Honoring Native Ancestors: Joseph Chingwa 1887-1951

Tuesday, September 30, 2025

Joseph Chingwa 1887-1951

Joseph Lewis Chingwa was born 1 Mar 1887 in Cross Village, Emmet, Michigan, the son of Frank Chingwa and Eliza Peters. He joined older brother Louis born c1884.

Brother Jonas was born c1888

Brother John was born c1891

Sister Elizabeth was born c1894

Brother Daniel was born c1896

Sister Sarah Ann was born c1898

Joseph and brother Louis were admitted to Mount Pleasant Indian Industrial Boarding School on 5 Jun 1894. Tribe was Ottawa, parent was Frank Chingwah of Petoskey, both parents were living, they were 3/4 Native, Joseph was listed as 11 years old, Louis as 8 years old.

Mt. Pleasant Students - 1894-5 - page 15.

Gives same information as above.

Mt. Pleasant Students - 1895

Joseph Chingwah of Petoskey, Ottawa, son of Frank Chingwah, both parents living, 3/4 Native, 12 years old, admitted 1 Jul 1895. Brother Louis was age 9.

Mt. Pleasant Students - 1899

Joseph and Louis, sons of Frank Chingwah of Petoskey, both parents living, admitted 1 Jul 1899. Joseph was age 13, Louis was 16.

Mt. Pleasant Students - 1900

Joseph and Louis, sons of Frank Chingwah of Petoskey, both parents living, admitted 18 Jul 1900. Their ages were not given.

1900 Federal Census - Mt. Pleasant, Isabella, Michigan

Chingwah, Louis, at school, born Sep 1883, 16

Joseph, at school, born Dec 1886, 13

Durant Roll Field Notes - 1908

#9 page 26

Louis Ching-gwaw, 76, P.O. Harbor Springs

wife dead

children:

1 - Frank Chingwaw, 52, P.O. Petoskey

wife Eliza nee Aw-ne-way-ne-mo, 48, see #10 page 34

1) Louis Chingwa, Jr. 24, Mt. Pleasant School

2) Joe, 22, Petoskey

3) Jonas, 20, Petoskey

4) John, 17, Tomah Ind. Sch.

5) Elizabeth, 14, Tomah Ind. Sch.

6) Daniel, 12, Tomah Ind. Sch.

7) Sarah, 10, Tomah Ind. Sch.

2 - John, dead, no heirs

3 - Agnes Ettawegezhick, 44, see #19 p 32, husband/children see #19 p 32

4 - Rosie Naskaw, 35, see #26 p 46; husb see #26 p 46

5 - Sarah, dead, no heirs

6 - Annie, dead, no heirs

1910 Federal Census - Resort Township, Emmet, Michigan

Frank, head, 56, married once, married 31 years, speaks Indian, Farmer & Laborer at farm and stone C----, tribe Ottawa, parents Ottawa, 3/4 Indian, 1/4 French, taxed, received allotment 1872, owns land, civilized house.

Lizzy, wife, 51, married once, married 31 years, 14 children born, 7 children living, speaks Indian, makes baskets at home, tribe Chippewa, parents Chippewa, 3/4 Indian, 1/4 French

Joe, son, 24, speaks English, laborer at cutting wood, tribe Ottawa and Chippewa, father Ottawa, mother Chippewa, 3/4 Indian, 1/4 French, graduated from Mount Pleasant

Jonas, son, 22, speaks English, laborer at farm, tribe Ottawa and Chippewa, father Ottawa, mother Chippewa, 3/4 Indian, 1/4 French, going to school

John, son 19, speaks English, laborer at anything, tribe Ottawa and Chippewa, father Ottawa, mother Chippewa, 3/4 Indian, 1/4 French, going to school

Lizzy, daughter, 15, speaks English, tribe Ottawa and Chippewa, father Ottawa, mother Chippewa, 3/4 Indian, 1/4 French

Daniel son, 14, speaks English, tribe Ottawa and Chippewa, father Ottawa, mother Chippewa, 3/4 Indian, 1/4 French

Sarah, daughter, 12, speaks English, tribe Ottawa and Chippewa, father Ottawa, mother Chippewa, 3/4 Indian, 1/4 French

On 5 Jul 1917 Joseph registered for the draft. He gave his birth as 1 Mar 1887 in Petoskey, occupation as common labor at Charocal Iron Co in Rexton, Michigan. Joseph was described as tall, medium build, with black eyes and hair.

On 21 Dec 1917 in Cross Village, Emmet, Michigan, Joseph, 30, was married to Jennie Nanigos, 29, daughter of Isaac P. Nanagos and Christina Miximong. Ceremony was performed by Rev. Luke Riederer OFM, Pastor Holy Cross Church. Witnesses were Sr. Domitilla and Sr. Lyola

1919 Petoskey City Directory

Chingwa, Joseph (Jennie) laborer

Mother Eliza died 15 Apr 1919 in Resort township, Emmet, Michigan. Her birth was given as Nov. 1860, age 58, birthplace as Manistique, Michigan. Father's name given as Peters. She was married to Frank Chingwa, occupation housewife. Cause of death was myocarditis. Burial was in Greenwood cemetery. Informant Elizabeth Chingwa.

Father Frank died 3 May 1919 in Resort township, Emmet, Michigan at about 60 years old, born in Burt Lake, Michigan, son of Louis Chingwa and Elizabeth. He was widowed, wife named Eliza. Cause of death was myocarditis. Burial at Greenwood Cemetery. Informant John Chingwa.

Son Franklin was born 20 Oct 1919

1920 Federal Census - Chippewa, Michigan

Chingwa, Joseph,, heard, 32, can read and write, laborer at lumber camp

Jennie, wife, 32, can read and write.

Franklin, son, 4/12

Twin daughters Catherine and Evelyn Elizabeth were born 28 May 1921

Daughter Evelyn Elizabeth died 6 Sep 1921 in Brevort, Mackinac, Michigan. Her birthdate was given as 28 May 1921, cause of death as acute --- enteritis, [code 104 Infective enteritis, age under 2 years], burial was in Petoskey [at Greenwood Cemetery], informant was Joseph Chingwa.

Source not given

Daughter Catherine died 16 Jul 1922 in Petoskey, Emmet, Michigan (address 818 Spring St.) Her birthdate was given as 28 May 1921, cause of death "was bleed possibly --- of --- --- may have been --- [Code 40 means Gonococcal infection (ophthalmia excepted) or gonorrhoeal or purulent ophthalmia), burial was at Greenwood Cemetery. Informant was Joseph Chingwa.

Son Joseph Daniel was born 28 Jul 1922 in Petoskey, Emmet, Michigan

Daughter Virginia Elizabeth/Philomena was born 5 Sep 1923

1925 Petoskey City Directory

Chingwa Jos L (Jennie) pkr at Petoskey Portland Cement Co; home 312 Ione

Son William Edward was born 19 Oct 1925

Daughter Margaret June was born 25 Jan 1928 in Petoskey, Emmet, Michigan

1928 Petoskey City Directory

Chingwa Jos (Jane) laborer; home 312 Ione

1930 Federal Census - Petoskey, Emmet, Michigan, 219 Lake Street

Chingwa, Joseph, head, rents $10 per month, 34, married at 22, born Michigan, full blood Ottawa, cement burner at cement plant

Jane, wife, 32, married at 20, born Michigan, full blood Ottawa

Franklin, son, 10, born Michigan, full blood Ottawa

Joseph, son, 7, born Michigan, full blood Ottawa

Virginia, daughter, 6, born Michigan, full blood Ottawa

William, son, 4 6/12, born Michigan, full blood Ottawa

Margurite, daughter, 2 8/12, born Michigan, full blood Ottawa

1930 Petoskey City Directory

Chingwa Jos L (Jennie) laborer; home 219 W Lake

On 26 Jul 1932 Joseph attempted to enroll his children Franklin, Joseph, and Virginia in Mount Pleasant Boarding School. Note on all three enrollment forms says recommended not to admit as they live near public and Catholic schools. Full file here.

1935 Petoskey City Directory

Chingwa Jos L (Jennie T) laborer home 219 W Lake

Son Franklin enrolled in the Civilian Conservation Corp on 11 Jul 1938. His full CCC file is here.

Son Joseph enrolled in the Civilian Conservation Corp on 10 Oct 1939. His full CCC file is here. Note that he names his father as Anthony Joseph Chingwa.

1940 Federal Census - Petoskey, Emmet, Michigan

Chingwa, Joseph, head, 53, born in Michigan, lived in same place in 1935, helper on truck for City Roadwork

Jennie, wife, 52, born in Michigan, lived in same place in 1935

Franklin, son, 20, born in Michigan, lived in same place in 1935, outside laborer at Lake S--y CCC Camp

Joseph, son, 17, born in Michigan, lived in same place in 1935, outside laborer at CCC Camp

Virginia, daughter, 16, born in Michigan, lived in same place in 1935

Billy, son, 14, born in Michigan, lived in same place in 1935

Margaret, daguther, 12, born in Michigan, lived in same place in 1935

Undated photo of Joseph Sr.

Jackson Citizen Patriot - 18 Jul 1940

Petoskey News Review - 8 Jan 1941

Lansing State Journal - 24 Jan 1941

Bellaire Record - 6 Feb 1941

Petoskey News Review 8 Feb 1941

Petoskey News Review - 7 Mar 1941

Petoskey News Review - 23 Apr 1941

Grand Rapids Press - 24 Apr 1941

Son Joseph Daniel registered for the draft on 29 Apr 1941. He gave his birth as 28 Jul 1922 in Petoskey, person who would always know his address as his mother, Mrs. Anthony Chingwa, 219 W. Lake St in Petoskey. He was unemployed. Joseph was described as 6' tall, 150 lbs, brown eyes, black hair, ruddy complexion. He had a scar under his chin.

Petoskey News Review - 16 May 1941

Son Joseph enlisted on 5 Jun 1941 in Kalamazoo, Michigan.

Petoskey News Review - 10 Jun 1941

Petoskey News Review - 24 Jun 1941

Son Franklin registered for the draft on 1 Jul 1941. He gave his birth as 20 Oct 1919 in Henry, Michigan, occupation as common laborer. Person who would always know his address listed as Joseph Chingwa of 219 W. Lake St., Petoskey. Employer was Charles Carter of 303 W. Lake St., Petoskey. Franklin was described as 5' 9" tall, 144 lbs, brown eyes, black hair, dark complexion. He had a scar on his left arm near elbow.

Petoskey News Review - 17 Jul 1941

Detroit Evening Times - 20 Jul 1941

Grand Haven Tribune - 28 Jul 1941

Petoskey News Review - 9 Aug 1941

Petoskey News Review - 12 Aug 1941

1941 Petoskey City Directory

Chingwa Franklin L, resides 219 W Lake

Chingwa Jos D, soutmstr BSA Indian Troop No. 4, resides 219 W Lake

Chingwa Jos L (Jennie) laborer at City Water, home 219 W Lake

Chingwa Virginia R, student, reside 219 W Lake

Son Franklin enlisted 14 Mar 1942 at Fort Custer, Michigan

On 27 Apr 1942, Joseph Lewis Chingwa registered for the draft. He gave his address as 219 W Lake St in Petoskey, birth as 1 Mar 1887 in Emmet county. Person who will always know your address - Chas Carter, Lake St, Petoskey. Employer was City of Petoskey. Joseph was described as 5' 10 1/2", 196 pounds, brown eyes, gray hair, dark brown complexion.

Son William enlisted 18 Nov 1942

Petoskey News Review - 17 Feb 1943

Daughter Virginia in chorus

Petoskey News Review - 15 Dec 1943

Petoskey News Review - 24 Feb 1944

Daughters Viriginia and Margaret attended birthday party

Jackson Citizen Patriot - 8 Mar 1944

Petoskey News Review - 30 Mar 1944

Petoskey News Review - 3 Jun 1944

Daughter Virginia graduated from Petoskey High School

Petoskey News Review - 16 Jun 1944

Undated picture of daughter Virginia

Petoskey News Review - 5 Oct 1944

Petoskey News Review - 24 Nov 1944

Son William was discharged from the Navy on 4 Jan 1946.

Son William registered for the draft on 8 Jan 1946. He gave his birth as 25 Oct 1925 in Petoskey. Person who would know his address as father Joseph Chingwa, 219 W. Lake St., Petoskey. He was unemployed (veteran). William was described at 5' 10 1/2" tall, 145 lbs, brown eyes, black hair, dark complexion. He had a round birth-mark on left hip.

Petoskey News Review - 12 Aug 1946

Daughter Margaret, 18, was married to Raymond Carey, 22, on 27 Aug 1946 in Petoskey. The ceremony was performed by Rev. Kiener of Petoskey. Witnesses were Robert Peters and Marie Smith of Petoskey.