Indian Dave was one of the last Chippewas to hunt, fish and trap in the old manner in the Tuscola County area. Dave was born around 1803 and given the name Ishdonquit or, Crossing Cloud. According to legend, in 1819 he attended the gathering at the Saginaw River where 114 Chippewa chiefs and braves signed the treaty of Saginaw. The treaty ceded about six million acres of land in central eastern Michigan to the United States. Indian Dave fascinated youngsters with his tales and native customs. A mural honoring him has hung in the Vassar bank for decades. Dave was an expert at making bows and arrows, which he often sold for his livelihood. When he died in 1909, he was believed to be 106 years old. He is buried nearby in Wisner Cemetery.
The earliest recorded inhabitants of Tuscola County were Sauk Indians. But Chippewas occupied the area by the time of the first permanent white settlement in 1836. Exactly when Indian Dave settled here is not known. However, in 1866, in order to resolve the Vassar / Caro county seat dispute, he and Peter Bush transported the county records to Caro by canoe.
Source: Michigan Historical Markers~www.michmarkers.com

04-05-1907~Saginaw Evening News
Indian Dave, Chippewa chief, whose claim to have passed the century mark is upheld by the testimony of the oldest inhabitants of Tuscola county, accompanied by his son, "Bill" who in reality looks the older of the two, landed at Vassar recently on their return from their winter's stay at Midland, the Indian's rendezvous for the season of ice and snow. Old Dave is and has been for generations, a familiar figure in this section and his appearance has made no perceptible change in many years. His eyes are still as bright, his step as quick and firm, and his glossy hair as black as when he followed his chiefrain father, as his son now follows him, single file, through the primeval forests before the sound of the settlers ax and the hum of the white man's industry drove the Indians from their old familiar haunts along the shores of the Cass River, when they set their traps and lines and hunted the abundant game. Old Dave and his son, who is nearly 60, will spend the warm season in the neighborhood of Murphy's lake, which is about eight miles southeast of Vassar, where they will gather ginseng roots and cure them for market, the finished product bringing them $8 a pound. Indian Dave has many friends and is much thought of. Several years ago his tent in which he was staying got afire in the night and he was badly burned, and at another time he was shut in the woods by forest fires, and when able to escape was again badly burned.

05-10-1907
MORE ABOUT INDIAN DAVE
Followed by his faithful son, "John" old "Indian Dave" as he is so familiarly known throughout the length and breadth of Tuscola county stepped into Vassar about noon Tuesday covered with mud and slush. Dave earned a huddle of bows, arrows, whip stalks and gun-wipers all made of the very best grade of hickory, which he endeavored to sellabout town. John carried a sack containing the carcasses of a couple of muskrats, a number of hides and several traps. The inseparable pair, upon reaching the city made a bee-line for a place that served free lunch where they filled up, but owing to the exactness of the law, were unable to obtain a drop of liquor of any kind with which to wash down their eatables. Wednesday they started for Tuscola where Dave claims to have a canoe which he hides in a certain place and is always able to find when wanted. He does not think that a person has ever as yet discovered its hiding place. He will spend the next few weeks trapping along the river from Tuscola to the Shiawassee river and will do some fishing on the side. He claims that the herbs which have been so profitable to him in the past are fast becoming scarer and in a short time says "'all will be gone." He says that trapping is also becoming less profitable every year.~Vassar Times.

June 4, 1909
Cass City Chronicle
Old “Indian Dave” is dead. He died last Thursday from the infirmities of age in his wigwam in Gilford township, where he had made his home for upwards of 60 years. It is questionable whether he knew his exact age, but he was sure he had passed his 106th birthday. He was known to the oldest settlers as far back as 1836 and he was then considered quite old. Dave claimed to be a son of Chief Nipmup of the Chippewa tribe, but he was never recognized as such by his tribesmen who regarded him only as an outcast. He was well known all over the Thumb as “Indian Dave” but was recorded as David Stocker as a citizen. He spent his winters in his bark and bide hub in Gilford township, manufacturing baskets ’and bows and arrows and during the summers traveled about the resorts of the state selling his wares. He is survived by one son, James.

INDIAN DAVE IOO YEARS OLD
So Says the Vassar Correspondent to the Tribune.
In a Fire Experience a Few Years Ago He Proved His Tenacious Hold on Life. Few people in this part of the country, says the Vassar correspondent to the Detroit Tribune, are more widely known, and it might also be said have a wider circle of friends, than "Indian Dave." His real name. the one to which he might lay claim among people of his own race, few if any in this vicinity know. It is stated that "Indian Dave" must be at least 100 years. On this point Indian Dave himself is non-committaI, not because he would be unwilling to own up to it, but because he himself has neglected to keep any record which would enable him to speak authoritatively on the matter. Notwithstanding his advanced age the old man still takes long tramps about the country on hunting and fishing expeditions, and carries himself with an erectness of carriage that would do credit to a much younger man. His tenacious hold on life is well illustrated by an incident which occurred several years ago. He had made a trip to Mayville, where l'm sold a quantity of gentia root. Falling a victim to the weakness characteristic of his race, Indian Dave" invested the preceeds of the sake in firewater, then set out on tim return trip to his camp. By the time he had arrived within about half a mile of Juniata, he had absorbed most of the whisky and was feeling pretty weary. The old man laid down between a couple of logs near the railway track and was soon asleep. Nearer the track some section men had started a fire. It was a cold, blustery day and some of the sparks from the fire blown over to where Indian Dave" lay, ignited the old fellow's clothing. He slept on imperturbably while the blaze slowly burned off his trousers, his jacket and his moccasins. Even when the flames started to burn his flesh "Indian Dave" failed to rouse up. James Pattengill, of Vassar, then a section man in the employ of the railway, happening along, was startled when he discovered that "Indian Dave" was supplying the material for a human torch. Quickly smothering the flame, he found that all of the old man's clothing except a small piece of his shirt had burned away. One heel was partly burned off and the other leg was burned almost to the bone from the heel to the knee. Rousing the still almost unconscious man. Pattengill got him up, then taking off part of his own clothing, he forced the old man to put it on. Thoug he must have been suffering almost excruciating agony, "Indian Dave" bore the pain with a stoicism that would have done credit to a long line of chiefs. Pattengill placed the old fellow on his handcar and conveyed him to his home in Juniata. Indian Dave was quite a while recovering from his injuries but he finally did recover, and today no one would guess from his appearance that he had been so close to death. It is scarcely likely a white man would have survived.

04-23-1981
Due to the slow motion;of the “government,” Indian Dave’s State Historical Marker memorial ceremony may be held a little later in the summer than previously planned. The Indian ceremony, compliments of Mount Pleasant and surrounding area native Americans & some related to Dave, will be held at Wisner cemetery on M-25, near the Bradleyville Road turnoff. The legend’s death record has been located and eyewitnesses, a few still living, can attest to his burial place, along with obituary notices from various newspapers. “Indian Dave,” one David “Stocker” Davis, “Ish-Dbn-Quit,” “Crossing Cloud,” was well known by the early missionaries, settlers, farmers, townspeople, laborers, doctors, lawyers, bankers, merchants, children and mothers. They all had their reasons for “a soft spot for Dave.” not a famous war chief, Indian Dave found his way into the hearts and history journals of Lower Michigan, especially the Thumb. This clan leader, related to great Chippewa- Ottawh - Ojibway - Odahwah chiefs, was instrumental with the location of the Tuscola county seat dispute, and other endeavors. The public will be invited to attend the Indian Dave memorial Service. The date will be announced later. It should be televised.

Obituary Index
Index: SAGINAW EVENING NEWS
Friday, May 28, 1909 (page 12)
Name: STOCKER, DAVE (INDIAN DAVE)
Date of Death: 05 / 00 / 1909
Miscellaneous
Misc: SEE ALSO SAG. COUR. HER. 07/15/1904 PG.2

           

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