Honoring Native Ancestors: Peter Waukazoo/Wakejoo 1884-1942

Tuesday, May 13, 2025

Peter Waukazoo/Wakejoo 1884-1942

Peter Waukazoo/Wakejoo was said to be born 15 Jun 1884 [death certificate] or 30 Jun 1879 [veterans administration]. He was the son of Joseph Waukazoo.

Peter arrived at Carlisle Indian Industrial School on 19 Nov 1899. His age was given as 16. His father was living, his mother had died.

1900 Federal Census - West Amwell towship, Hunterdon county, New Jersey - taken 5 Jun 1900

Wakejoo Peter, servant, born June 1885, 14, born Michigan, parents born Michigan, farm laborer in the home of John Drake.

1900 Federal Census - North Middleton, Cumberland county, Pennsylvania - taken 8 Jun 1900. This shows all the students are at school. Are they, or are some still on "outing" in the country? Peter's school information card has him with the Drake family until 15 Sep 1903.

1905 New Jersey State census - West Amwell township, Hunterdon County

Wakejoo, Peter, born May 1886, age 19, born Michigan, parents born Michigan. Farm laborer in the home of John Drake.

On 10 Jun 1906 Peter was discharged from Carlisle School, reason time out (his 5 years were up).

Durant Roll Field Notes - 1908

#13, page 32

Mary Key-o-ge-maw, dead; husband dead

her children

1) David Francis, 49, Horton's Bay, not married, children none

2) dead, husband not given [daughter was Lucy, her husband was Joseph Waukazoo]

1 - Peter Wawkazoo, 25, Carlisle School

2 - Wm Waukazoo, 20, Bay Shore

3 - Agnes, Wawkazoo, 17, Cross Village, see #4 page 20

3) dead

4) Anatasia Assinaway, 48, Goodheart, see #8 p.28

#4 page 20 says Agnes Wahkazoo, 17, adopted child of Theresa Shomin and Bazil Shomin, see 13-32

1910 Federal Census - Hopewell Township, Mercer county, New Jersey

Wakajoo, peter S. Hired man, 20, born Michigan, parents born Michigan, laborer on farm, in home of Carman W. Phillips.

The Trenton Evening Times of 11 Jun 1913 lists the marriage license of Peter Smith Wakejoo, of 63 Summer Street, and Freda Eva Cromwell, of 120 Humboldt Street.

License only. An actual marriage record has not been found.

1917 Report After Leaving Carlisle has Peter living in New Jersey

Peter enlisted in the US Army on 24 Jan 1918 in Detroit

Roster 13 Feb 1918 Company A, 9th Battalion, 20th Engineers

29 Mar 1918 - Left Hoboken, NJ on the Northern Pacific

#187, 2491257, Wakejoo Peter Smith, pvt 20th Eng, Notify in case of emergency - Marse Boesel, friend; address McComb St., Detroit, Michigan

SS Northern Pacific was built as a passenger ship. It was acquired on 17 Sep 1917 for use as a transport ship for the United States during World War I.

Monthly Roster 30 Sep 1918

Monthly Roster 31 Oct 1918

31 Jan 1919

Roster of 25th Company, 20th Engineers

17 May 1919 return to US

Name of vessel K I Luckenbach, from Bertaut, France

#167 Wakejoo, Peter J. 2,491,257, Private 1st class, promoted 22 May 1919

Mrs. Mares Bosel, friend, Mc Comb St., Detroit, Michigan

USS K I Luckenbach "The 3rd Naval District inspected her on 11 February 1919 for possible U.S. Navy World War I service; after she spent several months operating under charter to the United States Army, the Navy acquired her on 8 August 1918." [Wikipedia]

Morning Report, Jun 1919, Camp Custer (Michigan)

Veterans Bureau card has Peter being discharged from the army on 12 Jun 1919

Monthly Roster, 31 Mar 1920

Monthly Roster 31 Jul 1921

Monthly Roster 31 Oct 1921

Monthly Roster 16 Dec 1921

31 Dec 1921 - Roster of Headquarters and Service Co. 10th Inf.

#55 Wakejoo, Peter S. R-2491257 trfd fr

Monthly Roster 30 Nov 1922

Morning Report - Dec 1923

1st - Pvt Wakejoo enl for & jd Det, 11/30/23

Roster of Troops 30 Apr 1924

Roster of Troops 22 May 1924

Roster of Troops 30 Nov 1924

Morning Report Jan 1925

Monthly Roster 31 Jan 1925

28 Feb 1925

Monthly Roster 31 Mar 1925

Special Roster - 18 May 1925 - from Fort Sheridan, Illinois to Camp Custer, Michigan

Special Monthly Roster 24 Aug 1925

Monthy Roster 31 Aug 1925

Monthly Roster 30 Apr 1926

Monthly Roster 24 May 1926

Monthly Roster 31 May 1926

Monthly Roster 31 Oct 1926

Monthly Roster 30 Apr 1927

Monthly Roster 31 Aug 1927

Morning Report Dec 1927

8th Pvt Wakejoo appointed Pvt 1st class October 17;

Monthly Roster 30 Apr 1928

1930 Federal Census - not yet found

Morning Report - May 1931

Pvt Wakejoo desertion to Conf;

1940 Federal Census - not yet found

1941 Detroit City Directory

Wakejoo Peter J, r12106 W Outer dr.

House was built in 1931.

Peter died 24 Feb 1942 in Detroit, from injuries caused by a hit and run driver. His birth was given as 15 Jun 1884, parents unknown. Burial was in Park View Memorial cemetery, Livonia, Wayne, Michigan, Block A2, Row 11, Space 39.