St Landry County Louisiana Archives Obituaries.....Gosselin, Pierre N June 24, 1898
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Mary K Creamer marykcreamer@yahoo.com July 27, 2014, 9:51 pm

The Opelousas Courier (Opelousas, La.) July 02, 1898, page 4
The Late Pierre N. Gosselin - Departed this life on Friday morning last, at the 
hour of 1:15 o'clock, at his residence on Main street in Opelousas, La., aged 
74 years, 5 months and 22 days.

It may be doubted whether among the many thousands of inhabitants in St. 
Landry, there lives one, who is better and more favorably known than he was.

He was born on the 2d day of January A. D. 1824, in the town of Curey, 
Departement de la Manche, France. Cautiously and carefully raised by useful, 
industrious and honest parents, he learned the trade of Menuiser, as it is 
there known, but which is known here as joiner, a branch of the carpenters' 
trade, which in France, and perhaps in other old countries, is a specialty in 
the trade. At this, he worked for a time, and not meeting with the financial 
success to which he aspired, he resolved to learn business as a wheelwright.

He had heard and read much concerning the superiority of our American system of 
government, our sacred regard for human liberty, and established safeguards, 
thrown around the political rights of every man whatever his station or calling 
in the ranks of honest men, and bade adieu to his native land and embarked for 
the country of Washington, "the land of the free and the home of the brave." In 
coming over, he was nearly a month on the Ocean's waves wafted only by the 
breeze. He landed in New Orleans, but lost no time in seeking employment. 
Thence he went to Donaldsonville on a tour of observations and in quest of a 
locality to set up in business. Not entirely captivated by the business outlook 
there, he left for Opelousas where he concluded, in about 1846 to open shop and 
began the wheelright business. He purchased the property he died on, having 
resided continuously on it from the time of location here. Feeling, as almost 
every good man does, that a wife - a help mate was indispensable to his 
comfort - contentment - success and happiness, he wooed, won and wedded Miss 
Virginie Greffiels, a native of Opelousas, A. D. 1852. This lady made him a 
good and congenial wife through the remaining journey of his long and useful 
life. She still lives to mourn his sudden death, consoled as far as she can be, 
by the sympathies of an entire community, and four surviving sons, Albert, 
Stanislaus, Louis and Arthur, all useful, upright and respected citizens.

For some years the old gentleman was afflicted with heart troubles which from 
time to time gave alarm to his family and friends as the weight of years 
increased upon him, his physical force gave way, but never did he discontinue 
his customary labor at his trade. On the day preceding his death he fell under 
a stroke of Appoplexy, from which he never revived. He was laid to rest in the 
Roman Catholic Cemetery in Opelousas, on Saturday, June 26th, attended by a 
large concourse of his acquaintances and friends, who deemed it a duty to do 
him honor.

On reaching the shores of America, Mr. Gosselin assiduously sought, in a 
practical way, to understand enough of party dogmas to be able to become an 
intelligent citizen. He took out his naturalization papers in due time and 
united himself with the Democratic party, to which he adhered the remainder of 
his life. He joined the first Fire Company ever organized in Opelousas and was 
an active fireman as long as his strength and health enabled him to do service.

His funeral was attended by both of the towns fire companies, in fraternal 
recognition of his former active membership.

Mr. Gosselin was an exemplary citizen. He took no part in political contentions 
and therefore was never swayed by agitations. He carefully considered issues, 
and having in the silence of his domestic retreat, formed his opinions, voted 
and returned to his work-shop. Pursuing the unobtrusive and quiet tenor of his 
way, he made no enemies and left the world without one. He was an adept 
mechanic, whose work gave satisfaction. He taught his four surviving sons his 
trade, and they, following in his footsteps, are worthily imitating his 
example. His entire life, was like the flow of some quiet and majestic river, 
making its way to the ocean, where it whispers the beauties of the lands 
through which it flows, and tells of the glories of a great nation.

With him there was no prodigality in early years, no waste of precious energies 
in manhoods prime, no alternate follies or licentious passions, but in their 
stead, a grandeur of lofty purpose which always inspired his efforts.

He was essentially a useful man, this he exemplified by life passed among us 
for a period of over 51 years. All should revere his memory; all may safely 
follow his example, and proudly emulate his virtues.

E. North Cullom.



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