Honoring Native Ancestors: Gus/August Lewis

Tuesday, May 26, 2026

Gus/August Lewis

Gus/August/Augustus Lewis was said to be born 4 Nov 1884, the son of Richard Lewis and Lucy Waw-be-gay-kake. [Richard was the son of Chief Ne-be-nay-ke-zhick - Durant 1-49; Lucy was the daughter of Chief Waw-be-gay-kake - Durant 1-58b]

Gus joined siblings Julia, born 6 Feb 1878, and Helen, born 9 Oct 1879. [Dates from their death records.]

Sister Mary was said to be born in Jan 1888 [1900 Census]

Brother George was said to be born in Mar 1891. [From his death record, 1900 census says 1892.]

Sister Julia. 16, was married to Alex Poneshing, 26, son of Jo Poneshing and Mary Negake, on 29 Feb 1892 in Elbridge, Oceana, Michigan. Ceremony was performed by Ft. Russman, Pastor of St. James Church.

Sister Helen/Ellen, 19, married Bony Caba-asha, 22, son of Caba-asha, on 23 Nov 1896 in Elbridge, Oceana, Michigan. Ceremony was performed by Bruno Torka, Priest. Witnesses were William and Angeline Pebamashe. [Bony was also called Boniface Bailey.]

1900 Federal Census - Elbridge, Oceana, Michigan

Lewis, Richard, head, born Apr 1852, 48, widowed, born Michigan, parents born Michigan, farm laborer, Other Name - O-che-a, Ottaway, parents Ottaway, 1/4 white, taxed, citizenship acquired by allotment, fixed dwelling

Augustine, son, born Nov 1883, 16, born Michigan, parents born Michigan, day laborer, Ottaway, parents Ottaway, 1/8 white, fixed dwelling

Mary, daughter, born Jan 1888, 12, born Michigan, parents born Michigan, at school, Ottaway, parents Ottaway, 1/8 white, fixed dwelling

George, son, born May 1892, 8, born Michigan, parents born Michigan, at school, Ottaway, parents Ottaway, 1/8 white, fixed dwelling

Brother George was admitted to The Mount Pleasant Indian Industrial Boarding School on 26 Aug 1901. His tribe was given as Potawatomie, parent as Richard Louis, age 10. He was withdrawn in Aug - remarks "Ran away"

Gus met Angeline Shaganaba

Daughter Stella was born 15 Dec 1901. Sadly she died 13 Oct 1902. Cause of death was cholera, burial was Sayles Cemetery. Informant was Gus Lewis.

A marriage license was recorded on 12 Dec 1903 in Oceana county for sister Julia Poneshing, 27, to marry Robert A. Lamoradnier, 32, son of Alex Lamorandier and Sophia Lawrence. Both were married once before. While they lived as husband and wife afterward, the date, place, name of officiant, and names of witnesses was never returned. [Robert also used the surname Aiken]

Son Fred was born 18 Feb 1904. Sadly he died 19 Feb 1904 at the Flood & Russell Camp in Oceana, Michigan. Cause of death was insuficient heart ____, burial was in the Indian Cemetery in Elbridge. Informant was Gus Lewis.

Sister Mary, 18, married Louis Battice, 50, son of John Battice on 11 Jul 1904 in Fern, Mason, Michigan. Louis had been married once before. Ceremony was performed by Bruno Torka, Priest.

Gus, 22, woodsman, married Julia Negake, 18, the daughter of Rodney Leroy Negake and Margaret Pabami, on 13 Jan 1906 in Elbridge, Oceana, Michigan. Ceremony was performed by Bruno Torka, Pastor. Witnesses were Henry Negake and Anna Negake.

Photo of Julia - date unknown

Son Frederick Michael was born 6 Mar 1907

1908 Durant Roll Field Notes

#20-49 Grand River Band

Michael Nebenaukezhick or Richard Louis, 59, Lattin, Mich.

wife dead

children:

1) Julia Akin, 32, Newaygo, Mich

husband Robt Akins, see 21/54, see 3/56 3/58B

children 3/58

2) Helen Louis Bailey, 26, Lattin, Mich

husband Bonaface Bailey, 30, see #17 p 52

children: Sophia, 10

Susie, 9

Julia, 5

Rosie, born May /07

3) Augustus Lois, 25

wife Julia (Negake) 20 11/52

child: Fred Louis, born Mch 6/07 2d roll

4) Mary Battise, 19, Fern, Mich

husband____ (see Louis Battice at Fern, Mich 6/59

child: David Battise

5) George Louis, 18, Lattin, Michigan

single

#11-52 Grand River band

O-nay-gake, deceased, 1st wife Elizabeth Memberto see No 9 p54

1 Rodney O-nay-gake or Aw-se-goonce or Rodney Ne-gake, 61, Lattin P.O. #20 p50

wife Margaret Ne-gake, daughter of Pay-bay-me-say #21 p46

children:

1) Mary Stone, 26, P.O. ~~Lattin~~ P.O. Cobmosa; husband Neal Stone, 36, grandson of chief #11 p 58, son of #13 p58; their children - Elizabeth, 9, James, 7, Joseph, 5, Moses, 2.; enroll children with Rodney

2) Henry Ne-gake, 23, Lattin P.O.; wife Mary Bailey Ne-gake, Ind 7/50; child none

3) Julia Louis, 20, Lattin; husb. Gus Louis, son of #29 p49; their child, Fred Louis Born Mch 6/07

4) Annie Ne-gake, 18, Lattin, not married

5) William Ne-gake, 15

6) Frank Ne-gake, 12

Son Albert was born 25 Feb 1909. Sadly he died 26 Feb 1909 in Elbridge, Oceana, Michiga. Cause of death was frontal atelectasis, burial was at the Catholic Cemetery. Informant was Gus Lewis.

Sister Helen Bailey died 9 Oct 1909 in Elbridge, Oceana, Michigan. Her birth was given as 9 Oct 1879, her age as 30, parents as Richard Lewis and unknown. Cause of death was puerperal fever, burial in the Catholic Cemetery. Informant was Geo. Lewis. [Puerperal fever was also called childbed fever. Baby Edna had been born 8 Oct 1909 and sadly passed 19 Oct 1909]

The family's sorry doubled when sister Julia Aiken died the next day, 10 Jul 1909 in Garfield township, Newaygo, Michigan. Her birth was given as 6 Feb 1878, parents as Richard Lewis and Lucy Mctuctiec. Cause of death was puerperal con-----, burial was in the Newaygo Catholic Cemetery. Informant was Robert Aiken.

Son Paul was born 10 Apr 1910

1910 Federal Census - Elbridge township, Oceana, Michiga

Lewis, Gus, head, 26, married once, married 4 years, born Michigan, parents born Michigan, speaks English, laborer at odd jobs, rents house, full Ottawa

Julia, wife, 22, married once, married 4 years, 2 children born, 2 children living, born Michigan, parents born Michigan, speaks English, full Ottawa

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

Paul, son, 1/12, born Michigan, parents born Michigan, full Ottawa

Father Richard died 20 Jul 1910 in Elbridge, Oceana, Michigan. His birth was given as 4 Jul 1848, age as 62 years, 16 days, occupation as laborer. His parents were unknown. Cause of death was apoplexy, burial as the Sayles Cemetery. Informant was Gus Lewis.

Brother George met Eliza Mitchell, also called Negake (step-father's name), prior to 1912. [A marriage record has not been found.]

Son Joseph was born 1 May 1912

Son Frank was born 1 Dec 1914. Sadly he died 24 Apr 1915 in Elbridge, Oceana, Michigan. Cause of death was bronchopneumonia, burial in Sayles Cemetery. Informant was Gus Lewis.

Daughter Elizabeth was born 11 Mar 1916

Son Joseph died 18 Jan 1917 in Elbridge, Oceana, Michigan. His birth was given as 1 May 1912, age as 4 years, 8 months, 17 days. Cause of death was tuberculosis of lungs, burial in the Catholic Cemetery. Informant was Gus Lewis.

Daughter Elizabeth died 20 Mar 1917 in Elbridge, Oceana, Michigan. Cause of death was tuberculosis of intestines, burial in Sayles cemetery. Informant was Gus Lewis.

Daughter Lucille Agnes was born 25 Dec 1917

Gus registered for the draft on 12 Sep 1918. He gave his birth as 4 Nov 1883. Occupation was laborer for the Hart Cedar Lumber Co. Nearest relative was Julia Lewis. Gus was described as medium height and build with brown eyes and black hair. [Note he signed with his mark.]

1920 Federal Census - Muskegon township, Muskegon, Michigan.

Lewis, Gust, head, rents, 36, can read and write, born Michigan, parents born Michigan, speaks English, laborer at Steel Mill

Julia, wife, 32, can read and write, born Michigan, parents born Michigan, , speaks English

Fred, son, 12, attended school, can read and write, born Michigan, parents born Michigan, , speaks English

Paul, son, 9, attended school, born Michigan, parents born Michigan

Lucy, daughter, 2, born Michigan, parents born Michigan

Sons Fred, age 12 and Paul, age 10 are listed in the Register of Pupils at the Mount Pleasant Indian School for 1920-21. Their tribe was Ottawa, parent Julia Lewis, address Hart, full blood, admitted 1 Sep 1920 for 3 years.

1921-22 school years finds Fred, 13, and Paul, 10, with an address of Walkerville.

1922-23 school years finds Fred, 13, and Paul, 11, with an address of Hart.

Son Henry was born 28 Dec 1927 in Oceana, Michigan.

Brother George died 3 Mar 1928 in Hart, Oceana, Michigan. His birth was given as May 1891, occupation laborer, parents as Richard Lewis and (blank) Wabkake. Cause of death was tyfoid (typhoid?) pnemonia, burial in Sayles Catholic. Informant was Mrs. Geo Lewis.

1930 Federal Census - Newfield township, Oceana, Michigan - 23 Apr 1930

Negake, Margaret, head, value of home $700, 74, widowed

Lewis, Gus, son-in-law, 44, first married at 22, laborer at general

Julia, daughter, 41, first married at 19

Fredrick, grand-son, 23

Paul, grand-son, 20

Lucille, granddaughter, 11

Henry, grand-son, 2 3/12

Stone, James, grand-son, 23

Daniel, grand-son, 7

Son Paul met Agnes Seamon. Their child, Paul Jr., was born 15 Jul 1932. Sadly 18 Jul 1934 in Sherman township, Mason, Michigan. [While his birthdate was given as 15 Jul 1934, his age was given as 2 years, 3 days.] Cause of death was acute gastroenteritis, burial was in Custer cemetery. Informant was Paul Lewis.

Daughter Lucille, 21, married George Pego, 27, son of Enos Pego and Myrtle Robinson on 12 Dec 1939 in Muskegon, Muskegon, Michigan. Ceremony was performed by Charles B. Cross, Municipal Judge. Witnesses were Bennie Riffel and Gertrude Riffel.

Photo of Lucille - date unknown

1940 Federal Census - Newfield township, Oceana, Michigan

Lewis, Augustus, head, 54, born Michigan, lived in same place in 1935, laborer for WPA forestry?

Julia, wife, 51, born Michigan, lived in same place in 1935

Fred, son, 33. born Michigan, lived in same place in 1935

Paul, son, 30, born Michigan, lived in same place in 1935

Henry, son, 11, born Michigan, lived in same place in 1935

Frncis, grandson, 6, born Michigan, lived in same place in 1935

Pauline, granddaughter, 4, born Michigan

Son Fredrick Micheal registered for the draft on 16 Oct 1940 in Hart, Oceana, Michigan. He gave his birth as 6 Mar 1907 in Oceana county, father Gus Lewis as person who will always know his address, Wm. Enderlee as employer. Fred was described at 6' 2 1/2" tall, 185 pounds, brown eyes, black hair, dark complexion, with burn scars on his right leg.

Son Paul Thomas also registered for the draft on 16 Oct 1940 in Hart, Oceana, Michigan. He gave his birth as 8 Apr 1910 in Oceana county, father Gus Lewis as person who will always know his address, self employed. Paul was described as 5'7" tall, 161 pounds, brown eyes, black hair, light brown complexion.

Gus registered for the draft on 27 Apr 1942 in Hart, Oceana, Michigan. He gave his birth as 4 Nov 1884 in Oceana, Michigan. Wife Julia Lewis was the person who will always know his address, employer was the W.P.A.

[Note 1 - Gus had said 1883 on his WWI draft registration].

[Note 2 - W.P.A was the Works Progress Administration, a work-relief program created by President Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1935 to combat the devastating unemployment of the Great Depression.]

[Note 3 - Older men registered not to fight, but to be available to take the jobs of younger men who could then be called into service.]

Son Paul enlisted 11 Aug 1942 at Kalamazoo. Son Fred's enlistment date currently unknown.

Son Fredrick died 17 Apr 1944.

Undated photo of wife Julia, mother-in-law, Margaret Pabami Negake and others taken prior to Margaret's death on 29 Apr 1944 in Roscommon, Roscommon, Michigan.

Son Paul died 1 Jul 1944 at Omaha Beach, Normandy, France

Son-in-law George Pego was wounded in action.

The Grand Rapids Press 18 Aug 1944.

The Musekgon Chronicle 15 Aug 1944

The Muskegon Chronicle 2 Aug 1944

Sister Mary, 57, married Francis Battice, 66, son of Mitchell Battice and Angeline Shagonaby on 16 May 1945 in Muskegon, Muskegon, Michigan. Both had been married once before. Ceremony was performed by T. Raymond Dark, Pastor. Witnesses were Gus and Julia Lewis.

Date unknown - Julia and Gus

Gus died 3 Jul 1946 in Hart, Oceana, Michigan. His birth was given as 4 Nov 1884, parents as Richard Lewis and Lucy Wabegak. Cause of death was cerebral thrombosis, burial in Hart. Informant was Julia Lewis (Wife).

The Muskegon Chronicle 5 Jul 1946

Son Henry registered for the draft 30 Sep 1946 in Hart. He gave his birthdate as 28 Dec 1927, occupation as student, mother Mrs. Julia Lewis as person who would always know his address. Henry was described at 5' 10", 147 1/2 pounds, brown eyes, black hair, dark complexion.