1910s

Sixty years have passed since the ten men became the first land owners in Milton township. A few of the original families remain while some have left and have others moved in.

Roadway near Kewadin, Mich. - postcard photo by Edward Beebe.

No students at Mount Pleasant Indian Industrial Boarding School listed Kewadin as home residence, but several were from Elk Rapids. 

Amos Bemis, son of James, age 10, was still a student in 1910, having been admitted on 1 Sep 1908. 

Hattie Russell, age 14, and Clara Russell, age 11, were admitted on 12 Jan 1910, for a 3 year period. The girls were the daughters of Mary Russell.

Josephine Shomin, age 14, daughter of Hattie Gould, was also admitted on 12 Jan 1910. She went home on sick leave on 31 Dec 1910.

Mark Mamagona, whose father was one of the original land owners in Milton township,  died 9 May 1910 and was buried in the Kewadin Indian Mission Cemetery.

Howard Anderson, son of Edward Anderson and Theresa Roundsky, died 12 Mar 1912 and was buried in the Kewadin Indian Mission Cemetery.

1910 Federal Census - Milton Township [The census was dated April, May, and July, which explains Mark Mamagona being listed.]

Ashanajmaby, John married 3 times, married 9 years, farm laborer

Nancy, wife, 68, married 3 times, married 9 years

Nashkah, Thomas, adopted son, 12

White, Peter, 59, married twice, married 3 years, farm laborer

Mary, wife, white, married twice, married 3 years

Nasskah, Edward, 45, married five times, married 6 years, Ration Indian

Mary A., 41, married once, married 6 years, Ration Indian

Nasskah, Angus, 46, married once, married 27 years, farm operator

Mary, wife, 56, married once, married 27 years

Pnasy, Lucy, 39, widow, 1 child born, 1 child living

Chastona, daughter, 9

Kahge, Mary, 90, widow, Ration Ind.

Keneshegay, Trisr, female, boarder, 91, widow, Ration Ind.

Nashkaw, Isaac, 28, married 6 years, laborer at farm

Rosa, wife, 28, no children

Mamaguna, Mark, 75, married once, married 45 years, farm operator

Eliza, wife, 63, nine children born, five children living

James, son, 38, laborer on farm

Benjamin, son, 36, laborer on farm

Francis, son, 30, laborer on farm

George, son, 21, laborer on farm, graduated Elk Rapids High School

Robert, son, 18, laborer on home farm

Eliza, niece, 9

Fox, Amos, 54, married once, married 23 years, farm operator

Rosa, wife, 39, 12 children born, 10 children living

Fred, son, 16, laborer on farm

Ben, son, 14, laborer on home farm

Eddie, son, 4

Lillie, daughter, 10

Minnie, daughter, 8

Charlotte, daughter, 6

Rosa, daughter, 2

Miller, James, 64, married once, married 44 years, occupation none, own income

Margaret, wife, 59, 12 children born, 11 children living

Silas, son, 18, laborer on farm.

Mamaguna family said they were Ottawa, the others said they were Chippewa. 

1910 Federal Census - outskirts of Elk Rapids, Milton, Michigan - Indian town

Anderson, Edward, 29, married 10 years, labor - general

Thersa, wife, 27, five children born, five children living, house

Eddie, son, 9, scholar, 1 grade

Lucy, daughter, 8, scholar, 1 grade

Thomas E., son, 5

Lydia, daughter, 3

Percy, son, 7/12

Russel, Mary, 34, divorced, seven children born, seven children living, house

George H., son,17, labor common

Clarence, son, 14, labor common

Cloe, daughter, 13, scholar, 5 grade

Clara, daughter, 11, scholar, 3 grade

Myrtle, daughter, 8

Alice, daughter, 5

Stella, daughter, 3

Gould, Gus, 37, married 12 years, labor at cement co.

Hattie, wife, 41, four children born, three children living, house - baskets

Amos, son, 11, scholar, 2 grade

Clara, daughter, 9, scholar, 2 grade

Charles son, 5

Ance, Mitchell, 70, married 40 years, labor at furnace

Mary Ann, 76, 12 children born, 6 children living, house

Antoine, son, 27, labor at wood yard

John, son, 23, labor at wood yard

Samson L, son, 21, home

Cacilia, granddaughter, 3

Johnson, Fred, grandson, 17, sailor on lakes

Miller, Solomon, 37, married 2 years, labor at wood yards

Agnes, 25, two children born, two children living, house

Julius, stepson, 8

Charley, son, 2

Amos, son, 1

Anderson, Jake, 56, married 23 years, laborer at logs

Stella, 58, house

Olive, Emery, 32, married 10 years, farmer- general

Harriet, wife, 28, two children born, two children living, house

Bopart, son, 9

Bert, son, 4

Van, Jesse, 24, marrried 4 years, labor at lumber

Susan, wife, 19, two children born, two children living, house

Ambrose, son, 4

Bessie, daughter, 2/12

Sawajaw, James, 52, married 5 years, labor at woodyard

Petoskey, Jane, wife, 47, married 2 years, house

Pennsaw, Eliza, boarder, 34, house

The families self-identified as follows:

Anderson - Ottawa

Russel - Chippewa

Gould - unknown/Chippewa

Ance - Chippewa

Miller - Ottawa

Anderson - Ottawa

Olive - white/Ottawa

Van - Chippewa

Sawajaw - Ottawa

Petoskey - Ottawa

Pennsaw - Ottawa

The Traverse City Evening Record of 23 Jul 1910, tells of the payments from the Durant roll/payment roll being made in Traverse City. [Transcription below original]

 RULING BY DEPARTMENT RECEIVED THIS MORNING

Payment is Being Made as Expeditiously as Possible But is Necessarily Slow – Impatient Indians Cause the Congestion

Charles H. Dickson, who has charge of the paying off of the Indians with the money awarded them by the government, received notice this morning from the department at Washing to pay heirs of deceased Indians the money which would have been paid to them upon the written testimony of the leading men of the tribe as to those who are to receive the money. This will do away with the necessity of the Indians securing letters of administration which would have cost them the neighborhood of $5. The telegram was as follows:

“Your telegram July 20, received Shares of deceased Claimant should be paid to their heirs upon certificates of heirship from two or more reliable members of the tribe that they are the proper persons to receive the same.”

Came Anyhow

There has been much criticism of the manner in which the Indians are being paid, the length of time which they are spending in the city, and the suggestion has been made that some system of identification be instituted that will lessen the time for doing the work, or that a certain number be notified to come on certain days. Mr. Dickson stated this morning that they were working under instructions from the government, and that although they had tried the method suggested the Indians paid no attention to it. Yesterday the Suttons Bay people were notified not to come to Traverse City, but to go to Northport next week, but notwithstanding that fact three coaches of them arrived yesterday afternoon and this morning a large number came up from Northport. Yet the agent will visit Northport next week and make the payments to those nearest the point.

“If we don’t go up now, we won’t get it,” was the sentiment expressed by them, and they acted accordingly.

Have Several Names

Both Mr. and Mrs. Dickson would be glad to have some of the unpleasant features removed from this work, but they work under orders. The fact that many of the Indians have several names makes the work of identification more difficult. As an instance of this, one man had nine names by which he was known, and he could not remember which of his names was placed on the enrollment. He tried first one name, then another, it being necessary for Mr. Dickson to go through the files for each name. Finally the man alighting on the name by which he was enrolled.

Not all the Indiana seen on the streets are waiting for their money. Many of those paid off the first of the week are still here, seemingly wishing to remain as long as possible to participate in the excitement.

Pathetic Sights

There are many pathetic figures seen among the throngs that are hovering around headquarters. One figure attracted special attention, that of Wa-Say-chun, a centenadian of Northport, who came early in the week to draw his $21.16 which he has been waiting for, for to, these many years. Feeble, decrepit, almost blind, having lived a century in these parts, and knowing nothing but poverty, yet withal through the years having faith that some day the big father in Washington, Mr. Government, would keep his word with them and pay a certain sum of money, just how much he did not know, but at least some money, which he had always lacked. He received his money this morning and he did not spend it for fire water, because long ago a good missionary who lived in these parts brought the light of the gospel among his people, and Wa-say-chun, a pagan, was converted to christianity. Conversion with him meant a new life to live here, and a new life beyond, and this could not be if fire water, the curse of his people, got its hold on him.

Crouching on the doorstep of a Front street store, sat Wa-say-chun, for hours after receiving his check, too utterly weary to mingle with the sturdier men of his people, who crowded about. He returned home this afternoon.

There were old women there too, with little grandchildren clinging to their skirts, grandchildren whose mothers had passed beyond, and who looked to their faithful grandmothers for the mother love and care. Bright black eyes looked up into the furrowed faces, wonderingly, confident that last “granny” could buy something that she wanted, even if it was not just for something to eat. Yet I may be for “just enough to eat for once,” that some of these old people are waiting, to have the door shut abruptly in the face of the wolf who has haunted their doorsteps since the white people came and took their hunting grounds.

Yet many of the Indians are prosperous, and are not in actual need of the money, but it is theirs, and they take it, as is their right.

The opening up of the headquarters has been a boon to the curiosity seekers of the city. Mr. and Mrs. Dickson were greatly annoyed the first few days but the uncontrollable inquisitiveness of many who crowed the place to watch the show which they could see for nothing. Some of them, forgetting their breeding, or perhaps never having had any, even went so far as to handle the identification cards and look over the enrollment, out of idle curiosity. Others asked the agent if certain names were on the roll, but were informed that this was not an information bureau. “We found the worst conditions in Michigan,” said Mrs. Dickson. “There is more prejudice against these people in Michigan than in any state we have been in, and it is senseless. People in Traverse City art as though they had never seen an Indian before.”

Photos of people awaiting their payment. Unknown if any Milton township people are in the pictures.

Joseph Noska, 16 year old son of Mrs. Julia Thompson, was admitted to school at Mount Pleasant on 1 Sep 1910. 

Church appointments were listed in the Mancelona Herald 21 Sep 1911. The Kewadin Indian Mission was served by Frank Harwood.

Paul Mamagona died 10 Feb 1912 in Milton township at the age of 67 years, 8 months, 27 days. While the death certificate says Paul was a laborer, he lived in San Francisco, California in the 1880s and 90s as an artist. He was buried in the Kewadin Indian Mission cemetery.

In 1912 Hattie and Clara Russell were still at the school Mount Pleasant, but their sisters Alice and Myrtle were sent home as being too small. Hattie and Clara went home on 31 Jan 1913 as their terms were expired.

William Wanegeshick, son of Peter Wanageshick and Lucile Beaver, died 2 May 1913 in Elk Rapids. He was 24 years old, a shoemaker, and buried at the Kewadin Indian Mission Cemetery.

Children with Kewadin ties admitted to school in Mount Pleasant on 1 Sep 1913 were Rosa Marks, age 13, of Rapid City, daughter of Peter Marks, her niece Angeline Marks, age 16, of Bradley, daughter of Alfred Marks, and another of Rosa's nieces Martha Waboose, age 11, of Rapid City, daughter of Jane Waboose George.  Rosa's nephews, Lucius King, 13 and George King, 10, sons of Lillie Anewishki of Alba were admitted on 1 Oct 1913.

Marian Ance, wife of Mitchell Ance, daughter of Francis Bourassa and Catherine Mo-ke-che-waw-no-quay died in 9 Aug 1914 in Elk Rapids and was buried in the Kewadin Indian Mission cemetery.

Charlevoix County Herald - 19 Sep 1914

Jack Hassett of Elk Rapids, was killed instantly Monday night, by having his neck broken, Charles Clark suffered a broken rib and an injured hip, while Robert Mamagona received severe scalp wounds and an injured arm when the Ford car driven by Hassett turned completely over.

Rose A. Fox, wife of Amos Fox, daughter of James Miller and Margaret Allen, died 29 Nov 1914 and was buried in the Kewadin Indian Mission Cemetery.

Robert Mamagona died 20 Aug 1915 and was buried in the Kewadin Indian Mission Cemetery.

He was 23 years old, a farmer, son of Mark and Sofia. Cause was tuberculosis.

On 1 Sep 1915, Myrtle Russell, 13, and Alice Russell, 11, daughters of Mrs. Carl Martinson of Elk Rapids were admitted to school at Mt. Pleasant. Also admitted were Oscar Lahay, 11, son of Louisa Southbird of Elk Rapids, Thomas Noska, 19, son of Eliza Noska of Kewadin and Jesse White, 17, son of Peter, of Kewadin, Cecelia Anderson, 9, daughter of Erick Anderson of Elk Rapids, Lillian and Mary Fox, daughters of Amos Fox of Rapid City.

John Meme, aged about 85 years, died 23 Feb 1916. He was born in Canada, son of Dosh-a-wa, and buried in the Kewadin Indian Mission Cemetery.

Martha Waboose and George Waboose, children of Jane George of Rapid City, were admitted to school at Mt. Pleasant on 1 Sep 1916.

Thomas Noska came home from school in Mt. Pleasant on 1 Dec 1916.

Oscar Lahay, who was sent to Mt. Pleasant school from Elk Rapids by Louisa Southbird in 1915, died 19 Apr 1917 at the school of tuberculosis.

Francis Marks, son of Peter Mark (Old P.M.), died 9 Aug 1917 in Clearwater township, Kalkaska county. He was buried in the Kewadin Indian Mission cemetery.

Margaret Kewadin died 10 Oct 1917 in Milton township, and was buried in the Kewadin Indian Mission cemetery.

On 6 Apr 1917 the US entered the World War which had started on 28 Jul 1914.

There were two dates to register for the draft - 5 Jun 1917 and 12 Sep 1918.

Only Jesse White, who registered in 1918, gave his residence as Kewadin, while his employment was in Mt. Pleasant

George Nada, residence Elk Rapids, employed in Toledo, Ohio, (registered 1917)

Clarence Nada, residence Elk Rapids, unemployed, (registered 1918)

Clarence Russell, residence Elk Rapids, employed in Elk Rapids, (registered 1917)

Benjamin Fox, residence Rapid City, employed on father's farm in Milton township, (registered 1917)

Fred Fox, residence Rapid City, employed on father's farm in Milton township, (registered 1917)

So where was everyone else? They were working in the lumber camps. Many were in Alba, while others were in Mancelona and beyond. Those who listed Alba as their address were Henry Chippewa, William Wilson, Joseph Wasagshik, Frank Wesley, Amos Waukazoo, Robert Smith, Thomas Shocko, George Shocko, George Russet, Joe Peshaba, Eli Paul, Henry Oliver, Joe Beaver, Charlie Marsh, Lucius King, Daniel Dean and William Anewshki. Several of these men and/or their families would later move to Kewadin.

On 1 Jun 1918 Jesse White graduated from school in Mt. Pleasant. The following students were withdrawn from school on the same date: Tillie Aiken, Cecelia Anderson, Mary Fox, Lillian Fox, Myrtle Russell and Alice Russell. 

The influenza or flu pandemic of 1918/1919 was deadly. While most influenza outbreaks kill juvenile, elderly, or weakened persons, the 1918 pandemic killed previous healthy young adults.

The first wave of the 1918 pandemic occurred in the spring and was generally mild. The sick, who experienced such typical flu symptoms as chills, fever and fatigue, usually recovered after several days, and the number of reported deaths was low. However, a second, highly contagious wave of influenza appeared with a vengeance in the fall of that same year. Victims died within hours or days of their symptoms appearing, their skin turning blue and their lungs filling with fluid that caused them to suffocate. In just one year, 1918, the average life expectancy in America plummeted by a dozen years. By the summer of 1919, the flu pandemic came to an end, as those that were infected either died or developed immunity.

Those working in the lumber camps did not escape the disease.

The Mancelona Herald of Thursday Nov. 7, 1918 page 1 column 3 gives this sad story. “Obituary. Mrs. Ellen Chipaway died Oct. 31, at an Indian camp near Blue Lake Junction, aged 24 years. John, aged 4 months and 25 days, died Nov. 1, and Stanley, aged 2 years and 5 months, died Nov. 2. The deaths were all caused by influenza. The mother and two little ones were buried in one casket in the Catholic cemetery, Tuesday morning.”

“Agnes, daughter of Amos Waukazoo, an Indian, died of influenza, Nov. 5 at a camp on section 35, aged 11 years.”

From the same issue page 1 column 5,  “The influenza is raging at an Indian woodcutters camp on section 35, range 5 and there are a number of sick people. Four deaths have already occurred. Supervisor Lesher has telegraphed to the state board of health for a doctor to care for these people”

The following week (Mancelona Herald dated Nov. 14, 1918) reports “Edwin Waukazoo died of influenza Nov. 6, at camp 35, aged 8 years. The burial was in the Catholic cemetery the next day.”

“Albert Chippaway died of influenza, Nov. 6, at camp 5, aged 28 years. The burial was in the Catholic cemetery the next day.” In one week's time Albert's entire family had succumb to the terrible disease.  

From The Coloma Courier, Coloma, Michigan, Friday, November 29, 1918 – page 2 comes the following report. “Petoskey – The influenza situation in the lumber camps near Mancelona is very serious and already one camp where 35 men were housed has lost 10 workmen. Two state health board officials found 108 cases in eight camps.”

Edward Anderson had moved his family to Manistee county sometime between 1913 and 1915. Son Arthur was born there in Oct 1918 and died Nov 3rd. The doctor wrote baby's cause of death as influenza, saying that while he didn't treat the child, he was treating the family for the flu. The Anderson family moved back to Antrim county before 1920.

copyright (c) 2022 Vicki Wilson