Henry Thomas (abt. 1876 - 1924)

Born about 20 May 1876 in Winnebago, Thurston, Nebraska, United States

Descendants

Died 2 Apr 1924 at about age 47 in Winnebago, Thurston, Nebraska, United States

Problems/Questions Profile manager: Kecia Alaniz [send private message]

Henry was Ho-Chunk.

Biography

Birth

Henry's birth year is problematic. His draft card states that he was born in 20 May 1873, but all the censuses put his birth between 1875 and 1877. His tombstone reads "1876". His draft card records his wife as "Annie". The date of 1873 would make him older (45), and therefore less likely to be drafted. His place of birth was apparently the Winnebago Reservation in Thurston County, Nebraska. On his Marriage License, he says that his father is William Thomas, but censuses show his father to be James Thomas.

Name

His Hocąk name was Ma-jar-wank-sheek-kaw (1898 census), which is for Maščąwą̄kšika, "Strong Man", from maščą́, "strong"; wą̄kšík, "man"; and -ka, a definite article suffix used in personal names. The name "Strong Man" would be consistent with any clan.

His birth order name is Na-hi-kaw, which is for Ną̄ǧíga, "Fourth Son". This implies that there were three other sons before him who are not recorded on the available censuses.

Appearance

He was of stout build, medium height, with black hair and gray eyes. (Draft Card)

Marriages

His first marriage in 1897 was apparently for the purpose of making his son Fred (b. 1893) by Grace Walker legitimate. No census shows them living together, although the census of 1909 shows his son Fred Walker living with him for that year.

His second marriage was to Annie Earth, who was a widow when he married her. Their eldest son was born in 1899, so it is likely that he married Annie in 1898.

Occupation

In 1918 he was a farmer. (Draft Card)

Cultural Achievements

A HoChunk (Winnebago) translator who translated the Bible into the Winnebago Language. (Mapp)

Residence

1918 — he was residing on his farm in Emerson, Nebraska.

1920 — still working his farm in Thurston County, Nebraska.

Death

He died on 2 April 1924 in Winnebago, Thurston, Nebraska. He's buried at the Winnebago Cemetery, Winnebago, Thurston County, Nebraska. (Find a Grave)

Sources

• Personal recollections of Kecia (Alaniz) Mapp, 23 Dec 2020.
• 1891 Indian census; Roll: M595_311; Page: 29; 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.
• 1892 Indian census; Roll: M595_312; Page: 10; Line: 34; Agency: Omaha & 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.
• Nebraska, Marriage Records, 1855-1908. State Library and Archives, Nebraska State Historical Society, Lincoln, Nebraska. Record #140, page 304, 27 February 1897.
• 1894 Indian census; Roll: M595_312; Page: 24; Line: 3; Agency: Omaha And 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.
• 1898 Indian census; Roll: M595_312; Page: 21; Line: 17; Agency: Omaha & 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.
• 1900 Federal Census for Winnebago, Thurston, Nebraska; Page: 13; Enumeration District: 0187; Description: Winnebago Precinct; FHL microfilm: 1240941. 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_663; Line: 1; 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.
• 1909 Indian census; Roll: M595_663; 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.
• 1915 Indian census; Roll: M595_665; Line: 9; 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.
• United States, Selective Service System. World War I Selective Service System Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918 for Thurston County, Nebraska. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration. M1509, 4,582 rolls.
• 1920 Federal Census for Flournoy, Thurston, Nebraska; Roll: T625_1002; Page: 1A; Enumeration District: 0212; Description: Flournoy Precinct including Thurston Village. 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.
• 1924 Indian census; Roll: M595_665; Page: 54; Line: 15; 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.
• Find a Grave, database and images (accessed 10 January 2021), memorial page for Henry Thomas (1876–2 Apr 1924), Find a Grave Memorial no. 66586175, citing Winnebago Cemetery, Winnebago, Thurston County, Nebraska, USA ; Maintained by kmapp (contributor 46799577) .