Honoring Native Ancestors: John Joseph Nongueskwa 1879-1964

Tuesday, August 19, 2025

John Joseph Nongueskwa 1879-1964

Photo from the Burt Lake Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians.

John Joseph Nongueskwa was born 20 Sep 1879 in Burt Lake, Cheboygan, Michigan. He was the son of Moses Nongueskwa and Elizabeth Shananaquet.

1880 Federal Census - township of Burt, Cheboygan, Michigan, taken 15 Jun.

Nongueskwa, Moses, 28, laborer, born Michigan, parents born Michigan

Elizabeth, 17, wife, keeping house, born Michigan, parents born Michigan

John, 7/12, son, born Michigan, parents born Michigan

Sister Anna was born 14 Sep 1883.

Northern Tribune - 10 Apr 1884

Uncle Paul was a constable.

Brother William was said to be born in 1885

Grandfather Louis Nongueskwa died 18 May 1886.

Grandmother Madeline Nongueskwa died 15 May 1892.

Uncle Paul Nongueskwa died 8 Apr 1900 in Burt township. He was married, age 40 years, 2 months, 13 days, son of Louis and unknown. Cause of death was grip.

1900 Federal Census - not yet found

On 15 Oct 1900 local banker John "McGinn, accompanied by then-sheriff Fred Ming and his deputies, roused the band's 19 families from their cabins with just a few posssessions, each, doused everything in kerosene--including most of their furniture and their food stores for the upcoming winter--and set it all on fire." Chronicling the 1900 Burt Lake Burnout.

"Following the October 'Burn-Out' by McGinn, many of the families moved in with Burt Lake Band members who lived close by on Indian Trail road, just north of Indian Village. Others took up residence further west in Middle or Cross village. As time progressed,d the Burn-Out familes built new homes on the land owned by the Massey and Nongueskwa families along Indian Trail (today it is Indian Road.) This area them became know as Indianville. In 1908, a second St. Mary's Catholic Church was built ther and remains active today." Burt Lake burn-out - Wikipedia

The Ann Arbor News - 10 Mar 1985 (as well as many other newspapers) ran this story of John and the burnout.

"John Nongueskwa came home from a lumbering job on a chilly October evening in 1900 to find white men pouring kerosene around the ramshackle house where his blind grandmother lived.

" 'She he no alternative (for escape(, she didn't know what was happening' said the woman's great-great-granddaughter, Irene Howard."

"Nongueska (NON-gesh-kwah) had to push his way through the men torching the house. But he succeeded in rescuing the trerified woman."

"She, as well as the 60 or so other Indians living on the shores of what is now known as Burt Lake in Cheboygan County in Michiga's far northern lower peninsula, escaped with their lives. But their homes--which the Indians believed were under the direct protection of the white government - were consumed by flames."

On 9 Feb 1903, John, 23, resides in Burt Lake, born Michigan, laborer, son of Moses Nongueskwa and Elizabeth Shananaquet, married Jane/Jennie Thompson, 19, resides in Hessell, born Michigan, daughter of Thomas Thompson and Louisa. Ceremony was performed by Marian Glahn, Catholic Priest in Brutus. Witnesses were Albert and Elisa Shananaquet.

Daughter Emma/Emily was said to be born in 1904 in Burt Lake, Cheboygan, Michigan

Son Dennis Peter was born in 4 Mar 1905. [From his draft registration]

The Pellston Journal - 15 Jun 1905. Lists known members of the Cheboygan Indians. Included are John Nongueskwa; his father, Moses Nongueskwa; father-in-law Antoine Shananaquet; his father's sister, Mrs. Eliza Moses; and Mrs. Mary Nongueskwa, wife of his father's deceased brother Paul.

Son Harry Nicholas was born 30 Aug 1906 in Burt Lake, Cheboygan, Michigan

Son William was said to be born in May 1907, not in 1910 Federal Census

1908 Durant Roll Field Notes

#2 page 31

Non-quaish-caw-waw, dead; wife dead

children:

1) Christina Nongaishcawwaw, 67, resides Harbor Springs, husband dead, children non

2) Moses Nongaishcawwaw, 60, resides Brutus, Michigan, see #3 page 31

3) Mary Cabanaw, 56, resides Brutus; husband Enos Cabanaw, 58, resides Brutus, see #33 page 31

4) Sarah Massey, 52, resides Brutus, husband Charles Massey, 49, resides Brusut, see #102 page 22; their children: 1-Henry Massey, 21, wife & child see #61 page 35; 2-Francis Massey, 19

5) Paul, dead, wife Mary Brady, 45, see #1 page 31, her 2nd husband Brady, white; her child - Mary Brady Massay, 26, resides Brutus, husband Louis Massey, 27, see #15 page 31 and #13 page 42, child 1- Lena Massey, 1, born July 1907, 2nd roll.

6) Eliza Norton Moses, resides Pellston, 42, 1st husband - separated see #36 page 32; 2nd husband Peter Moses, dead, see #61 page 35, child Mary Moses, 15.

#3 page 31

Shaw-waw-naw-naw-quot, Antoine, 87, Brutus; wife Sophia, 88

children:

1. - Mary, dead; husband, dead, see 8 p31; child James Shawwawnawsegay, 48, Pellston, 1st wife Philamon - dead, 2nd wife Rosie, his child Stephen Shawwawnawsegay, 14, see 22 p31, #8 p31

2. - Francis Shawwawnonquot, 60, see 43-32

3. - Isaac Shawwawnonquot, 58, see 29-31

4. - Susan Parkey, 48, Brutus; husband Joseph Parkey, 44; see 45-21; her children

1) Thomas Parkey, 25, Cheboygan, wife Josephine, 22, see 29 p31, children see 29 p31

2) Annie Boda, 23, Brutus; husband John Boda, 23, white; child Barnard Boda, born March 5, died Mar 6/08

3) Edmund Parkey, 18, Brutus

4) Charles Parkey, 16, Brutus

5) John Parkey, 8, Brutus

5. - Eliza Hamlin, 46, Brutus; 1st husband Stephen Shaw, dead, see 3-28; child Amos Shaw waw, 24 Brutus; 2nd husband William Hamlin, age 40, Brutus, see 40-15 & 16-31 chilren of 2nd marriage:

2) Annie Hamlin, 14, Brutus

3) William Hamlin, 12, Brutus

4) Mary Hamlin, 10, Brutus

5) Agnes Hamlin, 18, child by 1st wife, Genoa School, NE

6. - Elizabeth Nonquaishcawwaw, 44, Brutus; husband Moses Nonquaishcawwaw, see 2-31; child

1) John, 29, Brutus, wife Jennie, 25, see 11-15, OK from Snow Island; Emma, 5; Daniel, 3; Harry, 2; William born May 1907

2) ~~William, 21~~, - dead years ago.

7. -adopted child - Josephine Shawwawnonquot, 6, Brutus, father dead, mother Sarah Shawwawnawsegay or Sarah Moses, see #8 p31

#11 page 15

Way-we-gaw-nay-be or John Smith, 73, see 8-15; wife dead

children:

1) Harriet Baker Belongea, 51, husband William Belongea, 56, Pine River, see #17 page 3; their children: Franke, 22, John, 19, Mike, 17, Agens, 11

2) Louisa Louis, 48, Pine River; husband Charles Louis, 45, see #6 page 12; their children: 1-Jennie Nongaishcawnaw, 25, husband John Nongaishcawnaw, see #3 page 31; 2-Eliza Mindoskung, 18, Pine River, husband John Mendoskung, 49, see #3 page 8, child Noah born March 25 1908; 3-Mary Louis Wawsaykezhick, 17, husband John, see #16 page 12; 4-Joe, 15, 5-Louise, 12; 6-Harriet, 10; Frank, 6

3) Margaret Smith, 45, 1st husband George Bolton, separated, Canadian; 2nd husband Pete Taylor, Cap Cooker; her child Dan Bolton, 21, single

4) Rosie Jake, 30, husband James Jake, see #10 page 11; their children: 1-Peter, 15; 2-Jonas, 10; 3-Mary Jane, 8; 4-Sam, 7; 5-Elizabeth, 6.

Petoskey News-Review 7 Aug 1970

1910 Federal Census - Burt township, Cheboygan, Michigan

house 17 family 17

Nongueskwa, Moses, head, 65, married once, married 33 years, born Michigan, parents born Michigan, farmer at general farm, full Ottawa

Elizabeth, wife, 48, married once, married 33 years, 3 children born, 1 child living, born Michigan, parents born Michigan, basket maker at home, full Ottawa

Agnes, granddaughter, 6, born Michigan, parents born Michigan, full Ottawa

house 18 family 18

Nongueskwa, John, head, 30, married once, married 8 years, born Michigan, parents born Michigan, laborer at shingle mill, full Ottawa

Jennie, wife, 28, married once, married 8 years. 5 children born, 4 children living, born Michigan, parents born Michigan, basket maker at home, full Ottawa

Emma, daughter, 6, born Michigan, parents born Michigan, full Ottawa

Dennis, son, 5, born Michigan, parents born Michigan, full Ottawa

Harry, son, 3, born Michigan, parents born Michigan, full Ottawa

Lucy, daughter, 4/12, born Michigan, parents born Michigan, full Ottawa

Grandfather Antoine Shananaquet died 30 May 1912.

Cheboygan Democrat - 26 Jul 1912 - tells of John and his mother being paid for work done.

Daughter Anna was born 5 May 1914

Grandmother Sophia Josephine Shananaquet died 26 Jun 1914

Daughter Rosanna Elizabeth was born 2 Feb 1916 in Burt Lake, Cheboygan, Michigan

Father Moses died 20 Feb 1918 in Burt, Cheboygan, Michigan. His age was given as 73, parents as Lewis Nongueskwa and Mary Madeline Wending. Cause of death was bronchitis, burial in Burt township. Informant was son John.

Petoskey News-Review - 26 Feb 1918

On 12 Sep 1918 John registered for the draft. He gave his birth date as 20 Sep 1880 [yet he was listed in the 1880 census]. He was a farmer, nearest relative was wife Jennie. John was described as medium height and weight, with black eyes and hair.

The Cheboygan Democrat - 10 Jan 1919

The Petoskey Evening News - 27 Jan 1919, tells of John claiming the 50 cent bounty on one weasel on 24 Dec 1918.

The Cheboygan Democrat - 30 May 1919

Daughter Dorthie Margret was born 4 Jun 1919 in Burt township. Mother Jane's place of birth was given as Snows - Market Island.

1920 Federal Census - Burt township, Cheboygan, Michigan, taken 10th,12th, 13th January

Nongueskwa, Lizzie, head, owns farm, 57, widow [John's mother]

Dile, Julia, border, 31

Eileen, border, 6

Eleanor, border, 4

Nongueskwa, John, head, owns farm, 40

Jennie, wife, 38

Emma, daughter, 16

Dan, son, 14

Harry, son, 13

Annie, daughter, 8

Roseanna, daughter, 5

Moses, son, 3 2/12

Margreat, daughter, 7/12

Son Thomas was born 8 Nov 1921 in Brutus, Cheboygan, Michigan

Cheboygan Democrat - 15 Mar 1923

Cheboygan Democrat 28 Nov 1923

Cheboygan Democrat - 16 Feb 1924

Cheboygan Democrat - 24 Apr 1924

Cheboygan Democrat - 16 Apr 1925

Cheboygan Daily Tribune - 13 Feb 1926

Cheboygan Daily Tribune - 24 Feb 1927, tells of son Daniel being the guest of Moriey I. Riggs on his visit to his parents.

Cheboygan Daily Tribune - 30 Mar 1928. John ran for constable.

Cheboygan Daily Tribune - 19 Mar 1929

John's wife Jane received help - $10

Petoskey Evening News - 13 Nov 1929

[Unknown if this was John's mother, aunt, or someone else.]

Son Daniel, 24, was married to Helen Gablow, 23, daughter of John Gablow and Sisie Batic, on 28 Nov 1929 in Burt Lake. Ceremony was performed by Rev. Aulred Keuter, O.F.M. Catholic Indian Missionary. Witnessess were Harold and Mrs. Harold Nongueskwa of Petoskey.

1930 Federal Census - Clark township, Mackinac, Michigan, taken 10 Apr 1930

Nongueskwa, John, head, owns real estate valued at $500, 55, married 1st at 23, laborer at common labor.

Jane, wife, 52, married 1st at 20

Annie, daughter, 16

Rosanne, daughter, 15

Patrick, son, 13

Margaret, daughter, 11

Malvina, daughter, 9

Thomas, son, 7

Nongueskwa, Daniel, son, 25, married 1st at 24, laborer at common labor

Helen, daughter-in-law, 24, married 1st at 23

Daughter Rose, 21, married Chester Dashner, 23, son of Charles Dashner and Maude Boda on 20 Oct 1937 in Burt Lake Church, Cheboygan, Michigan. Ceremony was performed by Fr. Emeran Fox. O.F.M., witnesses were John and Helen Dashner of Cheboygan County.

Daughter Anna died 18 Apr 1939 in Sault Ste. Marie, Chippewa, Michigan. Her birthdate was given as 5 May 1914, birth place at Burt Lake, Cheboygan, Michigan. Parents were listed as John Nongueskwa, born in Burt Lake and Jane Tomaswrs? born in Les Cheneaux, Mackinac. Informant was husband, William Andrews. Cause of death was acute appendicitis with paralytic ileus and generalized peritonitis. Burial was in Hessel.

Petoskey News-Review - 24 Jun 1939

Son Harry and his wife were members of the wedding party when Myrtle Laslie married Francis Carroll.

1940 Federal Census - Clark, Mackinac, Michigan

Nonguskwa, John, head, 64, forman Michigan art craft

Jane, wife, 61

Patric, son, 23, new worker

Margaret, daughter, 20, housework at private home

Melnina, daughter, 18

Thomas, son, 17, new worker

Andrews, James, son, 8, [should be grandson, the four Andrews are the children of deceased daughter Anna.]

Anna, granddaughter, 6

Catherine, granddaughter, 5

Nellie, granddaughter, 4

Son Patrick registered for the draft on 16 Oct 1940. He gave his birth as 5 Oct 1917 in Cheboygan county. Person who will always know your address was listed as Mr. John Joseph Nongueskwa, father of Cedarville. Employer was CCC - Camp Round Lake F-35, St. Ignace, Mackinac, Michigan. Patrick was described as 5'10", 150 lbs, brown eyes, black hair, dark complexion.

CCC was Civilian Conservation Corp.

Son Dennis Peter also registered for the draft on 16 Oct 1940. He gave his birthdate as 4 Mar 1905 in Cheboygan County. Person who will always know his address was wife Ellen Mary. He was self-employed. Dennis was described at 5'10", 150 lbs, brown eyes, black hard, dark brown complexion.

Son Harry Nichols also registered for the draft in 1940. While the form was not dated, he gives his age as 34 and birthdate as 30 Aug 1906, in Cheboygan. The person who will always know his adddress was wife Leone Sarah. Employer was Petoskey Portland Cement Company in Petoskey. Harry was described as 5'8", 155 lbs, black eyes and hair, dark complexion.

Wife Jane died 6 Oct 1941 in Sault Ste. Marie, Chippewa, Michigan

The Evening News - Sault Ste. Marie - 8 Oct 1941 had told of Jane's illness.

Son Thomas Joseph registered for the draft on 16 Feb 1942 in Chippewa county. He gave his address as Cedarville, Mackinac, Michigan, birthdate as 8 Nov 1921 in Brutus. His father John was the person who would always know his address. Employer was (brother-in-law) Henry Vertz of Trout Lake, Chippewa, Michigan. Thomas was described at 5" 9 1/4', 150 lbs. brown eyes, black hair, dark complexion.

On 27 Apr 1942 in Cedarville, Michigan, John registered for the draft. He gave his birth as 20 Sep 1877 in Cheboygan county, name of person who will always know his address as Edward Dutcher, postmaster of Cedarville. Name of employer was Henry Paufuine(?). John was described as having brown eyes, gray hair and a dark complextion.

Son Patrick enlisted on 8 Jun 1943.

Son Patrick died 21 Dec 1944 in Belgium, at the Battle of the Bulge.

Son Patrick's name was included in the 1944 list of deaths.

Detroit Evening Times - 2 Jan 1945

The Evening News - Sault Ste. Marie - 14 Feb 1945

The Evening News - Sault Ste. Marie - 25 May 1945

Son Thomas Joseph, 25, machinist, born Burt Lake, resides East Lansing, son of John and unknown, not married before, married Helen Dawn Marten, 31, inspector, born St. Johns, resides East Lansing, daughter of Charles Pratt and Clara Adams, married three times before. The ceremony took place on 8 Jun 1946 in Detroit, Wayne, Michiga and was performed by Judge James M. Jeffries. Witnesses were Dennis and Jean Mongueskwa of Detroit.