Jim War Club (abt. 1851 - aft. 1920)

Born about 1851 in Wisconsin, United States

Husband of Sarah Nį̄žuxōčgewį́ga (Drizzling Rain Woman) War Club — married after 1898 in Wisconsin, United States

Died after 1920 after about age 69 in Wisconsin, United States

Jim was Ho-Chunk.

Biography

Birth

Jim was born about 1851. (censuses)

Name

His Hocąk name is given in the censuses as NaMaCheHeBeKah, for Ną̄mą́čehįbíga, from ną̄mą́če, "war club"; hįbí , "to lay something out temporarily, to put something somewhere temporarily, to set something somewhere temporarily"; -ga, a definite article suffix used in personal names. This is best understood as, "He Displays the War Club".

Marriage

Some time after 1898, Jim Warclub married a widow named "Sarah Longmarsh".

Relatives

The 1905 census shows a Mary Warclub (b. 1838) who was 16 years older than Jim Warclub. We know that "Warclub" was her married name, since the next entry is her brother, John Walker (b. 1852), which means that Mary was born a Walker. It is highly likely that Mary was Jim Warclub's mother, and that therefore John Walker is his maternal uncle.

Residence

"In one of the lonesomest, most secluded spots on the northwestern shore of the lake in the midst of a wilderness of swampy wood, close beside the banks of Koshkonong creek, stands all that remains of Lake Koshkonong's last Indian village. ... Until within the last few years a small band of (Winnebago) from the northern part of the state have wintered here, but in the spring of 1895 they broke up camp for the last time and Koshkonong knows them no more. Their camp or village numbered five lodges and their band was composed of the members of three separate families. These were Charlie Decorah and his squaw. Charlie was about 50 years old, and the "medicine man" Moses Decorah, squaw and three papooses; Henry Decorah and squaw. Henry was the learned man of the party, and could read and write English fairly well; Charlie Green and squaw, and War Club, squaw and one papoose." (Skavlem) However, for one last time, War Club and his band returned to winter for the year 1920. (Wisc. St. Jour.)

Death

He had a lingering illness, but was taken care of by Albert Yellow Thunder, who was "an expert trapper and rifle shot. His companion was a cousin named Long Marsh." (Wisc. St. Journ.) War Club's wife Sarah's first husband had been a Long Marsh, and she had a son John (b. 1893) with him. (1910 census) "During the winter and early spring they were successful in trapping and hunting and kept the camp supplied after Old War Club’s illness became severe.” (Wisc. St. Journ.) War Club passed away after 1920. (Ten Descendants)

Sources

• 1905 Indian census; Roll: M595_671; Line: 5 (Mary), Line: 6 (Jim). 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 Indian census; Roll: M595_671; Line: 6; 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.
• 1916 Indian census; Roll: M595_168; Line: 14; Agency: Grand Rapids. 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.
• H. L. Skavlem, "The Archeology of the Lake Koshkonong Sites: The Village Sites," Wisconsin Archeologist, 7, #2 (April to June, 1908): 74-102 (100-102).
• "Ten Descendants of Famous Chief Camp at Lake Koshkonong. Band of Jim War Club, Remnant of Once Powerful Winnebago Tribe, Definitely Establishes Old Location of White Crow’s Village", The Wisconsin State Journal, Sunday, May 9, 1920, p. 4.