Man-E-Do-Wah-Ba The Last Medicine Man

Man-E-Do-Wah-Ba was the last medicine man to live in Leelanau County. Photo Credit: Leelanau Historical Society

He was remembered as being a person of more than ordinary ability and a lot of good common sense and practical knowledge. He was respected and revered by the Indians in Ahgosatown and was a welcomed guest among his white neighbors. And he was also a favorite with children as he joked with them and told stories and Indian legends. Man-E-Do-Wah-Ba was the last medicine man to live in Leelanau County and he had one weakness. And this is where the story gets interesting.

Because Native Americans have an oral history, there are many versions of what happened, and it can be difficult to know which details are accurate. His name is even spelled in various ways. Man-i-to-wah-by is how Elizabeth Craker Armstrong spelled his name in writings found at the OHS Museum archives, but the spelling on the actual print from Leelanau Historical Society and NAHA is ‘MAN-E-DO-WAH-BA’ so we will go with that here. And there are versions of his story that say he had been a scout for the British during the British-American War and was rewarded for his service with half-moon shaped copper medals which he attached to his clothes, but another source says he was given silver ornaments by the United States government for his service. And evidently all of were attached to his showy suit.

Superstitious

He was an expert fisherman and a crack shot with a bow and arrow. But his one fear was having his picture taken. All his life he had refused to have his picture taken, even when he was offered a lot of money for it. He had a superstitious dread of it as was common at that time, fearing it would steal his spirit away. This was very frustrating to local photographers and printers of postcards.

There is one photo of Man-I-Do-Wah-Ba, however, which can be found in the Leelanau Historical Museum, as well as the Northport Area Historical Association archives. One day some citizens of Northport prepared a big dinner for him. When he had eaten his fill of good things and was feeling contented and relaxed, he seemed to forget his superstitions and Mr. Spencer, a Northport photographer, was allowed to take his picture. In the photo he is dressed up in his formal attire: his top hat, and his suit with all of his medals attached. It is a wonderful photograph!

Man-E-Do-Wah-Ba remained in good health after the photograph. Unfortunately, his wives did not. He had had seven wives in his long life. His fifth one is remembered as being the wonderful cook who prepared all the good food that he loved. In his old age he was a bachelor, living by himself in a shanty at Ahgosatown north of Omena. One evening the Indians did not see the old man sitting as usual outside of his cabin. They went in and found him dying. Man-E-Do-Wah-Ba died in Leelanau Township at the age of 99 on June I, 1874, according to the doctor who attended.

He was buried in the Omena Presbyterian Church Cemetery, dressed in his silver ornamented suit.

Courtesy of: Omena Historical Society’s archives for sharing the writings of Elizabeth Craker Armstrong.  Northport Area Heritage Association (NAHA) for their copy of the photo and information about Man-E-Do-Wah-Ba’s service to the British. Leelanau Historical Society archives for the use of the actual photograph.