Tombstone Tuesday - Chief Shabbona

One of the most interesting burials near me is that of Chief Shabbona. He was a Potawatomi chief, although born into the Ottawa tribe about 1775. He was an ally of Tecumseh during the War of 1812. His place in history is that of peacemaker, warning other tribes of the impending unrest and war in Illinois brought by Sauk warrior Black Hawk, eventually becoming the Black Hawk War of 1836.

Shabbona died and is buried in Morris, Grundy, Illinois, along with his wife and many other family members. Every time I have visited, his grave is filled with antlers, rocks, native flowers, and American flags.

 

"Born 1775, this gentle man of peace
& staunch friend of white settlers
died July 17, 1859 near Morris, Grundy Co., IL."

stone marking family graves

Shabbona display at Grundy County Historical Museum

Links:

Find-A-Grave

Wisconsin Historical Society clippings

Wikipedia

Photographed at Evergreen Cemetery, Morris, Grundy, Illinois

© 2013 Sally Knudsen