Honoring Native Ancestors

Thursday, February 5, 2026

Joseph Feathers

Joseph Feathers was born 1875 in Nahma, Delta, Michigan, the son of Louis Wayshegwawnay and Sarah Lambert. He joined older brother Thomas, born 1873.

Sister Agnes was born c1878 (age 2 in census)

1880 Federal Census - Nahma, Delta, Michigan

Family 39

Feather, Louis, 35, boarder, farmer, cannot read, cannot write

Family 41

Feather, Sarah, 30, keeping house, cannot read, cannot write

Thomas, 7, son

Joseph, 5, son

Huggust, 2, daughter

Brother Gabriel/Gilbert was said to be born in May 1882

Sister Mary Ann was said to be born in Mar 1885

Sister Nancy was born about 1887

Brother Amos was born 30 Aug 1894 [1893 on 1900 census]

1900 Federal Census - Nahma, Delta, Michigan

Feathers, Louis, head, born Dec 1830, 69, married 30 years, farmer

Sarah, wife, born Jan 1844, 56, married 30 years, 11 children born, 5 children living

Joseph, son, born Oct 1876, 23, vessel loader

Aggie, daughter, born Feb 1880, 20

Gilbert, son, born May 1882, 18

Mary Ann, daughter, born Mar 1885, 15

Amos, son, born Apr 1893, 7

On 19 Aug 1902 in Manistique, Joseph, 26, laborer, son of Louis and Lizzie, married Eliza Francis, 18, daughter of Jack Francis and unknown. Ceremony was performed by W. F. Gagnieur S.J., witnesses were Edward Maultaupt and Mary Stahl.

Son Joseph was born 22 Feb 1902 at Sturgeon River. Sadly he died 6 Sep 1904 in Warner township. Antrim, Michigan. Cause of death was inflammatory diarrhea. Burial was in the Catholic Cemetery.

Son Francis was born 19 Jun 1903 in Nahma.

Son Julius was born 14 Aug 1905 in Nahma.

Son Walter was born 28 Jan 1908 in Nahma.

1908 Durant Roll Field Notes

#22 page 34

Way-she-gwaw-nay, dead, wife Sarah Way-she-gwaw-nay or Sarah Feathers, 70, P.O. Namah

Child 1 - girl, dead, no heirs

Child 2 - girl, dead, no heirs

Child 3 Joe Feathers, 32, P.O. St. Jacques, Mich.; wife Eliza Feathers, 22, see #11-31

1 - Francis, 5

2 - Julius, 3

3 - Walter, born Jany 28/08

Child 4 - Gabriel Feathers, 26, St Jocques; wife Mary Ann Feathers, 27, see #2 p34

1 - Ella Feathers, 3

2 - Alice, born Dec 1907

Child 5 - Amos Feathers, 15

Child 6 - Agnes (Feathers) Naupaw, 30; husband Peter Naupaw, 37, see #6 p 34

1 - Mary Naupaw, 11

[(over) - not microfilmed]

#11 page 31

Mo-ke-che-waw-no-quay, known as Catherine Bourassa, 80, P.O. Alanson, Michigan

Child 1 - Louis Bourassa, 58, P.O. Suttons Bay, #7 p31

Child 2 - Mary Ann Ance, see #18 p42

Child 3 - Margaret Mark, see #30 p41, husband Joe, 10/46, dead

Child 4 - Mitchell Parrow, 58, Suttons Bay; wife Marrian nee Ance, see #8 p42

Child 5 - Elizabeth Parrow, 48, Alanson, Mich; 1st husband Joe King, white

1 - John King, see #17 p 20 - Cross Village [he was 29, wife Grace, daughter of Baldine and Chas Warren]

2 - Eliza Francis Feather, 22, Sturgeon River, Namah, see #22 p 34; husb. Joe Feather

Child 6 - dead no heirs

Son Levi was born 26 Jan 1910 in Saint Jacques, Delta, Michigan

1910 Federal Census - Nahma, Delta, Michigan

Feathers, Joseph, head, 34, married once, married 8 years

Elizabeth, wife, 23, married once, married 8 years, 5 children born, 4 children living.

Francis, son, 6

Julius, son, 4

Walter, son, 2

Levi, son, 2/12

Boursaw, Elizabeth, mother-in-law, 46, married once, married 30 years, 1 child born, 1 child living.

Son Thomas was born 14 Jan 1912

Son William was born 28 Apr 1914

Son Oliver was born 13 Apr 1917

On 12 Sep 1918 Joseph registered for the draft. He gave his birth as 20 Aug 1875, occupation as laborer lumber year, employer Bay de Noquet Co. Wife Eliza was his nearest relative. He signed with a mark. Joseph was described as medium height and build with dark brown eyes and black hair.

Bay de Noquet Lumber Company was founded in 1881, with a saw mill opening in Nahma in 1882. Joseph and his sons worked for the company for many years.

1920 Federal Census - Nahma township, Delta, Michigan

Feathers, Joseph, rents home, age 44, laborer

Eliza, wife, 37

Francis, son

Julius. son

Walter, son

Loui, son, 10

Thomas, son, 8

William, son, 5

Oliver, son, 2 8/12

Feathers, Peter, cousin, 33

Prow, Lizzie, mother-in-law, 56

Francis, Jacob, father-in-law 58

Daughter Alva was born 22 May 1920 in Nahma.

Son Henry was born 28 Nov 1921 in Nahma.

Mother, Sarah Feathers, died 19 Feb 1924. Her age was given as 79, born Beaver Island. Parents as Jas. Lambert and Sarah Lambert, also born Beaver Island. Cause of death was gangrene and old age, burial at Indian Point cemetery. Informant was Moses Feathers.

Daughter Margaret was born in 1924.

Son Charles was born 8 Jan 1926 in Nahma.

1927 Delta County Directory shows Jos. and sons Francis L., Julius J., Levi J. and Walter J. as mill workers for Bay de Noquette Company. Son Thos. E. was a laborer.

1929 Delta County Directory also shows Jos. and sons Francis L., Julius J., Levi J. and Walter J. as mill workers for Bay de Noquette Company. Son Thos. E. was a laborer.

Daughter Ella was born 18 Apr 1928.

Daughter Anne Marie was said to be born 7 Sep 1928 [From her death certificate.]

Daughter Rose was born in 1929.

1930 Federal Census - Nahma township, Delta, Michigan - taken 10 Apr 1930

Feathers, Joseph, head, owns home valued at $500, age 58, 1st married at 30, not able to read or write, born Michigan, mixed blood, Chippewa, can speak English, occupation piling lumber at lumber yard.

Eliza M., wife, 44, 1st married at 16, able to read and write, born Michigan, mixed blood, Chippewa, can speak English

Francis, son, 26, able to read and write, born Michigan, mixed blood, Chippewa, can speak English, occupation piling lumber at lumber yard

Julius, son, 24, able to read and write, born Michigan, mixed blood, Chippewa, can speak English, occupation piling lumber at lumber yard

Walter, son, 22, able to read and write, born Michigan, mixed blood, Chippewa, can speak English

Levi, son, 20, able to read and write, born Michigan, mixed blood, Chippewa, can speak English

Thomas, son, 18, able to read and write, born Michigan, mixed blood, Chippewa, can speak English

William, son, 15, able to read and write, born Michigan, mixed blood, Chippewa, can speak English

Oliver, son, 12, able to read and write, born Michigan, mixed blood, Chippewa, can speak English

Alva, daughter, 9, born Michigan, mixed blood, Chippewa

Henry, son, 8, born Michigan, mixed blood, Chippewa

Maggie, daughter, 6, born Michigan, mixed blood, Chippewa

Charles, son, 4, born Michigan, mixed blood, Chippewa

Ella, daughter, 2, born Michigan, mixed blood, Chippewa

Rose, daughter, 1, born Michigan, mixed blood, Chippewa

Perow, Elizabeth, mother-in-law, 67, widowed, not able to read or write, born Michigan, mixed blood, Chippewa

The Escanada Daily Press - 31 Aug 1930

Son Julius, 25, was married to Gertrude Kequom, 19, daughter of Joe Kequom and Susan Sharkey on 11 May 19--. Marriage License was dated 2 Sep 1930. Was marriage in 1931?

Daughter Anne Marie died 26 Oct 1930. Age was given as 2 years, 1 month, 19 days, birth as 7 Sep 1928. Cause of death was acute broncho pneumonia, burial at Nahma cemetery. [This child was not on the 1930 census, and was not the same child as Ella.]

Sons Walter, Thomas and Levi found themselves in trouble in 1931

Escanaba Daily Press - 6 Jan 1931

Son Henry made the honor roll in 1932

Escanaba Daily Press - 1 Dec 1932

Son Levi was charged with being disorderly in 1933.

Escanaba Daily Press - 5 Aug 1933

Escanaba Daily Press - 1 Nov 1935

Escanaba Daily Press - 2 Nov 1935

Escanaba Daily Press - 6 Nov 1935

Son Levi was sentenced to 30 days for creating a disturbance.

Escanaba Daily Press - 28 Dec 1935

Escanaba Daily Press - 12 Jan 1936

Son Levi pleads guilty.

Escanaba Daily Press - 24 Oct 1936

Escanaba Daily Press - 29 Oct 1936

Son Henry and daughter Margaret had perfect school attendance

Escanaba Daily Press - 5 Mar 1937

Son Levi died 13 Mar 1937 at the Marquette Branch Prison Hospital in Marquette, Marquette, Michigan. His date of birth was given as 26 Jan 1910 in St. Jacques, Delta, Michigan, widow's name as Levina, occupation as woodsman in the woods. Cause of death was methyl alcohol poisoning with acute toxic nephritis, burial in Nahma. Informant was Walter F. Gries, warden.

Bay City Times - 15 May 1937

Escanaba Daily News - 16 Mar 1937

Son William P., 22, born Rexton, Michigan, was married on 19 Apr 1937 to Isabella Grace Bingham, 18, daughter of Elmer Bingham and Lucile Emmens. Ceremony was performed by Wm. A. McClinchy, justice of the peace.

Escanaba Daily Press - 25 May 1937

1937 Delta County Directory shows Jos and sons Francis L., Julius J., Oliver, Thos., Walter, and Wm. as laborers at Bay de Noquet Company.

Escanaba Daily Press - 19 Jul 1939

Escanaba Daily Press - 8 Oct 1939

1939 Delta County Directory shows Joseph without an occupation, Francis, Julius, Oliver, Thos., Walter and Wm., as laborers at Bay de Noquet Co. Maggie is an employee of Bay de Noquet, Lavine was widow of Levi.

1940 Federal Census - Indian Point, Nahma township, Delta, Michigan

Feathers, Elizabeth, gave the information, head,d 52, married, born Michigan, lived in same house in 1935,

Francis, son, 36, born Michigan, lived in same house in 1935,

Julius J., gave the information, son, 34, married, born Michigan, lived in same house in 1935, laborer at lumber woods

Walter, son, 32, born Michigan, lived in same house in 1935, laborer at lumber mill

Thomas, son, 28, born Michigan, lived in same house in 1935, laborer at lumber mill

Oliver, son, 2?, born Michigan, lived in same house in 1935, laborer at lumber mill

Elva, daughter, 19, born Michigan, lived in same house in 1935

Henry, son, 18, born Michigan, lived in same house in 1935, laborer at lumber mill

Margaret, daughter, 16, born Michigan, lived in same house in 1935,

Charles, son, 14, born Michigan, lived in same house in 1935,

Ella, daughter, 12, born Michigan, lived in same house in 1935,

next family

Feathers, Joseph, gave the information, 65, married, born Michigan, lived in same house in 1935, laborer at county roads

Lavina, gave the information, daughter-in-law, 23, widowed, born Michigan, lived in same place in 1935,

Lorraine, daughter, 6, born Michigan, lived in same place in 1935

Lucy, daughter, 6, born Michigan

next family

Feathers, William, 25, married, born Michigan, lived in same place in 1935

Isabel, gave the information, wife, 19, married, born Michigan, lived in Manistique, Schoolcraft, Michigan in 1935

Lansing State Journal - 29 Jul 1940

On 16 Oct 1940 son Walter John registered for the draft. He was his birth as 21 Jan 1908 in St. Jacques, his mother, Mrs. Eliza Elizabeth Feathers as the person who would always know his address. Employer was Bay De Noquet Co. Walter was described as 5'7", 135 lbs. with brown eyes, black hair and a dark complexion. He had scars on both legs below the knee.

Also on 16 Oct 1940, son William Peter registered for the draft. He gave his birth date as 28 Apr 1914 in Rextora, his mother, Mrs. Eliza Feathers as the person who would always know his address. Employer was Bay De Noquet Co. William was described as 5'9", 160 lbs, with brown eyes, black hair and a dark/ruddy complexion. He had scars on his right elbow and left wrist.

Also on 16 Oct 1940 future son-in-law, Archie Joseph Hardwick registered for the draft.

1941 Delta County Directory shows Joseph without an occupation, Francis, Henry, Julius, Oliver, Thos., Walter, and Wm., as laborers at Bay de Noquet Co., Maggie as employee at Bay de Noquet Co., and Lavine as widow of Levi.

Escanaba Daily Press - 11 Dec 1941

Daughter Alva Mae, 21, born Nahma, married Archie Joseph Hardwick, 24, son of Dave Hardwick and Ellen Kesick, on 13 Jan 1942 in Escanaba, Delta, Michigan. Ceremony was performed by K. E. Ranguette, justice of the peace. Margaret Feathers and Thomas E. Feathers were witnesses.

On 15 Jan 1942, son-in-law Archie J. Hardwick enlisted in the U.S. Army at Ft. Sheridan, Illinois.

On 16 Feb 1942 son Henry Jacob registered for the draft. He gave his birth date as 28 Nov 1921 in Nahma. He gave Mrs. Elizabeth Feathers as person who will always know your address. Employer was Bay de Noquet Co. Henry was described as 5'9", 168 lbs, brown eyes and hair, light brown complexion. He had a bullet scar on his left arm and a scar on his right leg.

Escanaba Daily Press - 18 Mar 1942

Escanaba Daily Press - 26 Mar 1942

Escanaba Daily Press - 12 Apr 1942

Son Henry enlisted in the U.S. Army on 8 Jun 1942 in Traverse City, Michigan.

Escanaba Daily Press - 12 Jun 1942

Escanaba Daily Press - 21 Jun 1942

Escanaba Daily Press - 5 May 1943

Son Henry, 20, was married to Doris Lorraine Nedeau, 18, daughter of Joseph Nedeau and Anna Macabee on 7 Jan 1944 in Nahma, Delta, Michigan. Ceremony was performed by Wm. A. M. McClinchy, justice of the peace. Witnesses were Robert Nedeau and Caroline Nedeau.

On 31 Jan 1944, son Charles George registered for the draft. He gave his birth date as 8 Jan 1926 in Nahma, Joseph Feathers as person who will always know your address. Employer was Bay de Noquet Co. Charles was described as 5'8", with brown eyes and hair and dark complexion. He had a scar on his right wrist.

Sons Charles and Walter, daughter-in-law Alvina and nephew Ralph were arrested,

Escanaba Daily Press - 5 Mar 1944

Son Thomas got engaged

Escanaba Daily Press - 5 May 1944

Son Charles received a suspended sentence and will enter military service.

Escanaba Daily Press - 19 May 1944

On 3 Jun 1944, son Thomas E., 32, married Wilda Fay Wellman, 21, daughter of Guy Wellman and Lillian Johnson. Ceremony was performed by Gerald Smith, pastor of the First Cong'l Church of Rapid River. Witnesses were Alva Hardwick and Joseph J. Feathers.

Escanaba Daily Press - 30 Aug 1944

Escanaba Daily Press - 4 Nov 1944

Escanaba Daily Press - 2 Nov 1944

Escanaba Daily Press - 28 Nov 1944

Ironwood Daily - 9 Feb 1945

Escanaba Daily Press - 6 Jul 1945

Escanaba Daily Press - 29 Jul 1945

On 27 Oct 1945, daughter Margaret, 21, married Lloyd F. Schwartz, 30, son of Andrew Schwartz and Gertrude Williams. Ceremony was performed by H. E. Ranguette, justice of the peace.

1945 Delta County Directory shows Joseph and sons Francis, Julius, and Oliver as laborers at Bay de Noquet Company, sons Henry, Walter and William in the armed forces, Lavine as widow of Levi.

Escanaba Daily Press - 10 Jan 1946

Escanaba Daily Press - 14 Mar 1946

Escanaba Daily Press - 24 Aug 1947

1948 Delta County Directory shows Joseph and sons Francis, Henry, Julius, Oliver, Walter and William as laborers for the Bay De Noquet Company; Lavine as widow of Levi.

Escanaba Daily Press - 1 Apr 1949

Daughter Ella Elizabeth died 16 Jul 1949 in Escanaba, Delta, Michigan. Her birth was given as 18 Arp 1928 in Nahma. Cause of death was meningitis, burial in Nahma.