Geronimo was a leader and medicine man from the Bedonkohe band of the Ndendahe Apache people. He was born in 1829 and lived until 1909. From 1850 to 1886, he fought against the Mexican and American governments alongside members of three other Central Apache bands.
They carried out numerous raids in the northern Mexican states of Chihuahua and Sonora, as well as the southwestern American territories of New Mexico and Arizona.
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Also Read: Famous Native Americans in American History
Geronimo's name, Goyaałé, means "the one who yawns" in the Athabaskan language. He was a skilled warrior and tactician, and he was known for his bravery and his willingness to fight for his people.
Geronimo was a skilled warrior and shaman who led breakouts from reservations in an attempt to return his people to their nomadic lifestyle. He fought against the United States and Mexican governments from 1850 to 1886, and his raids and combat actions were part of a long-standing conflict between the Apache and the United States.
Also Read: List of Famous Native American Tribes
The conflict began after the United States invaded Apache lands following the Mexican-American War in 1848. Reservation life was confining to the free-moving Apache people, and they resented the restrictions on their traditional way of life.
Geronimo surrendered three times during his final period of conflict from 1876 to 1886, but he eventually accepted life on the Apache reservations.
The United States displayed Geronimo at fairs and exhibitions while holding him as a prisoner, capitalizing on his fame among non-Indians.
He died in 1909 as a prisoner of war.
Family Overview
Geronimo was born Goyahkla in 1829 to the Bedonkohe band of the Apache near Turkey Creek, a tributary of the Gila River in the modern-day state of New Mexico.
His grandfather, Mahko, had been chief of the Bedonkohe Apache.
His parents raised him according to Apache traditions. After the death of his father, his mother took him to live with the Tchihende, and he grew up with them.
Geronimo's family was often at the center of the conflict. In 1858, while Geronimo was away on a trading trip, Mexican soldiers attacked his family's camp. Geronimo's wife, Alope, their three children, and his mother were all murdered.
This event had a profound impact on Geronimo, and he vowed to avenge their deaths.
Family Tree Chart
Parents:
Tacklishim (1790 - 1840) - Father of Geronimo, but not much is known of him. He had about 4 children.
Juana (1790 - 1858) - She was murdered alongside his first wife by Mexican soldiers.
Spouse:
Alope (1830 - 1858) - She was the first wife of Geronimo and one he loved very much. She was murdered by Mexican soldiers while he and other warriors were away.
Chee Hash Kish (unknown) -She was one of the wives of Apache warrior Geronimo. She was the mother of his daughter Lulu and son Chappo.
Nana tha Thtith (unknown - 1861) - She became Geronimo’s third wife. She was killed by Mexican soldiers in 1861. Geronimo was recovering from a gunshot wound when the renegade troops rushed into his camp. He had little time to arm himself before the troops descended upon him and members of his tribe. Even with his injury, he managed to kill many soldiers, but it came too late to save Nana-Tha-Thtith and the child she had.
She Gha (unknown - 1887) - She was among the many captured in 1886 and then sent to Fort Pickens on Santa Rosa Island, FL. There, she died of pneumonia.
Shtsha she (1850 - 1884) - There is little known of her.
Zi-Yeh (1869 - 1904) - There is little known of her
Ih Tedda (1856 - 1950) - In 1885, Geronimo married a woman traveling with him named Ih Tedda, also known as Kate Cross Eyes, and adopted her eleven-year-old son. As they fled from the soldiers and camped in the Sierra Madre Mountains, Geronimo taught the youngster how to be a warrior. Geronimo and his adopted son defended themselves and their camp from US and Mexican troops, hoping to overtake them. She lived the longest but died in captivity, as did all his wives except Alope.
Sunseto Azul (1850 - 1925) - Last wife of Indian Leader Geronimo. They married about the year 1907 and stayed married until Geronimo's death in 1909. She never remarried.
Children:
Lulu Geronimo (1865 - 1898) - She lived until she was in her early 30s. Most likely married and had children.
Chappo Geronimo (1867 - 1894) - A small band of runaway Apaches that included Geronimo and his son Chappo fought off over 5,000 US Troops who relentlessly attacked them for over 2 years. Member of Company I of the 12th United States Infantry.
Michael Geronimo (1882 - 1916) - He was a showman, motion picture actor, stunt rider, artist model, and fancy roper. He died of Pulmonary tuberculosis.
Little Robe Geronimo (1883 - 1885) - He died as a young child.
Lenna Geronimo (1886 - 1919) - She married and probably had children. She died around the age of 31 or 32.
Fenton Geronimo (1887 - 1897) - He died at the age of 9 or 10.
Eva Geronimo (1889 - 1911) - She married, but like her previous sisters, she died at a young age. She was in her early 20s when she passed.
Robert Geronimo (1889 - 1966) - He married three times and was the last of Geronimo's children to die. He and his wives had 3 children.
Siblings:
Geronimo had many other siblings, but these are the only ones I found records of.
Nah dos te (1819 - 1907) - She married and had children. She lived to an elderly age.
Ishton (1835 - 1882) - She married and had children. She died in her late 40s.
Nod ah sti (1839 - unknown) - She married a chief and had children. One of her children lived until 110 years of age.