Owosso Gesick was born 18 Aug 1893 in Michigan, the son of John Alexander Shagwogo Gesick and Elizabeth Bevins. Date from his draft registrations.
Birth records have been found for older sister Julia with Missaukee county records saying she is born 27 Oct 1885, while state records say 27 Oct 1884.
Birth records have not been found for Owosso or any of the other siblings.
From the Census of Potawatomie Indians of Indiana and Michigan taken 5 Aug 1895 by John W. Cadman:
#26/198 Naw-Gee, Marion (Mrs. Joe Bevins), 56, resides Hamilton, Michigan
#-/199 Gezick, Elizabeth (Mrs. John), 33, resides Wallin, Benzie, Michigan, daughter of #26
#-/200 Angeline, daughter, 18
#-/201 Cecelia, granddaughter, 4, daughter of Angeline
#-/202 Agnes, granddaughter, 2, daughter of Angeline
#-/203 Julia, daughter, 10
#-/204 Lucy, daughter, 7
#-/205 Sullivan, son, 5
#-/269 Tier, 3, son of #199
#-/270, Awaso, bro, 1 [son of #199]
Location of Wallin, Benzie county
1900 Federal Census - Grant township, Grand Traverse county
Gesice, John, born Dec 1854, age 45, married 16 years, farmer
Elizabeth, wife, born Oct 1864, 35, married 16 years, 8 children born, 6 children living, housewife
Lydia, daughter, born Oct 1885, 14
Lucy, daughter, born Oct 1888, 11
S, son, born May 1891, 9
Tice, son, born Aug 1892, 7
Warsaw, born Sep 1895, 4
Nancy, born Aug 1896, 3
Location of Grant township, Grand Traverse county
Brother Thomas was said to be born 15 Oct 1902. [Age 6 Durant field notes, age 43 on death record.]
Sister Lucy, 19, married Joseph Baker, 21, son of George Baker and Martha Piggie, on 18 May 1907 in Copemish, Manistee county. Robt. F. Lewis, Justice of the Peace, performed the ceremony.
On 8 May 1906 land was purchased by Owosso Gesick in Weldon township, Benzie county -
W1/2 of NW1/4 of NW1/4 of SW1/4 of section 36. Since Owosso was still a child the purchaser was mostly likely John.
The Durant Roll Field notes - 1908 - #4 page 50
Se-be-quay - dead; husband - dead.
Her son is John Gecick or Kezhick, 55, resides Chief Lake; wife Elizabeth, a Pott
Their children are (as listed):
5. Nancy, 9
6. Thomas, 6
2. Jack, 19
3. Tice, 16
4. Waso, 14
1. Lucy, 22 husb. Joe Baker, child born 8 Apr 1908.
- . Julia, deceased
Location of Chief Lake, Manistee county
1910 Federal Census - Weldon, Benzie county
John Geesic, 65, married once, married 35 years, chopper in woods
Elizabeth, 60, married once, married 35 years, 8 children born, 7 children living
Nancy, daughter, 12
Owosso, son, 16
Tice, son, 18, chipper in lumber woods
John, son, 22, actor in show troop
Thomas, son, 9
Joseph Baker, son-in-law, 23, married once, married 3 years, sawyer in lumber woods
Lucy Baker, daughter, 23, married once, married 3 years, 2 children born 1 child living
Linda Baker, granddaughter, 2
Location of Weldon, Benzie county
1910 Federal Census - Silver Creek, Cass county lists the family of sister Angeline.
Peter Person, 38
Angeline, wife, 32
Agnes, stepdaughter, 18
Brother John was married 27 Apr 1912 in Thompsonville, Benzie county to Maggie Robinson.
Mother Elizabeth died 14 Jul 1912 in Silver Creek, Cass county. Informant was Peter Person, husband of daughter Angeline.
Sister Nancy, 19, married Henry Baker, 21, son of George, on 5 Jul 1913 in Weldon, Benzie county. Ceremony was performed by Isaac J. Quick, Justice of the Peace.
The 1915 plat map of section 36, Weldon township, Benzie county shows father John owning the lot described in the 1906 land purchase.
The 1918 plat map of Weldon township, Benzie county shows father John owning 80 acres - the W1/2 SW1/4 of section 34.
Owosso attended the Indian Industrial School at Mt. Pleasant.
The 16 Jun 1916 issue of the Isabella County Enterprise tells of Owosso taking part in a play.
2 Jun 1917 saw Owosso registering for the draft in Isabella county. He gives his birth date as 18 Aug 1893, birth place as Thompsonville, Benzie county. He is currently a student at the Mt. Pleasant Indian Industrial Boarding School.
Also registering on 5 Jun 1917 in Inland, Benzie county, was older brother John. He gives his birth as 11 May 1889 in Fountain, Mason county. John is employed by the Desmond Charcoal company, and lists his wife and his father as dependents. He is medium height, stout, with black hair and eyes.
Brother Tice registered for the draft on 5 Jun 1917 in Petoskey, Emmet county. He gives his birth as 3 Sep 1892 in Thompsonville. He is described as medium height and build, brown eyes, black hair.
On 20 Nov 1917 John reported to Camp Custer, as part of Company G., 337th Infantry.
On 10 May 1918 brother John sailed from Hoboken, New Jersey as part of Company C., 47th Infantry, 4th Division
On 10 Feb 1918 Owosso sailed from Hoboken, New Jersey, as part of Company K, 125th Infantry, 63rd brigade, 32nd divison.
On 4 Mar 1919 in Petoskey, Emmet county, sister Nancy Baker died. Her birth was given as 16 Oct 1893, which is only two months after Owosso's birth. One date must be in error.
The Hutchinson News, Kansas, 8 Oct 1919, lists Owosso was missing in action.
Owosso was erroneously listed as killed in the Official U.S. Bulletin of 8 Oct 1918
On 7 May 1919, Owosso, as part of Company K, 125th Infantry, left Brest, France on the Ship Noordam.
On 16 Jul 1919 John, as part of Company C, 47th Infantry, left Brest, France headed to Camp Mills, Hoboken, New Jersey
A divorce was applied for in circuit court of Muskegon county on 22 Mar 1920 by Maggie, wife of John S.
The 1920 Federal Census - Muskegon, Muskegon county finds brother John, 30, occupation laborer, a lodger in the home of Harry Wheeler.
On 2 Aug 1920 in Mt. Pleasant, Isabella county, Owosso, 27, married Julia Bennett, 29, daughter of Peter Bennett and Lucy Nelson. L.L. Hawthorn, pastor of the M.E. Church performed the ceremony.
A license was recorded for brother Tice to marry Rosa Pabo on 29 Jan 1921 in Kalkaska county. The part for the ceremony is blank.
Owosso and Julia welcomed a daughter, Elsie Gertrude, born 23 Feb 1921 in Mt. Pleasant, Isabella county.
The Isabella County Enterprise of 20 May 1921, tells of Owosso and Julia buying a house on Main Street.
Brother John married on 15 Oct 1921 in Hart, Oceana county to Helen Aikens, 39, daughter of Levie Cogswell.
Four days later, 19 Oct 1921, an uncontested divorce was granted to Maggie with the cause being extreme cruelty.
The 1922 city directory of Muskegon shows John, occupation laborer, residing with wife Helen at 1912 Woodlawn Avenue.
Brother John's wife, Helen, died 7 Mar 1926 in Muskegon, Muskegon county and is buried in Hart, Oceana county.
Brother John died 30 Mar 1930 in Muskegon, Muskegon county. His age is given as about 45, burial in Elbridge Cemetery, Oceana county.
1930 Federal Census - Mt. Pleasant, Isabella county
Owosso Gesick, head, 37, married at 27, pays monthly rent of $15, laborer for the city
Owosso [as given], wife, 39, married at 29
Gertrude, daughter, 9
1930 Federal Census - Hayes township, Otsego county. Father John is a boarder in the home of Charles Baily. John's age is given as 100.
1930 Federal Census - Hayes township, Otsego county.
Tyce, 35, laborer at wood camp, pays rent of $4 per month
Rose, wife, 38
Elizabeth, daughter, 9
Shebonga, Francis, stepson, 21, laborer at wood camp
Shebonga, Christine, stepdaughter, 16;
Shebonga, Clarence, stepson 12
1930 Federal Census - Michigan Reformatory, Easton township, Ionia county lists Thomas Gesick, age 19, born Michigan, full blood Pottawatomie, laborer in kitchen.
Daughter Elsie died 15 Feb 1932 in Mt. Pleasant, Isabella county.
Elsie was buried at Riverside Cemetery.
Father John became ill in late summer of 1933.
The Lansing State Journal, 25 Sep 1933, writes:
From the Detroit Free Press of 22 Oct 1933
Lowell Ledger of 26 Oct 1933
Lowell Ledger of 29 Oct 2008 reprinted from 1933
John Gesick died 26 Oct 1933 in Thompsonville, Benzie county.
John seems to have add 44 extra years as he aged. He is age 45 on the 1900 census; ten years later he has aged 20 years - being 65 on the 1910 census. In the next 20 years John ages an extra 15 years, as on the 1930 census he claims to be 100. Between 1930 and 1933 he ages an additional 20 years, as the death record gives his age as 123. If he was really 45 in 1900, he was 79 when he died.
Detroit Free Press, 27 Oct 1933
Ludington News 27 Oct 1933
Rose, wife of brother Tice, died 19 Dec 1939 in Kalkaska county.
1940 Federal Census - Chippewa township, Isabella county
Owsso Gesick, 47, resided Mt. Pleasant in 1935, cement finisher for the city
Julia, 49, resided Mt. Pleasant in 1935
The 1940 Federal Census - Marquette County - State House of Correction and Prison, lists brother Thomas, age 35, as an inmate, residing at the same place in 1935.
1940 Federal Census - Cold Springs township, Kalkaska county
Tice A., 43, widowed, lived in rural Otsego county in 1935, occupation - woodsman in log camp.
Elizabeth, daughter, 19
Sineway, Titus, lodger, 28, divorced, lived in rural Kalkaska county in 1935, occupation - woodsman in log camp.
From the Escanaba Daily Press of 23 Feb 1941, brother Thomas was out on parole for one day before being arrested for assault.
Escanaba Daily News, 25 Feb 1941 tells of brother Thomas' return to prison to complete his sentence of 1 to 15 years for breaking and entering.
On 25 Apr 1942 Owosso registered for the draft. He gives his birth date as 18 Aug 1893, residence at Mt. Pleasant. The person who will always know his address is given as brother Tice of Mancelona. Owosso is 5'9", 165 lbs. with brown eyes, black hair, dark complexion.
Brother Thomas also registered for the draft, date not given on record. He gave his birth as 15 Oct 1904 in Thompsonville, residence as Gonser's Wood Camp in Newberry. The person who will always know his address was brother Tice in Mancelona. Thomas has brown eyes, black hair, dark brown complexion.
Elizabeth, daughter of Tice, married Bennie Deverney 5 Jul 1941 in Kalkaska county.
Brother Tice registered for the draft on 27 Apr 1942 in Kalkaska county. He gave his birth as 1 Apr 1893 in Benzie county. Described as 5'8", 150 lbs, brown eyes, black hair and dark complexion. Tice named son-in-law Ben Deverney as the person who would always know where he lived.
The 1945 Saginaw city directory states Owosso is a factory worker, residing at 133 N. Baum
Sister Lucy Baker died 15 Feb 1945 in Saginaw, Saginaw county. She is buried at Oakwood Cemetery in an unmarked grave.
Brother Thomas died 29 Sep 1946 in Newberry, Luce county. The 30 Sep 1946 Lansing State Journal tells of his death.
In 1949 both Owosso and Julia ran for tribal council, as listed in the 7 Nov 1949 issue of the Lansing State Journal.
Owosso died 30 Nov 1964 in Saginaw and is buried in Riverside Cemetery in Mt. Pleasant.
Brother Tice died 4 Jan 1969 in Grand Traverse county.
Wife Julia died 30 Jun 1970 in Farwell and is buried in Riverside Cemetery in Mt. Pleasant.
Birth records have been found for older sister Julia with Missaukee county records saying she is born 27 Oct 1885, while state records say 27 Oct 1884.
Birth records have not been found for Owosso or any of the other siblings.
From the Census of Potawatomie Indians of Indiana and Michigan taken 5 Aug 1895 by John W. Cadman:
#26/198 Naw-Gee, Marion (Mrs. Joe Bevins), 56, resides Hamilton, Michigan
#-/199 Gezick, Elizabeth (Mrs. John), 33, resides Wallin, Benzie, Michigan, daughter of #26
#-/200 Angeline, daughter, 18
#-/201 Cecelia, granddaughter, 4, daughter of Angeline
#-/202 Agnes, granddaughter, 2, daughter of Angeline
#-/203 Julia, daughter, 10
#-/204 Lucy, daughter, 7
#-/205 Sullivan, son, 5
#-/269 Tier, 3, son of #199
#-/270, Awaso, bro, 1 [son of #199]
Location of Wallin, Benzie county
1900 Federal Census - Grant township, Grand Traverse county
Gesice, John, born Dec 1854, age 45, married 16 years, farmer
Elizabeth, wife, born Oct 1864, 35, married 16 years, 8 children born, 6 children living, housewife
Lydia, daughter, born Oct 1885, 14
Lucy, daughter, born Oct 1888, 11
S, son, born May 1891, 9
Tice, son, born Aug 1892, 7
Warsaw, born Sep 1895, 4
Nancy, born Aug 1896, 3
Location of Grant township, Grand Traverse county
Brother Thomas was said to be born 15 Oct 1902. [Age 6 Durant field notes, age 43 on death record.]
Sister Lucy, 19, married Joseph Baker, 21, son of George Baker and Martha Piggie, on 18 May 1907 in Copemish, Manistee county. Robt. F. Lewis, Justice of the Peace, performed the ceremony.
On 8 May 1906 land was purchased by Owosso Gesick in Weldon township, Benzie county -
W1/2 of NW1/4 of NW1/4 of SW1/4 of section 36. Since Owosso was still a child the purchaser was mostly likely John.
The Durant Roll Field notes - 1908 - #4 page 50
Se-be-quay - dead; husband - dead.
Her son is John Gecick or Kezhick, 55, resides Chief Lake; wife Elizabeth, a Pott
Their children are (as listed):
5. Nancy, 9
6. Thomas, 6
2. Jack, 19
3. Tice, 16
4. Waso, 14
1. Lucy, 22 husb. Joe Baker, child born 8 Apr 1908.
- . Julia, deceased
Location of Chief Lake, Manistee county
1910 Federal Census - Weldon, Benzie county
John Geesic, 65, married once, married 35 years, chopper in woods
Elizabeth, 60, married once, married 35 years, 8 children born, 7 children living
Nancy, daughter, 12
Owosso, son, 16
Tice, son, 18, chipper in lumber woods
John, son, 22, actor in show troop
Thomas, son, 9
Joseph Baker, son-in-law, 23, married once, married 3 years, sawyer in lumber woods
Lucy Baker, daughter, 23, married once, married 3 years, 2 children born 1 child living
Linda Baker, granddaughter, 2
Location of Weldon, Benzie county
1910 Federal Census - Silver Creek, Cass county lists the family of sister Angeline.
Peter Person, 38
Angeline, wife, 32
Agnes, stepdaughter, 18
Brother John was married 27 Apr 1912 in Thompsonville, Benzie county to Maggie Robinson.
Mother Elizabeth died 14 Jul 1912 in Silver Creek, Cass county. Informant was Peter Person, husband of daughter Angeline.
Sister Nancy, 19, married Henry Baker, 21, son of George, on 5 Jul 1913 in Weldon, Benzie county. Ceremony was performed by Isaac J. Quick, Justice of the Peace.
The 1915 plat map of section 36, Weldon township, Benzie county shows father John owning the lot described in the 1906 land purchase.
The 1918 plat map of Weldon township, Benzie county shows father John owning 80 acres - the W1/2 SW1/4 of section 34.
Owosso attended the Indian Industrial School at Mt. Pleasant.
The 16 Jun 1916 issue of the Isabella County Enterprise tells of Owosso taking part in a play.
2 Jun 1917 saw Owosso registering for the draft in Isabella county. He gives his birth date as 18 Aug 1893, birth place as Thompsonville, Benzie county. He is currently a student at the Mt. Pleasant Indian Industrial Boarding School.
Also registering on 5 Jun 1917 in Inland, Benzie county, was older brother John. He gives his birth as 11 May 1889 in Fountain, Mason county. John is employed by the Desmond Charcoal company, and lists his wife and his father as dependents. He is medium height, stout, with black hair and eyes.
Brother Tice registered for the draft on 5 Jun 1917 in Petoskey, Emmet county. He gives his birth as 3 Sep 1892 in Thompsonville. He is described as medium height and build, brown eyes, black hair.
On 10 May 1918 brother John sailed from Hoboken, New Jersey as part of Company C., 47th Infantry, 4th Division
On 10 Feb 1918 Owosso sailed from Hoboken, New Jersey, as part of Company K, 125th Infantry, 63rd brigade, 32nd divison.
On 4 Mar 1919 in Petoskey, Emmet county, sister Nancy Baker died. Her birth was given as 16 Oct 1893, which is only two months after Owosso's birth. One date must be in error.
The Hutchinson News, Kansas, 8 Oct 1919, lists Owosso was missing in action.
Owosso was erroneously listed as killed in the Official U.S. Bulletin of 8 Oct 1918
On 7 May 1919, Owosso, as part of Company K, 125th Infantry, left Brest, France on the Ship Noordam.
On 16 Jul 1919 John, as part of Company C, 47th Infantry, left Brest, France headed to Camp Mills, Hoboken, New Jersey
A divorce was applied for in circuit court of Muskegon county on 22 Mar 1920 by Maggie, wife of John S.
The 1920 Federal Census - Muskegon, Muskegon county finds brother John, 30, occupation laborer, a lodger in the home of Harry Wheeler.
On 2 Aug 1920 in Mt. Pleasant, Isabella county, Owosso, 27, married Julia Bennett, 29, daughter of Peter Bennett and Lucy Nelson. L.L. Hawthorn, pastor of the M.E. Church performed the ceremony.
A license was recorded for brother Tice to marry Rosa Pabo on 29 Jan 1921 in Kalkaska county. The part for the ceremony is blank.
Owosso and Julia welcomed a daughter, Elsie Gertrude, born 23 Feb 1921 in Mt. Pleasant, Isabella county.
The Isabella County Enterprise of 20 May 1921, tells of Owosso and Julia buying a house on Main Street.
Brother John married on 15 Oct 1921 in Hart, Oceana county to Helen Aikens, 39, daughter of Levie Cogswell.
Four days later, 19 Oct 1921, an uncontested divorce was granted to Maggie with the cause being extreme cruelty.
The 1922 city directory of Muskegon shows John, occupation laborer, residing with wife Helen at 1912 Woodlawn Avenue.
Brother John's wife, Helen, died 7 Mar 1926 in Muskegon, Muskegon county and is buried in Hart, Oceana county.
Brother John died 30 Mar 1930 in Muskegon, Muskegon county. His age is given as about 45, burial in Elbridge Cemetery, Oceana county.
1930 Federal Census - Mt. Pleasant, Isabella county
Owosso Gesick, head, 37, married at 27, pays monthly rent of $15, laborer for the city
Owosso [as given], wife, 39, married at 29
Gertrude, daughter, 9
1930 Federal Census - Hayes township, Otsego county. Father John is a boarder in the home of Charles Baily. John's age is given as 100.
1930 Federal Census - Hayes township, Otsego county.
Tyce, 35, laborer at wood camp, pays rent of $4 per month
Rose, wife, 38
Elizabeth, daughter, 9
Shebonga, Francis, stepson, 21, laborer at wood camp
Shebonga, Christine, stepdaughter, 16;
Shebonga, Clarence, stepson 12
1930 Federal Census - Michigan Reformatory, Easton township, Ionia county lists Thomas Gesick, age 19, born Michigan, full blood Pottawatomie, laborer in kitchen.
Daughter Elsie died 15 Feb 1932 in Mt. Pleasant, Isabella county.
Elsie was buried at Riverside Cemetery.
Father John became ill in late summer of 1933.
The Lansing State Journal, 25 Sep 1933, writes:
From the Detroit Free Press of 22 Oct 1933
Lowell Ledger of 26 Oct 1933
Lowell Ledger of 29 Oct 2008 reprinted from 1933
John Gesick died 26 Oct 1933 in Thompsonville, Benzie county.
John seems to have add 44 extra years as he aged. He is age 45 on the 1900 census; ten years later he has aged 20 years - being 65 on the 1910 census. In the next 20 years John ages an extra 15 years, as on the 1930 census he claims to be 100. Between 1930 and 1933 he ages an additional 20 years, as the death record gives his age as 123. If he was really 45 in 1900, he was 79 when he died.
Detroit Free Press, 27 Oct 1933
Ludington News 27 Oct 1933
Rose, wife of brother Tice, died 19 Dec 1939 in Kalkaska county.
1940 Federal Census - Chippewa township, Isabella county
Owsso Gesick, 47, resided Mt. Pleasant in 1935, cement finisher for the city
Julia, 49, resided Mt. Pleasant in 1935
The 1940 Federal Census - Marquette County - State House of Correction and Prison, lists brother Thomas, age 35, as an inmate, residing at the same place in 1935.
1940 Federal Census - Cold Springs township, Kalkaska county
Tice A., 43, widowed, lived in rural Otsego county in 1935, occupation - woodsman in log camp.
Elizabeth, daughter, 19
Sineway, Titus, lodger, 28, divorced, lived in rural Kalkaska county in 1935, occupation - woodsman in log camp.
From the Escanaba Daily Press of 23 Feb 1941, brother Thomas was out on parole for one day before being arrested for assault.
Escanaba Daily News, 25 Feb 1941 tells of brother Thomas' return to prison to complete his sentence of 1 to 15 years for breaking and entering.
On 25 Apr 1942 Owosso registered for the draft. He gives his birth date as 18 Aug 1893, residence at Mt. Pleasant. The person who will always know his address is given as brother Tice of Mancelona. Owosso is 5'9", 165 lbs. with brown eyes, black hair, dark complexion.
Brother Thomas also registered for the draft, date not given on record. He gave his birth as 15 Oct 1904 in Thompsonville, residence as Gonser's Wood Camp in Newberry. The person who will always know his address was brother Tice in Mancelona. Thomas has brown eyes, black hair, dark brown complexion.
Elizabeth, daughter of Tice, married Bennie Deverney 5 Jul 1941 in Kalkaska county.
Brother Tice registered for the draft on 27 Apr 1942 in Kalkaska county. He gave his birth as 1 Apr 1893 in Benzie county. Described as 5'8", 150 lbs, brown eyes, black hair and dark complexion. Tice named son-in-law Ben Deverney as the person who would always know where he lived.
The 1945 Saginaw city directory states Owosso is a factory worker, residing at 133 N. Baum
Sister Lucy Baker died 15 Feb 1945 in Saginaw, Saginaw county. She is buried at Oakwood Cemetery in an unmarked grave.
Brother Thomas died 29 Sep 1946 in Newberry, Luce county. The 30 Sep 1946 Lansing State Journal tells of his death.
In 1949 both Owosso and Julia ran for tribal council, as listed in the 7 Nov 1949 issue of the Lansing State Journal.
Owosso died 30 Nov 1964 in Saginaw and is buried in Riverside Cemetery in Mt. Pleasant.
Brother Tice died 4 Jan 1969 in Grand Traverse county.
Wife Julia died 30 Jun 1970 in Farwell and is buried in Riverside Cemetery in Mt. Pleasant.
Could Owasso and Waso be the same person?
ReplyDeleteYes. These are different names for the same man.
Delete