Notable people · Native Leader
Black Hoof (Catecahassa)
Head civil chief of the Mekoche Shawnee, a former warrior who turned to accommodation and farming; his followers established farms at Wapakoneta by 1808. He died in 1831 and never signed a removal treaty.
At a glance
- Born
- 1740
- Died
- 1831
- Known as
- Native Leader
Life story
Black Hoof, Catecahassa, was head civil chief of the Mekoche division of the Shawnee. Born around 1740, he is thought to have fought in the Ohio Country wars, including the siege of Boonesborough in 1778.
After the defeats of the 1790s he turned toward peace. In 1802 he spoke to President Jefferson, and in 1807-08 he went to Washington to ask for help for his people's farming.
His followers set up farms at Wapakoneta in Auglaize County. He opposed Tecumseh's war and resisted removal after 1812, never signing a removal treaty.
He died in 1831 at Saint Johns, Ohio. A headstone marks his grave there, and the Shawnee left Ohio for Kansas soon after.
Timeline
- 1778: Likely at the siege of Boonesborough (Kentucky) source
- 1779: Defends Shawnee towns (Chillicothe area, OH) source
- 1802-02-05: Addresses Jefferson (Washington, DC) source
- 1807: Travels to Washington for talks (Washington, DC) source
- 1808: Wapakoneta farms in place (Wapakoneta, OH) source
- 1831: Dies (Saint Johns, OH) source
What Black is known for
- Shawnee civil chief at Wapakoneta
- Promoted farming and accommodation with the US
Places in Ohio to see
- Black Hoof grave (Saint Johns) (grave)
Saint Johns, Auglaize County ZIP 45895 (approximate) · Auglaize County
Ohio places
Where Black Hoof (Catecahassa) was born, lived, worked and is remembered, with the ZIP code, town and county pages for each.
- Lived: Wapakoneta, Auglaize County (Wapakoneta Shawnee town) ZIP 45895 · Wapakoneta · Auglaize County
- Buried: Wapakoneta, Auglaize County (Ridge near St. Johns, where his headstone stands) ZIP 45895 (approximate) · Wapakoneta · Auglaize County
Further reading
Sources
Confidence. Medium: the main facts were confirmed, but some details (often an address or ZIP code) were not.
- Wikipedia: Black Hoof c.1740-1831, died at Saint Johns Ohio, headstone