Compiled and written by David R. Schleper, 2020

John Shoto was born in Wabasha in March 1798.

After being in Wabasha for 25 years, he joined the Red Wing band for 15 years.

Leaving Red Wing, John came up the Minnesota River where he became a leader of the Dakota band, along with Ṡakpedaŋ in Tínṫa Otuŋwe until the US-Dakota Conflict.

After the US-Dakota Conflict, he became a scout from 1862-1870, working with Henry Hastings Sibley.

In 1872, Shoto returned to Shakopee as leader of the Little Six band.

Shoto was smart.

He used to stop at various houses of rich people in downtown Shakopee. He would ask for food.

If the housekeeper was there, she filled his plate with lots of food, and Shoto was happy.

When the woman of the house answered the door, the rich woman would look disgusted and just gave him two pieces of bread and little more.

Shoto would point to his throat, and gesture that he had a sore throat, and then he would leave.

He knew that he could find something better at other houses, where the people were friendlier!

In the beginning of January 1899, Old Shoto was about town, peering out of his almost sightless eyes, and now and again saying, “Hau! Hau!” to all who gave him a merry greeting.

Hau is Dakota for “Hello.”

John Shoto died January 24, 1899, at age 100. He died at 3 p.m. at the Indian settlement on Indian Road on the north side of the Minnesota River in what is now Eden Prairie. His wife, Anna, survived him, and died at age 90.

The funeral was at St. Mary’s Church, and he was buried at Valley Cemetery. Their daughter, Caroline Moore, died as an infant in 1830 and is buried at the potter’s field at Valley Cemetery.