Honoring Native Ancestors: John Theodore

Thursday, April 17, 2025

John Theodore

John Theodore was said to be born c1859 in Pere Marquette, Mason, Michigan, the son of Theodore and Sarah/Naw-baw-gaw-we-num. Sarah was the daughter of Key-way-ne-gaw-ne-quay.

1858 Annuity Roll - Chief Ne be nay ge zhick

#10 Key wain gwaw ne quay, no men, one woman, four children, received $21.05 [Sarah's mother. No men could mean her husband died, or he was a different tribe.]

1859 Annuity Roll - Chief Nebenaykezhick

#16 Ke wain quaw ne quay, no men, one woman, one child, received $9.94 [Sarah's mother - three of her children are either on their own or have passed.]

#17 Naw baw gaw we num, no men, one woman, no children, received $4.97 [Sarah]

1861 Annuity Roll - Chief Nebenaykezhick

#15 Nawbawgawwenam, no men, one woman, one child, received $9.24 [John has been born. Sarah's husband has passed, or was not a member of this tribe.]

1865 Annuity Roll - Chief Ne be nay ke zhick

#12 Naw baw gaw no num, no men, one woman, one child, received $8.00

1866 Annuity Roll - Chief Nebenaykezhick

#13 Naw baw gaw we num, no men, one woman, one child, received $7.48

1867 Annuity Roll - Chief Nebenaykezhick

#12 Naw baw gaw we num, no men, one woman, one child, received $7.14

1868 Annuity Roll - Chief Nebenaykezhick

#12 Naw baw gaw we num, no men, one woman, one child, received $31.70

John and Marian (maiden name unknown/possibly Tebesash) had a son Charles c1882. [On Charles' marriage in 1904 he gives Sarah Bock as his mother]

John met Jennie, daughter of Wallace Hinman. [Doubtful this couple was ever married. See her marriages in 1898 and 1905 below.]

Son Ben was said to be born 4 Jun 1885 [from his death certificate]

Son Nelson was said to be born on 19 Mar 1888. [WWI draft registration]

Daughter Maggie was born c1890

Son James was said to be born on 10 Dec 1894 in Oceana county, Michigan. [WWI draft registration]

Many of John's children were sent to the Mount Pleasant Indian Industrial Boarding School.

Charles, age 13, and Benj, age 10, residence Houseman, tribe Ottawa, sons of John, admitted to school on 19 Mar 1896

Son Paul was born c1896

On 13 Nov 1898 in Fountain, Mason, Michigan, Jane Hinman/Mrs. Jane Sahbay, daughter of Wallace Hinman, married once before, married John Green, 40, son of Louis McDonald and Wahbah no qua

John also had a daughter, Susan, with Ida Ching-gwaw-she, c1894. [Year from Susan's death certificate]. Link for more information about Susan.

Son Louis was born 28 Dec 1902 in Grant, Mason, Michigan

John, 42, married Jennie Isaacks, 24 on 4 Apr 1903. His parents are given as Theodore and Sarah. Her parents are unknown. She was actually Jennie Antoine, the daughter of Thomas Naytoshing and widow of Charles Isaacs. Link to learn more about Naytoshing family.

Son Harry was born 2 Aug 1904. [From his death certificate]

Son Charles, 23, married Angeline Shagonby, 20, on 16 Nov 1904 in Fountain, Mason, Michigan. Charles gave his parents as John Theodore and Sarah Bock. Angeline's father was given as William Shagonby.

Son Harry died 26 Jan 1905 in Grant, Mason, Michigan. His date of birth was given as 2 Aug 1904. Cause of death was measles. Place of burial was Victory.

On 14 Jun 1905 in Fountain, Mason, Michigan, Jennie Green Hinman/Jennie Sunoquay, 42, married John Waneqwas, 54.

Daughter Maggie, Ottawa, child of John Theodore of Freesoil, age 15, was admitted to Mt. Pleasant Boarding School on 29 Aug 1905.

John sent daughter Maggie, age 16, and step-daughter Helen, age 9 to Mt. Pleasant Boarding School for a term of 3 years. Helen's admission date was 27 Aug 1907.

Daughter Bessie was born 29 Jan 1908 in Grant, Mason, Michigan

Durant Roll Field Notes - 1908

#27 page 59

Key-way-ne-gaw-ne-quay, dead; husband died before 1870

Child 1 - Wah-be-ske-min Nancy (2) 67, see 16-49, P.O. Copemish, now at Freesoil waiting enrollment; husband George Agago, 70, see 12/52

Child 2- Sarah Theodore, 65, Freesoil, on roll as #12/49; husband dead

1) John Theodore, 48, Freesoil, see 5/60 3rd wife Jennie Antoine Theodore, 31; 1st wife Marion, P.O. Charlevoix; 2d wife Jennie Wallace Wawmegoose 9/58a Freesoil 1/53

John's children:

(by 1st wife)

1 Chas Theodore, 26, separated from Angeline Shaygonaby; wife Laura Espiew, 19, no children 10/61a

(by 2nd wife)

2 Ben Theodore, 23, not married

3 Nelson Theodore, 19, not married

4 Maggie Theodore, 17

by 3rd wife

5 Louis, 5

6 Harry, 2

7 Bessie, 6 months, born Jany 29/08

Jennie Antoine Theodore (3rd wife of John Theodore had 2 children by Chas Isaac (dead) 1 Ellen Theodore 11, at Mt. Pleasant School, 2 Christina, 8, Freesoil, enroll with family of John Theodore.

Child 3 - James Manitous, dead, wife was No 22/60 on 1870 roll (dead); their child Wm. Manitous, not married, 28, Ludington, Camp Arcadia, Hamlin Lake, 13/61A, see also #22/60

#9 page 58A

Waw-zhan or John Way-me-gwan, 60, Chief Lake

1st wife dead

2nd wife Helen now wife Wm. Chatfield - Mt. Pleasant - a Saginaw Indian

3rd wife Hennie Hinman Waynagwaw, daugh of Wallace Hinman, see 1/3

child 1 Mawbeace or Mawbeece Walker, single, see 1/50

by 1st wife

child 2 Ray Way me gwan, 14, Mt. Pleasant School

by 2d wife

3rd wife - her first husband: John Theodore - see 27/59

child Ben Theodore, 23

Nelson, 19

Maggie, 17

James, 14

Paul, 11

1908 Mt. Pleasant School register shows Maggie, age 17, and Helen, age 10, Ottawa, parent John Theodore of Freesoil.

Son Ben, 24, was married 16 Sep 1909 in Manistee, Manistee, Michigan to Mary Rethsaid, 19. His parents were given as John Theodore and Jennie. Her parents were given as Wm Rethsaid and Elizabeth Judson.

1910 Federal Census - John, Jennie and their children not yet found.

Daughter Lucy was born 31 Mar 1910.

The 1910 Mt. Pleasant Boarding School register shows Helen, age 11, admitted 27 Aug 1907, Maggie, age 18, arrived 9 Sep 1909, and Christina, age 9, arrived 9 Sep 1909. Tribe - Ottawa, parent John Theodore of Freesoil.

Daughter Lucy died 2 Sep 1910 in Brown township, Manistee county. Her birth was given as 31 Mar 1910, parents as John Theodor and Jennie Atwine. Cause of death was dysentery; burial in River Cemetery.

A daughter was born 23 Apr 1911 in Platte township, Benzie, Michigan. Parents were given as John Theodore and Jane Wakeshegome. John's occupation was laborer.

The 1911 Mt. Pleasant Boarding School register shows, Maggie, age 19, and Christina, age 10, Ottawa, parent John Theodore of Freesoil.

The 1912 Mt. Pleasant Boarding School register shows Christina, age 11, Ottawa, parent John Theodore of Freesoil. James, age 17, admitted 1 Oct 1911, Ottawa, parent John Theodore of Brethern.

The 1912-13 Mt. Pleasant Boarding School register shows James, age 18, Ottawa, parent John Theodore of Brethern, admitted 9 Oct 1911, home 30 Sep 1913.

Daughter Rose was born 23 Dec 1913 in Homestead township, Benzie, Michigan. Parents were given as John Theodore and Jennie Washgetogome. John's occupation was wood chopper.

Daughter Maggie, 23, married Chas Pego, 32, on 29 Sep 1914 in Honor, Benzie, Michigan. Her parents were given as John Theodore and Jennie Foster; his parents as John Pego and Sophia Alexander.

The 1914-15 Mt. Pleasant Boarding School register shows Christina, age 15, Ottawa, parent Mrs. John Theodore of Honor, admitted 1 Sep 1914.

Daughter Grace was born 4 Nov 1915.

On 5 Jun 1917 sons James and Nelson registered for the draft.

James gave his birth as 15 Dec 1894 in Mason county, occupation as laborer in excavation, employed by Consumers Power in Wellston. He was married, had a child, and claimed poor eye sight. He was described as medium height and build, with gray eyes and black hair.

Nelson gave his birthdate as 19 May 1888, in Mason county, occupation as labor for the Eastern Michigan Power Co in Dickson township. He was single, described as medium height and build, with brown eyes and black hair.

Step-daughter Christina, 20, married John Lamrock, 43, on 30 Nov 1917 in Manistee, Manistee, Michigan. Her parents were given as John Theodore and Jennie Case.

Daughter Susan died 25 Oct 1919 of tuberculosis. Informant was husband Ira Battice. Father was given as John Theodore, mother was not known. Burial was a Sayles Cemetery.

1920 Federal Census - Grant, Mason, Michigan

Theodore Jennie, head, rents, 47, widow

Louie, son, 17, farm laborer works out

Harry, son, 14

Bessie, daughter, 11

Francies, daughter, 8

Rose, daughter 6

Grace, daughter, 4 3/12

[Stepson Charles and family are the family above Jennie].

The 1920-21 Mt. Pleasant Boarding School register shows Bessie, age 13, Ottawa, sent by Mrs. Lizzie Joe of Bay Shore [her maternal grandmother], admitted 28 Sep 1920.

Son James, 29, was married to Julia Pete, 25 on 6 Nov 1923 in Freesoil. His parents are given as John Theodore and Jennie Hinman. Her parents are given as Charley Pete and Rose Robinson. [While the marriage date is given as 1924 the license date is 1923 as are all the other marriages on the page.]

The 1921-22 Mt. Pleasant Boarding School register shows Bessie, age 14, Ottawa, parent Lizzie Joe of Bay Shore. [Maternal grandmother]

John's mother, Sarah, died 4 Aug 1923. Her age was given as 87. Informant was grandson Nelson. Burial was in Brethern cemetery.

The 1927-28 Mt. Pleasant Boarding School register shows Grace, age 12, Ottawa, parent Jennie Theodore of Bay Shore, admitted 9 Sep 1927; along with her nieces Alice, age 14, Stella, age 15, and Elizabeth, age 17, parent Ben Theodore of Brethren, admitted 9 Sep 1923.

The 1928-29 Mt. Pleasant Boarding School register shows Grace, age 13, Ottawa, parent Jennie Theodore of Bay Shore and her nieces Alice, age 14, Stella, age 16 and Elizabeth, age 18, parent Ben Theodore of Brethern. Elizabeth dropped 10 Nov.

Daqughter Bessie, 16, married Henry Waukazoo, 24, on 21 Dec 1928 in Kalkaska, Michigan. Her father was given as John Theodore, his father as Moses Waukazoo, both mothers unknown.

The 1929-30 Mt. Pleasant Boarding School register shows Grace, age 12, Ottawa, parent Jennie Theodore of Bay Shore and her nieces Alice, age 15, and Stella, age 17, parent Ben Theodore of Brethren.

1930 Federal Census - Hayes township, Otsego, Michigan

Isaac, Peter, head, 40, divorced, laborer at wood camp

Theodore, Jennie, house keeper, 52, widowed, housekeeper for private family

McSauby, Johanas, boarder, 50, divorced, laborer at wood camp

Theodore, Rosie, 16, single

Son Ben died 9 Jul 1931 in Dickson township, Manistee county of chronic nephretis. His birthdate was given as 4 Jun 1885, parents as John Theodore and Jennie Hinman. Informant was Jennie Hinman. Burial was in Dickson Cemetery.

Son Charles died 3 Jan 1930 of pneumonia at age 52 years 5 months. Wife's name was given as Nora, father's name as John Theodore. Informant was Nelson Theodore. Burial was in Manistee County.

The Grand Rapids Press of 7 Jan 1930 tells of Charles' death. "Charles Theodore, another Indian who lived east of the village in Gun Lake hills, was taken to Brethren for burial."

Son Francis died 10 Feb 1932 in Leelanau township, Leelanau, Michigan. Cause of death was organic heart disease. Birthdate was given as 21 Jan 1912. Father was John Theodore, mother not known. Informant was Harry Theodore. Burial was in Omena Cemetery.

The following article mentions John Theodore, Jim Mantiou (John's uncle) and Charlie Joe (third husband of John's wife Jennie Antoine).

Ludington Daily News 17 May 1934:

The Mount Pleasant Boarding School closed in 1934. Records are available at the National Archives branch in Chicago, Illinois for Bessie, Christina, Francis, Harry, James, Maggie, Grace, Rose, Lewis, children of John and Jennie, file #40/46. These are not necessarily school records and could be social services records from the 1940s.

John's second wife, Jennie Hinman, died 4 Apr 1935 as Jennie Wanagance. Her birth was given as 4 Jul 1862, father at Hineman, cause as pulmonary tuberculosis. Burial was in Confu cemetery. Informant was son James Theodore.

1940 Federal Census - Northport, Leelanau, Michigan

Theodore, Jenny, 62, widow

Lewis, 37, son, truck driver for building contractor

Harry, 34, son, laborer at weaving baskets

Rose, 26, daughter

Grace, 25, daughter, basket maker for W.P.A. project

Leona, 7 granddaughter

Henry, 1, grandson

Son Louis,38, are married on 11 Oct 1941 in Northport, Leelanau, Michigan, to Lucille Rosett, 25. His parents were given as John Theodore and Jennie Ogemagigedo; her parents as George Rosett and Julia Green.

Son Louis registered for the draft on 16 Feb 1942. He gave his birth as 30 Jan 1903 in Freesoil. Person who would always know his address was Jennie Theodore of Northport. Employer was Geo. Bigelow of Northport. Louis was described as 5' 5" tall, 140 lbs, with brown eyes, black hair, and dark complextion.

Daughter Grace, 29, was married on 8 Oct 1944 to Charles A. Whiteloon Jr., 27, in Leland, Leelanau, Michigan. Her parents were given as John Theodore and Jennie Ogemagegedo.