Michel Brisbois
Encyclopedia
Michel Brisbois was a French-Canadian voyageur who was active in the upper Mississippi River
valley as early as 1781. Originally a fur trader for the Hudson's Bay Company
, he eventually settled in Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin
where he became a baker
.
Still a trader at heart, Brisbois, noting the lack of stability in early government currency, encouraged the use of bread (from his bakery) as a unit of exchange.
, Canada, in 1759. He attended school in Quebec
. Soon turning to the fur trade, he worked out of Mackinac
(1778), and in 1781 he moved his operations to Prairie du Chien where, with other French Canadian traders, he founded the first permanent white settlement. Although sympathizing with the British in the struggle for control of the Northwest Territory
, he accepted a commission in the Illinois Territorial
Militia (1809). During the War of 1812
, he furnished supplies to both the American and British forces but maintained a pro-British attitude. Arrested for treason at the close of the war, he was sent to St. Louis for trial but was acquitted. He was appointed associate justice for Crawford County by Governor Cass of Michigan Territory
(1819), and thereafter held various local offices in the Prairie du Chien area. In 1785 Michel married a Winnebago
woman (reputedly the illegitimate daughter of Charles Gautier de Verville) and had three Metis children: Angellic, Michel and Antoine. She lived with her Winnebago relatives. Michel's second marriage on August 8, 1796, was in Mackinaw City, Michigan
, to Domitelle (Madelaine) Gautier de Verville, legitimate daughter of Charles Gautier de Verville. To Michel and his second wife, a son Bernard Walter Brisbois
was born in Prairie du Chien in 1808. Michel died in Prairie du Chien in June, 1837.
Built in 1815, the Michel Brisbois House served as a trading post and warehouse of the American Fur Company
. In the 1850s the house was demolished. By 1923, the Bernard Brisbois House was believed to be the Michel Brisbois House and was thought of being one of the oldest European-American buildings in the State of Wisconsin
. However, after careful research by the Wisconsin Historical Society
, it was determined that this structure was not the famed Michel Brisbois House but rather a home built by Joseph Rolette as part of a separation contract negotiated in 1836 for his estranged wife Jane Fisher Rolette, a relative of Michel Brisbois, who upon her second marriage transferred the title of the property to her cousin Bernard Walter Brisbois
.
Mississippi River
The Mississippi River is the largest river system in North America. Flowing entirely in the United States, this river rises in western Minnesota and meanders slowly southwards for to the Mississippi River Delta at the Gulf of Mexico. With its many tributaries, the Mississippi's watershed drains...
valley as early as 1781. Originally a fur trader for the Hudson's Bay Company
Hudson's Bay Company
The Hudson's Bay Company , abbreviated HBC, or "The Bay" is the oldest commercial corporation in North America and one of the oldest in the world. A fur trading business for much of its existence, today Hudson's Bay Company owns and operates retail stores throughout Canada...
, he eventually settled in Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin
Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin
Prairie du Chien is a city in and the county seat of Crawford County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 5,911 at the 2010 census. Its Zip Code is 53821....
where he became a baker
Baker
A baker is someone who bakes and sells bread, Cakes and similar foods may also be produced, as the traditional boundaries between what is produced by a baker as opposed to a pastry chef have blurred in recent decades...
.
Still a trader at heart, Brisbois, noting the lack of stability in early government currency, encouraged the use of bread (from his bakery) as a unit of exchange.
History
Michel [aka Michael] was born in MaskaMaska
Maska is a 2009 Telugu action film. It was directed by B. Gopal and starred Ram.-Story:Krish is a happy-go-lucky guy who lives with his brother and sister-in-law. He woos a girl named Manju . Manju happens to be the daughter of a Mla Simhachalam...
, Canada, in 1759. He attended school in Quebec
Quebec
Quebec or is a province in east-central Canada. It is the only Canadian province with a predominantly French-speaking population and the only one whose sole official language is French at the provincial level....
. Soon turning to the fur trade, he worked out of Mackinac
Mackinac
-Geography:* Mackinaw River, a tributary of the Illinois River* Straits of Mackinac, connecting the lakes and separates the Upper and Lower Peninsulas of Michigan* Mackinac Island, an island in the straits...
(1778), and in 1781 he moved his operations to Prairie du Chien where, with other French Canadian traders, he founded the first permanent white settlement. Although sympathizing with the British in the struggle for control of the Northwest Territory
Northwest Territory
The Territory Northwest of the River Ohio, more commonly known as the Northwest Territory, was an organized incorporated territory of the United States that existed from July 13, 1787, until March 1, 1803, when the southeastern portion of the territory was admitted to the Union as the state of Ohio...
, he accepted a commission in the Illinois Territorial
Illinois Territory
The Territory of Illinois was an organized incorporated territory of the United States that existed from March 1, 1809, until December 3, 1818, when the southern portion of the territory was admitted to the Union as the State of Illinois. The area was earlier known as "Illinois Country" while under...
Militia (1809). During the War of 1812
War of 1812
The War of 1812 was a military conflict fought between the forces of the United States of America and those of the British Empire. The Americans declared war in 1812 for several reasons, including trade restrictions because of Britain's ongoing war with France, impressment of American merchant...
, he furnished supplies to both the American and British forces but maintained a pro-British attitude. Arrested for treason at the close of the war, he was sent to St. Louis for trial but was acquitted. He was appointed associate justice for Crawford County by Governor Cass of Michigan Territory
Michigan Territory
The Territory of Michigan was an organized incorporated territory of the United States that existed from June 30, 1805, until January 26, 1837, when the final extent of the territory was admitted to the Union as the State of Michigan...
(1819), and thereafter held various local offices in the Prairie du Chien area. In 1785 Michel married a Winnebago
Ho-Chunk
The Ho-Chunk, also known as Winnebago, are a tribe of Native Americans, native to what is now Wisconsin and Illinois. There are two federally recognized Ho-Chunk tribes, the Ho-Chunk Nation of Wisconsin and Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska....
woman (reputedly the illegitimate daughter of Charles Gautier de Verville) and had three Metis children: Angellic, Michel and Antoine. She lived with her Winnebago relatives. Michel's second marriage on August 8, 1796, was in Mackinaw City, Michigan
Mackinaw City, Michigan
Mackinaw City is a village in Emmet and Cheboygan counties in the U.S. state of Michigan. At the 2000 census the population was 859. The name "Mackinaw City" is a bit of a misnomer as it is actually a village...
, to Domitelle (Madelaine) Gautier de Verville, legitimate daughter of Charles Gautier de Verville. To Michel and his second wife, a son Bernard Walter Brisbois
Bernard Walter Brisbois
-History:Bernard Brisbois was born in Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin, in 1808, to Michel Brisbois, a French-Canadian voyageur, and his second wife Domitelle Gautier de Verville....
was born in Prairie du Chien in 1808. Michel died in Prairie du Chien in June, 1837.
Brisbois House (I)
- For Brisbois House (II), see Bernard Brisbois House
Built in 1815, the Michel Brisbois House served as a trading post and warehouse of the American Fur Company
American Fur Company
The American Fur Company was founded by John Jacob Astor in 1808. The company grew to monopolize the fur trade in the United States by 1830, and became one of the largest businesses in the country. The company was one the first great trusts in American business...
. In the 1850s the house was demolished. By 1923, the Bernard Brisbois House was believed to be the Michel Brisbois House and was thought of being one of the oldest European-American buildings in the State of Wisconsin
Wisconsin
Wisconsin is a U.S. state located in the north-central United States and is part of the Midwest. It is bordered by Minnesota to the west, Iowa to the southwest, Illinois to the south, Lake Michigan to the east, Michigan to the northeast, and Lake Superior to the north. Wisconsin's capital is...
. However, after careful research by the Wisconsin Historical Society
Wisconsin Historical Society
The Wisconsin Historical Society is simultaneously a private membership and a state-funded organization whose purpose is to maintain, promote and spread knowledge relating to the history of North America, with an emphasis on the state of Wisconsin and the trans-Allegheny West...
, it was determined that this structure was not the famed Michel Brisbois House but rather a home built by Joseph Rolette as part of a separation contract negotiated in 1836 for his estranged wife Jane Fisher Rolette, a relative of Michel Brisbois, who upon her second marriage transferred the title of the property to her cousin Bernard Walter Brisbois
Bernard Walter Brisbois
-History:Bernard Brisbois was born in Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin, in 1808, to Michel Brisbois, a French-Canadian voyageur, and his second wife Domitelle Gautier de Verville....
.
Sources
- Wisconsin State Historical Society
- Early Families of Upper Great Lakes, Oconto County -Reminiscence of Theresa Barrette. LDS Disc #78 Pin #800053.
- Genealogical research by Richard Alan Nelson, 2007.