Pierre Menard

Pierre Menard (1766-1844) was a fur trader and U.S. political figure. Menard was a member of the Indiana territorial legislature, 1803-1809, and president of the Illinois territorial council from 1812 to 1818.

Illinois Territory was a frontier region of the United States, formerly part of the Illinois Country, a portion of New France administered originally from Quebec and later transferred to Louisiana. Upon the admission of Illinois as a state in 1818, the population of the new state was divided between French-speaking and English-speaking citizens. To balance the ticket, Menard became the state's first lieutenant governor, serving from 1818 to 1822 with the first governor, Shadrach Bond.

Economic forces, however, were already leading people inland from the French-speaking areas along the Mississippi River, and largely to promote real estate interests, [ [http://www.ilstatehouse.com/past_capitols.htm Past Illinois Capitols ] ] the first Illinois General Assembly decided in 1820 to move the state capital from Kaskaskia, Menard's home town, to Vandalia.

Menard left office in 1822 and returned to private life. He died in 1844 and was buried at Fort Kaskaskia, near his house.

Menard County, Illinois is named for the Lieutenant Governor. His house, near Chester, Illinois, is preserved as the "Pierre Menard Home State Historic Site".

Bayou Manard (spelled with two "a"s), a branch of the Arkansas River, was named for Pierre Menard. (source: Muskogeephoenix.com)fact|date=November 2007

References

External links

Pierre Menard Home State Historic Site: [http://www.illinoishistory.gov/hs/pierre_menard.htm]

References

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