08/29/2023
Mary Ann (Mary Ann) "Aunt Mary Ann" Menard
formerly LaBuche aka Duchouquette, Gagnier
https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/LaBuche-1
Born about 1767 in Cahokia, St. Clair, Illinois map
Daughter of [father unknown] and [mother unknown]
[sibling(s) unknown]
Wife of Claude Gagnier — married 1793 (to 1803) in Prairie du Chien, Crawford, Wisconsin, United Statesmap
DESCENDANTS
Mother of Francois Duchoquette Sr, Helene Gagnier, Francios Registre Gagnier, Claude Gagnier Jr., Adelaide (Gagnier) Lemerie, Melanie Gagnier and Basile Gagnier
Died about 1833 at about age 66 in Wisconsinmap
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Biography
The Mississippi River Sculpture Park Board of Directors sponsored an event to fund raise for the next sculpture to be added to the park. Artist Florence Bird's next creation will by Mary Ann LaBouche - first woman doctor in Prairie du Chien. Mary Ann LaBouche was born prior to 1774 in Cahokia, Illinois. She was of African and French descent. Mary Ann moved to Prairie du Chien at a young age. She was married three times. Her first husband was a man named Francois DuChouquette and they had two sons. The second husband was Claude Gagnier Sr. and they had three sons and three daughters. Mary Ann's third husband was Charles Menard and together they had three sons and two daughters. At some point in her adult life she started to care for the sick and injured and delivered babies. When someone needed medical attention Aunt Mary was summoned. Ever after a surgeon was available at Fort Crawford many preferred Aunt Mary's help and her "yarb tea" to restore health.
We are all familiar with the story of the baby who survived a scalping at the hands of the Winnebago and Red Bird on June 28, 1827. The baby's name was Mary (or Louisa Gagnier). Her father was Rijeste Gagnier who was killed on that day and her grandmother was Aunt Mary. Aunt Mary's most famous patient was presumed dead and was being prepared for burial when her breathing was noticed. Aunt Mary took over and nursed her granddaughter back to health. She supposedly put a piece of silver on the wound to cover and protect it.
Mary (Louisa) led a long and normal life. She married twice and had 13 children. She lived to be 80 years old.
Sources
https://www.familysearch.org/tree/person/details LYRR-JMJ
Family Group Record/Published by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints/Francois_Duchouquette (M34C-G5K) Claude_Gagnier_Sr (K8SD-FPQ) Charles_Menard_Sr (LYRR-4PS)
http://www.statuepark.org/2015/01/mary_ann_labouche.html
https://www.ancestry.com
Crawford County, Wisconsin History 1850 Medicine/Posted 26 May by kjmontez
A maguette of Mary Ann LaBuche holding her granddaugher/Date: August 2012, Place: Prairie du Chien, Crawford Co, WI, Description: This is what a bronze sculputure will look like of Mary Ann LaBuche when cast and added to the Sculpture Park on the grounds of the Villa Louis in Prairie du Chien, WI. Page A-2, Courier Press August 2012 article re Mary Ann LaBuche
Civilian Affairs Prairie du Chien : French, British, American, Page 199.
History of Wisconsin pgs. 714-715.
https://littlechutehistory.org/genealogy/familygoup.php?familyID=F203970&tree=ichs