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Jacob Bouquet, a pioneer merchant of Caledonia township [Houston Cty, Minnesota], and now living
retired in the village of Caledonia, was born in Belgium, July 20, 1834, son of Michael Bouquet, his mother's family name being Pohl. He was the first
member of the family to come to the United States, being then a young man, and
making the voyage on a sailing vessel which took about thirty days to make port.
After reaching this country he went first to Ohio, where he remained for about
two years.
After that he visited a number of places, working at his trade of mechanic, and
gradually moving westward until he arrived at Chicago. From that place he
continued further west to Galena, Ill., where he stayed two year and there cast
his first vote, which was for President Lincoln. Not having as yet found a place
in which he cared to make a permanent settlement, he crossed over the river into
Iowa, remained there two years, then spent another two year, or so in La Crosse
Wis., and finally came up the river to Houston county, Minn., locating in
Caledonia township.
Here he made the acquaintance of Thomas Abbot and - associated with him for a
number of years in making wagons, plough,, drags, sleighs, and other useful
articles for the early settlers. Mr. Bouquet then changed his occupation,
entering into a general mercantile business in partnership with J. C. Kiern, now
of Winona They also bought and operated a store in Brownsville, their connection
lasting six or seven years when it was dissolved. After that Mr. Bouquet remained
inactive for about two years, but at the end of that time he opened a store in
Caledonia, of which he was sole proprietor for thirty-three years, also owning
the building, which he had erected, thus increasing the property value of the
village.
As a merchant he had a successul career and formed many friendships,
establishing a wide reputation for enterprise and integrity, and it was a
notable event in the history of the village when he finally announced his
retirement. He was one of the first citizens in the township to take shares in
the railroad when it was put through, and he also ba stockholder in the Farmers'
elevator. A member of St. Peters Catholic church, he served forty-five years as
its treasurer. He is now, in the enjoyment of a fair competence, the result of
his many years of successful industry.
Mr. Bouquet married Josephine Wagner, a native of the Duchy of Luxemburg, who
died at the age of seventy-three years. Six children were born to them: John P.,
Herman, Josephine, Mary, Susie and Cecelia.
Source : (collective work) : History of Houston County, Minnesota; Winona, Minn.: H.C. Cooper, Jr. & Co., 1919, 1082 pgs.