

    Geneva, daughter, 7

    Albert J., son, 6

Judson, Elizabeth, daughter, 5

    Elsie, daughter, 4

    Effie, daughter, 1 8/12

    Harry, step-son, 18, laborer at odd jobs

family #193 -

Crane, Charles, head, owns home valued at $50, 54, married at 45, laborer at odd jobs

    Anna, wife, 50 first married at 20

Daniels, Eliza, step-dau., 25

    Lena, gr-daughter, 6

Bailey, Sophia, gr-daughter, 4

Lott, Mitchell, gr-son, 10/12

Daniels, Charley, step-son, 27

Kewanaway, Mary, lodger, 24

Angelina Williams Crane died 18 May 1930 in Elk Rapids. Cause of death was a cerebral hemorrhage. She was born about 15 Mar 1876 in Oceana county, the daughter of John Williams. Informant was Ed Anderson. Angelina was buried in Kewadin [Indian Mission Cemetery].

David Marks died 4 Jun 1930 in Acme. He was born 26 Dec 1877, the son of Peter Marks and Annie Shondaca (Shawandase). Cause of death was rupture of abcess of chest contracted at lumber camp. Burial was Kewadin [Indian Mission Cemetery]

Mount Pleasant Indian School 1930-1931 school year.

On 1 Sep 1930, Mary Anderson, age 15, daughter of Therese and Edward Anderson of Elk Rapids, was admitted.

Mabel Smith [Ransom] foster daughter of Mary Smith, age 12, had been admittted 1 Sep 1928. 

Amgeline Wilson, age 8, and brother James, age 7, were admitted 8 Sep 1930. The children of Anna and Charles Wilson, they were living in Mancelona at the time. [Probably at Lumber Camp 40]

Leo Bush, son of Eliz. and Thomas Bush of Elk Rapids, age 15, was admitted 2 Sep 1929.

Also from Elk Rapids were Myrtle, age 9, and Mary, age 12, daughters of Clarence Russell. They had been admitted in September of 1929.

Elizabeth Louise Bird died 9 Feb 1931 in Elk Rapids. She was born 11 Oct 1930, the daughter of Julius Bird and Julia Nada. Cause of death was enteritis. Elizabeth was buried in Kewadin [Indian Mission Cemetery].

The 1931-1932 register of the Mount Pleasant Indian School shows Mary Anderson as graduating.

Others attending that year were:

Angeline and James Wilson

Gladys and Mark Mamagona

Leo Bush

Mabel Smith [Ransom]

Battle Creek Enguirer 2 Oct 1931 page 13

Article was picked up by the Associated Press and published in the Detroit Free Press 2 Oct 1931; The Pinconning Journal 21 Oct 1931 and the Madera Tribune (California) 20 Oct 1931.

Phyllis Ann King died 9 Oct 1931 in Elk Rapids. She was born 24 Aug 1931, the daughter of Jesse King and Anna Nada. Cause of death was enteritis. Informant was Jesse King. Phyllis was buried in Kewadin [Indian Mission Cemetery].

Former Milton township resident Amos Fox died 27 Oct 1931 at the Newberry State Hospital, Newberry, Luce, Michigan.

Louisa Ann Bird died 7 Dec 1931 in Elk Rapids. She was born 23 Jul 1873 in Suttons Bay the daughter of Mitchell Ance and Mary Ann Boursaw. Informant was her husband, Joe Bird. Louisa was buried in Kewadin [Indian Mission Cemetery.]

Charlie Crane died 27 Aug 1932 in Elk Rapids. He was about 62 years old, parents unknown. Cause of death was accidental burned over 1/2 of boy surface. Informant was Sam Nada. While death certificate says Charlie was buried in Elk Rapids he is said to be buried in Kewadin Indian Mission Cemetery.

Rosie Anewishki died 2 Jan 1933 at Bates, Acme township, Grand Traverse county. She was born 22 Dec 1899, daughter of John Anewishki and Angeline Chippewa. Cause of death was post partum hemorrhage. Burial was in Kewadin Indian Mission Cemetery. [Baby lived and was named John Anewishki Smith]

Frank Mamagoa died 26 Feb 1933 at the State Hospital in Traverse City. He was born 4 May 1878, the son of Noah Mamagona and Eliza. Cause of death was acute alcoholism delirum tremer, with acute nephritis. He was buried in the Kewadin Indian Mission Cemetery. 

August Gould died 8 Mar 1933 at Acme. He was born 8 Oct 1881, the son of August Gould and Rose Curtis. Cause of death was apoplexy. August was buried in Kewadin [Indian Mission Cemetery].

Steven Southbird died 31 Jul 1934 at Elk Rapids. He was born Apr 17 1885, the son of Isaac Southbird and Mary Chippewa. Cause was pleurisy chronic tubercular. Burial was in Suttons Bay.

Mancelona Herald 20 Sep 1934

About 200 Indians from Grand Traverse, Leelanau, Antrim and Emmet counties gathered at the Kewadin Indian church for an all day session Sunday to organize the various Indian societies into one association to prepare programs for the year. The speakers of the day were Amos John and Ed Hall of Northport, Amos Kagger and Andres Wasaquam of Petoskey and Paul Smith of Bay Shore.

Rosemary Anderson died 18 Mar 1935 in Elk Rapids. She was born 13 Mar 1935 in Elk Rapids, the daughter of Eddie Anderson Jr and Lena Williams. Informant was Eddie Anderson. Rosemary was buried in Kewadin [Indian Mission Cemetery].

Susan Anewashki died 27 Apr 1935 in Acme. She was the wife of Charles, daughter of Peter Marks and Anna Shawdase.  Cause of death was pneumonia. Susan was buried at the Kewadin Indian Mission Cemetery.

Samuel Koon died 21 May 1936 at the Grand Traverse County Hospital in Garfield township, Grand Traverse county. He was the son of George Koon and Mary Pequongay. Informant was Edwin Koon of Elk Rapids. Burial was in the Kewadin Indian Mission Cemetery.

Peter White died 11 Oct 1936 in Kewadin. He was about 90, born at Old Mission. A retired fisherman, he was widower of Mary, son of John White and unknown. Burial was in the Kewadin Indian Mission Cemetery.

Grand Rapids Press - 15 Oct 1936

Funeral at Kewadin For Peter Wabsquaw

    Elk Rapids, Oct. 15.---Funeral services for Peter Wabsquaw, better known as Peter White, 95, one of the oldest Indian residents of Kewadin was held Thursday at the Kewadin Indian mission. Burial was in the Indian cemeter there.

    He was born in Muskegon and moved to Kewadin when a young man, living there ever since.

    Surviving are two adopted sons, Jesse of Lansing and John of Grand Rapids.

Mary Eliza Williams died 2 Nov 1936. She was born 26 Apr 1916 in Brethern, the daughter of Edward Anderson and Theresa Roundsky. Husband was James Williams. Cause of death was pulmonary tuberculosis. Informant was Mrs. Theresa Anderson. Mary was buried in Kewadin [Indian Mission Cemetery].

The Detroit Free Press 26 Dec 1936, page 2

ELK RAPIDS, Mich., Dec. 25 --

Thieves are not considered by Ben Mamagon, Ottawa Indian, when he sleeps beside his huge copper kettle on the rare occasions when it is exhibited at a fair.

    He does it because the kettle, apparently pounded out of one sheet of heavy cooper, is a sacred trust. He smiles when he thinks of what would happen to a thief who stole it.

    Mamagona believes that it is a magic vessel and indicates that there is a secret about it. What this is, he says, will be known only to his son and he will not learn it until Mamagona is ready to die.

    Tradition says that the kettle owned by Mamagona, who lives in Kewadin on the northern extremity of Elk Lake, was discovered by one of his ancestors hundreds of years ago.

    The ancestor, a chief, was told in a dream to go to a huge white birth tree at what is now called Lake Mitchel, at Cadillac. There he found the unusual vessel, about three feet in diameter and two feet deep, and alongside it the stone with which the kettle had been made. 

    Mamagonna has the stone, flat-bottomed and round topped, with unusual weight for its small size. It is of a greenish tint unlike stones found hereabouts, and flecks of copper imbedded in it indicate the force used in making the kettle.

    He says that the one time it was out of his possession---when he loaned it to another Indian to make medicine---its action brought quick pleas for him to call for it. He said it suspended itslf in mid-air over a fire, astounding the medicine makers. Once, he says, it cried out when a thief came to steal it.

    During troublesome days for his tribe, he says, it was buried for many years until it came time for it to be brought out into the open again.

    In the future, he hints, it has some great mission. But he refuses to talk when questioned about what it might be.

Mary Southbird, wife of Isaac Southbird, daughter of Steve Chippewa and unknown died 24 Jan 1937 in Elk Rapids. Her birth was given as 7 Jun 1851. Burial was in Peshawbestown.

Julia Bird, wife of Julius Bird, daughter of Eli Nada and Elizabeth, died 3 Feb 1937 of tuberculosis. 

Gordon Francis Lewis, infant son of Bennett Lewis and Lucille Anderson died of pneumonia on 6 Feb 1937 in Elk Rapids. Baby was born 4 May 1936. He was buried in Kewadin Indian Mission Cemetery.

Mabel Irene John, daughter of Harry John and Ida May Anderson, died 22 Dec 1938 in Traverse City of lobar pneumonia and malnutrition. She was born 28 Apr 1938.

Twin daughters of Percy Anderson and wife Louise nee Williams were born 26 Jun 1939. Sadly the babies died soon after. Rose Ann Anderson, died 2 Jul 1939, while twin sister Mary Ann Anderson died 4 Jul 1939.

Eddie James Anderson, son of Eddie Anderson and Lena Williams died 22 Dec 1939 of atelectasis. He lived for only 15 minutes. Baby was buried in the Kewadin Indian Mission cemetery.

Copyright (c) 2023 Vicki Wilson