Many know that the Chicago Blackhawks were named after a famous Native American, but few know much about who Black Hawk really was.

Black Hawk, who's full name was Black Sparrow Hawk, was born in 1767, at Saukenauk, an area three to five miles north of where the Rock River in Illinois meets the Mississippi River. This location is near present-day Rock Island, Illinois. In his native tongue, his name was Ma-ka-tai-me-she-kia-kiak.

Contrary to popular belief, Black Hawk was never a chief. He was a warrior and a recognized leader among the Sauk and Mesquakie (Fox) nations, but he never achieved the rank of chief.

Black Hawk was married to a woman named Singing Bird. Together they had two daughters and three sons. Among Black Hawk's descendants was legendary athlete Jim Thorpe. Thorpe was Black Hawk's great-grandson.

Black Hawk fought on the side of the British in the War of 1812. He and his followers, known as the British Band, were responsible for the victories at Campbell's Island and Credit Island.

In 1832, the Black Hawk war was started when Black Hawk and about 1,000 of his followers crossed the Mississippi River into Illinois from Iowa Territory were they had been forcibly removed to the year before. The war lasted just 15 weeks, ending on August 2, 1832, at the Battle of Bad Axe, Wisconsin.

Black Hawk died on October 3, 1838, of a respiratory illness. He was buried sitting up inside a small mausoleum of logs but his grave was robbed soon afterward. His remains were later deposited in a museum in Burlington, Iowa. The museum and its contents were destroyed by fire in 1855.