Honoring Native Ancestors: Alfred Big Joe 1910-1993

Sunday, February 1, 2026

Alfred Big Joe 1910-1993

Alfred Big Joe was born 27 May 1910 in Leelanau, Michigan to John Bigjoe and Eliza Manitowash. He joined older sister Harriet, born 17 Sep 1907, and half-siblings Isaac, Rose and Bennet Allen. Four other Allen siblings, Grace, Jacob, Wesley, and Annie, died before Alfred's birth.

1908 Durant Roll Field Notes

13-38

On 19 Oct 1908 mother Eliza's divorce from George Allen was granted.

John and Eliza were married 26 Apr 1909 in Gills Pier, Leelanau, Michigan. [John was still married to his first wife at the time.]

1910 Federal Census - Leelanau township, Leelanau, Michigan

Big Joe, John, head, 45, married 3 times, married 5 years, born Michigan, speaks English, farmer on general farm, Ottawa, parents Ottawa, full, married 3 times, taxed, lives in civilized house.

Liza, wife, 34, married 2 times, married 5 years, born Michigan, speaks Indian, Ottawa, parents Ottawa, full, married two times

Isaac, son, 20, born Michigan, speaks English, Ottawa, parents Ottawa, full

Lucy, daughter, 17, born Michigan, speaks English, Ottawa, parents Ottawa, full

Bennett, son, 11, born Michigan, speaks English, Ottawa, parents Ottawa, full

Hattie, daughter, 3, born Michigan, speaks English, Ottawa, parents Ottawa, full

In 1911 father John's first wife, Jennie, filed for divorce.

Brother Wesley was born in 1912 in Northport.

Brother Frederick was born 17 Sep 1915.

Mother Eliza died 7 May 1917 in Leelanau, Leelanau, Michigan

1920 Federal Census - Leelanau, Leelanau, Michigan

Big Joe, John, head, 60, widowed, laborer on farm

Harriet, daughter, 13

Alfred, son, 10

Wesley, son, 7

Fred, son, 5

Allen, Isaac, step-son, 29, laborer at lumber camp

On 4 Sep 1920, Alfred, age 10 and Wesley, age 8, were admitted to the Mount Pleasant Indian School for 3 years.

Leelanau Enterprise - 24 Nov 1921

Mt. Pleasant School Register 1921-22

Father was listed as John Big Joe of Omena, Wesley was 9, Alfred was 11, they were full blood.

Mt. Pleasant School Register 1922-23

Ages were given as Alfred 10 and Wesley 9.

Father John died 23 Mar 1923

Leelanau Enterprise - 26 Jul 1923

On 11 Jun 1923, sister Harriet, age 15, joined her brothers at the Mt. Pleasant Indian School.

Mt. Pleasant School Register 1923-24

Fred, age 7, was admitted 11 Jun 1923, joining Alfred, age 12, and Wesley, age 11.

Mt. Pleasant School Register 1925-26

Harriet was 17 and sent on an outing on 6-4. Outings were when the children were sent to white families as workers.

Alfred did not return to school, Wesley was 13 and Fred was 9.

Isabella County Enterprise of 26 Mar 1926, tells of brother Wesley, 4th grade student, being on the honor roll.

Mt. Pleasant School Register 1926

Wesley was 13 and Fred was 9. Harriet was 17.

Mt. Pleasant School Register 1926-27

Wesley, 13 and Fred, 9.

Mt. Pleasant School Register 1927-1928

Wesley, age 15, has been sent to the Ann Arbor Sanitarium. Fred, age 12, remained at school.

Mt. Pleasant School Register 1928-29

Fred was 12, and Wesley, age 16, was back at school.

Mt. Pleasant School Register 1929-30

Fred, age 13, and Wesley, age 16.

1930 Federal Census - Leelanau, Leelanau, Michigan

Manitawish, Wing, head, 59, married at 21, born Michigan, full blood, Ottawa, farmer on general farm

Sarah, wife, 54, married at 16, born Michigan, full blood, Ottawa

Big Joe, Alfred, nephew, 20, born Michigan, full blood, Ottawa, laborer at odd jobs

Louis, nephew, 12born Michigan, full blood, Ottawa

The Herald Palladium - 1 Jul 1930

Mt Pleasant Daily Times - 18 Jul 1930

Mt. Pleasant School Register 1930-31

Fred's age was given as 15, while Wesley was 16.

Mt. Pleasant School Register 1931-32

Both Fred, age 16, and Wesley, age 19, are listed as graduated.

Ludington Daily News - 27 Jan 1932

Midland Republican - 17 Mar 1932

Marshall Evening Chronicle - 2 Aug 1932

Detroit Free Press - 3 Aug 1932

Brother Fred was married 29 Feb 1940 in Lake City, Missaukee, Michigan to Rose Katherine Pontiac. Rose was born 26 Aug 1922 to James Pontiac and Mary Wahboose.

Nephew Stanley James Big Joe, son of Fred and Rose was born 1 Apr 1940.

1940 Federal Census - Lawrence, Douglas, Kansas - Haskell Institute

Bigjoe, Wesley, head, 27, born Michigan, lived in rural Leelanau, Michigan in 1935, occupation supervisor transportation at Indian Institute.

1940 Federal Census - Riverside, Missaukee, Michigan

Pontiac, James, W., head, 89, widowed, born Michigan, lived in same house in 1935, farmer on farm

Jesse, W., son, 34, born Michigan, lived in same house in 1935, farm laborer on farm

Hazel M., daughter, 30, born Michigan, lived in same house in 1935

Cecil P., son, 28, born Michigan, lived in same house in 1935, farm laborer on farm

Thelma C., Daughter, 24, born Michigan, lived in same house in 1935

Bigjoe, Fred, son-in-law, 24, born Michigan, lived in Lawrence, Douglas, Kansas in 1935, farm laborer on farm

Rose K., daughter, 17, born Michigan, lived in same house in 1935

Stanley J., grandson, 0/12, born Michigan

Brother Frederick registered for the draft on 11 Oct 1940. He gave his birthdate as 17 Sep 1915, person who would always know his address as Rose Mare Biggoe, wife. Employer was Dr. H. Thoms of Suttons Bay. Fred was described as 5' 11", 155 lbs, brown eyes, black hair, dark brown complexion.

Alfred registered for the draft on 18 Nov 1940. He gave his birthdate as 27 May 1910, person who would always know his address as Mr. John Mantowash, cousin, employer as Rd, Thomas of Suttons Bay. Alfred's height and weight were not recorded. He had brown eyes, black hair and a dark complexion.