Ramsey County History – Summer 2011: “From Thomery to ‘The Anchorage:’ The Larpenteurs and Their Journey to St. Paul”

From Thomery to “The Anchorage:” The Larpenteurs and Their Journey to St. Paul
Author: Michele Murnane

One of the best-known avenues at the north end of St. Paul is Larpenteur, named after the French-American Auguste Louis Larpenteur (1823–1919), who came to St. Paul in the 1840s, enjoyed productive careers in trading and retail, provided significant support to the local Roman Catholic community, and sired ten children with his wife Mary Josephine Presley (1825–1902). Notably, he built the first post office boxes in St. Paul. A family home was known as “the French Chateau,” while the immense home of Auguste Louis, on North Dale Street, was called “The Anchorage.” The article is enhanced by brief profiles and photos of Larpenteur family members and the family patriarch, who was also known as the “Grandfather of St. Paul.”
PDF of Murname article