Honoring Native Ancestors: James G. Bemis/Bemos

James G. Bemis/Bemos was said to be born 6 Jul 1871 in Custer, Mason, Michigan, the son of George Bemis. [From his application for social security, other records show 1876.]

An Ottawa home 1880s Mason county, not the Bemis home.

1870 Federal Census - Custer, Mason, Michigan

Family #48

Beem, John, 40, farmer, land valued at $600

Nancy, 40, keeping house

Jacob, 9

Family #49

Bemis, George, 21, farmer

Jane, 16, keeping house

Family #50

Baimus, George, 65, farmer, land valued at $500

Betsey, 50, keeping house

Martha, 12

Jane, 8

[It is probable that John, age 40, is the father of George, age 21 and that George age 65 is the father of John, but not proven. Notice that the census taker could not spell Bemis the same way three times in a row.]

On 24 Jan 1878 in Eden, Mason, Michigan, George Bemas, 29, laborer, married Nancy No Dui, 25. Ceremony was performed by James Henry, Indian Missionary. Isaac Bennet and Cornelius Hall, both of Eden, were witnesses.

[It is currently unknown if Jane from the 1870 census, Nancy from the 1878 marriage or another woman was the mother of James.]

1880 Federal Census - not yet found

1887 found James listed in the Mason county probate records page 2 #3.

In Re - James Bemos, a dependent and neglected child

Application of Supt of the Poor to be sent to State Public School - Feb. 23, 1887, book 6 page 555

Order admitting to State Public School at Coldwater - Mar. 14, 1887, book 6 page 557

Cottage Row, State School, Coldwater

James was next sent to the Carlisle Indian Industrial School in Pennsylvania for a period of five years, arriving there 9 Sep 1890. He was sent on a number of outings (worked for families away from the school) from 1891 to 1893.

In February of 1894 James and another boy ran away. The letter below is the school asking for reimbursement of the funds spend to find and return the boys.

James left the Carlisle school on 12 Jun 1895 after five years.

James was then sent to Mount Pleasant Indian Industrial Boarding School in Mount Pleasant, Isabella, Michigan and arrived on 9 Sep 1896. He was from Gills Pier, age 19, with Aaron Pequongay listed in place of James' father. Remarks state he was withdrawn.

Daughter Alice was said to be born 3 Feb 1898. Her mother was Martha Ward. [From her death certificate].

1900 Federal Census - Mancelona, Antrim, Michigan

James Bemis, born Jul 1876, 23, married 1 years, day laborer

Jennie, wife, born 1870, 30, no children

[Who was Jennie and what became of her is currently unknown.]

On 4 Nov 1901 in Peshawbestown, Leelanau, Michigan, James, 25, of Omena, born Michigan, farmer, son of George Bemos, married Agnes Blackman, 24, of Omena, born Michigan, daughter of Joseph Blackman. She was married once before. Ceremony was performed by Bruno Torka, priest. Witnesses were Mike Blackman and Mary Wassegijik.

The Immaculate Conception Church records add that Agnes was widowed, and her mother was Marian Naganisee.

Agnes's daughter Salonea, was born 27 Feb 1897, baptized 1 Mar 1897, listed as the illegitimate daughter of Joseph Ance, in the Peshawbestown Church records.

Son Joseph was born 28 Oct 1902, baptized 2 Nov 1902 at the Catholic Church in Peshawbestown.

Daughter Salonya died 8 May 1904 in Elk Rapids. Cause of death was pneumonia following measles. Her birth was given as 28 Feb 1897 on Beaver Island, buried in Peshawbestown.

Daughter Alice died 11 Aug 1905 in Homestead, Benzie, Michigan. Her birth was given as 3 Feb 1898; parents as Jim Bemis and Martha Ward. Cause was given as "acites due to cancer of liver (doubtful)". Burial was in Homestead.

Daughter Mary was said to be born 18 Aug 1906 in Elk Rapids, Antrim, Michigan. [Birth and baptism not found]

Son Joseph died 14 Apr 1907 in Elk Rapids, Antrim, Michigan. Birth given as 10 Oct 1902. Cause of deaths was rickets, burial in Kewadin.

Son Edwin born 22 Apr 1908, baptized 17 May 1908 in Elk Rapids. From the Peshawbestown Catholic Church.

Step-son Amos was enrolled in Mount Pleasant Indian Industrial Boarding School arriving on 1 Sep 1908 for a period of three years. James Bemis of Elk Rapids was listed as parent, while George Allen (guardian) of Omena was listed in the remarks. Amos was 9 years old.

1908 Durant Roll Field Notes

#27 page 41 O-wan-o-ge-maw, dead, wife dead.

children:

1) dead

2) dead

3) dead

4) Agatha, 28, Elk Rapids, see 4-61

#4 page 61 sheet 1:

Ain-ne-me-ke-way, dead, wife dead

children:

1) daughter, dead, her children are Nancy (Generaux) and Abbie

2) daughter, P.O. Copemish

3) son, dead; wife dead;

1 James Bemos, 34, P.O. Elk Rapids, married Agatha, see 27-41

Sarlonyer Sagonac (dau), age 7, dead 4 years ago

Amos Sagonac, age 9, P.O. Mt. Pleasant School

Joseph Bemos, age 4 Died Apr 14/07

Marie Bemos, age 3

Edwin Bemos, born March 1908

2, daughter, dead; husband Dan Marsh, P.O. Bear Lake; child Eunice Marsh, 12, P.O. Harbor Springs School

#4 page 61 sheet 2

Ain-ne-me-ke-way or Bemis, dead; wife dead.

children:

1) John Bemis, dead, not married

2) Jennie Bemis, dead, not married

3) Martha Bemis, age 60, P.O. Honor;

husband #1 James Zoondah, dead

husband #2 Jacob Anderson

husband #3 John Ching-wah, dead

husband #4 ~~Sampson Eden~~ Henry Shaw-naw-hay-se-gay

husband #5 Sampson Eden

note: never had any children by any husband

Bernice Pulsipher Dean wrote a short, hand-written, history of the Indians of Yuba area, those who lived near her in the first decade of the 1900s. A photocopy of the manuscript is at the Traverse Area District Library in Traverse City and mentions James and his step-son Amos.

"Most of the time there were Indian children in the Yuba School. I remember that they were very bright and happy children, doing quite well in school. I've wondered many times what happened to some of them. There was another family whose last name was Bemis. They stayed a while and then went to Peshabatown. The father's name was Jim and a boys name was Amos."

Son Edwin died 8 Oct 1909 in Homestead, Benzie, Michigan. His age was given as 1 year, 6 months, 21 days. Cause was tuberculosis, burial in Peshawbestown

1910 Federal Census - Homestead, Benzie, Michigan

Bemos, James, 34, married once, married 8 years, laborer - wood cutter

Agnes, wife, 30, married once, married 8 years, 5 children born, 2 children living

Amos, son, 11

Mary, daughter, 5

1910 Mount Pleasant Indian Industrial School register - Amos, age 10

Son John was born 25 Sep 1910. He was baptized on 7 Nov 1910 in Honor. From the Peshawbestown Catholic Church Records

Son John died 5 Aug 1911 in Inland, Benzie, Michigan of cholera. Burial was in Peshawbestown.

1911 Mount Pleasant Indian Industrial School register - Amos, age 11

Daughter Florence was said to be born in 1914 in Honor, Benzie, Michigan [birth and baptism not located]

1914-5 Mount Pleasant Indian Industrial School register - Amos, age 15. arrived at school on 1 Sep 1914 for a period of three years. [Amos was not in the school register 1912 or 1913.]

Son George was born 27 Jul 1915, baptized in Peshawbestown on 16 Jan 1916.

Son Amos James was born 3 Jan 1919 in Interlochen, Grand Traverse, Michigan, baptized 7 Dec 1919 in Yuba.

1920 Federal Census - Acme, Grand Traverse, Michigan - Dixie Highway

Bemos, James G., 48, laborer in the woods

Agnes, wife, 40

Mary, daughter, 14

Florence, daughter, 6

George, son, 5

Amos, son, 1

Daughter Mary, 18, was married 14 May 1923 in Peshawbestown to James Mashka, 30, son of Isaac Mashka and Maggie Powneshung. It was James' second marriage. The ceremony was performed by Rev. D. Phillip, Indian Missionary Priest. Witnesses were Peter Powneshung and Mrs. Peter Pownushung of East Jordan.

Mary and James Mashka - year unknown

Granddaughter Julia Mashka was born 10 Jan 1927, baptized 11 Jun 1928 at Gills Pier.

Daughter Florence, 18, was married 30 Dec 1929 in Peshawbestown, to George Francis King, 22, son of Moses King and Lillie Marks. Ceremony was performed by Rev. Aubert Keuter, Catholic Indian Missionary. Witnesses were Leonard Antoine and Miss Helen McSawby, of Omena.

1930 Federal Census - Leelanau, Leelanau, Michigan

Bemas, James, rented home $7 per month, 53, married at 26, laborer at odd jobs

Agnes, wife, 54, married at 27

Misha, Mary, daughter, 23, married at 18

Bemas, George, son, 14

Amos, son, 11

Misha, James, son-in-law, 45, married at 17, laborer at odd jobs

Julia, granddaughter, 2 11/12

Granddaughter Wilma Marie Mashka (daughter of Mary) was born 29 Aug 1930, baptized 16 Nov 1930.

Grandson Willard William King (son of Florence) was born 29 Oct 1930, baptized 16 Nov 1930

Son George died 11 Apr 1932 in Leelanau, Leelanau, Michigan. He was age 16 years, 9 months, 10 days. Cause not known, suspected acute alcoholism.

The Suttons Bay Courier 14 Apr 1932 tells of George's death.

Grandson George King (son of Florence) was born 29 Nov 1932, baptized 18 Dec 1932

Grandson George King died 12 Dec 1937 in Omena when the family home burned. Cause of death reads "Cremation, child sleeping in 2nd story of building when the fire was discovered it was impossible to rescue child on account of flames."

George was buried in the Catholic cemetery in Peshawbestown.

Granddaughter Rosabella King (daughter of Florence) was born 10 Oct 1934, baptized 18 Nov 1934.

Grandson Lawrence King (son of Florence) was born 8 May 1936, baptized 16 Jun 1936.

Granddaughter Eliza Eva Mashka (daughter of Mary) was born 20 Feb 1937, baptized 28 Feb 1937.

Son Amos served in Company K, 7th Infantry from 30 Dec 1939 to 5 Aug 1944. Photo from Eyaawing Museum in Peshawbestown.

The Suttons Bay Courier 4 Jan 1940 tells of Amos enlistment.

Granddaughter Ruth Marie Mashka (daughter of Mary) was born 11 Jan 1940, baptized 18 Feb 1940.

Grandson LaVern Joseph King (son of Florence) was born 20 Feb 1940, baptized 17 Mar 1940.

1940 Federal Census - Suttons Bay, Leelanau, Michigan

Beamis, James, 64, lived in same house in 1935, no occupation

Agnes, wife, 65, lived in same house in 1935, basket maker - W.P.A., made $98 in 1935

King, George, son-in-law, 34, lived in rural Leelanau in 1935, wood worker - W.P.A., made $320 in 1935

Florence, daughter, 28

Willard, grand son, 9

Rosabelle, granddaughter, 5

Lawrence, grandson, 3

Norma, granddaughter, 2

Laverne, grandson, 3/12

Photo of people working for the Works Progress Administration (WPA). in Suttons Bay, from Eyaawing Museum, Peshawbestown.

1940 Federal Census - Omena, Leelanau, Michigan

Mashka, James, 57, lived in same house in 1935, laborer on farm, made $75 in 1935

Mary, wife, 33

Julia, daughter, 12

Wilma, daughter, 9

Evyln, daughter, 6

Liza, daughter, 3

Ruth, daughter, 2/12

1940 Federal Census - Fort Lewis, Pierce, Washington, Co. K, 7th Infantry

Bemis, Amos J., 21, b. Michigan, lived in Peshabetown, Michigan in 1935, pvt in US Army, made $600 in 1935

Granddaughter Georgia Ann King (daughter of Florence) was born 5 May 1942, baptized 24 May 1942.

Sadly Georgia Ann died 30 Jun 1942 at the hospital in Traverse City. Cause of death was pneumonia, bronchial meningitis.

On 9 Aug 1944 son Amos registered for the draft in Suttons Bay. He gave his birth as 3 Jan 1919 in Interlochen, occupation as honorably discharged soldier. He was described as 5' 7 1/2", 145 lbs., brown eyes, black hair, ruddy complexion, scar [on] front left thigh, acme on face.

Daughter Mary died 20 Dec 1944 in Suttons Bay, Leelanau, Michigan of rheumatic heart disease and heart failure. Burial in Peshawbestown.

Traverse City Record-Eagle, 20 Dec 1944

Burial was at Immaculate Conception Cemetery in Peshawbestown.

Son-in-law James Mashka died 14 Feb 1947 in Grand Traverse county.

Granddaughter Julia Mashka married Carl Raphael, son of Joseph Raphael and Rose Chippeway, on 22 Sep 1947.

Wife Agnes died 20 Feb 1950 in Traverse City, Grand Traverse, Michigan

Traverse City Record-Eagle, 25 Feb 1950

Agnes' burial was noted in the records of Immaculate Conception Church in Peshawbestown.

The Traverse City Record-Eagle of 26 Jun 1950 tells of grandchildren Willard King, Rosabella King, and Wilma Mashka, being injured in an auto accident.