Honoring Native Ancestors: Peter Walker 1866-1930

Peter Walker / Cob mo sah (he walks from afar) was said to be born 16 Jul 1863 [from his death certificate, other records say 1866], the son of Benjamin Naw-kay-o-say Walker and Marie Noc-ges-ha. He joined brother Isaaih, said to be born in 1860, sister Lucy, said to be born in 1864 [from 1870 census], and sister Rosena, said to be born in 1864 [from 1880 census].

For more on Benjamin click here.

Brother Jackson Jonah was said to be born in 1868.

1870 Federal Census - Charlevoix township, Charlevoix, Michigan

Walker, Benjamin, 35, farmer, owns real estate valued at $500

Tagum, 30, keeping house

Isaaiah, 10

Rosena, 6

Peter, 4

Jonah, 1

Sister Agness was said to be born in 1872

Sister Susan was said to be born in 1874

Sister Charlot was said to be born in 1877

Brother Isaaiah has probably died between 1870 and 1880.

1880 Federal Census

Walker, Benjamin, 46, farming

Marie, 36, wife, keeping house

Lucy, 16, daughter, doing housework

Peter, 14, son, works on farm

Jackson, 12, son, at home

Agnes, 8, daughter

Susan, 6, daughter

Charlet,3, daughter

Father Benjamin died 29 Dec 1883 in Hayes, Charlevoix, Michigan. Age given as 50, cause as congestion of lungs, occupation and parents unknown.

In about 1889 Peter met Jane/Jennie Sineway. She was the daughter of Simon Assineway and Sophia. Together they had 8 children.

Daughter Sarah was born 10 Aug 1890 in Emmet

Son Isiah was born 12 Feb 1892

Daughter Elizabeth was born 14 Jun 1894

Son David was born 6 Jan 1896

Daughter Louisa was born 6 Sep 1897

Daughter Catherine was born in 1899

1900 Federal Census - Charlevoix township, Charlevoix, Michigan - house #509

Family # 519, Walker, Jackson, head born May 1872, 28, married 5 years, day laborer

Theresa, wife, born apr 1874, 26, married 5 years, 2 children born, 2 children living

Frank, son, born May 1898, 2

Veronica, daughter, born Mar 1900, 3/12

Family #520, Walker, Peter, head, born Sep 1869, 30, married 11 years, day laborer

Jennie, wife, born Oct 1873, 26, married 11 years, 6 children born, 6 children living

Sarah, daughter, born July 1889, 10

Isiah, son, born Mar 1872, 8

Elizabeth, daughter, born June 1894, 6

David, son, born Jan 1895, 5

Louisa, daughter, born May 1898, 2

Catherine, daughter born May 1899, 1

Mary, mother, born Apr 1845, 55, widowed, 8 children born, 8 children living, housekeeper

Agnes, sister, born Dec 1873, 26, single, domestic

Charlott, sister, born Jan 1879, 21, single, domestic

Son Frederich was born 10 Feb 1903. Sadly he died 23 Jun 1903 of bronchtis pneumonia. Burial was at Susan Lake Cemetery.

Greensky Hill Cemetery was also called Susan Lake Cemetery

Greensky Hill Mission

Son Isaiah was admitted to school at the Mount Pleasant Indian Industrial School on 28 Aug 1900. Father's name was given as John instead of Peter. Isaiah was withdrawn from school on 25 Feb 1903 due to poor health.

Isaiah died 20 Mar 1903 of pulmonary tuberculosis. His birth was given at 12 Jan 1891. He was a student at Mount Pleasant Indian School. Burial was at Greensky Hill cemetery.

Daughter Elizabeth died 7 Jul 1903, age 9 years 25 days. Cause was pleurisy ___ effusion. Burial was at Susan Lake Cemetery.

Daughter Louisa died 12 Aug 1903 of broncho pneumonia. Her birth was given as 6 Sep 1897. Burial was at Susan Lake Cemetery.

Daughter Katherine died 29 Aug 1903. Cause of death bronchial pneumonia. Birth was given as 26 Aug 1889 [which does not agree her age in the 1900 census]. Burial was at Susan Lake Cemetery.

Daughter Julia died 7 Mar 1905 of tuberculosis. Her birth was given as 28 Apr 1904. Burial was at Susan Lake Cemetery.

Wife Jennie died 8 Mar 1905 in Charlevoix county of Pul [pulmonary] tuberculosis. Her birth was given as 30 Dec 1875, parents as Simon Sinnewa and Sophia Rinquish. No place of burial was given.

Son David died 3 Feb 1906. His death of birth was given as 6 Jan 1896. Cause was consumption with the added note that "he was sick a long time but no doctor was call in. I saw him after death." Burial was at Susan Lake Cemetery

Peter met Angeline Odeimin, the daughter of Michael Odeimin and Mary Anne Nissawakwad and took her as his partner.

Peter had lost his first wife and 7 (probably 8) children in a three year period. Daughter Sarah's death certificate has not been found but she was not included in the 1908 Durant Roll Field Notes.

Peter and Angeline's first child, daughter Mary Ann, was born 3 Sep 1906 in Cross Village, Emmet, Michigan

Daughter Lucy Eliza was born 23 Jun 1908

1908 Durant Roll Field Notes - #10 page 23

Benjamin Naw Kay-o-say, dead, wife Maria Walker, 65, Charlevoix

Children:

1 Peter Walker, 42, Charlevoix,

wife Angeline (nee Odamin), 27, an Ottawa Ind of Cross Village Band, (40-20)

Mary Ann Walker, 3

Lucy, born June 23, 1908, 2d roll

2 Jackson Walker, 38, Charlevoix

wife Thresa nee Wahsaqum, 36, see #26 p 23

Frank Walker, 10

Veronica, 8

Wm., 3

Irene, born Mac 18, 1908

3 Agnes Walker, 36, Charelvoix

not married

Ella Walker, born June 1907 2d roll

4 Charlotte Walker, 30, Charlevoix, single

Son Benjamin J. was born 30 Mar 1910.

1910 Federal Census - Charlevoix township, Charlevoix, Michigan

Walker, Peter, head, 48, married twice, married 5 years, occupation - laborer at docks

Angeline, wife, 30, married once, married 5 years, 3 children born, 3 children living

Mary, daughter, 4

Lucie, daughter, 2

Benjmine, daughter (sic), 1/12

Shomin, Barbara, sister-in-law, 32, single

Shomin, Lawrence, nephew, 4/12

Entire family listed as full Ottawa

Son Benjamin died 24 Apr 1911 in Charlevoix township, at the age of 1 year 25 days. Cause of death was toxemia, no place of burial was given.

Mother Marie died 7 Jul 1912 in Charlevoix county, Michigan of tuberculosis. Her birth was given as Sep 1842. Father as Ma_lyiway, mother was unknown. Informant was her son Jackson. Place of burial was not given.

Daughter Susan Ann was born 4 Jan 1912 in Charlevoix

Son Levi Joseph was born 16 Mar 1914

Brother Jackson Jonah died 12 Jun 1917 in Hayes township, Charlevoix, Michigan. His birthdate was unknown, age as 48. Cause of death was pneumonia, burial was in Susan Lake Cemetery.

Son Silas was born 19 Nov 1918

On 1 Sep 1918 Peter, 55, born Charlevoix, laborer, son of Benjamin Walke and Marie Noo-ges-ha, married once before, married Angeline Odaimin, 38, born Cross Village, domestic, daughter of Michael Odeimin and Marian in Charlevoix. Ceremony was performed by Quinton Walker, clergyman, with Geo Greensky and Isiah Wasaquam as witnesses.

Undated photo of Angeline and daughter Mary.

1920 Federal Census - Charlevoix township, Charlevoix, Michigan

Walker, Peter, head, rents, 51, farm laborer working out

Angeline, wife, 34

Marian, daughter, 13

Lucie, daughter, 12

Susie, daughter, 8

Benjamin, son, 4

Picture of Peter said to be taken in 1926

Mount Pleasant School registers for 1926-1927 show Levi, age 10, Silas, age 10, and Susie, age 13, being admitted on 28 Sep 1926

The children were there for the 1927-1928 school year. Susie is age 13, Levi, age 12, and Silas, age 10.

For 1928-1929 school year Susie was listed as age 15, Levi as age 13, and Silas, age 10.

The children's school records are here.

Undated picture of Peter

Daughter Lucy, 17, was married on 17 Jan 1928 to Samuel J. Noah, 19, son of Joe Noah and Angeline Massaway.

Undated picture of Lucy

Daughter Mary, 22, was married on 26 Jan 1929 in Traverse City, to Perry John King, son of Philip King and Julia Pequongay

1930 Federal Census - Hayes, Charlevoix, Michigan

Walker, Peter, head, owns home valued at $500, 64, married at 39, laborer at common labor

Angeline, wife, 50, married at 25

King, Marion, daughter, 23, married at 22

Noah, Luch, daughter, 20, married at 18

Walker, Susie, daughter, 18

Levi, son, 15

Silas, son, 13

Benjamin, son, 12

Peter, son, 8

King, Richard, grandson, 0/12

Peter died on 10 Dec 1930, in Bay Shore, Hayes township, Charlevoix. Cause was right sided ,,, pneumonia. His age was given as 67 years, 4 months, 24 days. Burial was at the Indian Cemetery at Greensky Hill.

1940 Federal Census - Charlevoix, Charlevoix, Michigan

Walker, Angeline, head, 57, widow,

Peter J. son, 19, single, no occupation

Benjamon J., son, 21, single, no occupation

Levi J., son, 26, single, cabinet maker, handicraft project WPA

Susie, daughter, 28, single, no occupation

Andras, Geraldine, granddaughter, 2

Walker, Lucy N., daughter, 31, married, no occupation

Son Silas died 18 Jun 1940 in Howell, Livingston, Michigan. Cause of death was tuberculosis of spine.

Burial was in Greensky Hill Cemetery, Charlevoix.

Petoskey Evening News 21 Jun 1940

World War II saw Angeline holding breath as her sons registered for the draft.

The date son Benjamin registered for the draft was not given. He gave his birthdate at 11 Nov 1918, his mother Angeline as person who would always know his address, and was unemployed. Ben was described as 5'9", 160 lbs, black hair and eyes, with a dark brown complexion.

Benjamin later enlisted in the army.

Son Levi registered for the draft on 16 Oct 1940. He gave his birthdate as 16 Nov 1914, his mother Angeline as person who would always know his address, and was unemployed. Levi was described as 5'9", 162 lbs, brown eyes, black hair and light brown complexion.

Levi later enlisted in the Navy.

Son Levi was married 7 Oct 1941 in Charlevoix, to Josephine Martha Otto. She was the daughter of Joseph Foster Otto and Christine Baker.

Daughter Susie was married on 27 Jun 1942 in Charlevoix to George Case.

Son Peter registered for the draft on 30 Jun 1942. He gave his birthdate as 9 Feb 1922, his mother Angeline as person who would always know his address, and was unemployed. Peter was described as 5'7", 160 lbs, brown eyes, black hair, dark complexion. His middle name was given as Henry, while he used Joseph in other records.