Umatilla County OR Archives Biographies.....LaFontaine, Gustave July 20, 1855 - 
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Carlene Still crstill@oregontrail.net September 8, 2006, 2:39 am

Author:  Colonel William Parsons 

Page 417, 418

GUSTAVE  LaFONTAINE
	A veritable leader among the caterers of the city of Pendleton, with 
an enviable reputation as a host, a large real-estate holder and prominent 
among the foremost citizens of the county, the subject of this sketch is 
worthy a place in these records.  Distinguished as an entertainer, he is no 
less so as being a self-made man.  Not one of that kind, however, that Mark 
Twain humorously describes as “he was a self-made man, but stopped before the 
job was completed,” for Mr. LaFontaine has demonstrated what pluck, 
perseverance and industry, when supported by wisdom and integrity, are able to 
do. 
	He was born in Bordeaux, France, on July 20, 1855, and at the tender 
age of ten shipped on the St. Mary, a sailing vessel in the commercial trade, 
as cabin boy.  This was the beginning of a long term of seafaring life that 
continued without a break for eighteen years.  During this extended service he 
visited Africa; south and north, South America, Australia, India, Japan, 
China, in addition to the other leading countries of the globe, with all the 
islands that were of any commercial importance at that time.  He also served 
thirty-eight months on a French man of war, 
The Sufern.  At the time of his discharge he held the position of second 
captain, his last trip being from Melbourne to Portland.  Later he came to The 
Dalles and engaged as cook in a restaurant there.  In 1883 he visited Walla 
Walla, continuing there for six months in the same line of business, and then 
came to Pendleton.  Here he went into business for himself and in 1887 opened 
a restaurant on Main street.  By good management and strict attention to the 
details of his business he has been constantly gaining ground until now he 
owns and operates the LaFontaine Hotel, where he does a fine business.  His 
reputation as a host is established with the traveling public, while his 
unsurpassed cuisine, fine catering and bright geniality are constantly 
increasing his patronage.   In addition to this fine property he owns a ranch 
of seven hundred acres on the John Day river, where he has large bands of 
horses and cattle, being as successful in operating a stock ranch as he is in 
entertaining his guests.  
	He was married in Pendleton, on November 12, 1886, to Miss Aglaie 
Pinson, a native of Paris, France, whose parents were early settlers of this 
state.  To them have been born three children, George, Pauline and Olga.  The 
elder ones are now attending school.  Mr. LaFontaine and his wife are members 
of the Catholic church, being the first couple that were married in the 
Pendleton church.
	By way of reminiscence it is worthy of note that our subject suffered 
shipwreck off the coast of Tampico, Mexico, in the Gulf of Mexico, but all the 
crew were saved.
	Beginning life as a cabin boy, without one day’s schooling, and making 
his way from that to master of a ship; then changing his life to the land and 
commencing at the bottom to fit himself in a different business, in which he 
has also risen to the position of leader, we see in Mr. LaFontaine the 
practical demonstration of the success of real merit and ability.


Additional Comments:
An Illustrated History of Umatilla County by Colonel William Parsons and of 
Morrow County by W. S. Shiach with a brief outline of the early history of the 
State of Oregon.  W. H. Lever, Publisher  1902.


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