Seneca Indian Ely S. Parker was born Hasanoanda, which means “Leading Name,” in 1828 as his parents William and Elizabeth Parker attempted to return home in their buckboard to the Tonawanda Reservation, in Indian Falls, New York. His father was a Seneca chief, a veteran of the War of 1812, a Baptist minister, and a local miller; his mother a descendent of an Iroquois prophet.
Ely’s life had been foretold to his parents, in a prophecy describing a distinguished warrior and peacemaker
Already Signed Up? Log in here.
Read this article now for Free!
Ready for a third free article? Create a free account by entering your email address and a password below.
— OR —
Sign Up Now for $29.95 a year and have immediate access to all of True West content, including the complete True West Archives dating back to 1953!
