John Looney (Cherokee chief) facts for kids
John Looney (born around 1782, died 1846) was an important leader of the Cherokee people. When he was a young man, he served in the United States Army under General Andrew Jackson. Later, he became a chief of the group known as the Western Cherokee. In this role, he worked with the U.S. government and helped manage disagreements with the Eastern Cherokee.
Early Life and Military Service
John Looney was born about 1782 in what is now northeastern Alabama. He was mostly Cherokee and was the nephew of a well-known chief named Chief Black Fox.
Looney joined the army and served from late 1813 to early 1814. He was a corporal in a group of Cherokee warriors led by General Andrew Jackson. Looney fought in the Creek War at the Battle of Emuckfaw in January 1814. During this battle, he was badly hurt when a gunshot went through his left shoulder. This injury left him unable to fight. Years later, Looney received a special payment, called a pension, because of his military service and his injury.
In 1815, John Looney married Betsy Weber. Her father, Will Weber, was a leader in the Cherokee town of Willstown. John Looney's daughter, Eleanor, later married Stand Watie, who also became a famous Cherokee leader.
Moving Westward
Around 1823, John and Betsy Looney, along with many other Cherokee, moved west into Arkansas. They had to leave their home in Creekpath, Alabama. Looney had left his property there in the care of his two sisters. However, white settlers forced his sisters off the land. Looney's family tried to get the property back, but the court said he had given up his rights to it when he moved away.
About five years later, around 1828, Looney and the other Cherokee in Arkansas were forced to move even farther west. This new area later became known as Indian Territory, which is now northeastern Oklahoma. This group of Cherokee became known as the "Western Cherokee" or "Old Settlers."
John Looney was first elected as the Third Chief of the Western Cherokee. After Chief John Jolly passed away in December 1838, John Looney became the Principal Chief of the Western Cherokee.
Around this time, another large group of Cherokee, known as the Eastern Cherokee, began arriving. They had been forced to leave their homes in North Carolina, Tennessee, Georgia, and Alabama in a difficult journey called the Trail of Tears. The Eastern Cherokee had their own leader, Chief John Ross, and their own rules, which they wanted to keep.
The Western Cherokee expected problems with the new arrivals. So, on April 22, 1839, they held a new election. They chose John Brown as their Principal Chief, with John Looney as Second Chief and John Rogers as Third Chief.
Cherokee Nation Conflicts
There were many disagreements between the Eastern and Western Cherokee. On June 22, 1839, some members of the Old Settlers group were killed. Major Ridge, his son John Ridge, and Elias Boudinot were among those who died, though Stand Watie managed to escape. Chief John Ross of the Eastern Cherokee said he had no part in these killings.
Soon after, Chief Ross called for a large meeting of both Eastern and Western Cherokee, starting on July 1, 1839. He formed a group to write a new set of rules for the Cherokee Nation. He also made Sequoyah, who created the Cherokee writing system, the President of the Old Settlers. Chief Ross was able to convince John Looney to agree with his plans. Looney, Sequoyah, and another leader named "Tobacco Will" then removed John Brown and John Rogers from their chief positions among the Old Settlers.
The meeting finished on September 6, 1839, and John Ross was immediately chosen as the Principal Chief of the united Cherokee Nation. Joseph Vann was chosen as his assistant chief.
John Looney continued to serve the Cherokee Nation. He passed away on May 15, 1846, in Washington, D.C., while working as a representative for his people.
