Pierre Menard

Pierre Menard, with his brothers, Hypolite and Francois, came from Quebec to Kaskaskia in 1790. Hypolite became a successful farmer. Francois became a distinguished trader and flatboat operator on the Mississippi. Pierre remained at Kaskaskia and became a wealthy trader and the idol of the Indians, whose friendship he early won. He was a member of the territorial legislature and was speaker of the house in 1812. When Illinois became a State, he was its first Lieutenant Governor. His home, built in 1802, still stands as one of the noted buildings of the State. He died in 1844, and his grave may be seen on the hill near the ruins of Fort Gage.