SEPTEMBER 24, 1873

ONONDAGA HONONWIREHDONH (CHIEF SAMUEL GEORGE) DIED

Born in 1785 on the Buffalo Creek Reserve in New York, Samuel consistently won foot races. Fighting on the American side during the War of 1812, he ran round trip from American headquarters at Buffalo to the Canandaigua arsenal (150 miles) in 2 days. In 1850, George became a chief, taking the name Hononwirehdonh, the ‘Great Wolf’–hereditary Wolf Clan keeper of the wampum. A noted orator, he fought to restore traditional government on the Allegany & Cattaraugus Reserves. Recognized as the “Principal Chief of the Six Nations” in Washington & awarded the honorary rank of brevet general, George convinced President Lincoln in 1863 to release Iroquois from duty who had not received the “bounties” owed them. He also negotiated for the discharge of underage Iroquois and to end Indian conscription without prior tribal consent. A traditional medicine man, in 1869 he was appointed “government physician” to the Onondaga, and formally licensed to practice medicine.

Sources:

Kathy Crowell, “The Onondaga Indians and Their Reservation,” in Dwight H. Bruce, Onondaga's Centennial (Boston History Co., 1896 0, Vol. II, pp. 1049-1069.  Retrieved 11/20/2023, THE ONONDAGA INDIANS AND THEIR RESERVATION (1) (rootsweb.com)

Wikipedia

Graphic:  Author and date unknown.  Public Domain.  Source: Dwight H. Bruce, Onondaga's Centennial.  Boston History Co., 1896, Vol. II, pp. 1049-1069, reprinted, Kathy Crowell, “The Onondaga Indians and Their Reservation.” Retrieved 2/27/2022, THE ONONDAGA INDIANS AND THEIR RESERVATION (1) (rootsweb.com).