Charles Smoke (abt. 1831)

Born about 1831 in Wisconsin, Michigan Territory, United States

Descendants

Died [date unknown] in Wisconsin, United States

Charles was Ho-Chunk.

Biography

Birth

Charles Smoke was born about 1831 in what is now Wisconsin, which was then part of Michigan Territory. (1900, 1905 censuses) The same year (1905), in the Wisconsin State census, he gave his age as 83, which implies that he was born in 1822. Given the penchant for exaggeration, and the age of his wife Jane (b. 1840), the later date is more likely.

Name

The 1905 Indian census gives his Hocąk name as ZheeKah, which is for Žī́ga, "Brown", from žī́, "brown"; and -ga, a definite article suffix used in personal names.

Marriages

In 1900, his wife is Kate (b. 1844), but in the 1905 censuses, his wife is Jane (b. 1840). It appears that his first wife died before 1905, and he remarried. With Kate, he had at least the following children:

Charlie E. (b. 1866)

Bell (b. 1873)

John (b. 1879)

Alice (b. 1881) (1900 census)

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.