Neglected Grave of Wife of Oshkosh Pioneer Found Near Old Trading Post, to Be Rehabilitated

Recalls Early Days of Settling of State City (by Special Correspondent)
Wisconsin News (25 October 1934)

[As submitted by Diana Heser Morse to the Wisconsin Genealogy Trails History Group web site]

Oshkosh, Wis., Oct. 25 --- The uncovering a few days ago of the gravestone of the wife of Lieut. Robert Grignon, who played an important role in the settling and naming of this city, has brought to light little known facts of early life here.

Almost completely obscured by a mammoth growth of lilac bushes in a farm field, nine miles west of here, the fallen and broken marker has been identified by Niles Behncke, director of the public museum. It bears the inscription "Mary wife of Robert Grignon. Died Dec. 24, 1851. Aged 37 years." She was the daughter of a full blooded Menominee chief.
An effort will be made to have the spot marked, as it is contended by local historians that Lieutenant Grignon and Mrs. Grignon's father also are buried there, although no evidence of the other graves can be found in the heavy growth of bushes.

NEAR OLD POST

The grave is about 1,000 feet south from a known site of an old trading post conducted by Robert Grignon at the junction of Lake Butte des Morts and Spring brook. Articles of barter between the whites and Indians still can be found by searching the ground near the site.

Lieutenant Grignon, a direct descendant of Charles de Langlaide, noted French explorer established his first trading post in what now is Oshkosh, in 1830. At that time the village of Butte des Morts was the county seat, but because of bitter feeling of the people of Oshkosh and vicinity, the county board refused to meet there. Later it was transferred to Oshkosh.

About 1847 agitation was begun to have a suitable name selected for this city. Lieutenant Grignon, a power in the settlement, and a great friend of old Chief Oshkosh and his tribe, suggested naming the village in honor of the chief.

He had his opponents, but he, in the company of one William Powell, succeeded in rounding up most of the Indians, half breeds, women and children alike in the county to cast their ballots at a "popular" vote. His apprehensive opponents were swamped and the village became Oshkosh.

Lieutenant Grignon led a life of adventure. Although an army officer he married the daughter of an Indian Chief and kept the peace in this community. He is credited with negotiating the surrender of the old notorious Chief Black Hawk.

His life was cut short one winter night, when, coming from a celebration at Omro, at which he drank too freely, he lay down in the snow to keep warm, near a bridge that crosses Spring brook, less than a quarter of a mile from his old homestead. He was found froze to death the next morning.

The deed to the land containing the tiny cemetery provides that the graves shall not be disturbed.