John Thunder (abt. 1840 - 1901)

Died 1901 at about age 61 in Wisconsin, United States

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Biography

John Thunder, Medicine Man of the Winnebago Tribe

John Thunder was born about 1840.

A John Thunder was enumerated in Melrose, Wisconsin in 1895, and given the location, it is likely that this Dr. John Thunder. The household had 4 males and 3 females.^[1]

In 1896, a gathering of the Winnebago tribe with delegations from the Chippewas, Sacs, and Foxes took place at the Ox Bow home of Dr. John Thunder, "great medicine man of the tribe". His home was near the Black River Falls. Dancing was expected to continue for several days.^[2]

John Thunder was well-known and respected as is evidenced in the following newspaper article:

A party of twenty Winnebago Indians passed through Chippewa Fallls this afternoon on their way to Round Lake to pay a visit to their brethern who reside on the reservation at that place. The Indians are going north to enjoy the good fishing and hunting which is just now in its height and they expect to be guests of the Round Lake Indians for several months. They are from Black River Falls. Chief John Thunder will go by rail later and a big reception is to be prepared by the allied tribes to honor his coming. The Indians expect to finish their journey in two days.

John died in April 1901. From the Wisconsin State Journal:

Black River Falls, Wis--Dr John Thunder, head medicine man of the Winnebago tribe, died today of pneumonia, aged 60. He was the father of Tom Thunder, pretender to the the chieftanship of the tribe.^[3]

Upon John's death, a new medicine man was elected, as reported in the Boscobel Dial: ^[4]:

Striking Tree, or No Chinka, as he is usually called, was elected medicine man by the Indians in council a few days ago, over Frank Thunder, son of Dr. John Thunder, deceased.

Sources

1. ↑ Wisconsin State Census of 1895; Jackson County, Melrose.https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/1055/images/wiv226_13-0242?pId=151478
2. ↑ Racine Journal. 16 April 1896, Thursday, Page 5. Racine, Wisconsin
3. ↑ Wisconsin State Journal, 04 April 1901, Thursday, Madison, Wisconsin
4. ↑ Boscobel Dial, 29 May 1901, Wed. Page 1, Boscobel, Wisconsin.