Edmond Menard
Edmond Menard
There are names cherished with pride by every
lover of the early history of his commonwealth.
Among such in Illinois is that of Menard.
Pierre Menard, a Frenchman, came to Kaskaskia
in 1790. He married Angelique Souci in 1792.
He traded with the Indians, taking their
furs, pelts, etc. in exchange for good, also
engaged in farming. He was a prominent citizen,
and took an active part in every public enterprise.
Upon the organization of the State, he was
elected Lieutenant-Governor. His father,
John Menard, fought at Quebec under Montgomery.
Edmond, a son of Pierre, was born in Kaskaskia
on February 7, 1813. He inherited much of
his father's disposition. in 1837, he was
elected a member of the Legislature, which
then convened at Vandalia. He engaged in
merchandising and farming, with his neighbors
holding him in high esteem because of his
noble qualities and generous impulses of
charity. The poor of the old town of Kaskaskia
recognized him as a benafactor and friend.
His acts of kindness, such as supplying
a distressed family with meat or provisions,
furnishing them with horses to enable them
to farm, etc. are many, and treasured in
memory of all who know/knew him. He was known
to his fellow citizens as "uncle Edmond".
More of the Menard family histories can be
found throughout this site, owing to their
great prominence and generous works.
(signature above is reportedly his own.)
ss: Histories of Randolph, Monroe and Perry
Counties, 1883
