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Famous Residents
Father Jacques Marquette was one of the first Europeans to
bring Christianity to the Native American Indians at Starved Rock. He was
born in France in 1637. As a young man he decided to become a Jesuit priest
and upon becoming a priest traveled to Canada where he brought Christianity
to Indian tribes throughout Canada and the Northern United States. In 1673
Louis Joliet invited Marquette to help him map the Mississippi River. They
were among the first Europeans to travel the great river. Marquette was
able to work as a missionary among many Illinois tribes. They traveled the
Illinois River and spent time witnessing to local Indians. Marquette died
in 1675 but lives on through a University, railroad, lake, river, park,
and several towns named for him.
Henri de Tonti was born in 1650. As a French explorer he traveled
throughout the Mississippi River Valley with Robert LaSalle in the late
1600's and helped to claim a large portion of this area as French territory.
He was responsible for building Fort St. Louis in 1682. The local Indians
called him, "Iron Hand." He lost his hand during a battle in France
and used a metal device as a prosthesis. Because of his hand, some Indians
believed he possessed special powers. He was able to maintain French control
in the area for nearly 20 years. He stayed at Fort St. Louis until 1702
and died two years later.