Dennis Bushyhead facts for kids
Dennis Wolf Bushyhead (born March 18, 1826 – died February 4, 1898) was an important leader of the Cherokee Nation. He was born into the Wolf Clan. The Cherokee Nation is a Native American tribe. After the Cherokee people moved to what was called Indian Territory, Dennis Bushyhead became their Principal Chief. This means he was their main leader. He served two terms, from 1879 to 1887.
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A Young Leader's Journey
Dennis Wolf Bushyhead was born in 1826 near Cleveland, Tennessee. He was the oldest son of Reverend Jesse Bushyhead. His mother, Eliza Wilkinson, was from Georgia. Both of his parents were part Cherokee and identified as Cherokee people.
Dennis was also known by his Cherokee name, Unadena, which means "woolly head." He grew up learning about Cherokee culture. He started school in 1833 at Candy Creek Mission in Tennessee. Later, he went to another mission school in North Carolina. There, he was taught by Evan Jones, a Baptist minister who was friends with his father.
Dennis Bushyhead supported Chief John Ross. At that time, the Cherokee tribe was divided. Some wanted to sign a treaty to give up their land and move west. The U.S. government was pushing for this move.
The Trail of Tears
In 1838, the U.S. government forced many Native American tribes, including the Cherokee, to move from their homes. This event is known as Indian Removal, or the "Trail of Tears." Dennis's father, Reverend Jesse Bushyhead, led a group of nearly 1,000 Cherokee people on this difficult journey. Young Dennis was with them. They traveled to Beattie's Prairie in what is now Oklahoma.
After the move, Dennis attended the Mission School at Park Hill in the Cherokee Nation. In 1841, his father sent him to a college-like school in New Jersey. While there, Dennis was invited to join Chief Ross's group to visit Washington, D.C. They went to see General William Henry Harrison become President of the United States.
Dennis studied in New Jersey for three years. He finished his schooling in 1844. He was about to attend Princeton University when he learned his father had passed away. He then returned home to the Cherokee Nation.
Working for His People
In 1844, Dennis Bushyhead began working as a clerk for Lewis Ross, who was Chief John Ross's brother. He worked there for about three years. In 1847, he was chosen to be the clerk for the Cherokee Senate. He held this job for one year.
Later, in 1871, Dennis Bushyhead was elected as the treasurer of the Cherokee Nation. He managed the nation's money for four years. He was re-elected to this important job in 1875.
Becoming Principal Chief
In 1879, Dennis Bushyhead was elected as the Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation. He served as the main leader from 1879 to 1887.
During his time as Chief, he faced many challenges. One important issue was about the rights of Cherokee Freedmen. These were formerly enslaved people who had become citizens of the Cherokee Nation after the Civil War. In 1883, the Cherokee Senate tried to stop the Freedmen from sharing in money paid by the U.S. government. Chief Bushyhead said no to this idea. He reminded them of a treaty from 1866. This treaty said that Freedmen who stayed in the Nation should have full citizenship rights forever.
Even though Chief Bushyhead tried to protect their rights, the Cherokee National Council disagreed with him. This decision caused problems for the Freedmen that lasted for many years.
Chief Bushyhead also worked on other important matters. These included:
- Dealing with railroad companies wanting to build tracks through Cherokee land.
- Managing land ownership and how land was divided.
- Improving education for Cherokee children.
- Handling issues with people who were not Cherokee living on tribal lands without permission.
- Deciding who was a citizen of the Cherokee Nation.
- Managing grazing rights for animals on tribal lands.
Family Life
Dennis Bushyhead married Elizabeth Alabama Adair in 1869. She was a widow with children. Together, they had four children: Jesse, Mary, Sarah, and Dennis Jr. Sadly, his wife Elizabeth passed away in 1882.
In 1883, he married Eloise Perry Butler. She helped raise his four young children. Dennis and Eloise also had two children of their own: James and Frances.
Death
Dennis Bushyhead passed away on February 4, 1898. He died in Tahlequah, which was the capital of the Cherokee Nation. He was buried in the Tahlequah City Cemetery.
Legacy and Honors
- The small community of Bushyhead, Oklahoma was named after Principal Chief Dennis Bushyhead.
