BEAULIEU Paul Hudon

Notes:

Paul was an interpreter for the US Government, and assisted in
concluding many treaties with the Chippewas.

Paul H. Beaulieu

Posted by Dick Campbell on Fri, 18 Jun 1999

The following is from the book "A Pioneer History of Becker County
Minnesota" Chapter XVIII, page 258, by Alvin H. Wilcox, 1907:

Paul H. Beaulieu was born at Mackinac in 1820. He was of French and
Indian descent and took an active part in the early development of
the territory and state of Minnesota, especially in all matters
relating to the Chippewa Indians, and in their several treaties with
the government. He possessed the attributes of a splendid education,
was a master of the English and French languages, a born diplomat, a
brilliant orator, and a Chesterfield in manner and address, and was
reputed to be the most fluent interpreter of the Chippewa dialect
that the nation ever produced. He was largely instrumental in
bringing about the measure which secured to the Chippewas their
present home, the White Earth Reservation, and he, too, led the van
when they removed hither, and turned the first furrow and planted the
first crop, and took the initiatory steps in the paths of a new
civilization. Mr. Beaulieu never sought the uncertain allurements of
the political works, although grandly qualified to honor and
administer the duties of its most intricate branches; he chose,
rather, to humiliate himself to his humble surroundings and to the
elevation of his kindred, the Chippewas of Minnesota. He belonged to
that lofty school of individualism that is fast passing away, and
who, "along the cool, sequestered vale of life, they keep the
'morseless tenor of their way" and whose noble deeds of self-
sacrifice are buried with them. Mr. Beaulieu had been in failing
health for some time, and the sudden and tragic death of his beloved
son, John H. Beaulieu, a few weeks ago, undoubtedly hastened his
demise which occurred on the 9th of February, 1897. He leaves a wife
and two daughters and two sons, Mrs. Jennie Ledeboer, Mrs. A. J.
McIntosh, and Truman and C. A. H.. Beaulieu. He was a brother of the
late lamented Col. C. H. Beaulieu, and at the time of his death he
was employed as interpreter on the Chippewa commission. In respect to
his memory Maj. R. M. Allen, U.S. Indian agent, ordered the agency
flags at half mast during Wednesday and Thursday, and that general
business about the agency be suspended during the funeral services.
He was laid to rest on Thursday, in St. Benedict's mission cemetery;
Rev. Father Aloysius, O. S. B., officiated at the funeral services. -
Detroit Record.

Paul married FAIRBANKS Maria on 15 Oct 1841. Maria (daughter of FAIRBANKS John H. and SAYER Mary) was born on 21 Feb 1821 in Vermillion Lake. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Enlisted in Co. G. 9th Minn. Infantry. His cousin, Chas. H. Beaulieu
was the captain.

Notes:

Clement A. Beaulieu came to White Earth in the fall of 1873, and took
charge of George A. Morison's trading post, but two years afterwards
moved to the new agency and established a store of his own where he
was in trade for several years. He took his land on Fish Lake in
Norman County, but always had a renter there working his farm, while
he and his family resided at the agency in Becker County until the
time of his death in 1893. Mr. Beaulieu was a prominent man here, and
had great influence with the Indians and chiefs. He took an active
part in the treaty made in 1889. He was a close friend of Hon. H. M.
Rice.