Biography of Baptiste Peoria



Excerpted from "Collections of the Kansas State Historical Society, 1911-1912", Edited by Geo. W. Martin, Secretary. 

Vol XII., State Printing Office, Topeka, Kansas 1912.



submitted by Teresa Lindquist (merope@radix.net); (copyright) 2001 by Teresa Lindquist

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"BAPTISTE PEORIA was born about the year 1800, near Kaskaskia, Ill. He did not receive a school education, but by the 

natural force of his intellect acquired a number of Indian languages, the Shawnee, Delaware and Pottawatomie, besides those 

of the several Confederated Tribes, and also English and French. He acted for many years in the capacity of interpreter, 

and for some time as chief, but generally preferred to be on the 'outside,' as there he could be of much more use to his 

tribe, which during almost the whole of his long life continued to look up to him as their best adviser. When the tribes 

removed to the Indian Territory Baptiste went with them, and died there in the year 1874. He was a man of large and 

enlightened views, and was distinguished for the virtues which spring from a kindly heart and generous spirit. His widow, 

who was at the time of her marriage to him the widow of Christmas Dagnette, still resides in Paola, at the ripe age of 

eighty-two, loved and respected by all who know her"-Cutler's History of Kansas, 1883, p. 876.



(Included with the article "The naming of Osawatomie, and Some Experiences with John Brown", page 338)