| Notes |
- Paul was an interpreter for the US Government, and assisted in
concluding many treaties with the Chippewas.
Paul H. Beaulieu
Posted by Dick Campbell on Fri, 18 Jun 1999
The following is from the book "A Pioneer History of Becker County
Minnesota" Chapter XVIII, page 258, by Alvin H. Wilcox, 1907:
Paul H. Beaulieu was born at Mackinac in 1820. He was of French and
Indian descent and took an active part in the early development of
the territory and state of Minnesota, especially in all matters
relating to the Chippewa Indians, and in their several treaties with
the government. He possessed the attributes of a splendid education,
was a master of the English and French languages, a born diplomat, a
brilliant orator, and a Chesterfield in manner and address, and was
reputed to be the most fluent interpreter of the Chippewa dialect
that the nation ever produced. He was largely instrumental in
bringing about the measure which secured to the Chippewas their
present home, the White Earth Reservation, and he, too, led the van
when they removed hither, and turned the first furrow and planted the
first crop, and took the initiatory steps in the paths of a new
civilization. Mr. Beaulieu never sought the uncertain allurements of
the political works, although grandly qualified to honor and
administer the duties of its most intricate branches; he chose,
rather, to humiliate himself to his humble surroundings and to the
elevation of his kindred, the Chippewas of Minnesota. He belonged to
that lofty school of individualism that is fast passing away, and
who, "along the cool, sequestered vale of life, they keep the
'morseless tenor of their way" and whose noble deeds of self-
sacrifice are buried with them. Mr. Beaulieu had been in failing
health for some time, and the sudden and tragic death of his beloved
son, John H. Beaulieu, a few weeks ago, undoubtedly hastened his
demise which occurred on the 9th of February, 1897. He leaves a wife
and two daughters and two sons, Mrs. Jennie Ledeboer, Mrs. A. J.
McIntosh, and Truman and C. A. H.. Beaulieu. He was a brother of the
late lamented Col. C. H. Beaulieu, and at the time of his death he
was employed as interpreter on the Chippewa commission. In respect to
his memory Maj. R. M. Allen, U.S. Indian agent, ordered the agency
flags at half mast during Wednesday and Thursday, and that general
business about the agency be suspended during the funeral services.
He was laid to rest on Thursday, in St. Benedict's mission cemetery;
Rev. Father Aloysius, O. S. B., officiated at the funeral services. -
Detroit Record.
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1817 - 1897 (79 years)
