Simon Redbird was said to be born in 1866, Leelanau county, the son of Ne saw waw co we nay/ Stephen Redbird and Nancy.
Simon's father, Ne saw waw co we nay, was a member of Shaw bwaw sung's band.
"Shaw bwaw sung’s Band was a small band which split off from Agosa’s band around 1840. The population of this band in 1842 was 52 individuals, with the population increasing to 75 in 1855. Shaw bwaw sung was the chief until about 1861 when most of his old band came under Chief Kaw zhe gwaw ne gay. Shaw bwaw sung’s band selected most of their allotments in sections 4, 9, and 10 of township 31 north, range 11 west" [Leelanau township, Leelanau County]
In 1855, Ne saw waw co we nay, chose the W1/2 of the SW1/4 of section 4, T31, R11, 80 acres.
Stephen, was listed in the 1861 annuity roll as a single man, received $4.62 under chief Kaw zhe gwaw ne gay.
Stephen was next found in the draft registration records for June and July of 1863. Grand Traverse, Red Bird, Stephen, 21, laborer, single, born Michigan.
The 1865 annuity roll had Stephen married with one child.
#4 Stephen New saw waw co we nay, one man, one woman, one child, received $12 under chief Kaw zhe gwaw ne gay
By the 1866 annuity roll Stephen has two children, one Simon, one unknown
#4 Stephen Ne sa wa co we nay, one man, one woman, two children, received $14.96 under chief Kaw zhe gwaw ne gay
1867 annuity roll
#5 Stephen New saw co we nay one man, one woman, two children, received $14.28 under chief Kaw zhe gwaw ne gay
The 1868 annuity roll showed Stephen had an additional child. [Sister Alice was age 2 in the 1870 federal census]
#3 Steph. New saw co we nay one man, one woman, three children, received $79.25 under chief Kaw zhe gwaw ne gay
1870 Federal Census - Leelanau, Leelanau, Michigan
Redbird, Stephen, 36, farmer, value of real estate $700, value of personal estate $300
Nancy, 35, keeping house
Simon, 4
Alice, 2
The 1870 annuity roll showed Stephen only having one child.
#3 Stephen Ne saw on waw co we nay, one man, one woman, one child, received $45.90 under chief Kaw zhe gwaw ne gay
Sister Alice died 2 Jan 1875, age 6 months, of dysentery, an infection of the intestines resulting in severe diarrhea. [Since the child named Alice, born c1868 was not listed in the 1870 annuity roll was this a second child named Alice?]
1880 Federal Census - Wayland, Allegan, Michigan
Redbird, Stephen, 45, minister
Nancy, 37, wife, housekeeper
Simon, 14, son, at school
Wallace, 4, son
Neset, 4, daughter
Martha, 85, mother
1881 Plat Map showing the location of Stephen's land.
Father Stephen died 26 Dec 1883 at Bass River, Ottawa county, Michigan [From Stephen's probate]
Mother Nancy died 28 Feb 1884 [From Stephen's probate]
On 6 Nov 1884 Simon filed with the probate court to determine his father's heir in order to received his land. Simon gave his age as 18 and stated he was an only child. His father's siblings were Joseph, Angelica, Mary and Nancy.
15 Aug 1895 - Leelanau Enterprise
The 1896 City Directory of Lawrence, Kansas lists Simon as a carpenter at Haskell school.
1900 Federal Census - Fort Lewis Indian Industrial School, La Plata county, Colorado
Redbird, Simon, head, born June 1872, age 27, born Michigan, occupation carpenter.
Fort Lewis School, (Fort Lewis, Colorado) map of school grounds, showing demensions of rooms in buildings, from a drawing by Simon Redbird, dated December 28, 1900.
1901 - Department of the Interior, Indian School Service
Simon Redbird, carpenter, born Michigan, employed at Fort Lewis, Colorado, earned $720.
On 25 Feb 1903 Simon Redbird married Bertha A. Becoir in Breen, Colorado
1903 - Department of the Interior, Indian School Service
Simon Redbird, carpenter, born Michigan, employed at Genoa, Nebraska earned $720.
1905 - Department of the Interior, Indian School Service
Simon Redbird, carpenter, born Michigan, employed at Genoa, Nebraska earned $720.
17 Aug 1905 - Grand Rapids Press
22 Aug 1906 - Traverse City Evening Record
3 Jul 1907 - Traverse City Evening Record
26 Jul 1907 - Traverse City Record Eagle
Durant Field Notes - 1908
#21 page 23 Me-sko-pe-nay-se or Redbird, dead; wife dead
children:
1) Steven, see 3/45, wife dead; son Simon, 42, carpenter at Genoa School
2) dead
3) Kaw-zhe-quaw-ne-gay, see 1/45
4) Joseph Aish-quay-ke-zhick, age 76, see 13/38 & 15/38
#3 page 45 Stephen Ne saw on waw so we nag or Stephen Redbird, dead; wife dead
child - Simon Redbird, P.O. Genoa School, see 21/23
21 Oct 1908 Report of the Lake Mohonk Conference
April 1910 Federal Census - US Indian Industrial School, Genoa, Nance, Nebraska
Redbird, Simon, 46, married once, married 7 years, born Michigan, carpenter at US School, Ottawa, father Ottawa, mother Potowatomi, full, graduated Haskell, Kansas
Bertha A., wife, 29, married once, married 7 years, 1 child born, 1 child living, born Indian Territory, Creek & Delaware, father Creek, mother Delaware, 1/2, graduated Chilocco, Oklahoma
Kermit S., son, 2/12, born Nebraska
Twin sons were born 26 Apr 1912. One died 27 Apr, the other 30 Apr. The babies were buried at Valley View Cemetery in Genoa.
April 1916 - The Indian School Journal
1917 Omaha Nebraska City Directory - Genoa
Simon Redbird, architect
Spring 1917 - Simon tells the story of his education in The American Indian Magazine
"I am an Ottowa. I was born on June 12, 1870 at Northport, Leelanau County, Michigan. My father was a teacher in a public school, and was a graduate of Albion College, Michigan. He was ordained as a regular minister of the gospel and preached in the M. E. Church at Northport for several years. Mother was educated at Alligaan, Michigan and she was also a school teacher for some time.
We lived on a farm two miles west of Northport, Michigan and there I attended a country school commencing when only but five years old, and later I attended Northport high school. My father was planning to send me to Albion College where he himself graduated just as soon as I finished the high school. On the 16th day of December 1886, when I was about sixteen years old, my father died. In the same winter on the 26th day of February mother passed into another world. I was thus left alone, and without even a sister or brother I now had to make my way in the world.
I worked in the great lumber saw mills at Muskegon, Michigan in summer time, doing all kinds of work with machinery and acted as assistant mechanic. At one time I was foreman in the lumber yards with a good substantial wage. In winter time I worked in the famous Michigan lumber camps, cutting down pine forests and transforming them into lumber. This continued from 1887 to 1890. I made good in every respect and felt myself considered well esteemed amongst men. But alas, I felt there was something lacking. H had not the form of education which was the most essential for success in a broader life. I remember my father's promise that he would send me to school, and when I considered seriously that I ought by all means to have more education. I determined to go to college just as soon as I could get enough funds to pay my way through.
In 1890 I commenced to negotiate to enter some school at Albion, Michigan, for I then had the money to pay my tuition and expenses. One of my friends wrote me saying that there is a United States Government Indian school at Lawrence, Kansas, and another at Carlisle, Pa., and if I wanted to go to Kansas he said he could make arrangements for me to go. My friend said, "Everything will be free for you, transportation, tuition, board, not only that but all your clothing will be given to you free." That was a tempting proposition and most alluring offer to a poor ignorant fellow, so in spite of former plans, I accepted, though reluctantly.
Did I make a mistake by acception free tuition? I think I have. If I had gone to some other school than a free Indian school and paid my own expenses, I would be far better equipped and better educated today. In taking something I did not earn I made a bitter mistake and my whole life has been marred by it. A party of Indian children and youths made an application for a superintendent to come after us. Dr. Charles F. Meserve who was then a superintendent at Haskell came and we helped to get other children until twenty were in our party bound Haskell Institute. On the 3rd day of October, 1890, we registered our names as bound under the Institution for five years, which seemed a very long time.
While I attended Haskell I made rapid progress both in my studies and industrial work; as a result I had rapid promotions. In a short time I was appointed as assistant carpenter, and before graduation I was appointed at the regular staff carpenter. On June 24th, 1896, I finished the grammar course and received my diploma. After finishing the prescribed course of study under the institution, it seemed that there was still nothing intellectually to me, no real education did I acquire, and what little I did gain, I could not depend upon for my life existence. I was still helpless as a man of learning.
In the spring of 1897, I was transferred to Fort Lewis Indian School Colorado, as a regular carpenter. The school is situated in a lonely and rugged mountain and desert region of sage brush on one side and rocks on the other. Very lonely in this place and with nothing to do after work hours, I took up a Course of Architecture in the the International Correspondence School of Scranton, Pa. While pursuing this course, I put in the hardest work on my studies I ever had in my life, sitting up sometimes way after midnight solving difficult mathematical problems, learning formulas pertaining to architecture, practicing as draftsman and architectural designer, and studying engineering, building superintendence, contract and permits. This course benefited me more than anything else. I paid for it and by effort grasped it without even a helper at my side.
In March, 1903, I was transferred to Genoa Indian School, Nebraska, as carpenter, working eight hours per day and holidays, Saturday afternoons. Outside of that, it was my own time. I have continued to practice as an architect for the last thirteen or fourteen years. I never was idle. I took up a course from the Engineer's Equipment Co., of Chicago, from which was assured to me another certificate as Draftsman and Architectural Designer. Then again, I took up a course with The Chicago Technical College. I sometimes go there and study during my vacations, and so I am still a student under that college, taking a course of home study.
During the thirteen years I was employed at the Genoa Indian School with a very small salary, I became well known in the city of Genoa. People came to me and consulted me about their buildings, though I never did soliciting, nor do I ever advertise, or hunt up work of this kind. The work that came was given me voluntarily, and as a result, I have designed several buildings in the city, --residences, business buildings and assembly halls, which have been already constructed. Some of these buildings now stand majestically upon the main street of Genoa. I have done this work of drafting and designing outside of official work hours, while employed at the Indian School.
I have also designed some of the buildings at the school and superintended their construction, without any extra compensation whatever, for I was employed and officially rated only as a carpenter, and yet I was expected to do all the more expert kind of work on a carpenter's salary. In spite of my efficiency and ability to cope with the work which piled upon me, the superintendent wanted me to resign for the reason that he bore some malice against me.
The Board of Education of Genoa had elected me as their architect during the past summer when they put up their high school building, and during the preliminary arrangements for drawing up plans, sometimes they would come after me in their automobile soon after five o'clock, after working hours, and when the superintendent saw me whirling away toward the town, this made him all the more furious and show more of this old time characteristic drive. He wanted to reduce my meager salary, and recommended my transfer without my consent, and when I didn't accept he gave me "so much time" to leave the grounds. There was absolutely no use to continue in the Indian Department Service, for I saw I could not expect to make any lasting success, or to elevate my life's work, no matter what good new and better qualification I might possess. In spite of the fact that the Indian school officials are against me, still the people of my town respect me, and I have trebled my earning power, and have a wider chance to practice in my profession.
I was in the Indian Service consenting to such meager salary for a very good reason for I desired to act in a truly missionary spirit amongst the Indian students and do all I could for them, elevate them, put them upon a solid footing for their life's work. Many of them are now doing good, I am glad to say, because of what they received under my instructions in the shops in which they have worked and acquired their professions. Even now, after I am outside, I shall continue to help my own race, though I can not have now the same intimate day by day influence.
I will now set forth herewith just where I stand, that I am a full blood American (American means also American Indian) citizen belonging to the Ottowas of Michigan, a voter and a heavy tax payer, the same as any other full American citizen of the United States. When I said am a full fledged citizen, I suspect some of the domineering Government Indian Service officials will scorn the statement, though we Americans ought to be included in the meaning and intent of the famous Declaration of Independence, "that all men are created equal; that they are endowed, by their Creator, with certain inalienable rights; that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness."
I said in the beginning, that I was ready to go to school under my own expenses, but turned to the Government School, because "it was free." It is conceded to be a fact that those who train and who educated themselves through their own resources are the ones who are generally recognized as being successful as educators, leading business men and professional men everywhere. Training of one's own self, earning one's own education, working with one's own hands, are more practical ways to acquire ability because the student then actually knows that he is getting his own education, "paid for," by hard work. He does his work more thoroughly and does his work as an individual, not as a member of a large class in the Indian School, who is merely herded and driven. If we are to keep in the front rank of the progressive nation, we must have the same foresight as they have by providing for ourselves an effective education, the only sharp weapon we can have in the life's battle. If we acquire this education when our chance comes, we will be ready. As Abraham Lincoln said, "I will study and get ready and maybe my chance will come." He was so determined to succeed that he brushed all obstacles aside; he made the most of what slender advantages he had; he used every spare moment for study and when his chance did come he was ready and because of this he did not fail.
Now, I must say, if there is any one, who has the will to earn and say money, who has plenty of grit and who wants to make a glorious success of his life, strive to go to the best institutions of learning. But first choose your profession, then go to college or university, and stay with it until you reach a high degree of training. Whenever a man is thrown upon his own resources, it makes him self-reliant and self-confident."
1920 Federal Census - Genoa, Nance, Nebraska
Redbird, Simon, 48. architect
Bertha, wife, 33
Kermit, son, 9
18 Oct 1922 - Nebraska State Journal
11 Feb 1926 - Ludington Daily News
Redbird, Simon, 48, mixed Ottawa, architect, indepentent
Bertha, wife, 34, mixed Cherokee
Kermit, son, 19, mixed Ottawa
[Simon hasn't aged and Bertha only aged 1 year, while Kermit aged 10 years since the last census.]
From Clarke Historical Library - https://quod.lib.umich.edu/c/clarke/ehll--bougheyseries2?byte=8183572;focusrgn=bioghist;subview=standard;view=reslist
Letters Simon wrote to Herbert F. Boughey are at the Clarke Historical Library in Mount Pleasant, Isabella, Michigan.
"Herbert F. Boughey also maintained correspondence with Simon Redbird. Simon Redbird (1864-) the son of Stephen and Nancy Redbird of Leelanau, Michigan, was a Native American gentleman whose family, like so many others, was hit very hard by the Great Depression of the 1930s. He resided primarily in Grand Island, Nebraska during the years of 1930-1932, according to correspondences with Herbert Boughey, but worked briefly in St. Josephs, Missouri in 1929 as well throughout Nebraska, including Geno, Nebraska, in 1929 and Crawford, Nebraska, in 1930. Mr. Redbird was also the proprietor of eighty acres in Leelanau County, Michigan, which he conjectured held "about or over three thousand dollars' worth of hardwood timber." [Correspondence to M. Herbery Boughey from Simon Redbird on April 21, 1932.] From this we concluded that Simon Redbird and Herbert Bo[ughey] were either business acquaintances via the lumber industry or former employee/employer, as Mr. Redbird's was employed in the carpentry trade, which encompassed cabinet working, woodworking, and neat finisher; he was also a self-proclaimed skilled worman [with] mechanic experience, was familiar with building construction and designing, and could work as an architectural draftsman or mechanical draftsman. [Correspondences to M. Herbert from Simon Redbird on Jul 10, 1930; September 6, 1930; and October 29, 1930.]"
Wife Bertha died 10 Dec 1934. She was buried at Valley View Cemetery in Genoa, Nance, Nebraska
Her obituary was printed in The Nance County Journal, Fullerton, Nebraska on 13 Dec 1934
1940 Federal Census - Grand Island, Hall, Nebraska
Redbird, Simon, 64, widowed, born Michigan, lived in the same place in 1935, skilled carpenter, WPA
Kermit, son, 30, born Nebraska, lived in same place in 1935, new worker
Son Kermit registered for the draft on 16 Apr 1940. He gave his birth as 3 Feb 1910 in Genoa. Kermit was described as 5' 11', 179 lbs., brown eyes, black hair, dark complexion.
Simon died 27 Dec 1948. He was buried in a currently unmarked grave at Valley View Cemetery in Genoa, Nance, Nebraska.
The Genoa Leader-Times, 30 Dec 1948
