Biography of Peter Joseph Paggeot 1832-1904

This story is a compilation of all the information I have collected on Peter's family between Aug 1993 and Aug 1995.  Over the years I'm sure that more will come to light and be added.

Peter was born the 8th of 10 children in Saint Marie de Beauce, Quebec, Canada 27 Jun 1832 to Charles & Angele Halle.  He was baptised the same day, Pierre Pageau, as witnessed by his godparents, Pierre Maran & Anastasie Pageau (his aunt), and his father whose occupation is listed as Farmer.  He apparently grew up in Saint Marie, as his father died and was interred there in 1850.  His mother had died shortly after her last child was born in 1836.

It is believed that Peter emigrated to the U.S. about 1851.  This is consistent with the 1900 Federal Census for Manistee County, which said he had been in this country 49 years.  His route to Manistee must have been through the East Coast as there is a picture of him taken at Dover, New Hampshire as a young man.  It also appears that his older brother (2yrs) Charles Jean Clement migrated at about the same time, as they showed up in Manistee history together.  Besides their parents being gone by 1850 in Canada, there was possibly another driving factor in their migration.

The Quebec City area until around 1850 had been the industrial and economic center in the Quebec Province.  It was also heavily populated by earlier policies of incentivizing families to have many children.  As the trade routes through Montreal to the U.S. developed earlier then Quebec City, a shift of power occurred in which Montreal became dominant and the Quebec City area eroded.   It is estimated that from 1850 to 1900 around 1,500,000 French Canadians emigrated to the U.S.

On 11 April 1857 Peter married Marguerite Norman, daughter of Francis & Marguerite Demarce of Manistee.  Her parents were originally from Canada where she was born.  The wedding took place in Stronach at the home of Adam Stronach son of John Stronach the first white settler in Manistee (1841).  Adam was married to Lucy Norman, Marguerite's sister.  Witnesses to the ceremony were Charles, his brother, and Mary Keef.  The village of Stronach is at the West end of Manistee Lake about 5 miles from Manistee.  Two years later, July 1859, Charles married Sarah Norman, another of Marguerite's sisters.  Sarah had been married to James Stronach, Adams brother until he died in an accident in 1858.

Although still controversial it appears that their first child, John Baptiste, was born 6 months (26 Oct 1856) before they married in Stronach.  Their second child Sarah Adeline, reportedly born 7 Jan 1857 in Stronach, would have also been born  before the marriage.  Although possible, it seems highly unlikely there would be two children born out of wedlock during that time period and the parents finally married.

John B. went on to marry Amanda Caroline Norman ( Marguerite Norman's niece) 3 Jul 1879 in Stronach, had 12 children, and died at East Lake  31 May 1909.  Sarah A. married Charles Edward Rodney Mayrand 4 Jul 1872, and had 10 children by 1894.  Her husband died in 1899 and some time after that she moved to Seattle and died there 28 Aug 1931.

Their third child, Matilda, was born about Apr 1862, in Stronach, and died at 17yrs old in Stronach, 26 Jun 1879 of Typhoid Fever.  The fourth child, Peter Joseph Jr. was born 5 May 1863 in Stronach, never married, and died in Seattle Washington 2 Jul 1941.  Fifth was Margaret, born about Sep 1865 in Stronach, and died at 13 yrs old in Stronach 2 Sep 1879, of typhoid Fever.  The two girls died within weeks of each other.

The sixth child Julie is more elusive.  All we have recorded for her is an old family photo taken in Manistee (about 1887) with notes on the back which appear to be from her brother, John B., "This is my mother & father & my sister Julie Magnan & one of Adeline's daughters when she was a little girl"  Then circled names left-right, "This is my sister Julie Magnan, mother Margrette Paggeot, father Peter Paggeot, Margrette Mayrand".  Later on, a witness to John B.'s wedding was a Charles Magnan.

The 1870 Federal Census for Manistee County has Peter Paggeott(39) & Marguerite(42) in Stronach Twp. with children; John-14, Sarah-12, Matilda-10, Peter-7, Margaret-3, all born in Michigan.   Peter shown as having $2,000 personal wealth and occupation, logging for sawmill.  In the 1880 Census, Peter Paggeott(49) & Marguerite(54) are in Stronach with Peter Jr(16), occupation, laborer.  The 1900 Census has Peter(67)  & Marguerite(72) living at 123 Mckee St. in the City of Manistee with Peter Jr(30), occupation Carpenter.

Extracts from Manistee Newspapers & County Records:

Peter Paggote applied Jan 24 1866 for citizenship and later received same, renouncing the Queen of Great Britain.  (Peter was naturalized officially by the Circuit Court for the County of Manistee, 25 Apr 1871)

Manistee Gazette, 1 Jan 1866-  A fire occured at Stronach on Saturday evening the 23 inst.  A building occupied by Mr. Peter Paggeot took fire from the stove pipe and was burned to the ground.  the building belonged to Mr. Chas. Paggeot, and was valued at $900.00.  Insured for $500.00.

Manistee Times, 9 Apr 1870- In the spring election - one of the four constables elected was Peter Paggeot.

Manistee Times, 30 Jul 1870-Deeds recorded - H. Butters to P. Paggeot, lot 6 of Block 7 of Village of Stronach for $150.00.

Manistee Times, 15 Apr 1871-Peter Paggeot is on the April term of Circuit Court as Juror.

Times & Standard, 16 Sep 1876- Peter Paggeots house at Stronach was destroyed by fire Thursday evening.  It was insured for $2000.00

Manistee Advocate, 6 Jan 1877- Sheriff's Sale for Peter Paggeot property - Lots 7,8,9,10,11, &12 of Block 8    Lots 1 & 2 Block 6   Lot 6 of Block 7 in the Village of Stronach.

Manistee, 1878- Peter Paggot officer in town of Stronach - Justice of Peace
 
Times & Standard, 7 Jun 1879-Peter Paggeot of Stronach is on Jury Duty for the June session of Circuit Court.

31 Dec 1879- Peter Paggeot bought Lot 4 Block E at Mount Carmel cemetery for $15.00 (Misc. libers - Register of Deeds Manistee Court House)

Times & Standard, 29 Oct 1881-Peter Paggeot is on Jury Duty for November term of court.

Manistee Weekly Times, 23 Apr 1885- Peter Paggeot has purchased the house & lot formerly owned by Chas. C. and George A. Young in Stronach.

Manistee Advocate, 9 May 1885- At the reunion of "Old Settlers" held at Mrs. Eliza Graves, on May 7th, was Peter Paggeot.

Manistee Advocate, 4 Jul 1885- Peter Paggeot is on Jury Duty for Circuit Court.

Manistee City Directory, 1888- Paggeot, Peter - Carpenter res 307 First St.

Manistee Advocate, 25 Jan 1895- The Wallapollas had a jaw-ful time at the party given by Miss Lane Thursday evening.  Pete Paggeott was awarded the booby prize.

Manistee Advocate, 31 May 1895- Peter Paggeott left yesterday for Ludington where he expects to go into business.

Manistee Advocate, 1 Nov 1895- Pete Paggeott left Monday morning for a business trip to Ludington.

Manistee Daily Advocate, 11 Jan 1896- Peter Paggeott will open a restaurant in the Danville building, formerly occupied by Henry Maker, Monday.

Manistee Daily Advocate, 17 Jan 1896- Peter J. Paggeot has greatly beautified the old Midway Restaurant at 445 River St. and will open the same to the public tomorrow.  It is known as the O.K. Restaurant.  He has a nice and cozy place.  (It was vacated the middle of November, hoping to reopen in the spring)

Manistee Daily Advocate, 10 Feb 1896- Peter J. Paggeott served elegant refreshments for Eddy & Daniels private Masquerade at the River St. Rink Friday night.

Manistee Daily Advocate, 18 Sep 1896- Peter Paggeott will serve roast pig for dinner at the O.K. Restaurant Sunday.

Manistee Daily News, 26 Feb 1897- Peter Paggeott did the cooking for the Manistee and East Lake Maccabees Wienie Social.

Manistee Daily News, 22 May 1897-In Jas. Mayrand trial for robbery, P.J. Paggeott was called as a character witness.

Manistee Daily News, 12 Sep 1898- Peter Paggeot left this morning for Chief Lake.

Manistee, 9 Nov  1903- Mrs. Peter Paggeott, aged 76 years 11 months 11 days, died at her home 123 McKee street Sunday morning of pneumonia after a little over a week's illness.  The funeral services will be held at St. Mary's Church Wednesday morning at 9 o'clock and the remains will be interred at Mt. Carmel.  A husband and four children, two sons and two daughters survive her.  Mrs. Paggeott was born in Canada in 1827.  She moved to New York State when a mere Child with her parents and later to Chicago where she resided for several years.  Deceased came to Manistee in 1851.  The family have the sympathy of all in their sad affliction.

Manistee Daily Advocate, 12 Feb 1904- Peter Paggeott Sr. is seriously ill of asthma.

Manistee Daily Advocate, Thurs. 3 Mar 1904- Peter Paggeott Sr., aged 75 years, died at his home 123 McKee St., yesterday at 3 o'clock of Asthma after several weeks illness.  The funeral services will be held from St. Mary's Church Saturday morning at 9 o'clock and burial at Mt Carmel Cemetery.  He is survived by three children, Mrs. Mayrand, and John and Peter Paggeott.  Mr. Paggeot has been a resident of Manistee for over 50 years.  ( Peters death certificate stated he was 72 years 8 months and 15 days at time of death)

Manistee Daily Advocate, Sat. 5 Mar 1904- The funeral services of Peter Paggeot Sr., were conducted at St. Mary's church this morning at 9 o'clock by Father Hudon, who preached a very impressive sermon.  The remains were followed to Mt. Carmel cemetery by a large number of sympathizing friends and laid to rest in the family lot by the side of his wife.  ( The burial plot at Mt. Carmel cemetery is Lot 4 BLK E.  The white granite cross marking the plot reads "Paggot".)

Manistee, 13 Nov 1903- Peter Sr., a widower transferred the home at 123 McKee St. to Peter Jr. who sold it 13 Aug 1904 after his fathers death.
 

Summary:

Peter Paggeot started quite a legacy when he migrated here from Quebec.. He brought the surname "Paggeot" to this country and until now everyone carrying that surname is descended from him.  His son John B. was his only child to continue the name in the Midwest & West,  and is the subject of another Biography.  His daughter, Sarah A. (Paggeot) Mayrand, continued the blood line to many areas in the West.  His brother Charles had no male offspring but did pass the blood line through daughters primarily in the Louisiana area.   His sister, Emilie (Paggeot) Pomeroy, also continued the blood line in the Midwest.  Emilie and her husband Michael migrated to Maine in 1849 and their son John C. visited his Uncle Charles around 1862 and settled there.

Peter, an early pioneer in Manistee,  early on a logger, later a carpenter, and finally a restrautant owner, active in the community, and a  family man, seemed to lead a low key and normal life.  His brother Charles, on the other hand was considerably more flamboyant, and was quite prominent, as documented in the early history of Manistee.   His colorful exploits are to numerous to mention here and will be the subject of a separate Biography.