In the woods northwest of Oscoda is the Indian Mission Cemetery south of Mikado. Rows of white wooden crosses stand in the cemetery and most have the word “unknown” carved into them. I large black stone monument list the names of the known veterans and the war that they served in. At the top is the name John Michigan who served in the Civil War. It also states his grave is across from the church.
About a mile away is the Oscoda Indian Mission and across from it is a cemetery with a log fence and a solitary American flag standing next to a crudely carved headstone.
I can make out the date “died 1874” but the name is difficult to read. According to Find-A-Grave it is John “Keshechp” Michigan. Other than that I could not find out any more of his story. I am thinking he was Native American and his name was difficult to pronounce so he was just known as John from Michigan and it was shortened to John Michigan. But it is just a theory of mine with no real proof. One thing I know is that his grave stands silently across from the church and he deserves to be remembered for his service to the country.
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