John Pelkey (1812)

Born 1812 in Michigan, Michigan Territory, United States

Husband of Mary Wīhą́gā (Second Daughter) Pelkey — married 1835 (to 1857) in Four Lakes, Michigan Territory, United States

Biography

Birth

All the census records in which he appears show his birthplace to have been Michigan. (1857 census)

Family

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)

Occupation

The 1860 census shows him to have been a blacksmith.

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.
• 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.
• 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).

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