John Chupco was a leader of the Hvteyievike, or Newcomer, Band of the Seminole during the time of their forced relocation to Indian Territory. They were the last group to move from Florida to Indian Territory. From 1861 to 1866, Chupco served as chief of the Seminole who supported the Union; they removed to Kansas for safety. There was great bitterness when the tribe divided over their loyalties during the war, with many supporting the Confederacy. Afterward Chupco and his band returned to Indian Territory, working to rebuild the tribe.
John Chupco was born in Florida. He grew up in traditional ways.
Career
By the time of the Seminole forced relocation, Chupco was chief of the Hvteyievike Band, which he led from Florida to Indian Territory under Indian Removal. In 1861 when the American Civil War began, Chupco served as town chief. He refused to sign a treaty between the Seminole and the Confederate States of America. The Seminole leadership and members split, as did the Cherokee. Chupco's tribal town followed Opothleyahola, the Muscogee Creek leader loyal to the Union, and they relocated to Kansas for safety. There Chupco enlisted in the Union Army and ultimately became a first sergeant in Company F, First Regiment, Indian Home Guard. From 1861-1866, Chupco served as chief of the Seminole who supported the Union. After the war, he served as a Southern Treaty Commission Deligate. John Jumper led the Seminoles who had been allied with the Confederacy; because of their actions, the United States insisted on a new treaty with the tribe after the war. The split between these Seminole groups lasted until 1872, at which time the majority of the tribe elected Jumper as chief. During Reconstruction, Chupco encouraged his tribe to rebuild their nation. In 1869, he joined the Presbyterian Church congregation in Wewoka, Oklahoma. He became a farmer and rancher and resisted the creation of Oklahoma Territory, concerned that opening up the area to European-American settlement would damage the future of the Seminole.
