Edward Priest (abt. 1855 - 1892)

Ancestors

Died 1892 at about age 37 in Thurston, Nebraska, United States

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Edward was Ho-Chunk.

Biography

Birth

Edward was born about 1855 (1886 census), and was the son of Little Priest and Mrs. Little Beaver. (Waggoner)

Name

Waggoner, citing Alice Fletcher's Enrollment List, gives his Hocąk name as Wa-wa-ha-ska, "Chases Them Off", from wa-, a prefix meaning, "them, something"; wahás, "to chase away, to chase something" (< wa- and has, "to open, send away, drive off"), and -ka, a definite article suffix used in personal names. Given that Edward's father Little Priest was a member of the Bear Clan, Wawahaska is a name of that clan, and makes reference to a bear's rush at its prey.

Marriage

Edward Priest was in a marriage (loosely defined) with Sallie Baker probably entered into in 1879 since she had a daughter named Hīnū́gā, "First Daughter" who was six in 1886. (census) She also had a son named "Abraham Lincoln Jr.", who was born in 1885, implying that she was either married to the late president's namesake, or had an affair with him.

Probably at the same time that he was married to Sallie English Baker, who in 1888 lived next door to him, he was also married to Marsha Hatchet (b. 1866). (census)

Death

He passed away in 1892. (Waggoner)

Sources

• 1886 Indian census; Roll: M595_311; Page: 26; Line: 2; Agency: Winnebago. 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.
• 1888 Indian census; Roll: M595_311; Page: 26; Line: 15. 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.
• Linda W[aggoner], "Little Priest’s Wives and Children," Winnebago Indian News, 46, #14 (Saturday, July 28, 2018): 6c.