Downtown in Cleveland in Cuyahoga County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Chief Joc-O-Sot

(The Walking Bear)

Photographed by Christopher Busta-Peck, April 12, 2009

1. Chief Joc-O-Sot Marker

Inscription. Distinguished Indian chief
Brave in war ... valiant in peace
Algonquin Nation ... Osaukee Tribe
Bear Clan

Born Saukeenuk, IA, 1810
Died Cleveland, 1844
After the Black Hawk War where Joc-O-Sot received the wound that finally caused his death, he was the ambassador of the Indians to the great white father, President Tyler. On his return journey he died in Cleveland.

This monument in everlasting bronze and granite takes the place of the original stone damaged by vandals in 1907.

It is erected by the Western Reserve Early Settlers Association with the cooperation of Chief Thunderwater and other Indian friends.

July 21, 1940.

Erected 1940 by the Western Reserve Early Settlers Association.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Indigenous Peoples and Communities • Wars, US Indian. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #10 John Tyler series list. A significant historical month for this entry is July 1947.

Location. 41° 29.849′ N, 81° 40.954′ W. Marker is in Cleveland, Ohio, in Cuyahoga County. It is in Downtown. It can be reached from East 9th Street. Marker is in Erie Street Cemetery, on the south side of the dirt road traversing it, near the East 9th Street entrance. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Cleveland OH 44115, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is on Ohio’s Lake Erie Shore

and in the Western Reserve.

It is also in the American Midwest

and on the Great Lakes.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

and the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers

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are within walking distance of this marker: Gamaliel Fenton (within shouting distance of this marker); In Memory of Those Whose Bodies Were Moved From Ontario Street Cemetery to Erie Street Cemetery (within shouting distance of this marker); In Memoriam (within shouting distance of this marker); Erie Street Cemetery Chapel Flooring Stones (within shouting distance of this marker); Spirit of '76 (within shouting distance of this marker); Unknown Early Settlers (within shouting distance of this marker); Lorenzo and Rebecca Carter (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Erie Street Cemetery (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Cleveland.

Also see . . .
1. Entry on Chief Joc-O-Sot. Encyclopedia of Cleveland History website entry (Submitted on April 13, 2009, by Christopher Busta-Peck of Shaker Heights, Ohio.)

2. Entry on the Erie St. Cemetery. Encyclopedia of Cleveland History website entry (Submitted on April 18, 2009, by Christopher Busta-Peck of Shaker Heights, Ohio.)

Chief Joc-O-Sot Marker and gravestone image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Christopher Busta-Peck, April 11, 2009

2. Chief Joc-O-Sot Marker and gravestone

Chief Joc-O-Sot's gravestone, damaged by vandals in 1907 image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Christopher Busta-Peck, April 12, 2009

3. Chief Joc-O-Sot's gravestone, damaged by vandals in 1907

Chief Joc-O-Sot Marker in Erie Street Cemetery image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Christopher Busta-Peck, April 11, 2009

4. Chief Joc-O-Sot Marker in Erie Street Cemetery

Chief Joc-O-Sot Gravesite image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Ian Lefkowitz, May 26, 2025

5. Chief Joc-O-Sot Gravesite

Chief Joc-O-Sot's grave marker has seen additional wear over time.

Photographed by Ian Lefkowitz, May 26, 2025

6. Chief Joc-O-Sot Marker

The historic marker is located a block from Progressive Field, home of the Cleveland Guardians, which can be seen in the distance of this photo. A popular superstition held that Joc-O-Sot's spirit shattered his tombstone and cursed the team while it used its historic name.

Credits. This page was last revised on July 5, 2025. It was originally submitted on April 12, 2009, by Christopher Busta-Peck of Shaker Heights, Ohio. This page has been viewed 1,932 times since then and 56 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on April 12, 2009, by Christopher Busta-Peck of Shaker Heights, Ohio. 5, 6. submitted on July 4, 2025, by Ian Lefkowitz of New York, New York.