Ho-No-Ne-Gah

Whose name means “Dear Little One” was the first born
daughter of a Potowatomi Indian chief. The Great Spirit
had given her the gift of healing and she sought out the
afflicted using nature’s remedies to heal. In 1822, Hononegah
met Stephen Mack whom she healed of a persistent fever. He
then gave her father 2 horses, 2 saddles, and 2 blankets for her
hand in marriage. The couple moved to an Indian village called
Birds Grove, now Hononegah Forest Preserve. Subsequently
they founded Pecatonic, present day Macktown, in 1835.
Hononegah and Stephen Mack were prominent citizens
in Pecatonic, and had 11 children, 9 of whom survived infancy.
Stephen Mack had received an education in Vermont and
wanted to ensure that the children in his community
would receive an education so he hired and paid the
salary of a school teacher. Hononegah continued to
lead a life that showed concern for all peoples
while remaining true to her culture in dress and in habit.

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3/9/12