Big & Mysterious History of Sioux City, Iowa: Roberts and Cordura Murder, Joseph Leonais

French Canadian Joseph Leonais was an early settler in the area that became Sioux City, Iowa. He worked as a fur trapper of the American Fur Company of St. Louis, Missouri as Theophile Bruguier did at the time. Both men knew one another and along with being co-workers were very likely friends.

Joseph was married to Rosalie Menard who is recorded as being the first white woman married in the territory at the time. She was so named "First Bride" and her burial place is located today in what is called South Ravine Park in Sioux City. The park is just down the hill from FLoy'd Bluff, burial place of Sgt. Charles Floyd.

Joseph purchased 160 acres of land from Theophile Bruguier for $100 in 1852. This area would become the downtown section of Sioux City, Iowa.

Links to previous articles in this series:
Big & Mysterious History of Sioux City, Iowa: Roberts and Cordura Murder, Intro and Info.
Big & Mysterious History of Sioux City, Iowa: Roberts and Cordura Murder, Credits and Thanks
Big & Mysterious History of Sioux City, Iowa: Roberts and Cordura Murder, Pre-Sioux City
Big & Mysterious History of Sioux City, Iowa: Roberts and Cordura Murder, Lewis and Clark Expedition
Big & Mysterious History of Sioux City, Iowa: Roberts and Cordura Murder, William Thompson
Big & Mysterious History of Sioux City, Iowa: Roberts and Cordura Murder, Theophile Bruguier

Links to more info. about Joseph Leonais:
History of Sioux City - Wikipedia
Joseph Leonais - Sioux City History
Joseph Leonais - Google Books
Rosalie Menard Leonais - Sioux City History
Sioux City History & Culture by Bicycle Part 9: First Bride's Grave
Sioux City History and Culture by Bicycle Part 134; Notable People Part 6; Rosalie Menard Leonais

Big & Mysterious History of Sioux City, Iowa: Roberts and Cordura Murder, Theophile Bruguier

Theophile Brugier, a French-Canadian worked for the American Fur Company travelling along the Missouri River Valley and through the area that became Sioux City, Iowa. He traded with local Indian tribes for furs and sold them to small fur companies. He is often credited as the first white settler in the area that became Sioux City. Bruguier settled in the area in 1849. William Thompson settled in the area in 1848, almost a year prior to Theophile.

He became good friends with Chief Wambdi Okicize also known as War Eagle, marrying two of War Eagle's daughters.

Bruigier sold part of his land to Joseph Leonais in 1852.

Links to previous article in the series:
Big & Mysterious History of Sioux City, Iowa: Roberts and Cordura Murder, Intro and Info.
Big & Mysterious History of Sioux City, Iowa: Roberts and Cordura Murder, Credits and Thanks
Big & Mysterious History of Sioux City, Iowa: Roberts and Cordura Murder, Pre-Sioux City
Big & Mysterious History of Sioux City, Iowa: Roberts and Cordura Murder, Lewis and Clark Expedition
Big & Mysterious History of Sioux City, Iowa: Roberts and Cordura Murder, William Thompson

More info. on Theophile Bruguier:
Theophile Bruguier - Sioux City History
Theophile Brugier - Wikipedia
Theophile Brugier - Find a Grave
Bruguier's Cabin - Sioux City History
Images for Theophile Bruguier
Sioux City History & Culture by Bicycle Part 3: Bruguier Cabin
2012 Memorial Day Dedication to Theophile Bruguier and Chief War Eagle
Sioux City History and Cultuer by Bicycle Part 131; Notable People Part 3; Theophile Bruguier