Wapello (chief) facts for kids
Wapello (born 1787 – died March 15, 1842) was an important Native American leader of the Meskwaki tribe. He was known for trying to keep peace between his people and the white settlers during a time of big changes.
Who Was Chief Wapello?
Wapello was born in 1787 in a place called Prairie du Chien. He was described as a short, strong man with a kind face. Throughout his life, he tried to have good relationships with the white settlers.
During his time, Native American tribes were often asked to give up their land to the United States. Wapello signed several peace agreements to try and protect his people. These agreements happened at places like Fort Armstrong in Illinois (in 1822 and 1832), Prairie du Chien (in 1830), Dubuque, Iowa (in 1836), and even in Washington, D.C. (in 1837).
During the Black Hawk War, a conflict between Native Americans and the United States, Wapello supported another important chief named Keokuk. In the 1840s, many Fox people, who were related to the Meskwaki, were forced to move west to Kansas.
Life in Iowa
In 1829, Chief Wapello led his tribe to a new home near the Mississippi River in what is now Iowa. Later, they settled more permanently in Iowa. The town of Wapello grew up close to where he lived.
In 1837, he traveled with Chief Keokuk and a U.S. Indian agent named Joseph M. Street to states in the northeastern and mid-Atlantic parts of the country. During this trip, Wapello gave a powerful speech in Boston, Massachusetts. In his speech, he shared his friendly feelings towards the white settlers and said he wanted to continue peaceful relations with them.
Chief Wapello's Legacy
Chief Wapello passed away on March 15, 1842, while on a hunting trip near the Skunk River in Iowa. He had often said he wanted to be buried next to his good friend, General Street. Today, he is buried in a small park called Chief Wapello's Memorial Park, located near Agency, Iowa.
Wapello's memory lives on in many ways:
- A famous artist named Charles Bird King painted a portrait of Chief Wapello. This painting was later used in a well-known book called History of the Indian Tribes of North America.
- The city of Wapello and Wapello County in Iowa are both named after him.
- There's also a place called Lake Wapello and Lake Wapello State Park in Iowa, named in his honor.
- Every year, the town of Wapello, Iowa, holds an event called "Chief Wapello Days" to celebrate his life.
- In Illinois, a town called Hanover was once named after Wapello. It still has a special natural area called the Wapello Land and Water Reserve.
- The USS Wapello (YN-56), a United States Navy ship, was also named for him.
- A large, 450-pound statue of Chief Wapello stands on top of the Wapello County Courthouse in Ottumwa, Iowa. It was first placed there in 1894. After being damaged in a storm in 2012, it was repaired and returned to its spot in 2014.
