History in Minnesota, U.S.A

 

Table of Contents

 

Bibeau Land in Ramsey County. Paul, Minnesota

 

Bebeau Land in Hennepin County, Minnesota

 

Bebeau Land in Polk County, Wisconsin

 

 

Bibeau Land in Ramsey County. Paul, Minnesota

 

Family history says that in 1847-48 Paul Bibeau purchased 160 acres of land on Centerville Road, near what is now Edgerton Street in modern day Vadnais Heights, St. Paul.  

 

Edgar Belland (1976, History and Biographies. A History of Vadnais Heights. Vadnais Heights, MN: The Commission, 9-12) says:

 

[Paul] Bibeau…acquired 160 acres on Centerville Road near present day Edgerton Street …”, that “Jean Vadnais settled with his family on land just north of the Bibeau’s farm”, and that “Garceau’s property also bordered the lake and extended east to the section line in line with Arcade Street if it were extended.

 

The earliest Minnesota plat map we have found, dating from 1867, shows Bibeau land in modern day Vadnais Heights, adjacent to Twin Lake (unmarked on this map) and south of Vadnais Lake, on Centerville Road.  The Vadnais and Garceau properties described in the earlier family histories are in fact north of the Bibeau property. 

This corresponds with the description provided by Belland.

 

The 1867 maps shows:

  • D. Bibeau (probably David Bibeau, Paul’s son), 30.30 acres.
  • L. Bibeau (probably Louis Bibeau), 88.20 acres.

 

 

If we overlay this map onto a modern day satellite map (courtesy of maps.google.com), we can see approximately where this land lies today.

 

 

Unfortunately, the information we have relative to the land is not complete (as all the land records have not yet been researched fully).  Based on this information and family histories, we can surmise this:

 

  • In 1847-48 Paul purchased 160 acres.  According to Al Dahlquist, he probably purchased all or part of this land from John Vadnais, one of the original settlers of the area.. 
  • In 1848 Paul sold his brother Louis half the land, or 80 acres.
  • In 1850 the value of Paul’s land (assuming 80 acres) is $320, according to the 1850 census.  Strangely, there is no record of Louis and his family in the 1850 census. 
  • In May 1851, Paul sold 28 acres to John Vadnais (possibly J.Fadnais on the 1867 map).
  • Between 1850-1866, Paul may have sold other land, i.e., to Vadnais, etc.
  • In 1866, Paul dies.  His land may have been bequeathed to family or sold, because in 1867 the map shows:
    • 88 acres which may belong to his brother Louis (see L. Bibeau on the map)
    • 30 acres which may belong to his son David (see D. Bibeau on the map).  
    • Note: of the original 160 acres, 14 acres are unaccounted for.

 

In 1886, the Minnesota plat map shows the following:

  • Chas. Bibeau (perhaps Charles, Paul’s son), 94.10 acres
  • J.A. Bibeau et al (perhaps includes Joseph, Alexis and other descendants of Louis), 45.7 acres.
  • Bibeau & Mercia, estimated at about 30-40acres.

 

According to Edgar Belland (1976), for several years before he died, Louis lived alternately with his sons, Joseph and Alexis, after having divided his 80 acre farm between them.  The 1886 map supports this.

 

 

 

In 1898 the Minnesota plat map shows: 

  • Alexander Bibeau (probably Alexis, Louis’ son), 41.7 acres, family history says he lived at 3163 Centerville Road)
  • Joseph Bibeau (probably Louis’ son), 45.7 acres, family history says he eventually sold the land in 1898 and moved to Balsom Lake, Wisconsin where he died.
  • Chas. Bibeau (perhaps Charles, Paul’s son), 35.8 acres

 

 

Additionally, there is Bibeau land further north, on the east side of Rice Lake:

·        C. Bibeau (not sure who), 38.8 acres

 

 

If we overlay this map onto a modern day satellite map (courtesy of maps.google.com), we can see approximately where this land lies today.

 

 

Note the name of the street:  Bibeau Road!

 

Bebeau Land in Hennepin County, Minnesota

 

We believe that “Petit” Louis and his family moved sometime between 1856 and 1860 from Little Canada to Dayton, and settled near French Lake.  His name, along with his wife, Sophia, and his first three children, first appear in the 1860 census of Dayton Township.  The value of their real estate is listed at $600. 

 

            

Wright County, MN                              French Lake, Dayton, Rogers, Anoka, etc.

From http://minnesota.state-capitals.com                                From:  http://maps.google.com/

 

 

In 1874 the Minnesota plat map shows land owned by Louis Bibeau on the southeast side of French Lake.:

 

 

The Minnesota plat map for 1879 shows 97.39 acres belonging to Louis Bebeault (probably “Petit Louis” Bibeau). 

 

 

 

The Minnesota plat map for 1890 shows: 

·        97.33 acres belonging to Louis Bebeault (probably “Petit Louis” Bibeau). 

·        40 acres belonging to a Louis Bebo.

·        40 acres belonging to a L. Bileau

 

 

“Petit” Louis Bibeau died 1 July 1914, which may explain the change in ownership on the land as shown on the 1914 Minnesota plat map:

  • Peter Bebeau (probably “Petit” Louis’son):
    • 32.33 acres
    • 63 acres
    • 79.87 acres
    • 75.50 acres
  • Paul Ribeau or Bibeau (probably “Petit” Louis’ son):
    • 55 acres
    • 128.91 acres

 

 

 

 

Peter Bebeau was Emily’s father.  The 95 acres of land (32.33 acres and 63 acres) on the southeast side of French Lake is where Emily was born and grew up.

If we overlay this map onto a modern day satellite map (courtesy of maps.google.com), we can see approximately where this land lies today.

 

 

Meanwhile, after Peter and some of the family moved to Wisconsin in 1922, Peter’s third son, Anthony, rented Peter’s land near French Lake, Minnesota.  As time passed, Peter and Anthony could not reach agreement on the land rental/purchase price, so Anthony decided to purchase another farm nearby, a few miles to the north on Diamond Lake.  When Peter died in 1952, the land near French Lake was sold to a “Joyer”. 

 

Peter’s other sons, Frank and Fred, lived a half a mile to the north of the original homestead on French Lake.  Another relative, Paul Bebeau, lived across the road from Fred. 

 

Bebeau Land in Polk County, Wisconsin

 

According to family histories, in 1922 Peter decided to purchase land near Blake Lake, near Balsam Lake, Wisconsin in Polk County. 

                 

From:  http://minnesota.state-capitals.com                                From:  http://www.rootsweb.com/~wipolk/

 

Blake Lake is probably Big Blake Lake on this map.  The exact location of the property is unknown.

 

It was here that Peter and his family farmed, raised dairy cows and made maple syrup which was brought back to Minnesota and sold. 

 

In later years, Peter’s son, Adelore, rented and farmed his father’s farm in Wisconsin, while Peter lived in a small cabin nearby.  Eventually Adelore wanted to buy the farm, but an agreement on the price could not be reached, so he purchased another farm elsewhere. 

 

After Peter’s first wife, Rose, died in April 1935, Peter’s farm in Wisconsin was sold and the maple trees cut down and the sold for lumber.  Peter then moved back to northeast Minneapolis where he married Josephine Moreault and lived in a small apartment.