Kickapoo, Algonquian-speaking Indians, related to the Sauk and Fox. When first reported by Europeans in the late 17th century, the Kickapoo lived at the portage between the Fox and Wisconsin rivers, probably in present-day Columbia county, Wisconsin. They were known as formidable warriors whose raids took them over a wide territory, ranging as far as Georgia and Alabama to the southeast, Texas and Mexico to the southwest, and New York and Pennsylvania to the east.

In the early 18th century part of the tribe settled near the Milwaukee River. After the destruction of the Illinois Indians about 1765, the Milwaukee River band moved south into the Illinois’ former territory near Peoria, Ill. By the 19th century, as a result of scattering in small villages to prevent attack, central tribal authority had broken down, and the chiefs of the various bands had become autonomous. One group moved as far as the Sangamon River and became known as the Prairie band; another pushed east to the Wabash and was called the Vermilion band.