Photo from the Burt Lake Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians.
John Joseph Nongueskwa was born 20 Sep 1879 in Burt Lake, Cheboygan, Michigan. He was the son of Moses Nongueskwa and Elizabeth Shananaquet.
1880 Federal Census - township of Burt, Cheboygan, Michigan, taken 15 Jun.
Nongueskwa, Moses, 28, laborer, born Michigan, parents born Michigan
Elizabeth, 17, wife, keeping house, born Michigan, parents born Michigan
John, 7/12, son, born Michigan, parents born Michigan
Sister Anna was born 14 Sep 1883.
Aunt Sarah Nongueskwa, 27, born Michigan, married Charles Massey, 28, born Canada, farmer on 26 Jul 1884 in Tuscarora. Ceremony was performed by Edwin H. Sager, Justice of the Peace.
Northern Tribune - 10 Apr 1884
Uncle Paul was a constable.
Brother William was said to be born in 1885
Grandfather Louis Nongueskwa died 18 May 1886.
Grandmother Madeline Nongueskwa died 15 May 1892.
Uncle Paul Nongueskwa died 8 Apr 1900 in Burt township. He was married, age 40 years, 2 months, 13 days, son of Louis and unknown. Cause of death was grip.
1900 Federal Census - not yet found
On 15 Oct 1900 local banker John "McGinn, accompanied by then-sheriff Fred Ming and his deputies, roused the band's 19 families from their cabins with just a few posssessions, each, doused everything in kerosene--including most of their furniture and their food stores for the upcoming winter--and set it all on fire." Chronicling the 1900 Burt Lake Burnout.
"Following the October 'Burn-Out' by McGinn, many of the families moved in with Burt Lake Band members who lived close by on Indian Trail road, just north of Indian Village. Others took up residence further west in Middle or Cross village. As time progressed, the Burn-Out familes built new homes on the land owned by the Massey and Nongueskwa families along Indian Trail (today it is Indian Road.) This area them became know as Indianville. In 1908, a second St. Mary's Catholic Church was built ther and remains active today." Burt Lake burn-out - Wikipedia
The Ann Arbor News - 10 Mar 1985 (as well as many other newspapers) ran this story of John and the burnout.
"John Nongueskwa came home from a lumbering job on a chilly October evening in 1900 to find white men pouring kerosene around the ramshackle house where his blind grandmother lived.
" 'She had no alternative (for escape), she didn't know what was happening' said the woman's great-great-granddaughter, Irene Howard."
"Nongueska (NON-gesh-kwah) had to push his way through the men torching the house. But he succeeded in rescuing the trerified woman."
"She, as well as the 60 or so other Indians living on the shores of what is now known as Burt Lake in Cheboygan County in Michiga's far northern lower peninsula, escaped with their lives. But their homes--which the Indians believed were under the direct protection of the white government - were consumed by flames."
Brother William died 2 Feb 1902 in Burt township. He was 21, occupation farmer. Cause of death was dropsy, burial in Indian Cemetery in Burt Lake.
On 9 Feb 1903, John, 23, resides in Burt Lake, born Michigan, laborer, son of Moses Nongueskwa and Elizabeth Shananaquet, married Jane/Jennie Thompson, 19, resides in Hessell, born Michigan, daughter of Thomas Thompson and Louisa. Ceremony was performed by Marian Glahn, Catholic Priest in Brutus. Witnesses were Albert and Elisa Shananaquet.
Daughter Emily was said to be born in 1904 in Burt Lake, Cheboygan, Michigan
Son Dennis Peter was born in 4 Mar 1905. [From his draft registration]
The Pellston Journal - 15 Jun 1905. Lists known members of the Cheboygan Indians. Included are John Nongueskwa; his father, Moses Nongueskwa; father-in-law Antoine Shananaquet; his father's sister, Mrs. Eliza Moses; and Mrs. Mary Nongueskwa, wife of his father's deceased brother Paul.
Son Harry Nicholas was born 30 Aug 1906 in Burt Lake, Cheboygan, Michigan
Son William was born 17 May 1907.
1908 Durant Roll Field Notes
#2 page 31
Non-quaish-caw-waw, dead; wife dead
children:
1) Christina Nongaishcawwaw, 67, resides Harbor Springs, husband dead, children non
2) Moses Nongaishcawwaw, 60, resides Brutus, Michigan, see #3 page 31
3) Mary Cabanaw, 56, resides Brutus; husband Enos Cabanaw, 58, resides Brutus, see #33 page 31
4) Sarah Massey, 52, resides Brutus, husband Charles Massey, 49, resides Brusut, see #102 page 22; their children: 1-Henry Massey, 21, wife & child see #61 page 35; 2-Francis Massey, 19
5) Paul, dead, wife Mary Brady, 45, see #1 page 31, her 2nd husband Brady, white; her child - Mary Brady Massay, 26, resides Brutus, husband Louis Massey, 27, see #15 page 31 and #13 page 42, child 1- Lena Massey, 1, born July 1907, 2nd roll.
6) Eliza Norton Moses, resides Pellston, 42, 1st husband - separated see #36 page 32; 2nd husband Peter Moses, dead, see #61 page 35, child Mary Moses, 15.
#3 page 31
Shaw-waw-naw-naw-quot, Antoine, 87, Brutus; wife Sophia, 88
children:
1. - Mary, dead; husband, dead, see 8 p31; child James Shawwawnawsegay, 48, Pellston, 1st wife Philamon - dead, 2nd wife Rosie, his child Stephen Shawwawnawsegay, 14, see 22 p31, #8 p31
2. - Francis Shawwawnonquot, 60, see 43-32
3. - Isaac Shawwawnonquot, 58, see 29-31
4. - Susan Parkey, 48, Brutus; husband Joseph Parkey, 44; see 45-21; her children
1) Thomas Parkey, 25, Cheboygan, wife Josephine, 22, see 29 p31, children see 29 p31
2) Annie Boda, 23, Brutus; husband John Boda, 23, white; child Barnard Boda, born March 5, died Mar 6/08
3) Edmund Parkey, 18, Brutus
4) Charles Parkey, 16, Brutus
5) John Parkey, 8, Brutus
5. - Eliza Hamlin, 46, Brutus; 1st husband Stephen Shaw, dead, see 3-28; child Amos Shaw waw, 24 Brutus; 2nd husband William Hamlin, age 40, Brutus, see 40-15 & 16-31 chilren of 2nd marriage:
2) Annie Hamlin, 14, Brutus
3) William Hamlin, 12, Brutus
4) Mary Hamlin, 10, Brutus
5) Agnes Hamlin, 18, child by 1st wife, Genoa School, NE
6. - Elizabeth Nonquaishcawwaw, 44, Brutus; husband Moses Nonquaishcawwaw, see 2-31; child
1) John, 29, Brutus, wife Jennie, 25, see 11-15, OK from Snow Island; Emma, 5; Daniel, 3; Harry, 2; William born May 1907
2) William, 21, - dead years ago.
7. -adopted child - Josephine Shawwawnonquot, 6, Brutus, father dead, mother Sarah Shawwawnawsegay or Sarah Moses, see #8 p31
#11 page 15
Way-we-gaw-nay-be or John Smith, 73, see 8-15; wife dead
children:
1) Harriet Baker Belongea, 51, husband William Belongea, 56, Pine River, see #17 page 3; their children: Franke, 22, John, 19, Mike, 17, Agens, 11
2) Louisa Louis, 48, Pine River; husband Charles Louis, 45, see #6 page 12; their children: 1-Jennie Nongaishcawnaw, 25, husband John Nongaishcawnaw, see #3 page 31; 2-Eliza Mindoskung, 18, Pine River, husband John Mendoskung, 49, see #3 page 8, child Noah born March 25 1908; 3-Mary Louis Wawsaykezhick, 17, husband John, see #16 page 12; 4-Joe, 15, 5-Louise, 12; 6-Harriet, 10; Frank, 6
3) Margaret Smith, 45, 1st husband George Bolton, separated, Canadian; 2nd husband Pete Taylor, Cap Cooker; her child Dan Bolton, 21, single
4) Rosie Jake, 30, husband James Jake, see #10 page 11; their children: 1-Peter, 15; 2-Jonas, 10; 3-Mary Jane, 8; 4-Sam, 7; 5-Elizabeth, 6.
Petoskey News-Review 7 Aug 1970
Daughter Lucy was born 18 Jul 1910 [from her death certificate]
Son William died 8 Mar 1910. His birth was given as 17 May 1908, age 1 year, 10 months, 4 days. Cause of death was tuberculosis following whooping cough. Burial was Indian Village, undertaker Frank Shananaquet.
1910 Federal Census - Burt township, Cheboygan, Michigan
house 17 family 17
Nongueskwa, Moses, head, 65, married once, married 33 years, born Michigan, parents born Michigan, farmer at general farm, full Ottawa
Elizabeth, wife, 48, married once, married 33 years, 3 children born, 1 child living, born Michigan, parents born Michigan, basket maker at home, full Ottawa
Agnes, granddaughter, 6, born Michigan, parents born Michigan, full Ottawa
house 18 family 18
Nongueskwa, John, head, 30, married once, married 8 years, born Michigan, parents born Michigan, laborer at shingle mill, full Ottawa
Jennie, wife, 28, married once, married 8 years. 5 children born, 4 children living, born Michigan, parents born Michigan, basket maker at home, full Ottawa
Emma, daughter, 6, born Michigan, parents born Michigan, full Ottawa
Dennis, son, 5, born Michigan, parents born Michigan, full Ottawa
Harry, son, 3, born Michigan, parents born Michigan, full Ottawa
Lucy, daughter, 4/12, born Michigan, parents born Michigan, full Ottawa
Photo said to be mother Elizabeth Shananaquet Nongueskwa from Ancestry.com
Son Freddie was born 14 May 1911. [From his death certificate]
Daughter Lucy died 18 Jul 1911. Her birthdate was given as 7 Jan 1910, age 1 year, 6 months. Cause of death was uremic poisoning, with measles as contributory cause. Burcial was in Burt township.
Grandfather Antoine Shananaquet died 30 May 1912. His age was given as 98, widowed, parents unknown, burial Burt Lake.
Son Freddie died 15 Jun 1912. His birthdate was given as 14 May 1911. Cause of death bronchitis, burial Burt township.
Cheboygan Democrat - 26 Jul 1912 - tells of John and his mother being paid for work done.
Son Martin was born 2 Apr 1913. Sadly he died 29 Sep 1913 at age 5 months, 26 days. Cause of death was bronchitis.
Daughter Anna was born 5 May 1914
Grandmother Sophia Shananaquet died 26 Jun 1914. Her birth was given as 10 Apr 1810, her age as 104 years, 2 months, 27 days. Her parents were John Senogoby and Mary Kewaymoka. Cause of death was senility, burial in Burt township.
Daughter Rosanna Elizabeth was born 2 Feb 1916 in Burt Lake, Cheboygan, Michigan
Son Patrick was born 5 Oct 1917.
Father Moses died 20 Feb 1918 in Burt, Cheboygan, Michigan. His age was given as 73, parents as Lewis Nongueskwa and Mary Madeline Wending. Cause of death was bronchitis, burial in Burt township. Informant was son John. [Burial was at St. Mary's Indian Cemetery #2]
Petoskey News-Review - 26 Feb 1918
On 12 Sep 1918 John registered for the draft. He gave his birth date as 20 Sep 1880 [yet he was listed in the 1880 census]. He was a farmer, nearest relative was wife Jennie. John was described as medium height and weight, with black eyes and hair.
The Cheboygan Democrat - 10 Jan 1919
The Petoskey Evening News - 27 Jan 1919, tells of John claiming the 50 cent bounty on one weasel on 24 Dec 1918.
The Cheboygan Democrat - 30 May 1919
Daughter Dorthie Margret was born 4 Jun 1919 in Burt township. Mother Jane's place of birth was given as Snows - Market Island.
1920 Federal Census - Burt township, Cheboygan, Michigan, taken 10th,12th, 13th January
Nongueskwa, Lizzie, head, owns farm, 57, widow [John's mother]
Dile, Julia, border, 31
Eileen, border, 6
Eleanor, border, 4
Nongueskwa, John, head, owns farm, 40
Jennie, wife, 38
Emma, daughter, 16
Dan, son, 14
Harry, son, 13
Annie, daughter, 8
Roseanna, daughter, 5
Moses, son, 3 2/12
Margreat, daughter, 7/12
Daughter Melvina was born 8 Jun 1921 in Brutus, Cheboygan, Michigan.
Son Thomas was said to be born 8 Nov 1921 in Brutus, Cheboygan, Michigan [This is five months after his sister's birth.]
On 4 Oct 1922 daughter Emily, 19, married Edward Mondosking, 19, son of Mike Mondosking and Emma Andres, at Hay Lake, Sugar Island. Ceremony was performed by Wm. F. Gagnieur, Indian Missionary. Witnesses were Charles Edwards and Lena Mendosking.
Cheboygan Democrat - 15 Mar 1923
Cheboygan Democrat 28 Nov 1923
Cheboygan Democrat - 16 Feb 1924
Cheboygan Democrat - 24 Apr 1924
Cheboygan Democrat - 16 Apr 1925
Cheboygan Daily Tribune - 13 Feb 1926
Cheboygan Daily Tribune - 24 Feb 1927, tells of son Daniel being the guest of Moriey I. Riggs on his visit to his parents.
Cheboygan Daily Tribune - 30 Mar 1928. John ran for constable.
Cheboygan Daily Tribune - 19 Mar 1929
John's wife Jane received help - $10
Petoskey Evening News - 13 Nov 1929
[Unknown if this was John's mother, aunt, or someone else.]
Son Harry, 21, was married to Leona Casper, 16, daughter of unknown and Jennie Kewtchic, on 27 Nov 1929 in Petoskey. Ceremony was performed by Rev. Aubert Keuter, Catholic Indian Missionary. Witnesses were William J. Casper and Irene Parker.
Son Daniel, 24, was married to Helen Gablow, 23, daughter of John Gablow and Sisie Batic, on 28 Nov 1929 in Burt Lake. Ceremony was performed by Rev. Aulred Keuter, O.F.M. Catholic Indian Missionary. Witnessess were Harold and Mrs. Harold Nongueskwa of Petoskey.
1930 Federal Census - Clark township, Mackinac, Michigan, taken 10 Apr 1930
Nongueskwa, John, head, owns real estate valued at $500, 55, married 1st at 23, laborer at common labor.
Jane, wife, 52, married 1st at 20
Annie, daughter, 16
Rosanne, daughter, 15
Patrick, son, 13
Margaret, daughter, 11
Malvina, daughter, 9
Thomas, son, 7
Nongueskwa, Daniel, son, 25, married 1st at 24, laborer at common labor
Helen, daughter-in-law, 24, married 1st at 23
Daughter Rose, 21, married Chester Dashner, 23, son of Charles Dashner and Maude Boda on 20 Oct 1937 in Burt Lake Church, Cheboygan, Michigan. Ceremony was performed by Fr. Emeran Fox. O.F.M., witnesses were John and Helen Dashner of Cheboygan County.
Daughter Anna died 18 Apr 1939 in Sault Ste. Marie, Chippewa, Michigan. Her birthdate was given as 5 May 1914, birth place at Burt Lake, Cheboygan, Michigan. Parents were listed as John Nongueskwa, born in Burt Lake and Jane Tomaswrs? born in Les Cheneaux, Mackinac. Informant was husband, William Andrews. Cause of death was acute appendicitis with paralytic ileus and generalized peritonitis. Burial was in Hessel.
The Republican-News and St. Ignace Enterprise - 25 May 1939
Petoskey News-Review - 24 Jun 1939
Son Harry and his wife were members of the wedding party when Myrtle Laslie married Francis Carroll.
1940 Federal Census - Clark, Mackinac, Michigan
Nonguskwa, John, head, 64, forman Michigan art craft
Jane, wife, 61
Patric, son, 23, new worker
Margaret, daughter, 20, housework at private home
Melnina, daughter, 18
Thomas, son, 17, new worker
Andrews, James, son, 8, [should be grandson, the four Andrews are the children of deceased daughter Anna.]
Anna, granddaughter, 6
Catherine, granddaughter, 5
Nellie, granddaughter, 4
Son Patrick registered for the draft on 16 Oct 1940. He gave his birth as 5 Oct 1917 in Cheboygan county. Person who will always know your address was listed as Mr. John Joseph Nongueskwa, father of Cedarville. Employer was CCC - Camp Round Lake F-35, St. Ignace, Mackinac, Michigan. Patrick was described as 5'10", 150 lbs, brown eyes, black hair, dark complexion.
Son Dennis Peter also registered for the draft on 16 Oct 1940. He gave his birthdate as 4 Mar 1905 in Cheboygan County. Person who will always know his address was wife Ellen Mary. He was self-employed. Dennis was described at 5'10", 150 lbs, brown eyes, black hair, dark brown complexion.
Son Harry Nichols also registered for the draft in 1940. While the form was not dated, he gives his age as 34 and birthdate as 30 Aug 1906, in Cheboygan. The person who will always know his adddress was wife Leone Sarah. Employer was Petoskey Portland Cement Company in Petoskey. Harry was described as 5'8", 155 lbs, black eyes and hair, dark complexion.
Daughter Margaret, 21, was married 23 Oct 1940 in Burt Lake to Garland Martell, 21, son of Charles Martell and Mary Shanaquet. Ceremony was performed by Fr. Emeran Fox. Witnesses were Chester and Rosanna Dashner [Margaret's sister and brother-in-law]
Daughter Malvina/Melvina, 19, married Henry Vertz, 21, son of Fred Vertz and Augustus Pepki on 15 Dec 1940 in Trout Lake, Chippewa, Michigan. Ceremony was performed by Ralph E. McCarry, Justice of the Peace. Witnesses were Mildred Andrews and Laurel Henry.
Wife Jane died 6 Oct 1941 in Sault Ste. Marie, Chippewa, Michigan. Her birth was given as 17 May 1885 in Clark township, Mackinac County, Michigan. Age was 56 years, 4 months, 19 days, occupation housewife. Parents were Tom Solis of Canada and Louise Smith. Cause of death was spontaneous subarachnoid hemorrhage, burial at Indian cemetery in Hessel.
The Evening News - Sault Ste. Marie - 8 Oct 1941 had told of Jane's illness.
Son Thomas Joseph registered for the draft on 16 Feb 1942 in Chippewa county. He gave his address as Cedarville, Mackinac, Michigan, birthdate as 8 Nov 1921 in Brutus. His father John was the person who would always know his address. Employer was (brother-in-law) Henry Vertz of Trout Lake, Chippewa, Michigan. Thomas was described at 5" 9 1/4', 150 lbs. brown eyes, black hair, dark complexion.
On 27 Apr 1942 in Cedarville, Michigan, John registered for the draft. He gave his birth as 20 Sep 1877 in Cheboygan county, name of person who will always know his address as Edward Dutcher, postmaster of Cedarville. Name of employer was Henry Paufuine(?). John was described as having brown eyes, gray hair and a dark complextion.
Son Patrick enlisted on 8 Jun 1943. He was assigned as a Private First Class to Company B, 48th Armored Infantry Battalion, 7th Armored Division.
Son Patrick's name was included in the 1944 list of deaths.
Detroit Evening Times - 2 Jan 1945
The Evening News - Sault Ste. Marie - 14 Feb 1945
The Evening News - Sault Ste. Marie - 25 May 1945
Son Thomas Joseph, 25, machinist, born Burt Lake, resides East Lansing, son of John and unknown, not married before, married Helen Dawn Marten, 31, inspector, born St. Johns, resides East Lansing, daughter of Charles Pratt and Clara Adams, married three times before. The ceremony took place on 8 Jun 1946 in Detroit, Wayne, Michiga and was performed by Judge James M. Jeffries. Witnesses were Dennis and Jean Mongueskwa of Detroit.
Petoskey News-Review - 8 Dec 1947
Northern Michigan Review - 11 Dec 1947
On 15 Jan 1948 John applied for a upright marble military headstone for Patrick.
Patrick was buried at St. Mary's Indian Cemetery #2 in Burt Lake.
Northern Michigan Review - 22 Jan 1948
The Evening News - Sault Ste. Marie - 23 Aug 1949
The Evening News - Sault Ste. Marie - 31 Aug 1950
The Sault News - 5 Jun 1957 - tells of son Tom's family from Lansing visiting daughter Malvina's family.
The Evening News - Sault Ste. Marie - 17 Aug 1957
Tells of grandson, Steven Schwartz, being lost.
The Evening News - Sault Ste. Marie - 2 Jan 1958 - tells that John entered the Straits Memorial Hospital on 28 Dec 1957.
The Evening News - Sault Ste. Marie - 19 Oct 1963
Tells of John's grandson, Henry R. Vertz, death and funeral.
John died 9 Oct 1964 in Lansing, Ingham, Michigan.
Sault Ste. Marie News - 10 Oct 1964
John was buried next to Jane in the Old Indian Misson Cemetery in Hessel, Mackinac, Michigan.
Son-in-law Claude Brooks died 23 Feb 1970
The Flint Journal - 22 Dec 1985 - tells of son Thomas finally being award the Bronze Star and Purple Heart for his service in Germany in World War II.
The Kalamazoo Gazette - 8 Dec 1991
