John J. Davis (1874 - abt. 1972)

Born 30 Mar 1874 in Wisconsin, United States

Descendants

Died about 1972 at about age 97 in Wisconsin, United States

John was Ho-Chunk.

Biography

John was born 30 March 1874. (Draft Card)

Name

His Anglo name was "John J. Davis," a name to which his grandson Wally Funmaker makes no reference whatever. His birth order name was Hagága, "Third Son." John consistently told the census takers that his Hocąk name was Kerejųsepskaga, which is from kerejųsep, "blackhawk" (the American swallow-tailed kite) (< kerejų, "hawk", and sep, "dark, black"); ska, "white"; and -ga, a definite article suffix used in personal names. The correct translation of this name is "White Blackhawk," although his grandson, Wally Funmaker, presented his name as "Black White Eagle," leaving open the possibility that he was known by another name as well. (Funmaker, vi)

Appearance

Described as of medium height and build with black hair and dark eyes. (Draft Card)

Vocation

Wally Funmaker recalls, "Black White Eagle (White Blackhawk), [was] a prominent Sky Clan medicine man who took great pride in his knowledge of herbal medicine. It was Black White Eagle, my maternal grandfather, who introduced me to Winnebago herbal medicine and mythology. As a young boy I would accompany him on his plant hunts across western Wisconsin." (Funmaker, vi)

Otherwise, he made his living as a farmer. (Draft Card)

Residence

12 Sept. 1918 — Valley Junction, Monroe County, Wisconsin. (Draft Card)

Death

"Shortly after my graduation, Black White Eagle died. I returned to Wisconsin for the burial. My mother, Cloud Visitor, instructed me to select the appropriate Bear Clan elder to bury him, since I was a Bear Clan member. I approached Walking Soldier who later became my first mentor. Walking Soldier oversaw the four night burial ceremony and the actual burial in the Winnebago traditional manner with appropriate honor. Walking Soldier became a very important part of my life from that point on." (Funmaker, vii)

Sources

• United States, Selective Service System. World War I Selective Service System Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918. Registration State: Wisconsin; Registration County: Monroe; Roll: 1674877. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration. M1509, 4,582 rolls.
• 1905; Roll: M595_671; Line: 5. Indian Census Rolls, 1885-1940; (National Archives Microfilm Publication M595, 692 rolls); Records of the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Record Group 75; National Archives, Washington, D.C.
• 1916; Roll: M595_168; Line: 16; Agency: Grand Rapids. Indian Census Rolls, 1885-1940; (National Archives Microfilm Publication M595, 692 rolls); Records of the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Record Group 75; National Archives, Washington, D.C.
• Walter W. Funmaker, The Winnebago BlackBear Subclan: A Defended Culture. A Thesis Submitted to the Faculty of the Graduate School of the University of Minnesota, in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy, December 1986.