1890s

The 1890 Federal Census was destroyed by fire and water damage, although the statistics published prior to the fire say there was 184 Natives in Antrim County. The 1894 Michigan State Census was not kept by the Antrim county government. There is no list to tell us who lived in Milton township for the decade.

On 25 Aug 1890 Sam Nada, 26, applied for a license to marry Susan Ow-ner of Charlevoix. The marriage did not take place.

On 6 Oct 1890 Louis Keshata, 43, born Petoskey, son of John Keshata and Jicksaw, married Madaline Kewadin, 50, born Old Mission, daughter of Kewadin. It was his first, her second marriage. Ceremony was performed by Brunno Torka, Catholic priest. Witnesses were Alex Cooper and Marianne Ance.

The marriage took place twenty years after the birth of their first known child.

On 17 Jan 1891, Sam Nada, 26, married Jennie Jacob, 16.

Detroit Free Press 27 Aug 1891

Land purchase

Sampson Nada (2 Nov 1891) – 2 lots in section 3

Grand Rapids Herald 11 Jan 1892 tells of a woman freezing to death after being caught in a storm.

There is no death record for this poor woman.

19 Jun 1892 Silas Winfield Miller, son of James Miller and Margaret Allen, was born.

22 Oct 1892, Elijah Noskah, 21, applied for a license to marry Eliza J. Wabska, 16. No marriage took place.

Eli Nada, 23, married Eliza J. White, 16, on 14 Mar 1893. S.P. Hewett, justice of the peace performed the ceremony. Witnesses were Mary S. White and Sarah Philips.

George Nada, son of Samson and Jennie, was born 15 May 1893

John Chief, 38, married once before, took out a license to marry Lillie Mark, 17. The marriage did not take place.

Grand Rapids Herald 12 Aug 1893

Mary Kewadin died 18 Aug 1893. Her age was given as 85.

By the time her death was reported to the papers, her age increased from 85 to 150. 

Detroit Free Press 30 Sep 1893

Angus Henry, born Canada, son of ____ Henry and ____So-god married Mary Norta, 27, born Cross Village, daughter of _____Norta on 24 Feb 1894. Witness was James Wasgesic

Land purchase

Edward Naska (1 Aug 1895) – 3 lots in section 3

George Miller, son of James and Margaret, was born 23 Sep 1895

From The Gospel in All Lands, 1895, Methodist Church page 271

“We have an Indian Mission at Kewadin, four miles from Elk Rapids. It is in charge of Rev. John Jacobs, an Indian, a good man, a thorough Christian, and an eloquent and impressive preacher. There is a society here of fifty members. A new church is greatly needed. The Indian pastor writes: 'The Lord is reviving his work here in a powerful manner. Since coming on this mission twenty-four have joined on probation. The people have not only opened their hearts to Christ, but have opened their pocketbooks also to help on the work. March 9 they gave me a good pounding, not with clubs, but with many pounds of good things to eat. The Sabbath congregations crowd the church and the outlook is brighter now then it has been for several years.'”

Carlisle

Founded in 1879 under U.S. Governmental authority, Carlisle was the first federal funded off-reservation boarding school for Natives. 

The following children from Kewadin and area attended school at Carlisle.

Admitted 25 Oct 1890, age 16, Jane Mark, daughter of Peter Mark. Left 5 Jul 1899 - time out.

Admitted 18 Sep 1894, age 20, Louisa Ance, daughter of Michael Ance of Elk Rapids

Admitted 19 Sep 1894, age 19, Solomon Miller, son of James Miller of South Milton

Admitted 19 Sep 1894, age 13, John H. Miller, son of James Miller, re-admitted 13 Sep 1900, graduated 12 Feb 1902

Admitted 14 Aug 1896, Clara Ance, daughter of Mitchell Ance, left 1 Jul 1901 - time out.

Admitted 14 Aug 1896, age 13, Josephine Mark, daughter of Peter Mark, left 30 Jun 1907 - time out

Jane and Josie Mark

John Miller

Mary, Lillian and Nettie Miller

Solomon Miller

William Nada (with Mitchell Paul)

Louisa Ance (with Annie Carl) and Jane Mark

Mount Pleasant

"In 1891 Congress established the Mount Pleasant Indian Industrial School and appropriated $25,000 for land and buildings. Local citizens contributed an additional $3,400 for the land. Fisrt occupied on June 30, 1893, the school building contained eight classrooms and an auditorium.

The following children from Kewadin and area attended school at Mt. Pleasant.

Admitted 1893-94 school year, age 8, Henrietta Miller, of Kewadin, Chippewa, daughter of Rev. Jas. Miller; 1894-1895 school year, age 9

Admitted 1893-1894 school year, age 12, John H. Miller, of Kewadin, Chippewa, son of Rev. Jas. Miller; 1894-1895 school year, age 13

Admitted 1893-94 school year, age 11, Charlotte Nada, of Kewadin, Chippewa, daughter of George Nada, 1894-95 school year, age 12

Admitted 1893-94 school year, age 15, William Nada, of Kewadin, Chippewa, son of  George Nada, 1894-1895 school year, age 16, admitted 1 Jul 1895, age 17; withdrawn 15 Nov 1895, expelled for talking Native language.

Admitted 1893-94 school year,  age 17 - Elzia Pensa, of Elk Rapids, Ottawa, daughter of Lucy Penassa, parents living; admitted 8 Jun 1894, age 17.

Admitted 8 Jun 1894, age 10, Frank Mose, of Elk Rapids, Ottawa, no parent/guardian named, parents living; admitted 1 Jul 1895, age 11; withdrawn 9 Sep 1895.

Admitted 8 Jun 1894, age 10 - Eugene Mark, of Kewadin, full Ottawa, son of Peter Mark, parents living; admitted 1 Jul 1895, age 11; admitted 1 Jul 1896, age 12.

Admitted 8 Jun 1894, age 14 - Josie Mark, of Kewadin, listed as Pottowatomie in first admission, full Ottawa in all others. daughter of Peter Mark, parents living; admitted 1 Jul 1894, age 14; admitted 1 Jul 1895, age 15.

Admitted 16 Sep 1894, age 15 - Thomas Penasa, of Kewadin, full Ottawa, son of Joseph Penasa, parents living; admitted 1 Jul 1896, age 16.

Admitted 12 Sep 1895, age 17 - Moses King, of Elk Rapids, full Ottawa, son of George King, mother dead; withdrawn 8 May 1896, expelled. 

Admitted 14 Sep 1895, age 16 - Lucy Phillip, of Kewadin, full Ottawa, guardian is Mary Phillip, father dead, mother living.

Admitted 16 Sep 1895, age 15 - Susie Fisher, of Kewadin, full Ottawa, guarding is Mary Phillip, parents dead; admitted 1 Jul 1896, age 15; admitted 1 Jul 1897, age 17; withdrawn 9 Sep 1897 - went to NY.

Admitted 16 Sep 1895, age 15 - Francis Mammagona, of Kewadin, full Ottawa, son of Mark Mammagona, parents living.

Admitted 16 Sep 1895, age 17, Lily Mark, of Kewadin, full Ottawa, daughter of Peter Mark, parents living; admitted 1 Jul 1896, age 18; admitted 1 Jul 1897, age 19; withdrawn 29 Jun 1898, term expired.

Admitted 16 Sep 1895, age 8, Susan Mark, of Kewadin, full Ottawa, daughter of Peter Mark, parents living; admitted 1 Jul 1896, age 9; admitted 1 Jul 1897, age 10; withdrawn 29 Jun 1898, term expired.

Admitted 16 Sep 1895, age 12 - Lottie Nada, of Kewadin, full Ottawa, guardian James Solomon, parents living; admitted 1 Jul 1896, age 14; admitted 1 Jul 1897, age 15 (listed as half Ottawa; withdrawn 29 Jun 1898, term expired.

Admitted 16 Sep 1895, age 14, Mary Ann Noonday, of Kewadin, full Ottawa, daughter of Martin Noonday, parents living

Ida Solomon was murdered on 10 Jun 1895.

"Elk Rapids, June 13 - The Indian woman, Mrs. Solomon, who was shot by George Love Monday, is dead. From the testimony at the inquest it appears to be a cold-blooded murder and almost entirely without provocation. This man Love has been in the habit of capturing horses and other stock and assessing the poor Indians from $1 to $2 per head before releasing them. In this case the woman was very old and her husband a cripple with but one leg. They went for their horses and Love charged them $2, which the Indian agreed to pay as soon as he could earn it. Meantime the squaw started to lead one horse away when Love told her to stop or he would shoot her. It is not likely she even suspected his intention, as she could not understand the english language. Love went into his house and brought out an old army musket, heavily loaded with No. 3 shot. He fired at her, and 28 shot pierced her back. She lay where she fell for over three hours. When the officers arrived Love had gone to a neighbor's and was boasting of what he had done. He was at once brought to Elk Rapids and lodged in jail."

Detroit Free Press 14 Jun 1895 page 3

Something everyone looked forward to each summer was camp meeting.

The Morning Record – Saturday, July 10, 1897

INDIAN CAMP MEETING

To be Held at Kewadin During the Week Beginning July 19.

The annual Indian camp meeting of Kewadin will be held at that place for a week, beginning July 19. Services will be conducted under the auspices of Methodist by Rev. John Jacobs, who is known as the Indian missionary. There will be preaching in English and the Indian language alternately during the meeting. White people are invited to camp upon the grounds as well as the Indians.

Among the noted Indian preachers who are expected to be present at this camp meeting are: Rev. John Kewakeshik, Rev. William Petoskey, Rev. Joseph Lightsky, Rev. Joseph Redbird, Rev. James Wasageshik, Rev. Peter Maskaw, Rev. Louis Medawis, Rev. Charles Hickey.

A general invitation is extended to all.

The Morning Record – Sunday July 10, 1898 page 2

INDIAN RELIGIOUS GATHERING

Will Take Place This Month at Kewadin

From July 18^th to the 25^th is the date of the Indian Camp Meeting at Kewadin. The Indian preachers who are expected to be present are: Peter Maskaw, Joseph Redbird, Joseph Lightsky, William Petoskey, John Kewakeshik. The Northport Indian choir will have charge of the singing.

Preaching services will be conducted in both the English and Indian tongues.

Sunday, July 24^th will be big Sunday, the services will be in charge of Rev. John Jacobs. Everybody is invitedto attend this meeting. To help defray the running expenses of the meeting 10 cents will be charge for admission to the grounds.

Clara Fox, daughter of Amos Fox and Rose was born 22 Feb 1898.

The Morning Record – Friday July 15, 1898 page 2

FOR INDIAN CAMP MEETING

Queen of the Lakes Will Run an Excursion to Elk Rapids Sunday.

Captain Johnson has arranged for an excursion on the Queen of the Lakes to Elk Rapids next Sunday. The object is to afford Traverse people an opportunity to attend the Indian camp meeting at Kewadin on that day which will be the principal day of the camp meeting.

Moses Fisher, 21, son of Thomas, married Lottie Nada, 18, daughter of George, on 15 Apr 1899.

20 Jun 1899, Anna Nascow, age 58, died in Elk Rapids, daughter of John Gebo? She was married, the mother of 13 children, 5 children living. , cause of death listed as had no physician. Informant was Mary White.

copyright (c) 2021 Vicki Wilson