Marquette, Jacques

(1637-1675)

   Born at Laon, in the north of France. Joined the Society of Jesus about 1654, and sailed for Canada, 1666. Sent to the Upper Lakes, 1668, and stationed at La Pointe, near the western end of Lake Superior, 1670. Here he heard from the Illinois of a great river flowing far to the south, and was filled with an ardent desire to explore it. His opportunity came two years later, when he was chosen by the Intendant Talon to accompany Louis Jolliet on his memorable exploration of the Mississippi, 1673. Descending the river to the mouth of the Arkansas, and satisfying themselves that it flowed neither into the Atlantic nor the Gulf of California, but into the Gulf of Mexico, they returned to Green Bay, arriving in Sept. 1673. Marquette remained at the mission of De Père until 1675, when he established a mission at Kaskaskia, on the Illinois. His strength had been broken by the difficult journey of 1673, and on his return from Kaskaskia to Michilimackinac, died on the shore of Lake Michigan, May 18, 1675. In the winter of 1676 his bones were brought to Michilimackinac and buried there.

   Index: F Accompanies Jolliet in his explorations, 155. L One of the founders of mission at Sault Ste. Marie, 11; follows course of Mississippi, 11, 146; accompanies Jolliet in his explorations, 59; his death, 146. WM Descends the Mississippi with Jolliet, 19.

   Bib.: Shea, Discovery and Exploration of the Mississippi Valley; Griffin, Discovery of the Mississippi; Parkman, La Salle; Breese, Early History of Illinois; Sparks, American Biography, ser. 1, vol. 10.