Company K 1st Michigan Sharpshooters: Joseph Ka Ka Kee

Joseph Ka-ka-kee was born about 1829 in the area of Mason County.

Joseph was married to Mary/Polly Myawekeshegoqua Crane Sunego in Ontario, Canada. Mary was previously married to Tyatiquob (Bunch) Sunego.

Joseph and Mary had Martha, born 1848 and Moses, born 1851, both in Owen Sound, Grey county, Ontario.

1851 Canadian Census - Grey County

Joseph Ka ka ke, farmer, born Michigan, Methodist, age 29

Mary, born Hamilton, Canada West, Methodist, age 42

Mary, born River Credit, Canada West, Methodist, age 9

Martha, born Owen Sound, Canada West, Methodist, age 4

Moses, born Owen Sound, Canada West, Methodist, born 1 Oct 1852

Joseph Finger, born River Credit, Canada West, Methodist, age 8

On 16 Jan 1857 Joseph Meshekakake signed a treaty in Ontario as an Indian of Owen Sound

That same year Joseph was listed on the annuity roll in Michigan, along with his wife and two children.

1857 Annuity roll under Chief Waw be gay kake

#31 Me she gay kake, one man, one woman, two children, received $20.24

1858 Annuity roll under Chief Waw be gay kake

#21 Me she gay kake, one man, one woman, three children, received $21.05

1859 Annuity roll under Chief Ke che ke be mo say

#11 Me she gay kake, one man, one woman, three children, received $24.85

1861 Annuity roll under Chief Ke che ke be mo say

#11 Me she gay kake, one man, one woman, two children, received $18.48

Joseph enlisted 31 Aug 1864 at Grand Rapids for 1 year at age 35.

He was described as 5 feet 7 1/2 inches tall, black hair and eyes, dark complexion.

Joseph stated he injured his back white the regiment was ordered to break down rebel breastworks near Petersburg. He fell and slid down some timber, but did not request medical help at the time.

Joseph was honorably discharged for disability on 20 May 1865, mustered out 3 Jun 1865 at Delaney House in Washington D.C.

1865 Annuity roll under Chief Kaw bay o maw

#18 Joseph Me she gay kake, one man, no woman, no children, received $4

1866 Annuity roll under Chief Kaw bay o maw

#25 Jos. Me she gay kake, one man, no woman, no children, received $3.74

1867 Annuity roll under Chief Kaw bay o maw

#16 Joseph Me she gay kake, one man, no woman, no children, received $7.14

1868 Annuity roll under Chief Kaw bay o maw

#15 Jos. Me she gay kake, one man, one woman, no children, received $31.70

1870 Annuity roll under Chief Naw gaw ne qua ung

#12 Joseph Me she gay kake, one man, no woman, no children, received $15.30

Homestead certificate #0100, application #6173, gave Joseph the SE1/4 of section 32, Township 18 North, Range 15 West, consisting of 160 acres in Branch township, Mason county. [Today the land is part of the Manistee National Forest]

1881 Canadian census - Albemarle, Bruce, Ontario

Snake, John, 38, born Ontario, Methodist, farmer

Martha, 31, born Ontario, Methodist

Eliza, 16, born Ontario, Methodist

Alfred, 14, born Ontario, Methodist

Kakaik, Moses, 27, born Ontario, Methodist, farmer

Mary, 80, born Ontario, Methodist

5 Nov 1889 - Joseph applied for a pension. His application was approved and he received $6 per month.

Joseph Me-she-ka-kack was listed in the 1894 Michigan Veterans Census as living in Custer Township, Mason county.

Wife Mary died in c1897 in Cape Croker, Ontario

Joseph Me-she-ka-kuch died 12 May 1901 in Custer, Mason, Michigan. Cause was old age. His age was given as 95, occupation as trapper and hunter, parents unknown.