Service and pension records
here.
Son Thomas gives his birth as 1865.
The 1870 annuity roll shows Kaw-pon-kay #11 in Pay-ba-o-say-dug's band, as a family of 1 male, 0 female, 2 children, receiving $45.90 First wife Sophia Pontiac has either died or left the family. Sons of John and Sophia are Thomas and Samuel Shawkoo.
John later married Susan (Chingwongasawqua) and they are parents of at least four children.
Son Noah was born in 1886 (from his death certificate) or 23 Jun 1888 (from his WWI draft registration) in Horton Bay.
Pension card dated 29 Sep 1888, This shows his widow (Susan) also received a pension after John's death.
1890 Veterans census - Charlevoix County: Jacko, John, private, Co. K, 1st Mich Sharpshooters, enlisted 14 Feb 1865, discharge blank, Post Office address Hortons Bay, disability - disease of lungs, remarks - certificate of discharge in hands of Board of State Auditors to adjust Bounty.
A baby girl, age 1, died 18 Feb 1895.
A few months later, Martha is born on 15 May 1895
Letter written 15 Jul 1896 by John stating he developed a bad cold while fighting at Petersburg, VA. He ends by saying he is Indian and can only write his name in English.
On 12 Aug 1898 John wrote a letter giving testimony that he knew Amos Crane and that Amos was also at Petersburg, VA and became ill because of the experience.
1900 Federal Census Hayes Township, Charlevoix County gives the family as John Joko, head, b. Jan 1845, age 55, married 14 years; Susan, wife, b. June 1865, age 35, married 14 years, number of children born blurred, number of children living seven; Noah, son, b. Jun 1885, age 14; Mary, daughter, b. Feb 1882, age 8; Martha, daughter, b. Oct 1894, age 5; Ellis, daughter, b. Dec. 1891, age 1; Antilo, Fred, stepson, b. Apr 1881, age 19.
From the Detroit Free Press of 11 Aug 1903 we learn John's pension will increase to $10 per month
The photo below was found at the Charlevoix Historical Museum. Identified as John Jacko, son Noah and daughter Martha in back row, daughter Mary and wife Susan in the center and daughter Alice in front. Ages of the children indicate the photo was probably taken in 1904.
The photos below also from the Charlevoix Musuem have been identified as John Jacko and Susan.
From the Charlevoix Sentinel of 25 Jan 1906 page 3 we learn that John had a stepson to the Home for the Feeble Minded at Lapeer. This unnamed man escaped and walked home to Horton's Bay.
John died 21 Apr 1907 in Evangeline Township, Charlevoix County. He was 62. Cause of death was lobar pneumonia.
From the Charlevoix Sentinel of 24 Apr 1907 page 1:
"Jacko is dead! Jacko, the famous Indian of the 1st Michigan Sharpshooters, 2d Division, 9th Corps, as he was fond of telling everybody, has gone to the happy hunting grounds. He was well known in Charlevoix. He was a $12 pensioner and a member of the GAR but was very fond of firewater. Jacko died at an Indian lumber camp. The Boyne Citizen gives the following particulars: He had been complaining last week of feeling sick and indications point to the fact that he was suffering from pneumonia. The last time he was about the camp was Saturday afternoon, when he went to the "shack" of David Paul and went to bed. He stayed in this "shack" all Sunday and last night Paul went to bed in the same bunk with him This morning he lay with his feel across Paul, when the latter got up to go to work and he noticed nothing peculiar in him. Later he called at the "shack" again and discovered that Jack was dead."
John was buried at Maple Lawn Cemetery in Boyne City.
The 1908 Durant Roll says: 11/39 Kaw-pon-kay or John Shawkoo, age 63, d. Apr 22/07.
Wife Susan Shawkoo, 54, resides Boyne City.
Children:
1. Thomas Shawkoo, 43, resides Suttons Bay, see 5/41
2. Noah Shocko, 23, unmarried, resides Bay Shore
3. Mary Shocko, 17, resides Boyne City
4. Martha Shocko, 12, at Mt. Pleasant school
5. Alice Shocko, 10, at Mt. Pleasant school
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Copyright (C) 2017 Vicki Wilson
