Death of an Old Pioneer of Wisconsin
In the last number of the Bay City Press, published at Green Bay, Brown county, we find the following sketch of the late Augustin Grignon, who died at his residence at Butte des Morts, in this county, on the 2nd inst., in the 81year of his age.
In announcing the decease of Augustin Grignon, we herald the departure of a race of men who have occupied a prominent place in the history of our state. The Historical Society inform us that the Langlades, father and sons, were the first white persons who became permanent settlers within the territory now embraced within the limits of Wisconsin. A daughter of Charles Langlade, the son, became the wife of Pierre Grignon, senior, and the mother of nine children, of whom Augustin, the subject of this notice, was one. He was born in Green Bay on the 27th of June 1780, and consequently was over eighty years of age at the time of his decease.
The transfer of the country from Great Britain to the United States, the war of 1812, and the subsequent establishment of Territorial and State governments in the Northwest are all political events of great importance which he has lived to witness. First, a subject of the British Crown. After the occupation of the country by the United States, he became a citizen of five successive Territorial governments, and finally of the State of Wisconsin.
His own recollections of events have been given to the public in a sketch written some years since, and communicated to the State Historical Society. It furnished an interesting page in our early history, and became doubly valuable from the fact that the last surviving witness of the incidents referred to has gone to his long home.
As of the character of the deceased, as a citizen and neighbor, it is unnecessary to speak. Born and reared at a point far remote from civilized society, this constant intercourse with men of polished address and refined education -Porliers, Lawe, Franks, Ducharme, Jacobs, and others of the early emigrants, gave him opportunity to acquire a refinement of manners and a fund of information which he did not fail to improve. The habitual profession of a trader's mode of life, the cordial welcome with which everything was proffered or pressed upon his guest, the polite attentions which ingratiated his visitor, and always made him feel at home, are familiar to the many who enjoyed them in years gone by. He was ever the same, polite, intelligent, hospitable and generous gentleman, and tho he was without the education of the schools, he was still one of nature's nobleman, as he was also one of the noblest works of God-"an honest man."
See "Seventy-two year's recollections of Wisconsin" source noted below for his extensive recollections.
Name: Augustin Grignon. [1]
Baptism: "August 6, 1787, by us the undersigned priest, was baptized conditionally Augustin, born on June 27, 1780, son of Pierre Grignon and of Louise Domitille Langlade, his wife. The godfather was Sieur Joseph Ainse; and the Godmother dame Daniel Bourassa, who declared that she could not sign her name. ~ Payet, Missn. priest. Pierre Grignon; Ainsse." This took place in Mackinac, which is in present day Michigan. [1]
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Augustin is 25 degrees from Herbert Adair, 21 degrees from Richard Adams, 20 degrees from Mel Blanc, 23 degrees from Dick Bruna, 16 degrees from Bunny DeBarge, 33 degrees from Peter Dinklage, 22 degrees from Sam Edwards, 19 degrees from Ginnifer Goodwin, 23 degrees from Marty Krofft, 17 degrees from Junius Matthews, 17 degrees from Rachel Mellon and 20 degrees from Harold Warstler on our single family tree. Login to find your connection.
G > Grignon > Augustin David Grignon
Categories: Métis American Border Region | Ottawa | Wisconsin | Brown County, Wisconsin