Fannie L. Wakąjáskawįga (Decorra) Decorah (1893 - 1977)

Born 16 May 1893 in Stoughton, Dane, Wisconsin, United States

Wife of James J. Decorah — married 23 Dec 1939 in Winneshiek, Iowa, United States

Died 6 Oct 1977 at age 84 in Wisconsin, United States

Fannie was Ho-Chunk.

Biography

Birth

Fannie was born on 16 May 1893 in Stoughton, Wisconsin.

Name

Her Hocąk name was WaConChaSkaWinKah, which is for Wakąjáskawįga, "White Thunderbird Woman", an attested name in the Thunderbird Clan. This is from Wakąjá, "Thunderbird"; ska, "white"; -wį-, a feminine gender infix; -ga, a definite article suffix used in personal names.

Her birth order name was UkSeKaHoNoNeeKah, which is for Aksigáxųnųnįka, "Sixth Daughter". (1905 census)

Marriages

In 1905 Fannie Decorra and George Miner had been next door neighbors, and in 1916 they decided to get married. They had a son John (b. 1917) together, who apparently died before 1925. In 1924 they had a daughter Vernidine. George and Fannie divorced around 1925.

Her second marriage was to James J. Decorah (b. 7 May 1902) of Winnebago, Nebraska, the son of John C. Decorah and Lilly [Lucy] White. They were married in Decorah, Iowa in 1939. (Marriage Record)

Occupation

Her sister Emma says, “[She and her sister Fannie] make baskets, and we bring the black ash that we make them from, clear from Stevens Point. All kinds of baskets: market, lunch, picnic, clothes and all styles of baskets we make. They’re nice, too.” (CL 10a)

Residence

1920 — Fannie and her husband George Miner were living (or visiting?) with her brother Charlie Decorah at Seven Mile Creek, in Juneau County, Wisconsin. (1920 Fed. census) Otherwise, they had been living at the Grand Rapids Agency in Monroe County, Wisconsin. (1920 Indian census)

1938 — her sister Emma mentioned, “My sister Fannie was born on the old Indian hunting grounds near Stoughton. … Fannie lives at the Black Bridge, too, and I live on part of her ground in a small house and have a little garden.” (CL 10a)

Death

She passed away on 6 October 1977. (Death Index) Fannie is buried at Spring Grove Cemetery, Wisconsin Dells, Columbia County, Wisconsin. (Find a Grave)

Sources

• 1905 Indian census; 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.
• 1910 Federal census for Packwaukee, Marquette, Wisconsin; Roll: T624_1713; Page: 9A; Enumeration District: 0153; FHL microfilm: 1375726. Thirteenth Census of the United States, 1910 (NARA microfilm publication T624, 1,178 rolls). Records of the Bureau of the Census, Record Group 29. National Archives, Washington, D.C.
• 1920 Federal census for Seven Mile Creek, Juneau, Wisconsin; Roll: T625_1990; Page: 5B; Enumeration District: 78. Fourteenth Census of the United States, 1920. (NARA microfilm publication T625, 2076 rolls). Records of the Bureau of the Census, Record Group 29. National Archives, Washington, D.C.
• 1920 Indian census; Roll: M595_168; Page: 41; 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.
• Iowa Department of Public Health; Des Moines, Iowa; Series Title: Iowa Marriage Records, 1923–1937; Record Type: Marriage. Volume: 7 (Scott County Thru Worth County). :Iowa Department of Public Health. Iowa Marriage Records, 1880–1951. Textual Records. State Historical Society of Iowa, Des Moines, Iowa. Iowa Department of Public Health. Iowa Marriage Records, 1923–37. Microfilm. Record Group 048. State Historical Society of Iowa, Des Moines, Iowa.
• Wisconsin Vital Records Office. Wisconsin Death Index, 1959-67, 1969-97. Madison, Wisconsin, USA: Wisconsin Department of Health.
• Find a Grave, database and images (accessed 12 September 2020), memorial page for Fannie L Decorah (16 May 1893–6 Oct 1977), Find a Grave Memorial no. 153596967, citing Indian Baptist Church Cemetery, Lyndon Station, Juneau County, Wisconsin, USA ; Maintained by Gregory Aanenson (contributor 47230741) .