The first record of Awn-ge-we-naw, also known as Jacob Solomon is the in the annuity rolls.
1857 annuity roll - #19, Awn-ge-we-naw 1 man, 1 woman, 3 children, $18.96 under Kaw gay gaw baw we's band
1858 annuity roll - #3, Awn-ge-we-naw 1 man, 1 woman, 4 children $25.26 under Shaw gwaw baw no's band
1859 annuity roll - #3, Awn-ge-we-naw 1 man, 1 woman, 4 children, $8.22 under Shaw gwaw baw no's band
1861 annuity roll - the Grand River Ottawas received two payments under different treaties
#3 Aw-ge-we-naw 1 man, 1 woman, 4 children received $27.72 and $20.46 under Shaw gwaw baw no's band
1864 annuity roll - #4, Awn-ge-we-naw 1 man, 1 woman, 4 children, $20.52 under Shaw gwaw baw no's band
1865 annuity roll - #4, Awn-ge-we-naw 1 man, 1 woman, 5 children, $34.30 under Shaw gwaw baw no's band
1868 annuity roll - #4, Awn-ge-we-naw 1 man, 1 woman, 3 children, $79.25 under Aish-ke-baw-gosh's band
1870 annuity roll #6 page 52 - Awn-ge-we-naw, 1 man, 1 woman, 3 children, $76.50 under Aish-ke-baw-gosh's band
22 Oct 1870 Document #175 - Awn-ge-we-naw received land - T15N R16W E 1/2 of SW 1/4 of section 27, Oceana County.
The 1880 Federal Census of Wayland, Allegan County, Michigan says Jacob is age 57 and a farmer; Ida is age 50, housekeeping; Genro, 18, Eliza, 14, basket maker, and Jane, 12, complete the family.
The 1880 Agriculture Schedule for Wayland, Allegan, Michigan - Line 7 - Jacob Solomon, 8 acres tilled, 7 acres permanent pasture, farm value of $400, farm implement value of $10, livestock value of $60, products value of $95, 1 horse, 7 swine, 2 barn yard poultry, 2 other poultry, 10 eggs produced in 1879, 3 1/2 acres of corn, 110 bushels of corn, 2 1/2 acres of wheat, 30 bushels of wheat, 3 bushels of beans, 50 cords of wood cut, forest products value of $40.
By 1895 Jacob and Ida had moved to Kewadin in Antrim county. It was there that Ida was murdered. The Rock Island Argus of 11 Jun 1895 tells of an Indian woman being shot in the back by George Love.
Other newspaper articles complete the story.
From the Jackson Citizen Patriot 14 Jun 1895 "Resulted in Her Death - ELK RAPIDS, June 14. - 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 charge 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."
From the Jackson Citizen Patriot 29 Aug 1895 "George W. Love, who was awaiting trial for the murder of a squaw, and Oscar Schultz, an alleged thief, escaped from jail at Bellaire, Tuesday night."
From the Adrian Telegram 27 Sep 1895 "George Love, the squaw murderer, and Schultz, a petty thief, who escaped from jail some time ago and were recently captured near Cheboygan, had "holed in" for the winter at Black lake, near Bellaire, and got into trouble trhough their efforts to lay in a stock of fruits, meats, etc., for the winter. The officers found Love and Schultz dressing a cow they had stolen. They had salt and other necessaries for packing the meat and had evidently settled down to housekeeping. Love was sent back, but Schultz retained. Schultz rewarded a farmer near Kalakaska, who befriended him and took him to a desolate piece of woods, by stealing his horse. Mancelona hunters soon afterward missed some of their weapons and Dean went and found them at Schultz's [sic] dugout. Love was a sorry looking bird. He said he was coming back soon anyhow, as he was tired of camping."
From Jackson Citizen Patriot 19 Dec 1895 "The trial of George W. Love, charged with the murder of a squaw in Antrim county some months ago, is in progress at Bellaire. Love is working the insanity dodge."
From The Morning Record [Traverse City] 22 Mar 1898 page one "LOVE WANTS FREEDOM - Insanity Will Be the Argument Before Board of Pardons - About two years ago George Love of Antrim county, was tried and convinced of the murder of an Indian. He is now entering a petition to the board of pardons of the state for a pardon. His attorney, J.W. Patchin, will go to Jackson this morning to present the petition to the board. The ground upon which the petition is based is insanity.
From The Morning Record [Traverse City] 30 Aug 1898 "Transferred to Ionia - George Love, who was convicted in Antrim county three years ago for shooting an Indian, and who was sentenced to Jackson for life, has been transferred to the asylum for dangerous and criminal insane at Ionia. This confirms the opinion given as testimony at the time by several prominent physicians and insane experts."
A death certificate for Ida has not been found, nor is her burial spot known, but she is most likely at the Kewadin Indian Mission Cemetery.
The 1900 Federal Census, Helena Township, Antrim County lists Solomon, [no first name given], male, age 70, widowed, basket maker. This is possibly Jacob.
The field notes for the Durant Roll #6 page 52 are very confusing for this family. Aw ge we naw or Jake Solomon, age 70 resides Manistee - died Feby 3/09. Wife dead. Child one dead, leaving one child - Geo Mendoka or Geo Wezoo, age 18. Child two dead, leaving one child - James Wahsayquorew or James Lewis age 42. Child three dead. Information is from John Wah-bin-dwatto, brother of Jacob.
A letter attached to this explains that Geo Mendoka and Geo Wezoo are two different people.
Child one would be Eliza who died in 1903. Her death certificate says she had 5 children, all living at that time.
Child two would be Martha, death date unknown. James is listed with his children on #23 page 52, naming his mother as Ke-she-yaw-se-no-quay, deceased, wife first of William Ne-be-nay-ke-zhick or Lewis; second husband listed as David Fox with their son Adam Fox age 28.
Child three could be Jacob Jr. or Genro or Jane. Plus if the number of children on the earlier annuity rolls are compared with the given birth dates for the children there could be a total of seven children born to Jacob and Ida.
On both 27 Jun 1927 and 27 Jun 1928 the Traverse City Record Eagle published a story about gold said to be buried by Native Americans on the farm land now owned by John Steiner. Jacob was mentioned in the story.
CHILDREN
JACOB JR.
Jacob died 6 Jan 1907 in Missaukee county at age 48 (b. 1858). He was widowed, son of Jacob, buried Star City cemetery. Death certificate states he was married at age 25 and had no children.
GENRO/GENEROU
On 16 Jan 1893 in West Branch, Missaukee County, Generou Solomon, 31, laborer, son of Jacob Solomon and Ida Agahgas married Anna Wanuazkize, 27, of Charlevoix, daughter of George Wanuazkize and Mary.
The Leelanau county marriage records show Generou Solomon, 37, of Petoskey, farmer, son of Jacob Solomon, married 20 Aug 1900 in Northport to Lizzie McMillan, 37, of Peshawbestown, daughter of William McMillian. Witnesses were Aaron Pequnong and William Bigjoe.
ELIZA
Eliza Solomon was married twice. First to Joseph Mendoka. Two children were born to this union, Angeline c1887 and George c1889. Eliza next married William Bigjoe on 17 Oct 1897 in Northport. This couple had two children: John W. who died in 1911 and Ida who died in 1910.
Eliza Bigjoe, b. 1865, daughter of Jacob Solomon and Menahqua Agago died in Leelanau county on 27 Aug 1903. She married at age 26 [c1891], gave birth to 5 children, all still living, was buried at Nominis [Onominisee] cemetery. Informant was William Bigjoe.
