Poweshiek, Jim (Died Oct.1950)

POWESHIEK, DAVENPORT, SNOWBALL, WHITEBREAST

Posted By: Marilyn Holmes (email)
Date: 11/23/2011 at 14:08:19

The Cedar Rapids (IA) Gazette; Monday, October 9, 1950

JIM POWESHIEK, 97, OLDEST MESQUAKIE INDIAN, IS DEAD

TAMA--Jim Poweshiek, 97, great grandson of Chief Poweshiek of the Mesquakie Indians, was buried Monday afternoon at the Tama reservation.

Oldest member of the tribe, Poweshiek died Sunday afternoon at the reservation. Born on the reservation a year after the Mesquakies returned to Iowa from Kansas in 1854, Old Jim had lived all of his life here.

The name Poweshiek, which means "shedding bear," has taken an important place in Iowa history.

Poweshiek's great grandfather played a prominent part in early Iowa history. He sold great tracts of Iowa territory to the federal government in 1824, 1837 and 1842. Poweshiek county was named for him.

Last year, Old Jim recalled his father's story of the tribe's last great battle, with a band of Sioux warriors, who surprised the sleeping Mesquakies one morning at dawn.

The Sioux fought until 9 a.m. before they finally took to their heels, leaving many dead.

Old Jim was widely known throughout Iowa. As a young man he was a prominent farmer in the Tama locality. He was one of the first tribesmen to build a frame house on the reservation.

He served for many years as a federal law enforcement officer on the reservation.

He long was an outstanding figure at the annual powwows held by the tribe and he also took a leading part in the tribal council.

Surviving Old Jim are two sons, Jonas and Horace; two daughters, Mrs. Charles Davenport and Mrs. Ida Snowball, and a sister, Mrs. Whitebreast.

Burial was in the cemetery on the high bluff overlooking the reservation.