John Okemos facts for kids
John Okemos (whose Ojibwe name was Ogimaans, meaning "Little Chief") was an important Ojibwe (Chippewa) leader. He lived from about 1775 to 1858. Chief Okemos was from the Ohioan region. He played a role in Tecumseh's War. He also signed the important Treaty of Saginaw. His English name, "John," was adopted later.
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Chief Okemos: A Native American Leader
Early Life and Family
We don't know the exact date or place of Okemos' birth. Many believe he was born in Shiawassee County, Michigan. This was likely around the mid-1770s. Okemos once said he was born on an island near Pontiac. This might have been Apple Island in Orchard Lake, Michigan.
Okemos shared that his mother's father was Chief Min-e-to-gob-o-way. He was an Ojibwe chief. His uncle, Kob-e-ko-no-ka, was an Odawa chief. Okemos had at least three known children: Jim, John, and Mary. Mary's Native American name was Mekchis Quahwis Okemos. One of his daughters, A-da-wah-qua Ogimas, married Chief Cobmoosa.
Serving in Battle
Okemos first joined the British armed forces in 1796. He served as a scout with 16 other men. He fought in the War of 1812. This war was between the United States and Great Britain. Okemos took part in the Battle of Lower Sandusky. This battle happened on August 2, 1813, in what is now northern Ohio.
The British lost this battle. However, Okemos earned great respect for his bravery. He received a saber cut on his forehead during the fight. This left a five-inch scar. It was a distinguishing mark for the rest of his life. His actions raised his standing among the Ojibwa people.
Leading His People
In 1819, Okemos represented the Ojibwa people at the Treaty of Saginaw. This treaty was a major event. Several Native American tribes were involved. The Ojibwa lost the most land in this agreement. Other tribes, like the Ottawa and Potawatomi, also lost land.
Chief Okemos and other Native American leaders signed the treaty. They signed it with General Lewis Cass. This agreement gave six million acres of land to the United States government. This land is now part of southern Michigan.
By the 1830s, Okemos was a recognized leader. He led not only the Saginaw Chippewa. He also led many other Ojibwa groups. He guided some Ottawa and Potawatomi groups too. These groups lived near the Red Cedar River. A historical marker in Meridian Township shows where Okemos and his people lived.
In the 1840s, Okemos and his people had a busy trading business. This was after white settlers began arriving in 1839. By 1850, the United States government started moving Native Americans. They moved them to reservations. This happened even though the Treaty of Saginaw had promised them land.
In the early 1850s, Okemos moved to Ionia County, Michigan. He passed away in 1858 near DeWitt, Michigan. Chief Okemos is buried in the Native American village of Shim-ni-con. This village is also in Ionia County.
His Lasting Legacy
Chief Okemos is remembered in several ways:
- The town of Okemos, Michigan, is named in his honor.
- A plaque honors him at Central Elementary School in Okemos, Michigan. His tribe once lived on the land where the school now stands.
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