Keokuk biography

Profile

During the War of 1812, Keokuk tried to seize power from Black Hawk, who had left the Sauk village to fight with the British. Thus began a lifelong struggle between these two leaders. Keokuk urged patience as white settlers moved closer to ancient tribal lands along the Rock River. In the late 1820s, he advocated compliance with the government's demand that the Sauk and Fox move westward.