Charley E. Smoke (abt. 1864 - bef. 1940)

Born about 1864 in Wisconsin, United States

Descendants

Died before 1940 in Wisconsin, United States [uncertain]

Charley was Ho-Chunk.

Biography

Birth

Charley was born about 1864 in Wisconsin.

Name

His Hocąk name is given as HumpOMeNunkKah (1910 Ind. census), which is for Hąbomįnąka, "Sits in the Daylight", from hąp, "day, light"; homįną́k, "to sit"; and -ka, a definite article suffix used in personal names. This is an attested Bear Clan name. (Radin, 237)

His birth order name is Hagaga, "Third Son," so we know from this that he had two older brothers. (1910 census)

Education

Charley could speak English, but could not read or write it. (1910)

Lineage

In the 1905 Wisconsin census and the 1910 Federal census, Anna Smoke is living with Charles E. Smoke and is identified as his niece. Since they have the same surname, she is the daughter of an unknown brother of Charles. In the 1905 Indian census, she is living with an elderly Charles Smoke and his wife Jane as their granddaughter. This implies that Charles Smoke is the father of Charles E. Smoke. This is made explicit in the 1900 Federal census.

The 1910 Federal census reveals that his grandmother (b. ca. 1832), given the Anglo name "Susan Walter", was living with his family. Her Hocąk name is given as Hi-nu(?)-ne-Kah, which appears to be Hį̄nųnįka, "Little First Daughter." However, she cannot be found on any other census, so we do not know whether she is Charley's paternal or maternal grandmother; but given that Charles’ wife at this time is Jane, it is likely that Susan Walker is Charles E. Smoke's maternal grandmother. It may be noted that there are only about 32 years for two generations, which implies young teenage motherhood.

John Smoke (b. 1876) is a brother. (1900 Fed. census) He has a similar name in Hocąk: Hąbᵋmąnįga, "Walking Day (or Light)". (1905 Ind. census)

With his wife Lou, Charley had the following children (1933 census):

James (b. 1900)

Lela (b. 1905)

Henry (b. 1907)

Daniel (b. 3 March 1913)

In 1910, Charley's niece, Anna Smoke, was living with them and making a living doing bead work. (1910 census)

Land

He owned his own farm in LaGrange, Wisconsin, and lived there in a wood frame house. (1910 census)

Death

Charley died sometime before 1940, as he is not found in the census of that year and his wife is living with their son James in Wyeville.

Sources

• 1900 Federal Census for Buena Vista, Richland, Wisconsin; Page: 11; Enumeration District: 0110: Buena Vista Town, Lone Rock Village; FHL microfilm: 1241812. United States of America, Bureau of the Census. Twelfth Census of the United States, 1900. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1900. T623, 1854 rolls.
• 1905 Indian census; Roll: M595_671; Line: 4. 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; Microfilm, 44 reels. Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison, Wisconsin.
• 1910 Indian census; Roll: M595_671; Line: 7; 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.
• 1910 Federal Census for La Grange, Monroe, Wisconsin; Roll: T624_1729; Page: 17A; Enumeration District: 0132; 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.
• 1911 Indian census; Roll: M595_570; Line: 15; Agency: Tomah Indian Ind'l 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.
• 1920 Federal Census for La Grange, Monroe, Wisconsin; Roll: T625_2007; Page: 8A; Enumeration District: 129. Description: La Grange town excluding Tomah City. Fourteenth Census of the United States, 1920. (NARA microfilm publication T625, 2076 rolls). Records of the Bureau of the Census, Record Group 29. National Archives, Washington, D.C.
• 1933 Indian census; Roll: M595_571; Page: 80; Line: 12; 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.
• 1940 Federal Census Place: Wyeville, Monroe, Wisconsin; Roll: m-t0627-04505; Page: 1B; Enumeration District: 41-22. 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.
• Paul Radin, The Winnebago Tribe (Washington: U. S. Government Printing Office, 1923) 237.

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