Henry Nųpehonįga Decorah (abt. 1864 - aft. 1940)

Born about 1864 in Wisconsin, United States

Husband of Mary Sīcąbᵋt’įwįga (Lightning Appears from Her Foot) Decorah — married about 1894 in Wisconsin, United States

Husband of Fannie (Green Cloud) Decorah — married about 1898 in Wisconsin, United States

Husband of Louisa P. Kikárasįčka (Shaking to Clear Herself) Decorah — married about 1911 in Wisconsin, United States

Henry was Ho-Chunk.

Biography

Birth

Henry was born about 1864.

Name

His Hocąk name was given as NeePayONihKah, which transliterates as Nipeonįka, of obscure meaning. However, the double /e/ is probably a misreading of the letter /u/, which would give us NuPayONihKah. This name is Nųpehonįga, from nųpe, "two"; honį́, "to hunt for, search for"; and -ga, a definite article suffix used in personal names. This name would mean, "He Hunts for Two".

Education

"Henry was the learned man of the [camping] party, and could read and write English fairly well." (Skavlem)

Marriages

The 1922 census shows unambiguously that Henry Decorah had three wives simultaneously: Fannie (Green Cloud) Decorah, Mary S. Decorah (Sīcąbᵋt’įwįga) and Louisa Decorah.

Residence

1895 — "Until within the last few years a small band of (Winnebago) from the northern part of the state have wintered here, but in the spring of 1895 they broke up camp for the last time and Koshkonong knows them no more. Their camp or village numbered five lodges and their band was composed of the members of three separate families. These were Charlie Decorah and his squaw. Charlie was about 50 years old, and the "medicine man" Moses Decorah, squaw and three papooses; Henry Decorah and squaw. Henry was the learned man of the party, and could read and write English fairly well; Charlie Green and squaw, and War Club, squaw and one papoose." (Skavlem) 1912 — living with his wife Mary at the Tomah Indian School Agency in Tomah, Monroe County, Wisconsin. (census)

1921 — living in Grand Rapids, Wood County, Wisconsin. Classified as "single" in the census, he is living next to all three of his wives: Mary (listed as a widow), Fannie, (recorded as his wife), and Louisa (also said to be his wife). (census)

1940 — living in Komensky, Jackson County, Wisconsin, with his daughter Nina. (census)

Death

He was still alive at age 74 in Komensky, Jackson County, Wisconsin, so he must have died after 1940. (census)

Sources

• 1905 Indian census; Roll: M595_671; Line: 5. Indian Census Rolls, 1885-1940; (National Archives Microfilm Publication M595, 692 rolls); Records of the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Record Group 75; National Archives, Washington, D.C.
• H. L. Skavlem, "The Archeology of the Lake Koshkonong Sites: The Village Sites," Wisconsin Archeologist, 7, #2 (April to June, 1908): 74-102 (100-102). See also The Encyclopedia of Hočąk (Winnebago) Mythology > The Last Camp on Lake Koshkonong.
• 1910 Indian census; Roll: M595_671; Line: 5; Agency: Wittenberg. Indian Census Rolls, 1885-1940; (National Archives Microfilm Publication M595, 692 rolls); Records of the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Record Group 75; National Archives, Washington, D.C.
• 1912 Indian census; Roll: M595_570; Line: 9; Agency: Tomah Indian School. Indian Census Rolls, 1885-1940; (National Archives Microfilm Publication M595, 692 rolls); Records of the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Record Group 75; National Archives, Washington, D.C.
• 1914 Indian census; Roll: M595_570; Line: 13; Agency: Tomah Ind School. Indian Census Rolls, 1885-1940; (National Archives Microfilm Publication M595, 692 rolls); Records of the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Record Group 75; National Archives, Washington, D.C.
• 1922 Indian census; Roll: M595_168; Page: 16; Line: 16; Agency: Grand Rapids. Indian Census Rolls, 1885-1940; (National Archives Microfilm Publication M595, 692 rolls); Records of the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Record Group 75; National Archives, Washington, D.C.
• 1940 Federal Census for Komensky, Jackson, Wisconsin; Roll: m-t0627-04484; Page: 3A; Enumeration District: 27-20; Description: KOMENSKY TOWN. United States of America, Bureau of the Census. Sixteenth Census of the United States, 1940. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1940. T627, 4,643 rolls.

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