Louis Pelkey (1836 - 1862)

Born 1836 in Illinois, United States

Ancestors

Died 16 Jul 1862 at about age 26 in Keokuk, Iowa, United States

Louis was Ho-Chunk.

Biography

Birth

Louis was born in 1836. He is the son of John Pelkey and Second Daughter Wīhą́gā. The 1860 census shows him to have been born in Illinois. The Hocagara had a large number of villages along the rock river in what is now that state.

Lineage

An affidavit given in 1838 states, “Personally appeared John Pelky, a white man aged 26 years who being duly sworn according to Law, doth depose and say that he resides at the Four Lakes Wis. Ty — and has been in this Country about ten years. That about three years ago he was lawfully married to We-un-kah — an orphan, and full blood Winnebago woman, niece of Wild Goose who was a principle Chief. … That he has by his said wife one male child, named Louis, about 2 years old — That said boy is a fine active fellow, and that your deponent has a strong desire to educate him — that he your deponent speaks the Winnebago language, and has as he verily believes a strong influence with the Indians …” (Waggoner, 62a)

Military Record

Louis enlisted from Winnebago City, Minnesota on 15 July 1861 along with his brother James. They served in Co. H, Second Minnesota Infantry Regiment. (MN in the Civil and Indian Wars, 141)

Death

He died 16 July 1862 of typhoid fever while at the Estes House military hospital at Keokuk, Iowa. He is buried at plot Sec. B, Site 201, Keokuk National Cemetery, Keokuk, Lee County, Iowa, USA (Find a Grave)

Sources

• 1857 Census of Blue Earth County, Minnesota, p. 72, line 36. Minnesota Historical Society. Minnesota State Population Census Schedules, 1865-1905. St. Paul, MN, USA: Minnesota Historical Society, 1977. Microfilm. Reels 1-47 and 107-164.
• Linda M. Waggoner (ed.), “Neither White Men Nor Indians: Affidavits from the Winnebago Mixed-blood Claim Commissions, Prairie Du Chien, Wisconsin, 1838-1839” (Roseville, Minnesota: Park Genealogical Books, 2002). Extracted from Territorial Papers of the United States, Wisconsin, 1836-1848. M236. “Special Files of the Office of Indian Affairs,” 1836-46. “Special File 161” (Roll 41). “Special File 190” (Roll 42). National Archives, Washington D.C., Documents on Microfilm, Records of the Bureau of Indian Affairs (Record Group 75).
• Minnesota in the Civil and Indian Wars, 1861-1865, 2d ed. (State, Board of Commissioners on Publication of History of Minnesota in Civil and Indian Wars, 1890) vol. 1.
• 1860 Census for Mankato, Blue Earth, Minnesota; Roll: M653_567; Page: 133; Family History Library Film: 803567. 1860 U.S. census, population schedule. NARA microfilm publication M653, 1,438 rolls. Washington, D.C.
• Find a Grave: Memorial ID: 166965170.