BIOGRAPHIES OF SIOUX COUNTY
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ALPHONSO FRANCIS BEAR GHOST

Records show that he used Francis mostly as his given name and surname is sometimes referenced as Bears Ghost. He was born to Robert (Matowanagi) (October 1849) and Growl (Given) (May 1856) Bear Ghost in Cannon Ball on 21 December 1896. He had one brother, Morris Bird Spotted (April 1876).
He was a Code Talker in World War I. From the Roster of the Men and Women Who Served in the Army or Naval Service: "BEAR GHOST, ALPHONSE. Army number 55,085; registrant, Sioux county; born, Cannon Ball, N. Dak., Dec. 21, 1896, of American parents; occupation, laborer; enlisted in Company I, 2nd Infantry, North Dakota National Guard, at Bismarck, on Aug. 2, 1917; served in Company I, 2nd Infantry, North Dakota National Guard, to Oct. 5, 1917; 161st Ambulance Company, Camp Greene, N. C., to Oct. 15, 1917; 163rd Ambulance Company, Camp Mills, N. Y., to Nov. 14, 1917; Company F, 164th Infantry, to Jan. 18, 1918; Company M, 26th Infantry, to discharge. Grades: Private 1st Class, March 1, 1918; Corporal, Sept. 12, 1919; overseas from Dec. 15, 1917, to Sept. 2, 1919; wounded, slightly, Oct. 9, 1918. Engagements: Offensives: St. Mihiel; Meuse-Argonne. Defensive: Montdidier-Noyon. Defensive Sectors: Ansauville and Saizerais (Lorraine); Cantigny (Picardy). Discharged at Camp Dodge, Iowa, on Sept. 24, 1919, as a Corporal. Cited in General Orders, Headquarters, 2nd Infantry Brigade, American Forces in Germany, Montabaur, Germany, July 12, 1919, for splendid qualities of courage and bravery. During the St. Mihiel offensive, Sept. 12-13, 1918, displayed great gallantry and devotion to duty. Entitled to wear a silver star."
Francis married Alma Red Ears. Their children included; Elizabeth (1926), Michael (1927), Eleanor, Dorothy, adopted children: George Keepseagle, Isabella Standing Crow, Adele Little Dog, and Cybil Iron.
He died on 4 July 1972 at Fort Yates and is buried at Saint Elizabeths Catholic Cemetery.


JOHN BEAR KING

John was born on 13 August 1911 in Sioux County, North Dakota to Eugene and Rose Bear King. His siblings included Josephine (1902), George (1903), Clara (1909), Lawrence, and Clarence (1915).
He served in World War II as a Code Talker in the 302nd Mechanized Cavalry Reconnaissance Troop in the 1st Cavalry Division.
John married Mabel Halsey. Their children include John Jr., Philip, Shirley, Arnold Hawkins (see below), Geraldine, and Delores who married Unknown Westover.
John died on 2 September 1949 and is buried at the Black Hills National Cemetery in Sturgis, Meade County, South Dakota.

An excerpt from an 8 November 2013 Rapid City Journal article:
Five members of the Oglala Sioux Tribe will be honored in the ceremony: Melvin, his brother William Red Cloud, Owen Brings, Garfield Brown and Baptiste Pumpkin Seed. Several members from the tribal government and others will be at the ceremony, she said.

In all, code talkers from eight of the Sioux tribes will be honored.

Arnold Hawkins Sr., the son of a Standing Rock Sioux Tribe member, won't be able to go to honor his father, code talker John Bear King. But Hawkins is hoping to raise enough money for his son Arnold Jr., to fly to Washington.

"For some reason or another we were never told about his military service," said Hawkins, who lives about 25 miles north of Mobridge.

Bear King survived the war, but died in 1949 in his late 30s. Hawkins, 76, recalls spending the summer with his father the summer before he died.

"I can see him, riding horseback, him putting me on a horse, showing me how to treat an animal," Hawkins said. "I wish I had more of it."

"Sioux Code Talkers of World War II" by Andrea M. Page, a grand niece of John Bear King is a book about seven Sioux Code Talkers.


JULIUS BEAR SHIELD

Julius was born at Fort Yates to Martin (1860) and Nation (Ayatelutawin) (1870) Bear Shield on 24 December 1895. In later years Ayatelutawin married John Roach (1922).
He was a Code Talker in World War I. From the Roster of the Men and Women Who Served in the Army or Naval Service: "BEARSHIELD, JULIUS. Army number 2,558,366; registrant, Sioux county; born, Fort Yates, N. Dak., Dec. 24, 1895, of American parents; occupation, farmer; inducted at Fort Yates on March 4, 1918; sent to Camp Dodge, Iowa; served in Company A, 351st Infantry, to March 25, 1918; Headquarters, 43rd Engineers, to March 29, 1918; Company D, 42nd Engineers, to Nov. 1, 1918; 45th Company, 20th Engineers, Forestry, to discharge; overseas from May 10, 1918, to June 1, 1919. Discharged at Camp Dodge, Iowa, on June 9, 1919, as a Private."
Julius was married three times; Lena (children included: Julia (1916) and Julius, Jr. (1917-died before 1920)); Susan Brave (1907) (children included: Joseph (1924) and Cecelia (1926)), and Pearl Grindstone (maiden name unknown) (1904) (children included Julius, Jr. (1933), Wilber (1934), and two step-children; May (1925) and Amy (1929)).
Julius died on 19 Jun 1936 in South Dakota. A record of burial could not be located.


BIG HEAD FAMILY


LOUIS BIG HORN ELK

Records show various birth dates, given name as Louis and Lewis, and surname as Big Horn.
Louis was the son of Henry Medicinestone. He attended Carlisle Indian School from September 1911 to September 1916. School records indicate his guardian was Thomas Frosted.
He was a Code Talker in World War I. From the Roster of the Men and Women Who Served in the Army or Naval Service: "BIGHORN ELK, LOUIS. Army number 2,559,180; registrant, Sioux county; born, Fort Yates, N. Dak., June 30,1890, of American parents; occupation, farmer; inducted at McLaughlin, S. Dak., on March 29, 1918; Sent to Camp Dodge, Iowa; served in 163rd Depot Brigade, to June 24, 1918; Company C, 350th Infantry, to discharge; overseas from Aug. 11, 1918 to May 30, 1919. Engagement: Defensive Sector; Center (Alsace). Discharged at Camp Dodge, Iowa, on June 5, 1919, as a Private."
Louis was married to Bessie unknown surname. Their children included Mary and Louise, (apparently twins born 19 August 1919 but died before June 1921), Francis, Mary (1922-1926), Lewis, Jr. (1927-1928), and William (1928-1934).
Burial.


ARTHUR 'OTT' PERRY BLACK

Ott lived close to Selfridge while in Sioux County. A biography and picture of him can be found here.


RICHARD BLUE EARTH

Richard was born 30 October 1893 in Cannon Ball. He served in Company A, 18th U. S. Infantry, 1st Division, 3rd Army. He volunteered in Company I, 2nd N. D. Volunteer Infantry on 2 August 1917. He became a noted sniper. He was killed 11 October 1918 south of Sedan in the Argonne Forest, France. Memorial, Tombstone Picture. The Legionnaires Post 142 in Solen was named after Richard. More biographical data here.
From the Roster of the Men and Women Who Served in the Army or Naval Service: "BLUE EARTH, RICHARD. Army number 45,907; registrant, Sioux county; born, Cannon Ball, N. Dak., Oct. 30, 1893, of American parents; occupation, rancher; enlisted in Company I, 2nd Infantry, North Dakota National Guard, on Aug. 2, 1917, at Bismarck; served in Company I, 2nd Infantry, North Dakota National Guard, to Oct. 5, 1917; 161st Ambulance Company, 116th Sanitary Train, to Nov. 14, 1917; Company A, 164th In­ fantry, to Jan. 9, 1918; Company A, 18th Infantry, to death. Grade: Corporal, Sept. 4, 1918; overseas from Dec. 15, 1917, to death. Engagements: Defensive: Montdidier-Noyon. Offensives: Aisne-Marne; St. Mihiel; Meuse­ Argonne. Defensive Sectors: Ansauville and Saizerais (Lorraine); Cantigny (Picardy). Killed in action on Oct. 9, 1918, in the Meuse-Argonne Offensive; buried, Grave No. 97, Section No. 27, Plot No. 2, Cemetery No. 1232, Argonne-American Cemetery, Romagne—sous—Montfaucon, Meuse, France; reburied at Cannon Ball, N. Dak. Cited in General Orders No. 1, Headquarters, 1st Division, Camp Zachary Taylor, Ky., Jan. 1, 1920, for gallantry in action and especially meritorious services. Entitled to wear the Silver Star." In 2008 the government recognized the service of the World War Code Talkers of which Richard was one of them.


Photo source from the Colonel A. B. Welch Papers


JOHN BRAVE BULL

From the Roster of the Men and Women Who Served in the Army or Naval Service: "BRAVE BULL, JOHN. Army number 508,832; registrant, Sioux county; born, Cannon Ball, N. Dak., March 15, 1897, of American parents; occupation, farmer; inducted at Fort Yates on May 10, 1918; sent to Fort Logan, Colo.; served in Company G, 8th Ammunition Train, to discharge. Grade: Private 1st Class, Aug. 19, 1918. Discharged at Camp Dodge, Iowa, on Feb. 1, 1919, as a Private 1st Class." In 2008 the government recognized the service of the World War Code Talkers of which John was one of them.
Burial.


LADONNA CAROLE BRAVE BULL ALLARD

LaDonna Carole Brave Bull Allard, 64, Fort Yates, passed away April 10, 2021 at her home. Funeral services will be held 11 a.m. Saturday, April 17, at the Youth Activity Center with Brother George Maufort officiating. Burial will be in Brave Bull Family Cemetery, Cannonball. A wake service begins 5 p.m. Friday at the Youth Activity Center.
LaDonna Carole Brave Bull Allard "Tamaka Waste Win" was born June 8, 1956 in Fort Yates to Valerie Lovejoy Brave Bull and Frank "Punchy" Brave Bull at the old Fort Yates Indian Hospital. She was the oldest child of Frank and Valerie.
LaDonna spent most of her young life with her Grandma Alice West, and Grandma Eva Kuntz. Her Aunts Tootsie, Josie, Marlene, Dorothy and her Uncles Johnny Brave Bull, Porky Lovejoy, Jimmy Lovejoy, Toodles (Robert) Barnes, were also an important part of her life.
LaDonna lived in many places as a child, Fort Yates, Cannon Ball, Little Eagle, S.D., Fort Totten, Fort Thompson, S.D., Rosebud, S.D., Long Beach, Calif., Stanford, Vt., North Adams, Mass., Bennington, Vt., Bismarck, Paducah, Ky., Longview, Texas, Fort Myers Beach, Fla., and Spearfish, S.D. She attended school in many places; she started college at Standing Rock Community College, Black Hills State College and the University of North Dakota.
LaDonna married Philip C. Hurkes in 1972. They had two sons, William Joseph and Philip Levon Hurkes. She then married Terrance McLaughlin in 1980 and they had two children Freedom Patrick and Prairie Fawn McLaughlin. She met the love of her life, Miles D. Allard, at college. Miles and LaDonna married Aug. 31, 1990. Miles and LaDonna raised their granddaughter Skye Cante Brave Bull. In LaDonna's early life she worked as a nurse's aide in nursing homes. After college she went to work for the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe as the cultural resource planner. Later she helped create the SRST Tribal Historic Preservation Office and the SRST Tourism Office. Her last position at the tribe was as THPO/Section 106 Coordinator. In 2019 she became an official United Nations representative for Indigenous Peoples within the United Nations Economic and Social Council. She also held numerous board member positions throughout her professional career. She taught a class on using Indigenous knowledge with modern technology. She traveled the world as a keynote speaker on Indigenous history and culture. She worked on major divestment campaigns against the fossil fuel industry. She received many awards throughout her life, such as "Peace Maker Award" from the Peace Action Fund of NY and many more.
She is survived by her sons William J. Brave Bull (April), Freedom P. McLaughlin, Eric Grey Cloud (Ambrosia), Ian Scotty Halsey (Kodi), Alex Schien (Thea), Shannon Meister (Kelly); daughters, Prairie Fawn McLaughlin and Nikola Allard. Her grandchildren: Skye Cante Brave Bull, Leszek Hurkes, LaTayus Hurkes, Donnie, Joshua, and Wakia Swimmer, Jakob Warnes, Philip, Will, and Myles Brave Bull, Dusty, Jessa, Jace, Kimmila, Bella and Kaylee Halsey, John, Tate'Ohikita, Hepi and Waniya Grey Cloud, and Jesse Meister; her great-granddaughters, Kielen and Kashlen; her sisters, Valmarie Kelli Green, Marty Jo Brave Bull, Viann Barrett, Ernestine Ireland, Nola Lopez, Sunny Brave Bull, Carrieth Brave Bull, and Cherrieth Brave Bull; her brothers Charles W. Murphy, Randall Frank Brave Bull, Curtis Brave Bull, Bo John Brave Bull, Scott Brave Bull, Frankie Jay Brave Bull, John Buckley, and David Rodman.
Ladonna is preceded in death by her husband Miles D. Allard, grandmother Alice West and parents Valerie and Frank Brave Bull, and special Hunka family Danny and Patsey Seaboy.
Funeral arrangements are entrusted to DaWise-Perry/Mandan Crematory, Mandan.
Published by The Bismarck Tribune on Apr. 15, 2021.

Burial. Links to Some Family Members


JAMES BREWSTER

James was born on 19 October 1840. He enlisted in Company K, 18th Illinois Volunteers on 2 May 1861 from Carbondale, Jackson County, Illinois as a Private. Sometime after this enlistment he transferred to the hospital ship Woodford of the Mississippi Gunboat Flotilla also called Ram Fleet, Mississippi Marine Brigade. The date of this transfer is unknown. The exact date of his release from the Civil War is unknown except it was after the war was over. In the 1890 Veterans Schedules Census he is living in Fort Yates. He started drawing his pension in Washington on 7 May 1901 and his widow, Sophia, started receiving a widow's pension on 20 May 1911. From the Northwest Medicine, Volume III, published by Washington State Medical Association: "Dr. James Brewster died in Seattle, May 5, from cardiac asthma. He had been a resident of Seattle for fourteen years and for several years past had been an invalid. He practised medicine for more than forty years. While a medical student in 1861 he enlisted as a private in the Illinois volunteers. He was soon transferred to the hospital boat Woodfred [sic] [Note: Woodford] as assistant surgeon and served in this capacity until the close of the war." James is buried at Mount Pleasant Cemetery, Seattle, King County, Washington.
Burial, Tombstone Picture.


AUGUST BROUGHT PLENTY

August was born on 9 May 1900 [WebEditor Note: Tombstone indicates 9 May 1900] in Fort Yates, Sioux County, North Dakota, the son of Ota Agli Charles Brought Plenty and Hinyanjincawin (Annie (Rose)). His siblings include John, Dora, Annie, Mary, and George. Prior to 1915, August was adopted by Thomas and Susan Frosted.
From The Roster of the Men and Women From North Dakota Who Served in World War I: "BROUGHT PLENTY, AUGUST. Army number 1,427,432; not a registrant, enlisted prior; born, Fort Yates, N. Dak., May 9, 1899 [WebEditor Note: Tombstone indicates 9 May 1900], of American parents; occupation, student; enlisted in Troop D, 1st Cavalry, South Dakota National Guard, at Flandreau, S. Dak., on April 4, 1917; Called into federal service, World ‘War, on July 15, 1917; served in Troop D, 1st Cavalry, South Dakota National Guard, to Oct. 22, 1917; Company D, 136th Infantry, to July 15, 1918; Company A, 1G2nd Infantry, to July 31, 1918; Company A, 28th Infantry, to discharge. Grade: Private 1st Class, Feb. 19, 1919; overseas from June 28, 1918, to Aug. 30, 1919; wounded, severely, Oct. 1, 1918. Engagements: Offensives: St. Mihiel; Meuse-Argonne. Defensive Sectors: Ansauville and Saizerais (Lorraine). Discharged at Camp Dodge, Iowa, on Sept. 24, 1919, as a Private 1st Class." In 2008 the government recognized the service of the World War Code Talkers of which August was one of them.
August married married Lulu End of Horn at Fort Yates on 11 Jul 1923. Their children included: Genevieve, Cyril B., Irene, and Rose born 12 January 1933 {Note: Cemeteries of Sioux County indicates Irene was born in 1933 and inscription is "Brought Plenty sisters separated at birth, united in death" and that Rose Aurelia, married Unknown Given Name Perry, was born 12 January 1933.
He married Grace (Bobtaildeer) (Christine), a widow with surname Red Horn on 3 July 1936 at Selby, Walworth County, South Dakota. She was born on 4 October 1906 and children from the Red Horn marriage were Nelson, Dewey, and William.
August died on 8 December 1956 in Ward County, North Dakota and is buried at St. Peter's Catholic Cemetery in Fort Yates.
Burial, Family, Tombstone Picture.



Pictures and large portions of this biography were provided by Sallie Thurman.


JOHN BROUGHT PLENTY

John was born at Fort Yates, Sioux County, North Dakota on 28 June 1895 to Charles and Annie Brought Plenty.
From The Roster of the Men and Women From North Dakota Who Served in World War I: BROUGHT PLENTY, JOHN. Army number 2,558,368; registrant, Sioux county; born, Fort Yates, N. Dak., June 28, 1895, of American parents; occupation, farmer; inducted at Fort Yates on March 4, 1918; sent to Camp Dodge, Iowa; served in Company A, 351st Infantry, to April 4, 1918; Company F, 132nd Infantry, to discharge. Grade: Private 1st Class, May 1, 1918; overseas from May 16, 1918, to May 17, 1919. Engagements: Offensives: Somme; Meuse—Argonne. Defensive Sectors: Amiens (Picardy); Verdun—Fromerevil1e and Troyon (Lorraine). Discharged at Camp Dodge, Iowa, on May 26, 1919, as a Private 1st Class." In 2008 the government recognized the service of the World War Code Talkers of which John was one of them.
John first married Emma. Their children included daughters Mary Jane who was born in 1918 and died before 1920. A newspaper article on her death indicates another child younger than Mary Jane. He then married Agnes Goodwood on 1 June 1919 in McIntosh, Corson County, South Dakota. Their children included son Vincent Victor born 30 March 1922 and died in 1924. They divorced in 1924. Agnes then married Jasper Tomahawk. She was born 22 October 1899 and died in Sioux County on 30 September 1942. John married his third wife Lucy (Tarchatitawin) Pierre on 1 January 1926. Children from that marriage included son Kenneth born 1931 and daughters Mary born 1923, Victoria born 12 July 1933, and Irene born 1934. Lucy was born on 16 June 1887 and died on 31 July 1954 in Rolette County.
Burial, Family, Tombstone Picture.


SAMUEL BRUGUIER
From The Aberdeen Daily News
15 June 1929
Not Verbatim

Sam Bruguier Of Pioneering Fame Dies Last Week

McLaughlin, June 15 - Sam Bruguier, pioneer settler of McLaughlin and one of the best known frontiersmen in the Dakotas, passed away at the agency hospital in Fort Yates last week at the age of 73.
A colorful character of the old west, Mr. Bruguier was born at the first trading post established on the present site of Sioux City [Note: Sergeant Bluff, Woodbury County, Iowa] in August, 1856. His father, Theophile Bruguier, a French-Canadian fur trader, came up the Missouri in 1839, and ten years later established trading headquarters at Sioux City, and was well known as farm up the river as Fort Pierre [phrase exact but unclear]. [Note: About 200 hundred miles north of Sioux City on Missouri River in South Dakota, just south of Cheyenne River and Standing Rock reservations].
Theophile Bruguier married two daughters of War Eagle, the famous Sioux chieftain. Sam was one of the three sons by the oldest daughter of War Eagle. A few years ago, when the remains of War Eagle were interred in a Sioux City park, Sam Bruguier was a guest of honor.
Mr. Bruguier came into Dakota Territory in 1868, visited the site of Mobridge [Walworth County, South Dakota] in 1872, participated in the Hills gold rush [Black Hills South Dakota Gold Rush], and fought the Indians in various wars.
He was a personal friend of General Miles, General Hugh Scott, Tom Custer, and many of the frontiersmen. General Scott visited Bruguier in McLaughlin several times, the last occasion being a year ago.
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Group Photo
His father's (Theophile) burial, photo


JAMES FRANCIS BUCKLEY


JOHN PATRICK BUCKLEY


WILLIAM A. BULLINGER

William was born 22 June 1928 to Adam, Sr. and Regina Bender Bullinger. His siblings include; Marianna, Nicholas (1920), Adam, Jr., Agnes, Cecelia, Anton, Cletus (1930), Clara (1932), Andrew (1933), Margaret (1935), and Loretta (1937).
William was living in Solen when he entered the U. S. Army as a Private (E-2) in World War II. He was a Heavy Weapons Infantryman serving in the 17th Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division. William was killed in action by hostiles in North Korea on 11 June 1951. He was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star and the Purple Heart.
William is buried in the Black Hills National Cemetery. Memorial, Photo, Tombstone Picture.
Memorial at Korean War Project Remembrance.


GEORGE HENRY BYINGTON