Mary Sīcąbᵋt’įwįga (Lightning Appears from Her Foot) Decorah (abt. 1870)

Born about 1870 in Wisconsin, United States

Wife of Henry Nųpehonįga Decorah — married about 1894 in Wisconsin, United States

Died [date unknown] in Wisconsin, United States

Mary was Ho-Chunk.

Biography

Birth

Mary was born about 1870.

Name

All censuses give her Hocąk name as SeeChumpTinWinKah, which is for Sīcąbᵋt’įwįga, "Lightning Appears from Her Foot," from sī, "foot"; cąp, jąp, "lightning"; t’į, "to appear"; -wį-, a feminine gender infix; and -ga, a definite article suffix used in personal names. This is an Upper Moiety name making reference to lightning emanating from a Thunderbird.

Marriage

Her husband Henry Decorah had at least three wives (Fannie Green Cloud and Louisa Decorah), of which she appears to have been the first, having married him around the year 1894. She had two children with Henry: Bob (b. 1895) and Alice (b. 1897). The 1905 census shows that she had had a previous marriage with a Mr. Pettibone, with whom she had two children, Josephine (b. 1888), and Asher (b. 1890). In one census (1905), she is described as "des. wf." (deserted wife); and in most others, she declares herself to be a widow. In 1922, late in life, they are again listed in standard fashion as husband and wife.

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.
• 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.
• 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.