Legislator Details
Vital Records Information:
Marital Information:
married Archange LaLonde of the Sault about 1831; children: Henrietta (Scranton), Flavia (Pendill) and 1 other daughter
Number of Children: 3
Background
Education:
Biographical Sketch:
He arrived in the Sault in 1817, initially employed by the Hudson's Bay Company. He later worked for John Jacob Astor's American Fur Company. he worked for a time in Baraboo, WI, before returning to the Sault in 1834. That year, he was naturalized as a U.S. citizen at Mackinac, and indentured as a clerk under Gabriel Franchere (factor of the American Fur Company).
He remained in the employ of the company until 1842, when, he resigned to embark upon his own commercial endeavors, eventually opening a general store and trading post in the Sault and organizing an extensive fishery on Lake Superior.
Barbeau served aa county commissioner in 1838 and Register of Deeds in 1845. The following year he secured a county judgeship. In 1849 and 1879 he was elected village president of Sault Ste. Marie.
He had extensive property holdings in the area. A log house at the corner of Barbeau Lane and Water Street served as the first Barbea home and remained in the family until 1895. He purchased and resided in the former Indian Agency house, previously the residence of Henry Schoolcraft. He owned and took possession of Chippewa Street, which was later changed to Barbeau. The settlement of Barbeau, its post office and Barbeau Point were named after him. Bass Lodge, built on Neebish Island ca. 1850, remained in the family until 1873. He also operated trading posts at Grand Marais and LaPointe on Lake Superior.
Notable Facts:
Barbeau was an early and effective advocate of the first shipping lock at Sault Ste. Marie, and when the second lock was opened in 1872, he presided over the dedication ceremonies.