Neodegezhik (later known as Thomas) was the son of Abram/Abraham Key-che-te-go and Elizabeth/ Ching-gway-che-way-no-quay. He was born in 1838 according to a statement he made in 1906.
In 1907 he made a second statement, this time saying he was born in May of 1836.
Thomas was married on 2 Jun 1862 to Artoa/Alva Kaygaybequay/Kagebiqua/Kaw-gay-be-quay. A daughter Frances was born about 1863, and a son O-gaw-bay-aw-ge-mon was born about 1864.
Chetego, Thomas K., - East Saginaw; Enlisted as Sgt. 3 May 1863 at Buena Vista for 3 years, age 27, Mustered 26 May 1863. Mustered out Delaney House, D. C., 28 Jul 1865. Residence - Grayling.
Muster in Roll describes Thomas as having black hair and eyes, dark complexion, standing six feet tall.
Thomas was wounded in the Battle of Spotsylvania on 12 May 1864 - gunshot to his left forearm. He was mistakenly reported as dead and his wife applied for a pension. That claim was later cancelled.
After returning home, Thomas applied for an invalid pension on 30 Jun 1866. His application was approved on 29 Jul 1866 and he received $2 per month.
Pension card:
Link to service and pension records
Gruett Roll transcription:
Abram Key-che-te-go, died 1857
Ching-gway-che-way-no-quay - wife, died before 1855
Thomas Key-che-te-go, age 30, married to Kaw-gay-be-quay, 1 boy O-gaw-bay-aw-ge-mon, 4 years old, no land.
Thomas' second marriage was to Mary Ann Campeau, 23 Oct 1875 in East Saginaw. She was the daughter of Andrew Campeau and Mary. Mary Ann was widow of William Elke by whom she had one son, John, prior to William's death in 1873.
Thomas and Mary Ann had children Mary, c1875; a son, 1877 and Minnie, 1884
Minnie Chitago, daughter of Thomas and unknown, died 1 Jun 1884 in Pinconning, Bay county. She was 28 days old.
Thomas and Mary Ann had twins Angeline and Adeline, born 3 Jan 1887.
1890 Federal Census - Veterans Schedule Pinconning, Bay county
Mary Chittigo, 17, daughter of Thomas Chittigo and Mary Ann Campeau, married Lewis Williams, 20, on 17 May 1890 in Pinconning, Bay county.
Thomas and Mary had a son, Elzia, born 1893, died 1896.
From the Bay county directory of 1895:
Chitago Thomas, resides in section 24, owns 2 acres, accessed value $50, township - Pinconning, post office - Pinconning
Thomas and Mary's daughter Elizabeth died 2 Jul 1896 in Grayling. She was 3 years 5 months old.
1900 Federal Census - Grayling township, Crawford county
Chittigo, Thomas, born Jul 1834, age 65, married 25 years, born Michigan, occupation - log driver
Mary M., wife, born Jun 1852, age 47, 4 children born, 0 children living.
1910 Federal Census - Pinconning township, Bay county
Chittogo, Thomas, 73, married twice, married to current spouse 30 years, farmer, full Chippewa
Mary, wife, 60, married twice, married to current spouse 30 years, 8 children born, 1 living, full Ottawa.
[Note that the number of years married has only increased by 5 in the 10 year period since the last census and the number of children born and living has changed]
Thomas died 24 Apr 1916 at Grayling in Crawford county.
State death certificate:
Crawford county death register:
An obituary was published 27 Apr 1916 in the Crawford County Avalanche
THOMAS KECHITTAGO DEAD.
Thomas KECHITTAGO, a
well known Indian character in this vicinity, passed away early last
Monday morning at Mercy hospital, where he had been receiving
treatment for the past couple of weeks for a severe attack of
rheumatism. Mr. KECHITTAGO had been in a feeble condition for several
months past, as also has been his wife. Mr. KECHITTAGO's exact age is
not known, but it was somewhere in the eighties. Thomas KECHITTAGO, a
Chippewa Indian of Saginaw county, in 1863, was mustered into the
United States service, May 23rd of that year, as Seargent of Co. K.
1st regiment of Michigan Vol. Sharp Shooters, under Col. DELAND of
Jackson. He served in that capacity until the close of the war, July
28, 1865 and was honorably discharged. He came with his family to
Grayling early in the '90s and was mustered into Marvin Post No. 240,
G. A. R. April 13, 1895, since which time he has been an honored
member, serving most of the time as Guard and Color-bearer of the
Post. Mr. KECHITTAGO has ever been recognized as an honorable and
respected citizen, differing from many of his own people, in that, by
his labor, he has been thoroughly
independent and sustained a comfortable home for his family tho he
had lived for more than 80 years. He, with his wife, have been
consistent members of the M. E. church for many years, from where his
body was born to Elmwood cemetery, yesterday morning and laid beside
their two children, who had gone before. His wife survives, but her
physical condition and age makes it almost sure that she will join
him very soon. The funeral services were conducted by Rev. MITCHELL
and attended by nearly every soldier here, whose health would permit.
The ladies of the G. A. R. attended in a body to pay their last
respects.
Thomas' Tombstone at Elmwood Cemetery in Grayling was furnished by the Fraternal Order of Woodmen of America.
Mary applied for a widow's pension on 2 Apr 1918.
On 15 May 1919 in Northport, daughter Mary Matts, 38, married William Bigjoe, 63. It was the second marriage for each.
Mary died in Grayling on 24 Feb 1933. Her age is given as 98, widow, daughter of Combs and unknown, burial in Grayling.
Detroit Free Press 25 Feb 1933
Newspaper:
Copyright (C) 2018 Vicki Wilson
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