Julia was the oldest daughter of Frank and Mary Ann, and the second child. It would appear that she and her first husband, Charles Tusow, were cousin. They were married in Canada and traveled to Wisconsin with her parents. She and Charles stayed in Wisconsin when her parents moved on to Minnesota.
Charles died at nineteen years of age, leaving Julia with daughters Lucy and Edna and expecting again. Charley Fremont was born after his death. Julia married Shadrack Spaulding and they had eight children. She died in 1919 and is buried in the Fairwater Cemetery. - Ginger's book.
Alexander LaTourelle was born in Oxford Township, Leeds County, Ontario, Canada according to Ginger's book. "Alex was five feet, eight inches tall, with brown hair and blue eyes. He left his birthplace in 1854 in search of new lands to settle. He traveled first to Illinois and Iowa finally stopping in Green Lake County, Wisconsin. There Francis and family joined him.
In 1859 they again took to the trail and chose Danville Township, Blue Earth County, Minnesota as their stopping off point. The Indian War claimed a year of his life in 1862. Barney Coop-er was his close friend and brother-in-law, enlisting together in the Mounted Rangers. They were among the detachment of soldiers policing the Indian hangings at Mankato. After his discharge he proved up on land which was to be his home for 48 years. He filed his declaratory statement on December 18, 1859, and filed at the land office in Winnebago City on December 3, 1864. He met Sophia in Medo and maried her in 1869 at the American House in Mankato. Their marriage was witnessed by Wesley LaTourelle and Lewis Hoerr. W. J. Hoerr, Justice of the Peace, performed the service.
Alex was a pioneer in all new methods of improving his homestead. Cattle of the short horn variety was raised, as well as Poland-China hogs, and Norman grade horses. He was town chairman for fifteen years and held various other offices. He was district Director of Schools for many terms, and a Director of Star Creamery in Danville. He was a member of the Sam Louden Grand Army Post as long as there were sufficient old soldiers to keep up the organization.The family occupied a prominent position in the community, owning much property. Many picnics were held in the LaTourelle Grove, especially on July Fourth. The home was one of good cheer.
Advancing age made further farm life too difficult, so in 1907 he purchased property on Silver Street in Mapleton, where he resided until his death, well past his eighty fifth birthday. It was written that he never grew old in spirit, but read with interest the news of each day, being alway optimistic and thoughtful of others. Alex and Nella are buried in Calvary Cemetery in Mapleton, Minnesota. They had four girls and five boys during their life together." Exceprts from the Blue Earth County Enterprize.
Alexander was also listed in a book about Mapleton published in 1990's. It says that the family lived in Green Lake County, Wisconsin for four years before homesteading in Daville Township, Blue Earth Co., MN. The LaTourelles were Catholic.
47. John Wesley (Wes) LaTourelle-112
Wes according to Ginger's book, who I believe got some of the information from the Veteran's Records, was 5 foot 9 1/2 inches tall, dark complected with grey eyes and dark hair. "He moved from Canada with the family. He helped his dad farm, and in 1862 at St. Peter, he enlisted in the Mounted Rangers, with Barney (Cooper) and Alex (LaTourelle). He was discharged on November 9, 1863 at Fort Snelling.
"He married Lizzie Faley, a sister of Wash's wife, Ellen. S. B. Babcock, J. P., performed the wedding in Medo Township, Blue Earth County, Minnesota in the presence of Ellen (Faley) and her brother James. Wes and Lib farmed in the area and at one time Julia's son Charles Tusow was laboring there.
"Wesley died at the age of 75 in St. Paul, Minnesota and was buried in Roselawn Cemetery there."
Wes farmed the homeplace after his return from Military duty. The farm then passed to his son, Sherman, and down to his son, Douglas. Douglas is gone, but Margaret continues to live there. - Judy Huber, 1993.
Guy lived and died in St. Paul, Minnesota
48. Reuban (Oscar) LaTourelle-109
Reuben was born in Ontario to Frank and Mary Ann LaTourelle. He was one of the children that travelled with his parents to Wisconsin and Minnesota. At the age of 24, he enlisted as a private in the First Regiment Minnesota Infantry at St. Paul, MN, on 8 March 1865.
Oscar as he was called by the family, joined Sherman and the Army of the Potomac on its last campaign of the Civil War. Oscar never saw actual combat, but was felled by a fever which hospitalized him for 14 days. He was discharged on July 14th 1865 at Jeffersonville, Indiana. He military records say he was 5 foot 10 inches tall and had a dark complexion, black hair and grey eyes.
Oscar came back to farm in Danville Township, Blue Earth County, Minnesota.
He married Martha Anne Chase at Mapleton by Constant H. Whitney, J. P.
According to Ginger's book, "Grandfather Barney joined the Minnesota Militia in October 1862 along with his brothers-in-law, Alex and John LaTourelle."
"Danville and Mapleton, due to their proximity to the Winnebagoes, were in much danger (from the Minnesota Indian up-rising). During these times of fear and uncertainty, during Barney's absence, Angeline spent thre days in the cellar, holding her hand over baby Charlie's mouth so the Indians would not hear him cry and find them." - Les Sontag.
"Barney served under Colonel Samuel McPhail at Fort Ridgely, New Ulm, Birch Coolie and Wood Lake. At the time, Barney, was 27 years old, five foot eight inches tall, dark eyed, and brown haired."
"Later a second expedition was embarked on against the Sioux Indians and Barney along with his brother, Sylvester, and brothers-in-law, Alex and Wesley LaTourelle, served in the Mounted Rangers under Horace Austin. Barney was a scout. They chased the Indians from Camp Pope at the mouth of the Redwood River to the Minnesota River, across the prairie to the James River. Barney and the others fought in the Battle of Big Mound on Friday, July 24th, 1863; The Battle of Dead Buffalo Lake on 26th of July 1863; and the Battle of Stony Lake on Tuesday July 28, 1863. On Saturday, Agust 1, 1863 the force started its return."
"Within six weeks time or forty-two days exactly, from June 16th when the troops left Camp Pope, to July 28th when the final battle of Stoney Lake was fought, General Sibley had marched nearly 600 miles, reaching within thirty miles of Devils Lake, then turned southward and westward, pushing th Indians before him, pressing on, with his maccasined men, by forced marches, toward the Missouri coteau and river, fighting the three battles of July 24, 26, and 28th.
The thermometer ranging from 94 to 108 degrees in the shade, and all with casualties of seven killed and three wounded. Whereas, eh inflicted upon ;the enemy not only the severe loss of nearly one hundred fifty killed and wounded, but the destruction of the entire camp of the Sioux, driving form 8,000 to 10,000 Indians across the Missouri (River)."
"All the Cooper and LaTourelle soldiers were discharged on 9 Nov 1863 at Fort Snelling, ten days before Lincoln's Gettyyburg address."
"In 1867 Barney was made Postmaster for Sherman (now Mapleton) township. The office was located in their home in Section 9 until 1869 when it was discontinued."
"Barney applied for his pension in 1888 when he was a resident of Danville Township. And in 1891 they headed west to where their son, Charlie, had gone to homestead in Sargent County, North Dakota. They traveled by covered wagon and ox team, leaving behind dear relatives on both sides. They joined Charlie, then dropping off the older boys, continued on to Oregon for a few years stay."
They were back in North Dakota in 1909 where they purchased a little house that appears in the 50th wedding anniversary picture.
50. Benjamin Franklin LaTourelle-108
Ben was born in Canada, but came with his parents, Frank and Mary Ann LaTourelle to Wisconsin and Minnesota. On 29 August 1864 he enlisted in the army. He was 5 foot 8 inches tall with blue eyes, dark brown hair and a dark complexion. He was just nineteen years old when he was assigned to Company C of the 11th Minnesota Volunteer Infantry. He served under Captain Theadore Potter of Garden City, Minnesota and Colonel Gilfillen. They moved to Nashville, Tennessee on the river and by railroad.
Ben was generally placed at Buck Lodge and passed the days routinely at guard, picket and patrol. Ben was mustered out at Gallatin, Tennessee, on 26 June 1865 and returned to Fort Snelling, entitled to bounty lands.
He married Irene Annis and they farmed in Danville township for a number of years. Later they moved to Minnesota Lake where he opened a general merchandise store. He was appointed postmaster during the Harrison administration and aided in building the Methodist Church in Minnesota Lake. Both he and Irene are buried in the Minnesota Lake City Cemetery.
Lucy was one of the more colorful characters in the family. She was born in Green Lake County, Wisconsin. She came with her parents, Frank and Mary Ann LaTourelle, in 1860 to Danville Township, Minnesota. There she met and married Frazer McGregor. They had four sons.
Lucy left husband and son in Minnesota and joined the streams of gold seekers in the rush to Alaska. It is said she her her gold by dancing in the dance hall parlors. Ginger said Lou told this to Red Cooper.
After her divorce from Frazer she travveled to Portland, Oregon in 1895. There were some distant relatives living there. She married a man by the name of Fiester and opened a milinery establishment in Salem, Oregon. She died in Portland, OR on 1 March 1951 at the age of 102.
115. Archibald Leslie McGregor-692
Arch lived in Minnesota and at one time wintered in New Mexico.