Willard Bradley Bunnell, was born in Homer, New York in 1814. He named the town of Homer, Minnesota after his birthplace. Willard met his wife, Matilda Desnoyer, while working as a steamboat captain on the Great Lakes. They were married in 1837 in Detroit, Michigan where Matilda's father worked as a fur trader. The couple moved to Green Bay, Wisconsin, and Willard began to practice the fur trade. Following this profession, Willard eventually moved to the Trempealeau, Wisconsin area in 1842. He made the acquaintance of Chief Wapasha, a Dakotah Chief, who maintained a summer camp, Ke-ox-ah, on the present site of Winona. In 1849 this Chief gave Willard permission to build a log cabin on Indian land on a site approximately 200 feet north of the present Bunnell House.
After the present house was built, probably between 1857 and 1861, Willard's brother, Lafayette, occupied the log cabin until 1901, when it was struck by lightening and burned to the ground. Lafayette is remembered for his book on local history, Winona County and its Environs On The Mississippi. He is also credited with naming Yosemite Valley while serving in California with the Mariposa battalion of the Army during the 1850's.
Although Willard died of "consumption" in 1861 before the completion of the present home, Matilda occupied the house with her children until her death in 1867. Matilda was "a model representative of a pioneer woman." She spoke French, English, Chippewa, Winnebago, Dakotah, and had some knowledge of other Indian dialects. She could shoot, paddle a canoe, and was respected by the Indians. Yet she inspired one writer who knew her to describe her as "lady-like and modestly feminine."
After the present house was built, probably between 1857 and 1861, Willard's brother, Lafayette, occupied the log cabin until 1901, when it was struck by lightening and burned to the ground. Lafayette is remembered for his book on local history, Winona County and its Environs On The Mississippi. He is also credited with naming Yosemite Valley while serving in California with the Mariposa battalion of the Army during the 1850's.
Although Willard died of "consumption" in 1861 before the completion of the present home, Matilda occupied the house with her children until her death in 1867. Matilda was "a model representative of a pioneer woman." She spoke French, English, Chippewa, Winnebago, Dakotah, and had some knowledge of other Indian dialects. She could shoot, paddle a canoe, and was respected by the Indians. Yet she inspired one writer who knew her to describe her as "lady-like and modestly feminine."
Willard Bradley Bunnell, was born in Homer, New York in 1814. He named the town of Homer, Minnesota after his birthplace. Willard met his wife, Matilda Desnoyer, while working as a steamboat captain on the Great Lakes. They were married in 1837 in Detroit, Michigan where Matilda's father worked as a fur trader. The couple moved to Green Bay, Wisconsin, and Willard began to practice the fur trade. Following this profession, Willard eventually moved to the Trempealeau, Wisconsin area in 1842. He made the acquaintance of Chief Wapasha, a Dakotah Chief, who maintained a summer camp, Ke-ox-ah, on the present site of Winona. In 1849 this Chief gave Willard permission to build a log cabin on Indian land on a site approximately 200 feet north of the present Bunnell House.
After the present house was built, probably between 1857 and 1861, Willard's brother, Lafayette, occupied the log cabin until 1901, when it was struck by lightening and burned to the ground. Lafayette is remembered for his book on local history, Winona County and its Environs On The Mississippi. He is also credited with naming Yosemite Valley while serving in California with the Mariposa battalion of the Army during the 1850's.
Although Willard died of "consumption" in 1861 before the completion of the present home, Matilda occupied the house with her children until her death in 1867. Matilda was "a model representative of a pioneer woman." She spoke French, English, Chippewa, Winnebago, Dakotah, and had some knowledge of other Indian dialects. She could shoot, paddle a canoe, and was respected by the Indians. Yet she inspired one writer who knew her to describe her as "lady-like and modestly feminine."
After the present house was built, probably between 1857 and 1861, Willard's brother, Lafayette, occupied the log cabin until 1901, when it was struck by lightening and burned to the ground. Lafayette is remembered for his book on local history, Winona County and its Environs On The Mississippi. He is also credited with naming Yosemite Valley while serving in California with the Mariposa battalion of the Army during the 1850's.
Although Willard died of "consumption" in 1861 before the completion of the present home, Matilda occupied the house with her children until her death in 1867. Matilda was "a model representative of a pioneer woman." She spoke French, English, Chippewa, Winnebago, Dakotah, and had some knowledge of other Indian dialects. She could shoot, paddle a canoe, and was respected by the Indians. Yet she inspired one writer who knew her to describe her as "lady-like and modestly feminine."
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