Bernard Walter Brisbois was an agent for the American Fur Company.
Background
Bernard Brisbois was born in Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin, in 1808, to Michel Brisbois, a French-Canadian voyageur, and his second wife Domitelle (Madelaine) Gautier de Verville. Like his father, Brisbois also began his career in the fur trade, working as agent for the American Fur Company.
Career
Bernard married Therese LaChappelle. Later he engaged in the mercantile business in Prairie du Chien until 1873 when he was appointed consul at Verviers, Belgium. He returned to Prairie du Chien in 1874 and lived there until his death in 1885.
Etoukasahwee"s parents are listed as Gaa-dawaabide (Broken Tooth or DeBreche) and Obenege shipequay.
Gaa-dawaabide was a long-time Ojibwe chief of the Sandy Lake village, whose family belonged to the Aan"aawenh (Pintail) doodem or clan. Gaa-dawaabide (1750–1828), son of Biauswah II, was at the taking of Michilimackinac.
He was principal spokesperson at Sandy Lake before 1805. Located on Saint Feriole Island in the city of Prairie du Chien, the historical was built in 1851-1852 by Bernard Brisbois.
According to the Wisconsin Historical Society, the stone building sits on land with a long association with the North American fur trade.
Prior to the War of 1812, the property was owned by a number of prominent traders and companies. During the War a log structure on the property was used by United States. soldiers for housing while nearby Fort Shelby was under construction. After the War, the property became the site of a United States. Fur Factory.
In the 1820s the land was sold to the American Fur Company who held it until its sale to Bernard Brisbois in 1850.
Through much of the twentieth century the building was known as the Riverside Boat Repair. The was acquired by the Wisconsin Historical Society in the 1970s and was established as the Fur Trade Museum.
The is listed as a National Historic Landmark and on the National Register of Historic Places. Foreign Brisbois House (I), see Michel Brisbois House
The limestone house was erected on property owned by Jane’s maternal relatives, the Brisbois.
The limestone for the building came from the surplus stone sold by the United States government after the construction of Fort Crawford.
In the 1950s the Cornelius family restored the residence and gave the property to the Wisconsin Historical Society. Like the, the second Brisbois House is listed as National Historic Landmark and on the National Register of Historic Places.