Obituary: Francois "Frank" PIERRE, d. 1914, Door County, Wisconsin USGENWEB NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by any other organization or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contributor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. Files may be printed or copied for personal use only. Submitted by: Joan Levin e-mail: jlevin@downeast.net on May. 21, 1998 From the Door County Democrat, June 26, 1914: FRANK PIERRE BURIED BRUSSELS PIONEER PASSES AWAY IN OCONTO COUNTY One of Best Known Men In The Belgian Settlement - Body Brought to Brussels ------------------------ Brussels.---The body of Frank Pierre, Sr., was on Wednesday morning, June 17, laid at rest, the funeral being held from the Catholic church at Union, Rev. Gloudeman officiating. The funeral was one of the largest ever seen at Brussels. The death of Mr. Pierre occurred on June 14, in Oconto County, Wis., where he moved after retiring from business at Brussels about twelve years ago. Fatty degeneration of the heart was the cause of death. Deceased was born in Nevoque, Belgium, in October 1836, being 77 years, 7 months, and 17 days old at death. In 1854, with his parents he came to this country, and settled at Alton, Ill. His aged father, died there, and with his mother and brother Alex he came to Brussels. This was in 1858. The brothers erected a little brush shanty for their mother to live in and the boys went to work, hiring out on farms in the southern part of the state and also put in a couple of years in a brick yard at Milwaukee. Their pay amounted to fifty cents a day and this did not include their board. The young men at intervals walked from Milwaukee to Brussels to look after their mother. Alex Pierre was four years older than Frank. He died at Appleton, Wis., at the age of 78 years. In 1861 Mr. Pierre married Angelique DeKeyser. He opened a tavern at Brussels, and was appointed postmaster, a position he held for about 38 years. In partnership with the late Anton Virlee, a grist mill was started under the name of the Pierre-Virlee Co., the firm also engaging in the mercantile business, continuing in partnership for about 25 years. Mr. Pierre was the first chairman of the town of Brussels, when that trown included what is now Garner and Union. This office he held for two terms but could not again be induced to hold this or any other public office. Frank Pierre was the leadding figure in Brussels for many years. He worked hard and became prosperous, giving his children a good start in life and leaving his family in good circumtances. About twelve years ago he retired from business and moved to Beaver, Wis., wehere several of his children reside. Three months ago he went to Abrams, Oconto county, for a visit and while there was taken ill. He is survived by his widow and nine chilren - six sons and three daughters. The children are: Gabe, the oldest, who is in business at Brussels: Alphonse, a grain dealer at Oconto; Joseph, of Brussels, Frank of Calina, Colorado, manager and part owner of the Richmond Gold Mine, of which his brother Alphonse owns the remaining stock; Jule, postmaster at Brussels; Henry, of Beaver, Wis., Mrs. Mary Boudhuin and Miss Ellen Pierre, of Abrams, and Mrs. Frank Svoboda, of Beaver. Deceased was a large and fleshy man and when the body arrived from Beaver it was found that the hearse in waiting was not large enough for the casket and it was necessary to send to Algoma for a larger hearse. The body was taken to the home of Joseph Pierre at Brussels and here it was viewed by hundreds of his old friends of the Belgian colony of which he had for so many years been a prominent figure. This widow and large family of nine sons and daughters whom he leaves to mourn the demise of a good husband and father are not lacking in consolation because the life of the deceased was a good one as attested by all who knew him or had dealings with him. (Picture accompanied obituary). contributed by Joann Levin