Taimah
Encyclopedia
Taimah was an early 19th century Meskwaki
(Fox) leader. Often called Chief Tama in historical accounts.
Taimah was the principal leader of a Meskwaki village near Burlington, Iowa
, United States
. Famous for saving the life of the Indian agent at Prairie du Chien by warning him of an assassination attempt. Signer of the 1824 treaty in Washington. Taimah also maintained a village near Gladstone, Illinois
in the 1820s. He was interviewed in 1820 by Jedidiah Morse at Fort Armstrong
:
Namesake of Tama, Iowa
, and Tama County, Iowa
. The modern Meskwaki Settlement is near Tama. Son-in-law of Quashquame
, he was mistakenly credited with being the leader of Quashquame's village by Caleb Atwater
. Taimah is buried near Des Moines County Highway 99 near Kingston
, approximately "20 rods east" of a stone that bears his name, placing his gravesite approximately 1/4 mile from the Mississippi River in a small patch of land in the middle of a corn field, the land that his grave stands on has never been touched by any earth moving equipment, and is covered in trees, and foliage. The gravesite sits on private property, and is not open to visitors.
Taimah's son was Appanoose
, after whom Appanoose County, Iowa
was named.
Meskwaki
The Meskwaki are a Native American people often known to outsiders as the Fox tribe. They have often been closely linked to the Sauk people. In their own language, the Meskwaki call themselves Meshkwahkihaki, which means "the Red-Earths." Historically their homelands were in the Great Lakes region...
(Fox) leader. Often called Chief Tama in historical accounts.
Life
Burlington, Iowa
Burlington is a city in, and the county seat of Des Moines County, Iowa, United States. The population was 25,663 in the 2010 census, a decline from the 26,839 population in the 2000 census. Burlington is the center of a micropolitan area including West Burlington, Iowa and Middletown, Iowa and...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. Famous for saving the life of the Indian agent at Prairie du Chien by warning him of an assassination attempt. Signer of the 1824 treaty in Washington. Taimah also maintained a village near Gladstone, Illinois
Gladstone, Illinois
Gladstone is a village in Henderson County, Illinois, United States. The population was 284 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Burlington, IA–IL Micropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:Gladstone is located at ....
in the 1820s. He was interviewed in 1820 by Jedidiah Morse at Fort Armstrong
Fort Armstrong
Fort Armstrong , was one of a chain of western frontier defenses which the United States erected after the War of 1812. It was located at the foot of Rock Island, Illinois, in the Mississippi River between present-day Illinois and Iowa. It was five miles from the principal Sac and Fox village on...
:
Legacy
Tama, Iowa
Tama is a city in Tama County, Iowa, United States. The population was 2,731 at the 2000 census. Tama is located a few miles from the Meskwaki Settlement, Iowa's only significant Native American community. Tama was located on the historic Lincoln Highway and is home to an original Lincoln Highway...
, and Tama County, Iowa
Tama County, Iowa
-2010 census:The 2010 census recorded a population of 17,767 in the county, with a population density of . There were 7,766 housing units, of which 6,947 were occupied.-2000 census:...
. The modern Meskwaki Settlement is near Tama. Son-in-law of Quashquame
Quashquame
Quashquame was a Sauk chief; he was the principal signer of the 1804 treaty that ceded Sauk land to the United States government...
, he was mistakenly credited with being the leader of Quashquame's village by Caleb Atwater
Caleb Atwater
Caleb Atwater was an American archaeologist, historian, and politician whose career is associated with the state of Ohio.-Early years:...
. Taimah is buried near Des Moines County Highway 99 near Kingston
Kingston, Iowa
Kingston is an unincorporated community in Des Moines County, Iowa, United States. It is part of the Burlington, IA–IL Micropolitan Statistical Area. Kingston is located along State Highway 99 about 15 miles north of Burlington. It is known for its Late Prehistoric Kingston Oneota Site and...
, approximately "20 rods east" of a stone that bears his name, placing his gravesite approximately 1/4 mile from the Mississippi River in a small patch of land in the middle of a corn field, the land that his grave stands on has never been touched by any earth moving equipment, and is covered in trees, and foliage. The gravesite sits on private property, and is not open to visitors.
Taimah's son was Appanoose
Appanoose
Appanoose was a 19th century Meskwaki chief who lived in Iowa; he was son of Taimah and therefore probably a grandson of Quashquame.Several place names are ultimately derived from Appanoose:*Appanoose County, Iowa*Appanoose County Courthouse...
, after whom Appanoose County, Iowa
Appanoose County, Iowa
-2010 census:The 2010 census recorded a population of 12,884 in the county, with a population density of . There were 6,633 housing units, of which 5,627 were occupied.-2000 census:...
was named.