Chief Waukon Decorah

Waukon Decorah (c. 1780-1868) was a Native American Chief. His name varies in different sources: his tombstone terms him "John Waukon", while the spelling "Wawkon" is also encountered; the name "Waukon" has been translated to mean "thunder".

According to the Wisconsin Historical Society's Dictionary of Wisconsin History, Chief Waukon Decorah was a Ho-Chunk leader and grandson of Glory of the Morning, a famous Ho-Chunk.

Chief Waukon Decorah cooperated with whites during the Black Hawk War, but his compliance was not rewarded: his people were forced across the Mississippi River into Northeast Iowa and eventually toward Blue Earth County, Minnesota in the newly established state of Minnesota.

He is buried in Oakland Cemetery, in Waukon. A new headstone was placed at the grave in November 2007Brianne Eilers, "The Standard" (Waukon), November 28, 2007, p.2 ( [http://www.waukonstandard.com/main.asp?SectionID=24&SubSectionID=36&ArticleID=42669&TM=67836.24 online version] )] .

Eponyms

Two Northeast Iowa cities bear his name, Decorah and Waukon. The Waukon Indians, of Waukon, Iowa prefer to be named in his honor.

ources

* [http://www.wisconsinhistory.org/wlhba/searchResults.asp?adv=yes&Ln=Decorah&fn=Waukon&q=chief Chief Waukon Decorah, Wisconsin Historical Society]