Some sources say the community was named for Tom Penasse, an American Indian from the area, who may be the man pictured. The sign reads, "United States Post Office Penasse Minnesota, The Most Northerly P.O. in U.S.A." Penasse, Minnesota is located in the northern part of Minnesota's Northwest Angle in Lake of the Woods County.
Contributing Institution:
University of Minnesota Duluth, Kathryn A. Martin Library, Northeast Minnesota Historical Collections
In 1949, Sister Laura Hesch oversaw the clearing of the ground in preparation for the construction of the Little Flower Mission Church at the Mille Lacs Indian Reservation (Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe). The building was built the following year under the supervison of the Crosier Fathers of Onamia.
In 1944, a small center for Sister Laura Hesch's mission work was built at Mille Lacs Indian Reservation (Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe). She called it Little Flower Inn.
Sister Laura Hesch gathered her first group of about 40 Ojibwe children for formal worship at the John Bugg home in October, 1942 at the Mille Lacs Indian Reservation (Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe).
Sister Laura Hesch had a way with children at the Mille Lacs Indian Reservation (Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe). She often treated them with a lunch when she taught them.
Until Sister Laura Hesch was given a larger mission center for her activities Mille Lacs Indian Reservation (Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe), she met with Ojibwe children wherever she found them.
In return for her hospitality, Sister Laura Hesch is invited by an Ojibwe woman to share a meal at the Mille Lacs Indian Reservation (Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe).
Sister Laura Hesch, OSB, visited Ojibwe in many of their activities, such as making maple syrup at the Mille Lacs Indian Reservation (Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe).
Sister Laura made inroads into life of reservation by making friends with the Ojibwe children who loved the treats she brought when she visited Mille Lacs Indian Reservation (Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe).
Sister Laura Hesch befriended a 100-year-old Ojibwe woman who lived alone on the Mille Lacs Indian Reservation (Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe). It was through such relationships that she won the hearts of the Ojibwe.
Ojibwe homes along the shores of Mille Lacs Lake at Mille Lacs Indian Reservation (Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe). Sister Laura Hesch made regular visits. Her outgoing personality soon won the trust of the people she came to be with as is evident by the fact that thirty two mothers came to the first Mothers' Party which she hosted.
The first concern for Sister Laura Hesch when she began her mission on the Mille Lacs Indian Reservation (Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe) was to get acquainted with the Ojibwe. She made her way to families and visited them in their homes on the reservation. The Ojibwe developed a faithful friendship with and a trust in Sister Laura--so much so that they requested she be buried on the reservation when she died.
In 1930, Bishop Peter Bartholme of the Diocese of St. Cloud asked Sister Laura Hesch, OSB, to set up a mission to serve the Ojibwe on the Mille Lacs Indian Reservation (Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe). Holy Cross Convent in Onamia served as her home base from which she set out 11 miles several times a week to be with the Ojibwe.
Called the Indian Cemetery or the Roussain Graveyard, this view is from 1927 and shows the second location. The Roussain Graveyard is on Francis Roussain's property. The cemetery was originally located in the right-of-way for the Lake Superior & Mississippi Railroad construction. The graves were moved to this site just prior to the LS&M's completion from St. Paul to Duluth in 1870.
Contributing Institution:
University of Minnesota Duluth, Kathryn A. Martin Library, Northeast Minnesota Historical Collections
Signs for the Fond du Lac Indian Cemetery and for forest fires are visible in this view. Also called the Roussain Graveyard, the Fond du Lac Indian Cemetery graves were moved because of railroad construction in 1870. The Roussain Graveyard is on Francis Roussain's property.
Contributing Institution:
University of Minnesota Duluth, Kathryn A. Martin Library, Northeast Minnesota Historical Collections
An unidentified headstone is standing in the Fond du Lac Indian Cemetery. Also called the Roussain Graveyard, the Fond du Lac Indian Cemetery graves were moved to this location because of railroad construction in 1870. The Roussain Graveyard is on Francis Roussain's property. The last burial occurred at this site in 1918.
Contributing Institution:
University of Minnesota Duluth, Kathryn A. Martin Library, Northeast Minnesota Historical Collections
A monument and headstones are standing in the Fond du Lac Indian Cemetery. This cemetery was called the Roussain Graveyard as well as the Fond du Lac Indian Cemetery. Graves were moved to this location because of railroad construction in 1870 at the original location. The Roussain Graveyard is on Francis Roussain's property.
Contributing Institution:
University of Minnesota Duluth, Kathryn A. Martin Library, Northeast Minnesota Historical Collections
View of an unidentified monument and some headstones in the Fond du Lac Indian Cemetery. This cemetery was called the Roussain Graveyard as well as the Fond du Lac Indian Cemetery. Graves were moved to this location because of railroad construction in 1870 at the original location. The Roussain Graveyard is on Francis Roussain's property.
Contributing Institution:
University of Minnesota Duluth, Kathryn A. Martin Library, Northeast Minnesota Historical Collections
Also called the Roussain Graveyard, the Fond du Lac Indian Cemetery graves were moved to this location because of railroad construction in 1870. The last burial occurred at this site in 1918. The Roussain Graveyard is on Francis Roussain's property.
Contributing Institution:
University of Minnesota Duluth, Kathryn A. Martin Library, Northeast Minnesota Historical Collections
This cemetery was called the Roussain Graveyard as well as the Fond du Lac Indian Cemetery. Graves were moved to this location because of railroad construction in 1870 at the original location. This headstone is for two of Francis Roussain's children who died at ages two and seven in 1817 and 1819. The Roussain Graveyard is on Francis Roussain's property.
Contributing Institution:
University of Minnesota Duluth, Kathryn A. Martin Library, Northeast Minnesota Historical Collections
William Knickbocher stands in a rice kettle. Knickbocher appears to be treading on parched wild rice to remove the rice hulls. Two birchbark winnowing trays are visible. William Knickbocher died in the fall of 1958.