Moses Decorah (abt. 1855 - 1929)

Born about 1855 in Marquette County, Wisconsin, United States

Descendants

Died 12 Jun 1929 at about age 74 in Tomah, Monroe, Wisconsin, United States

Moses was Ho-Chunk.

Biography

Birth

Moses was born about 1855. In his 1910 testimony before Congress, "Mose" stated that he lived in Mauston, was the son of Four Deer, and was born in Marquette County. His father Four Deer Decorah was born in the village at Portage. (Condition)

Land Acquisition

He stated that he homesteaded 52 acres of land about 21 or 22 years ago [1889-1890]. (Condition) This land is located at 43.845473 -90.067302, which is the NE ¼ of the NW ¼ of (northern) Section 30 of T16N R04E (Lemonweir Township), Juneau County. See the 1898 plat map for Lemonweir Township, where this property is shown north of that of "Old Deer."

Marriages

In most censuses, Moses lodged with his wife Kate (b. 1853). However, an Indian census taken on 1 November 1904 shows him lodging with a different Kate (b. 1866), who is recorded as his wife. In most other censuses, Kate (b. 1866) is shown living alone with her son Moses Jr, but in very close proximity to Moses Sr. Yet the Wisconsin state census taken elsewhere on 30 June 1905, in the township of Manchester, Jackson County, Wisconsin, shows him lodging with "Mary" (the elder Kate) and their children Caroline, Stella, and grandson Frank. The elder Kate, under the name "Mary", is also recorded as Moses' wife. This shows that the two Kates were co-wives of Moses.

Occupation

His tribal occupation was as a medicine man. (Skavlem)

Residence

1885 — He and his wife were living in the township of Lemonweir. (Wisc census)

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)

1904 — in November of that year, he was living with his second wife (b. 1866) and his son Moses Jr. at the Tomah Agency in Monroe County, Wisconsin. (Indian census)

1905 — in June of this year, he was living with his first wife Kate (b. 1853) in the township of Manchester, in Jackson County, Wisconsin. (Wisc. State census)

1910 — the Federal census of this year shows that he was living in Byron, Monroe County, Wisconsin, with his older wife Kate (b. 1853) with daughters Caroline and Stella. Also living with them was Frank Johnson, their grandson. They were living in a lodge. The Indian census of the same year shows that his other wife Katie and his son Moses Jr. were living nearby.

Death

He passed away on 12 June 1929 at the Tomah Agency, Wisconsin. (1928/29 census)

Sources

• 1885 Wisconsin State Census; Roll: 4; Township or Location: Lemonweir. 1885 Microfilm, 10 reels. Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison, Wisconsin.
• 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.
• 1905 Wisconsin State Census, Township or Location: Manchester. Wisconsin State Census, 1905. Microfilm, 44 reels. Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison, Wisconsin.
• 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 Federal Census for Byron, Monroe, Wisconsin; Roll: T624_1729; Page: 12A; Enumeration District: 0125; FHL microfilm: 1375742. Thirteenth Census of the United States, 1910 (NARA microfilm publication T624, 1,178 rolls). Records of the Bureau of the Census, Record Group 29. National Archives, Washington, D.C.
• 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.
• Condition of Indian Affairs in Wisconsin: Hearings before the Committee on Indian Affairs, United States Senate, [61^st congress, 2^d session], on Senate resolution, Issue 263 (1910): 1163-1164.
• Indian census roll: Year: 1928 To 1929; Roll: M595_571; Line: 17; Agency: Tomah Indian School, Tomah. 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.