John Okemos
Encyclopedia
John Okemos (ca. 1775-1858) was a Michigan
Native American
chief of the Saginaw Chippewa people of the Ojibwa
nation. In the Ojibwa language, Ogimaans (anglicized to "Okemos") means "Little Chief." It is not known if this refers to Okemos' short stature or refers in some way to his actual power as a chief. "John" was an adopted name.
. Two registered historical markers attribute his birth here, possibly around the Knaggs Bridge area. He was probably born in the mid-1770s (although at least one of his white contemporaries—Freeman Bray—put his birth year as far back as the 1750s).
Okemos indicated that his mother's father was the Ojibwa chief Min-e-to-gob-o-way and his uncle was the Ottawa chief Kob-e-ko-no-ka.
Okemos fought at the Battle of Lower Sandusky (also called the Battle of Fort Stephenson
) in what is now northern Ohio
. The battle took place on August 2, 1813 during the War of 1812
. Although the British lost the battle and the United States repulsed the attack, Okemos accrued considerable respect in the fighting, which raised his standing among the Ojibwa. During the battle, Okemos was slashed with a saber; this left a five-inch (127 mm) scar on his forehead that remained for the rest of his life as a distinguishing feature.
in 1819, Okemos represented the Ojibwa
people. While several other tribes were represented by their leaders, the Ojibwa lost the most territory in this treaty. Other tribes with people displaced in this treaty were the Ottawa
and Potawatomi
. Okemos and the other Native American chiefs signed the treaty with General Lewis Cass
, giving up six million acres (24,000 km²) of land in what is now southern Michigan
to the United States government.
and Potawatomi
) groups who lived south of the Red Cedar River
. A Michigan state historical marker in Meridian Township indicates the area where Okemos and his people lived during this time.
Following the white settlement of the area beginning in 1839, Okemos and his people conducted an active trading business through the 1840s. In 1840, Freeman Bray founded the city of what was then called Hamilton.
. Okemos died near DeWitt, Michigan
in 1858. He is buried in the Native American mission village of Shim-ni-con in Ionia County
.
In 1859, the city of Hamilton was renamed Okemos
, in honor of Chief Okemos.
Michigan
Michigan is a U.S. state located in the Great Lakes Region of the United States of America. The name Michigan is the French form of the Ojibwa word mishigamaa, meaning "large water" or "large lake"....
Native American
Native Americans in the United States
Native Americans in the United States are the indigenous peoples in North America within the boundaries of the present-day continental United States, parts of Alaska, and the island state of Hawaii. They are composed of numerous, distinct tribes, states, and ethnic groups, many of which survive as...
chief of the Saginaw Chippewa people of the Ojibwa
Ojibwa
The Ojibwe or Chippewa are among the largest groups of Native Americans–First Nations north of Mexico. They are divided between Canada and the United States. In Canada, they are the third-largest population among First Nations, surpassed only by Cree and Inuit...
nation. In the Ojibwa language, Ogimaans (anglicized to "Okemos") means "Little Chief." It is not known if this refers to Okemos' short stature or refers in some way to his actual power as a chief. "John" was an adopted name.
Early years
The exact date of Okemos' birth is unknown. He was born in what is now Shiawassee County, MichiganShiawassee County, Michigan
-Transportation:-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 71,687 people, 26,896 households, and 19,849 families residing in the county. The population density was 133 people per square mile . There were 29,087 housing units at an average density of 54 per square mile...
. Two registered historical markers attribute his birth here, possibly around the Knaggs Bridge area. He was probably born in the mid-1770s (although at least one of his white contemporaries—Freeman Bray—put his birth year as far back as the 1750s).
Okemos indicated that his mother's father was the Ojibwa chief Min-e-to-gob-o-way and his uncle was the Ottawa chief Kob-e-ko-no-ka.
Years with the British Army
The first formal reference to Okemos appears in 1796 when Okemos and 16 other men enlisted in the British armed forces as scouts.Okemos fought at the Battle of Lower Sandusky (also called the Battle of Fort Stephenson
Battle of Fort Stephenson
The Battle of Fort Stephenson was an American victory during the War of 1812.-Background:After failing to defeat American forces in the siege of Fort Meigs, the British under Henry Procter withdrew. Procter attempted to take Fort Meigs again in July by staging a mock battle to lure the defenders...
) in what is now northern Ohio
Ohio
Ohio is a Midwestern state in the United States. The 34th largest state by area in the U.S.,it is the 7th‑most populous with over 11.5 million residents, containing several major American cities and seven metropolitan areas with populations of 500,000 or more.The state's capital is Columbus...
. The battle took place on August 2, 1813 during the War of 1812
War of 1812
The War of 1812 was a military conflict fought between the forces of the United States of America and those of the British Empire. The Americans declared war in 1812 for several reasons, including trade restrictions because of Britain's ongoing war with France, impressment of American merchant...
. Although the British lost the battle and the United States repulsed the attack, Okemos accrued considerable respect in the fighting, which raised his standing among the Ojibwa. During the battle, Okemos was slashed with a saber; this left a five-inch (127 mm) scar on his forehead that remained for the rest of his life as a distinguishing feature.
Treaty of Saginaw
At the Treaty of SaginawTreaty of Saginaw
The Treaty of Saginaw, also known as the Treaty with the Chippewa, was made between Gen. Lewis Cass and Chief John Okemos, Chief Wasso and other Native American tribes of the Great Lakes region in what is now the United States, on September 24, 1819, proclaimed by the President of the United...
in 1819, Okemos represented the Ojibwa
Ojibwa
The Ojibwe or Chippewa are among the largest groups of Native Americans–First Nations north of Mexico. They are divided between Canada and the United States. In Canada, they are the third-largest population among First Nations, surpassed only by Cree and Inuit...
people. While several other tribes were represented by their leaders, the Ojibwa lost the most territory in this treaty. Other tribes with people displaced in this treaty were the Ottawa
Ottawa (tribe)
The Odawa or Ottawa, said to mean "traders," are a Native American and First Nations people. They are one of the Anishinaabeg, related to but distinct from the Ojibwe nation. Their original homelands are located on Manitoulin Island, near the northern shores of Lake Huron, on the Bruce Peninsula in...
and Potawatomi
Potawatomi
The Potawatomi are a Native American people of the upper Mississippi River region. They traditionally speak the Potawatomi language, a member of the Algonquian family. In the Potawatomi language, they generally call themselves Bodéwadmi, a name that means "keepers of the fire" and that was applied...
. Okemos and the other Native American chiefs signed the treaty with General Lewis Cass
Lewis Cass
Lewis Cass was an American military officer and politician. During his long political career, Cass served as a governor of the Michigan Territory, an American ambassador, a U.S. Senator representing Michigan, and co-founder as well as first Masonic Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Michigan...
, giving up six million acres (24,000 km²) of land in what is now southern Michigan
Michigan
Michigan is a U.S. state located in the Great Lakes Region of the United States of America. The name Michigan is the French form of the Ojibwa word mishigamaa, meaning "large water" or "large lake"....
to the United States government.
Leadership years
By the 1830s, Okemos was recognized as a leader not only of the Saginaw Chippewa, but of many other Ojibwa bands. He also acted as a leader of some OttawaOttawa (tribe)
The Odawa or Ottawa, said to mean "traders," are a Native American and First Nations people. They are one of the Anishinaabeg, related to but distinct from the Ojibwe nation. Their original homelands are located on Manitoulin Island, near the northern shores of Lake Huron, on the Bruce Peninsula in...
and Potawatomi
Potawatomi
The Potawatomi are a Native American people of the upper Mississippi River region. They traditionally speak the Potawatomi language, a member of the Algonquian family. In the Potawatomi language, they generally call themselves Bodéwadmi, a name that means "keepers of the fire" and that was applied...
) groups who lived south of the Red Cedar River
Red Cedar River (Michigan)
The Red Cedar River is a westward-flowing tributary of the Grand River in Michigan. Its source is Cedar Lake which is located in Marion Township in the southeastern corner of Livingston County, and it runs about through Okemos, East Lansing, including the campus of Michigan State University, and...
. A Michigan state historical marker in Meridian Township indicates the area where Okemos and his people lived during this time.
Following the white settlement of the area beginning in 1839, Okemos and his people conducted an active trading business through the 1840s. In 1840, Freeman Bray founded the city of what was then called Hamilton.
Removal and death
By 1850, disregarding the Treaty of Saginaw, the United States government began moving Native Americans to reservations from the lands where Okemos led his people. In the early 1850s, Okemos moved to Ionia County, MichiganIonia County, Michigan
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 61,518 people, 20,606 households, and 15,145 families residing in the county. The population density was 107 people per square mile . There were 22,006 housing units at an average density of 38 per square mile...
. Okemos died near DeWitt, Michigan
DeWitt, Michigan
DeWitt is a city in Clinton County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 4,507 at the 2010 census.-History:DeWitt was named after DeWitt Clinton, Governor of New York during the 1830s. It was first settled by Captain David Scott, who moved there from Ann Arbor in 1833, and platted the...
in 1858. He is buried in the Native American mission village of Shim-ni-con in Ionia County
Ionia County, Michigan
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 61,518 people, 20,606 households, and 15,145 families residing in the county. The population density was 107 people per square mile . There were 22,006 housing units at an average density of 38 per square mile...
.
In 1859, the city of Hamilton was renamed Okemos
Okemos, Michigan
Okemos is an unincorporated community in Meridian Charter Township, Ingham County in the U.S. state of Michigan. It is a census-designated place for statistical purposes and does not have any separate legal existence as a municipality. Local government is provided by the township...
, in honor of Chief Okemos.
External links
- Hepburn, Neil. "And You Thought You Knew All About Apple Island," Greater West Bloomfield Historical Society, http://www.gwbhs.com/articles/AppleIsland1.htm
- "John Okemos", http://www.shiawasseehistory.com/okemos.html
- Reasoner, Mary Turner. "When I Was A Young Girl," http://parks.cityoflansingmi.com/tdodge/page37.html
- Portland Michigan Centennial Book (p.p. 2, 4 & 5). Retrieved on 2007-02-11.
