PETER GAGNON OF TWO RIVERS DIES IN SOUTH
Ex-Mayor of Suburban City Dies in Florida After Illness
Word was received at Two Rivers of the death of Peter Gagnon who has
been in San Antonio, Fla., his death occurring there. The body will
be brought back to Two Rivers for burial. The decedent who is a brother
of Urban Gagnon, at the Schuette Bros. store, was formerly mayor of Two
Rivers and also held the office of treasurer. He was 62 years of age.
Manitowoc Daily Herald, Saturday, March 17, 1917, Page 1
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The remains of Peter Gagnon passed through the city yesterday en route
for his old home, Two Rivers. The interment will take place there
Thursday morning from St. Luke’s Catholic church.
Manitowoc Daily Herald, Wednesday, March 21, 1917, Page 3
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Jos. Gagnon and family who were at Two Rivers to attend the funeral of
the late Peter Gagnon, returned yesterday to their home at Philadelphia,
Pa.
Manitowoc Daily Herald, Monday, March 26, 1917, Page 3
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Frank Cormack, who was at Two Rivers to attend the funeral of the late
Peter Gagnon, has returned to his home at Eau Claire.
Manitowoc Daily Herald, Friday, March 23, 1917, Page 3
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This is a bio. sketch from "History of Manitowoc County Wisconsin" by Dr. L. Falge, 1911-1912, v.2, p.30-31. Peter Gagnon, who has been engaged in business in Two Rivers, Wisconsin, during his entire active career, has for nearly thirty years been connected with the mercantile business as a proprietor, and has also interested himself in civic movements. He was born in Two Rivers, March 28, 1849, and is a son of Joseph and Mary (Boinart) Gagnon. Joseph Gagnon, who was a native of Canada, came to the United States in 1848, and settled at Two Rivers, where he was engaged in shoemaking and fishing until his death in 1872, when he was fifty-two years of age. His widow survived him many years and died at the age of eighty-three. They had a family of eleven children, of whom three, Joseph, Mary Ann and an infant, are deceased. The survivors are, Jonas, Peter, Mary, January, Ervin, Agnes, Elizabeth and John. Peter Gagnon secured his early education in Two Rivers, and at the age of thirteen years began working as a drug clerk. Afterward he engaged in the tanning business but in 1874 he built a tug boat, with his two brothers, Joseph and Jonas, and operated it for eight years. He and Jonas then sold their interests in the tug and engaged in mercantile business until 1910, when Jonas sold out his interests and went into the canning business. The firm is now conducted by Peter Gagnon and Ed. Schultz, the latter of whom became interested with the business in 1903 through his connection with the bottling works. The company has had a steady growth, and is now rated among the leading concerns of Two Rivers, the partners being men of recognized standing and ability. Mr. Gagnon was married in 1874. His wife died in 1908, aged fifty-seven years, leaving a family of fourteen children, all of whom are living. Peter Gagnon is a republican in political matters, has served as mayor of Two Rivers for four years, and is now a member of the water and light commission, and is also a notary public..
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15th January 1912. Ed. Schultz, Two Rivers, is now sole owner and proprietor of the City Bottling Works, having purchased the interest of Peter Gagnon.
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The Old Timers column will be continued as long as we find the persons who have a vivid recollection of the early days and who are entitled to recognition as Old Timers by having lived in this vicinity previous to 1856.

OLD TIMERS
Peter Gagnon has been largely identified with the political history of Two Rivers. He was twice major, served six years as school commissioner and six as a member of the water and fire commission. Mr. Gagnon was born here in 1849, his parents having arrived at Two Rivers from Canada in 1848. Until fourteen years of age, he attended the two department school house which was located where Nilles' shoe store stands. Then he worked for Dr. Oswald a few years in the drug store conducted in a frame building which was destroyed by fire in 1878 and was later replaced by the brick structure now owned by his daughter, Mrs. Minnie Bemis.
Then for ten years, Mr. Gagnon worked in Whitcomb's tannery until he and his brother built the first lake tug Two Rivers ever had, the M.E. Gagnon. His brother, Jonas became Captain and Peter was engineer. This tug was built in Hanson and Scove's shipyard. The shipyard was on the Eastside. Mr. Gagnon says that a great many schooners were built in this shipyard. But when steam craft came in use a great deal, the vessel building ceased and Hanson and Scove went out of business here.
The M.E. Gagnon towed a great many bark laden vessels up the Mishicot River to the Whitcomb tannery. Sometimes three or four were towed up on one trip, one behind the other. The Gagnon brothers also employed the tug for fishing.
In 1878 they sold the tug to the government dredge department and started a general store which they conducted for twenty-eight years and then disposed of it to J.F. Galeck, who now conducts his clothing store there. Mr. Gagnon still feels young and able enough to take an active part in business and other affairs. He is a member of the plumbing firm of J. Levanetz and Co. as office manager. For the past fifteen years he has served as Treasurer for the National Licensed Tugmen's Association. Two weeks ago he attended the convention at Detroit and was re-elected to the office.
Race suicide would be an impossible question if all did their duty in raising a family as Mr. Gagnon. He is the father of fourteen children. Not one has been removed by death and all are in good health and respectable social standing.
The Reporter, Sat., Feb. 7, 1914
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The Reporter, Fri., May 25, 1917
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PETER GAGNON IS CALLED BY DEATH
News of Passing Causes Deep Regret in this City
BORN IN TWO RIVERS 1849
Held Several Offices of Trust and Honor During Career in Two Rivers
News of the death of Peter Gagnon at San Antonio, Florida, stirred
feelings of
profound regret in the heart of his many friends and acquaintances here,
where,
last summer, he spent several pleasant weeks back in the old town where
he had
been born and reared and which he had served faithfully and well in many
important
offices of trust and honor. Mr. Gagnon had been ailing for some time but
it was
not known here that his illness was serious. The remains were brought to
this
city Tuesday evening and rested at the home of his son-in-law, Ed.
Schultz, until
Thursday morning when the funeral took place form St. Luke's church. He
was born
in Two Rivers March 28, 1849 and is a son of Joseph and Mary (Boinart)
Gagnon.
Joseph Gagnon, who was a native of Canada, came to the United States in
1848 and
settled in Two Rivers where he was engaged in shoemaking and fishing
until his
death in 1872, when he was fifty-two years of age. Peter Gagnon secured
his early
education in Two Rivers and at the age of thirteen years began working
as a drug
clerk. Afterward he engaged in the tanning business but in 18?? he built
a tug
boat with his two brothers, Joseph and Jonas and operated it for eight
years. He
and Jonas then sold their interest in the tug and engaged in the mercantile
business until 1901 when Jonas sold out his interests and Peter
conducted it until
1909 when the business was discontinued and he engaged in the bottling
works with
his son-in-law, Ed. Schultz, to whom he later disposed of his share in
the works.
His wife died in 1908, aged 57, leaving a family of fourteen children,
all of whom
are living. In 1911, Mr. Gagnon was united in marriage to Miss Josephine
Hamersmith
and shortly after the couple took up their residence in Florida coming
to Two Rivers
to spend the summer.
Decedent was for several years a member of the Board of Education and
later a member
of the City Council. He served as City Treasurer in 1886 and 1887. From
1897 to 1900
he was major of the city having been elected to that office three times
in succession.
Both city flags were displayed at half mast in his honor. Besides his
widow and
several brothers and sisters, Mr. Gagnon is survived by the following
daughters, Mrs.
Frank Cormack of Eau Claire, Wis., Mrs. Rudy Stockinger of Manitowoc,
Mrs. Ed.
Niquette, Mrs. Ed. Schultz, Mrs. Nic Rau, Mrs. Henry Rau, Mrs. Alois
Rehrauer,
Misses Delia, Clara and Loretta of this city and the following sons,
Peter of
Indianapolis, Joseph of Philadelphia and John and Raymond of this city.
The Reporter, Fri., Mar. 23, 1917.
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PETER GAGNON (D. 1917)-News Article

Deceased Tugman, Gets Write Up
The 1917 annual directory of Beeson's Marine Directory of the
Northwestern Lakes covers a historical write-up of Peter Gagnon of this
city. Mr. Gagnon was one of the pioneer tugmen on the west shore of Lake
Michigan and nearly a half century ago with his brother, Jonas had about
the first towing tugs on Lake Michigan. In those days the sail vessel
held sway and the tug Mary A. Gagnon, many times brot to nearby ports
the vessels to load and unload. The tannery of H. Whitcomb & Co., was
located several miles up the East Twin River and the cargoes of bark and
other materials, all was brought by sail vessel. Mr. Gagnon, as captain
of the tug at times, brot up or down the river as many as three or four
of the vessls at one time, towing them out into the lake.
The Reporter, Fri., July 13, 1917.
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A PLEASANT AND NOTABLE FAMILY REUNION
Last Sunday there was an assemblage at the home of Hon. Ex-Mayor Peter Gagnon and his estimable wife of all their fourteen children and eighteen grandchildren and the neighbors all unite in saying that they had a delighted in a glorious time. The patriarchal Peter, who has always delighted in a lively flock concedes that the occasion was an entirely satisfactory one from any point of view and we are not going to dispute his conclusions, for we caught a glimpse of the gathering, just in the edge of the evening and it appeared to be a self-satisfied and jolly one. The Chronicle tenders its congratulations to the worthy Mr. and Mrs. Gagnon over so joyous a gathering of their children and grandchildren. The children are as follows: Joseph Gagnon of Ludington, Peter Gagnon Jr., of Indianapolis, Mrs. Ed Niquette, nee Mary; Mrs. Ed. Schultz, nee Lizzie; Mrs. Henry Rau, nee Anna; John, Agnes, Catherine, Emma, Rose, Clara, Delia, Raymond and Loretta Gagnon.
The Chronicle, Tues., Sept. 3, 1907 .