Collection Spotlight: Ambrotype of Chief Okemos

Ambrotype of Chief Okemos [Anishinaabe (Chippewa/Ojibwa)]. P12521A,  NMAI.AC.385, National Museum of the American Indian

The NMAI Archives Center is pleased to share this ambrotype depicting Chief Okemos [Anishinaabe (Chippewa/Ojibwa)], photographed by Henry H. Smith of Cheboygan, Michigan in 1858.

Ambrotypes became popular in the mid-1850s as a cheaper alternative to daguerreotype photographs. These underexposed collodion negatives on glass were usually placed against a dark background such as paper, cloth, or paint in order for the ambrotype to appear as a positive image. Most ambrotypes, like this one, were housed in a leather or thermoplastic case with a brass mat and a preserver in order to protect the photograph from scratches or peeling emulsion. By 1865, tintype photographs replaced ambrotypes in popularity because they were even cheaper and easier to produce.

Newspaper clipping inside Chief Okemos' ambrotype case. P12521B,  NMAI.AC.385, National Museum of the American Indian

What makes this photograph particularly interesting is that someone, possibly the collector, included in the case a newspaper clipping referencing the ambrotype. How meta! The article describes Okemos’ initial hesitation of having his photograph taken. In the early days of photography, some American Indian communities believed that the photographers were “shadow catchers” who could capture parts of their being via the camera. It seems that Chief Okemos changed his mind in later years, as there are three other known photographs of him. Two are in private collections and the third is an ambrotype held in the Archives of Michigan (Record Group 2005-13).

There is conflicting information about the details of Chief Okemos' biography including his birth year. It is believed that Chief Okemos was born circa 1769 possibly in the Anishinaabe (Chippewa/Ojibwa) settlement of Ketchewandaugoning on the Shiawassee River (near present-day Bloomfield, Michigan). Other spellings of his name included Okemus, Okemans, Ogimaus, O-ge-mah, and O-Gee-Manse.

He fought in several battles including the battle of Tippencanoe, Indiana (1811), the War of 1812, the Battle of Sandusky (1813), and the Battle of the Thames (1813). During the War of 1812, Okemos suffered an injury, which left him with a large scar on his forehead. Chief Okemos also signed several treaties on behalf of the Anishinaabe including the Treaty of Saginaw (1819).

His family included his wife Waindegoquayzance; his son Paymechewaysawdung (1829-1899; also known as John); his son Waygeshegome (1845-1902; also known as James); his daughter Kawbaishcawmoquay (1845-1896); and his daughter Shawusquahbenoquay (d.1852). Chief Okemos died on December 5, 1858 in Michigan.

Want to check out more ambrotypes held in NMAI’s collection? Check out these images of Potawatomi Chief Shabonna. 

Emily Moazami, Assistant Head Archivist

National Museum of the American Indian