Daughter of Cheif Jean-Baptiste Pinsiwa Richardville and Natoequeh. First husband: Cheif Francis Topeah Lafontaine, Second husband: Francois D. Laselle.
Cates born to role of Chief's wife
August 15 1992; Robin Pence
One day in the early 1800's a baby girl was born.
She was the youngest daughter of Miami Civil Chief Pe-she-wa (the lynx, the wildcat) and his wife Not-to-ma-quah. Her anglicized name wasa Catherine and her father spoke to his dauaghter in the familiar "Cates or "Catees"
Pe-con-go-Quah carried from birth the legacies of noble French-Canadian and heraldic Miami Indian
Indian ancestry. Her birthplace was the Miami Villiage of Kekionga (Ft. Wayne, Indiana) as it was the birth place of her father before her. Her great uncel was Chief Pecanne.
Her Miami Indian gramdmother Ta-cum-wah wasa for many hears the Chieftess of her tribe. She spoke wisley in council and led her people with strength. The Miami people bestowed respect upon and valued their women. Her grandfather was Joseph Druet de Richardville, a trader of noble birth.
Young Cates knew her fathers anglicized name to be Jean or John Baptiste Richardville. She also knew that when he was a youth he received a formal education in Canada.
Returning to Ft. Wayne his mother taught him how to prosper as a trader, and throught British agents he learned the social skills which enabled him susccess in the white mans world. Throught inheritance, trading,
and land grants, he amassed great wealth. When he was a man with children he inssited that Cates and her two sisters and one brothe be educated. A Scion of a Miami family Cates was the first of her sibling to enter St. Augustine's in Ft. Wayne a Catholic boarding school conducted by the Sisters of Providence. Young
Cates and her sisters Marie Louise (LaBlonde) and Susan came from a family that was not long-lived, there
was an illiness among the Indian girls at St. Augustines. On one occasion Father Benoit wrote to the
Catholic sisters that they too would not have so much sickness were if not for these wild birds of the forest.
"During summer months she lived in considerable luxury at her parents home. Two years before her marriage a government treaty provided for her father the Chief to have an opulent home built on the west bank of the St. Mary's River. Soon after Cates father built another home on his land at the Forks of the
Wabash River. As a young woman Cates had inherited dignity and gentility. Her intelligence was native to her being. She dressed in the accepted costume of the white womans's world. From her father came fair
complexion and classic features, her dark hair and eyes were her mothers. In her heart was the beauty and pride of the Miami people.
Cates was an 1828 Indian marriage to the brave and vigorous Francis Lafontaine, also of French and Miami Indian heritage. In the early 1840's the couple received a Hungington County marriage license and took their vows in the Catholic rite.
When Cates father died in 1831 her husband became Miami Chief. Cates's mother died shortly after.
Her father proviced well for her in his will. He bequeathed three sections of land at the Forks of the
Wabash, its house and furnishings including some gold coins. and land at the forks of the Mississippi and the
Wabash.
The couple moved into her father's home at the Forks of the Wabash near Huntington. She was accustomed and suited to the life she would lead as wife of the Chief. Cates bore four boys and three girls who reached adulthood. An eight child may have died in infancy. They were each baptized in the Roman Catholic Faith
and her children as she had been were sent to St. Augustine's for formal education. They returned home
during the summer. Her husband desired a home in the town of Huntington. To a massive red brick home formerly at the site of West Park Drive and Polk street, they retired each winter. Cate's husband expended much conceern and energy in dealcroachment upon the peaceful Miami land- Land which the great Sprit had intended for all.
Her eldest son Lewis traveled on year to view the lands in kansas to which the government enforced the
Miami relocation. Such great anguis her husband now heavy in heart and body alike, experienced for his people when all but a few exempted families were relocated in 1846. He accompanied his people to the new land. She and the children longed for his return, son Joseph was but two years old. His teturn was in body, his spirit departed in the spring of 1847. Wheather death came from slow poisoning by the hands of their own people or by illness, she knew not, but Cates had her own suspicions. She buried her husband in the Catholic cemetery at St. Peter and Paul Catholic Ch. in Huntington now Mt. Calvary Cemetery.
Left a rich widow, Catherine "Cates" Richardville Lafontaine was quickly wooed by Francis D. Lasselle, a
wealthy businessman with political asprations. They married Sept 26 1848 and she died on Tuesday morning Dec 19 1848 less than 3 months later. Her children had been provided for in her own fathers will. Yet
in their fathers will they were left as wards of his business partner and friend John Roche, and father
Benoit as executor.
"Catherine "Cates" her indian name was Pe-con-go-quah she was laid to rest nex to her husband and
father of her children.
Cates born to role of Chief's wife
August 15 1992; Robin Pence
One day in the early 1800's a baby girl was born.
She was the youngest daughter of Miami Civil Chief Pe-she-wa (the lynx, the wildcat) and his wife Not-to-ma-quah. Her anglicized name wasa Catherine and her father spoke to his dauaghter in the familiar "Cates or "Catees"
Pe-con-go-Quah carried from birth the legacies of noble French-Canadian and heraldic Miami Indian
Indian ancestry. Her birthplace was the Miami Villiage of Kekionga (Ft. Wayne, Indiana) as it was the birth place of her father before her. Her great uncel was Chief Pecanne.
Her Miami Indian gramdmother Ta-cum-wah wasa for many hears the Chieftess of her tribe. She spoke wisley in council and led her people with strength. The Miami people bestowed respect upon and valued their women. Her grandfather was Joseph Druet de Richardville, a trader of noble birth.
Young Cates knew her fathers anglicized name to be Jean or John Baptiste Richardville. She also knew that when he was a youth he received a formal education in Canada.
Returning to Ft. Wayne his mother taught him how to prosper as a trader, and throught British agents he learned the social skills which enabled him susccess in the white mans world. Throught inheritance, trading,
and land grants, he amassed great wealth. When he was a man with children he inssited that Cates and her two sisters and one brothe be educated. A Scion of a Miami family Cates was the first of her sibling to enter St. Augustine's in Ft. Wayne a Catholic boarding school conducted by the Sisters of Providence. Young
Cates and her sisters Marie Louise (LaBlonde) and Susan came from a family that was not long-lived, there
was an illiness among the Indian girls at St. Augustines. On one occasion Father Benoit wrote to the
Catholic sisters that they too would not have so much sickness were if not for these wild birds of the forest.
"During summer months she lived in considerable luxury at her parents home. Two years before her marriage a government treaty provided for her father the Chief to have an opulent home built on the west bank of the St. Mary's River. Soon after Cates father built another home on his land at the Forks of the
Wabash River. As a young woman Cates had inherited dignity and gentility. Her intelligence was native to her being. She dressed in the accepted costume of the white womans's world. From her father came fair
complexion and classic features, her dark hair and eyes were her mothers. In her heart was the beauty and pride of the Miami people.
Cates was an 1828 Indian marriage to the brave and vigorous Francis Lafontaine, also of French and Miami Indian heritage. In the early 1840's the couple received a Hungington County marriage license and took their vows in the Catholic rite.
When Cates father died in 1831 her husband became Miami Chief. Cates's mother died shortly after.
Her father proviced well for her in his will. He bequeathed three sections of land at the Forks of the
Wabash, its house and furnishings including some gold coins. and land at the forks of the Mississippi and the
Wabash.
The couple moved into her father's home at the Forks of the Wabash near Huntington. She was accustomed and suited to the life she would lead as wife of the Chief. Cates bore four boys and three girls who reached adulthood. An eight child may have died in infancy. They were each baptized in the Roman Catholic Faith
and her children as she had been were sent to St. Augustine's for formal education. They returned home
during the summer. Her husband desired a home in the town of Huntington. To a massive red brick home formerly at the site of West Park Drive and Polk street, they retired each winter. Cate's husband expended much conceern and energy in dealcroachment upon the peaceful Miami land- Land which the great Sprit had intended for all.
Her eldest son Lewis traveled on year to view the lands in kansas to which the government enforced the
Miami relocation. Such great anguis her husband now heavy in heart and body alike, experienced for his people when all but a few exempted families were relocated in 1846. He accompanied his people to the new land. She and the children longed for his return, son Joseph was but two years old. His teturn was in body, his spirit departed in the spring of 1847. Wheather death came from slow poisoning by the hands of their own people or by illness, she knew not, but Cates had her own suspicions. She buried her husband in the Catholic cemetery at St. Peter and Paul Catholic Ch. in Huntington now Mt. Calvary Cemetery.
Left a rich widow, Catherine "Cates" Richardville Lafontaine was quickly wooed by Francis D. Lasselle, a
wealthy businessman with political asprations. They married Sept 26 1848 and she died on Tuesday morning Dec 19 1848 less than 3 months later. Her children had been provided for in her own fathers will. Yet
in their fathers will they were left as wards of his business partner and friend John Roche, and father
Benoit as executor.
"Catherine "Cates" her indian name was Pe-con-go-quah she was laid to rest nex to her husband and
father of her children.
Daughter of Cheif Jean-Baptiste Pinsiwa Richardville and Natoequeh. First husband: Cheif Francis Topeah Lafontaine, Second husband: Francois D. Laselle.
Cates born to role of Chief's wife
August 15 1992; Robin Pence
One day in the early 1800's a baby girl was born.
She was the youngest daughter of Miami Civil Chief Pe-she-wa (the lynx, the wildcat) and his wife Not-to-ma-quah. Her anglicized name wasa Catherine and her father spoke to his dauaghter in the familiar "Cates or "Catees"
Pe-con-go-Quah carried from birth the legacies of noble French-Canadian and heraldic Miami Indian
Indian ancestry. Her birthplace was the Miami Villiage of Kekionga (Ft. Wayne, Indiana) as it was the birth place of her father before her. Her great uncel was Chief Pecanne.
Her Miami Indian gramdmother Ta-cum-wah wasa for many hears the Chieftess of her tribe. She spoke wisley in council and led her people with strength. The Miami people bestowed respect upon and valued their women. Her grandfather was Joseph Druet de Richardville, a trader of noble birth.
Young Cates knew her fathers anglicized name to be Jean or John Baptiste Richardville. She also knew that when he was a youth he received a formal education in Canada.
Returning to Ft. Wayne his mother taught him how to prosper as a trader, and throught British agents he learned the social skills which enabled him susccess in the white mans world. Throught inheritance, trading,
and land grants, he amassed great wealth. When he was a man with children he inssited that Cates and her two sisters and one brothe be educated. A Scion of a Miami family Cates was the first of her sibling to enter St. Augustine's in Ft. Wayne a Catholic boarding school conducted by the Sisters of Providence. Young
Cates and her sisters Marie Louise (LaBlonde) and Susan came from a family that was not long-lived, there
was an illiness among the Indian girls at St. Augustines. On one occasion Father Benoit wrote to the
Catholic sisters that they too would not have so much sickness were if not for these wild birds of the forest.
"During summer months she lived in considerable luxury at her parents home. Two years before her marriage a government treaty provided for her father the Chief to have an opulent home built on the west bank of the St. Mary's River. Soon after Cates father built another home on his land at the Forks of the
Wabash River. As a young woman Cates had inherited dignity and gentility. Her intelligence was native to her being. She dressed in the accepted costume of the white womans's world. From her father came fair
complexion and classic features, her dark hair and eyes were her mothers. In her heart was the beauty and pride of the Miami people.
Cates was an 1828 Indian marriage to the brave and vigorous Francis Lafontaine, also of French and Miami Indian heritage. In the early 1840's the couple received a Hungington County marriage license and took their vows in the Catholic rite.
When Cates father died in 1831 her husband became Miami Chief. Cates's mother died shortly after.
Her father proviced well for her in his will. He bequeathed three sections of land at the Forks of the
Wabash, its house and furnishings including some gold coins. and land at the forks of the Mississippi and the
Wabash.
The couple moved into her father's home at the Forks of the Wabash near Huntington. She was accustomed and suited to the life she would lead as wife of the Chief. Cates bore four boys and three girls who reached adulthood. An eight child may have died in infancy. They were each baptized in the Roman Catholic Faith
and her children as she had been were sent to St. Augustine's for formal education. They returned home
during the summer. Her husband desired a home in the town of Huntington. To a massive red brick home formerly at the site of West Park Drive and Polk street, they retired each winter. Cate's husband expended much conceern and energy in dealcroachment upon the peaceful Miami land- Land which the great Sprit had intended for all.
Her eldest son Lewis traveled on year to view the lands in kansas to which the government enforced the
Miami relocation. Such great anguis her husband now heavy in heart and body alike, experienced for his people when all but a few exempted families were relocated in 1846. He accompanied his people to the new land. She and the children longed for his return, son Joseph was but two years old. His teturn was in body, his spirit departed in the spring of 1847. Wheather death came from slow poisoning by the hands of their own people or by illness, she knew not, but Cates had her own suspicions. She buried her husband in the Catholic cemetery at St. Peter and Paul Catholic Ch. in Huntington now Mt. Calvary Cemetery.
Left a rich widow, Catherine "Cates" Richardville Lafontaine was quickly wooed by Francis D. Lasselle, a
wealthy businessman with political asprations. They married Sept 26 1848 and she died on Tuesday morning Dec 19 1848 less than 3 months later. Her children had been provided for in her own fathers will. Yet
in their fathers will they were left as wards of his business partner and friend John Roche, and father
Benoit as executor.
"Catherine "Cates" her indian name was Pe-con-go-quah she was laid to rest nex to her husband and
father of her children.
Cates born to role of Chief's wife
August 15 1992; Robin Pence
One day in the early 1800's a baby girl was born.
She was the youngest daughter of Miami Civil Chief Pe-she-wa (the lynx, the wildcat) and his wife Not-to-ma-quah. Her anglicized name wasa Catherine and her father spoke to his dauaghter in the familiar "Cates or "Catees"
Pe-con-go-Quah carried from birth the legacies of noble French-Canadian and heraldic Miami Indian
Indian ancestry. Her birthplace was the Miami Villiage of Kekionga (Ft. Wayne, Indiana) as it was the birth place of her father before her. Her great uncel was Chief Pecanne.
Her Miami Indian gramdmother Ta-cum-wah wasa for many hears the Chieftess of her tribe. She spoke wisley in council and led her people with strength. The Miami people bestowed respect upon and valued their women. Her grandfather was Joseph Druet de Richardville, a trader of noble birth.
Young Cates knew her fathers anglicized name to be Jean or John Baptiste Richardville. She also knew that when he was a youth he received a formal education in Canada.
Returning to Ft. Wayne his mother taught him how to prosper as a trader, and throught British agents he learned the social skills which enabled him susccess in the white mans world. Throught inheritance, trading,
and land grants, he amassed great wealth. When he was a man with children he inssited that Cates and her two sisters and one brothe be educated. A Scion of a Miami family Cates was the first of her sibling to enter St. Augustine's in Ft. Wayne a Catholic boarding school conducted by the Sisters of Providence. Young
Cates and her sisters Marie Louise (LaBlonde) and Susan came from a family that was not long-lived, there
was an illiness among the Indian girls at St. Augustines. On one occasion Father Benoit wrote to the
Catholic sisters that they too would not have so much sickness were if not for these wild birds of the forest.
"During summer months she lived in considerable luxury at her parents home. Two years before her marriage a government treaty provided for her father the Chief to have an opulent home built on the west bank of the St. Mary's River. Soon after Cates father built another home on his land at the Forks of the
Wabash River. As a young woman Cates had inherited dignity and gentility. Her intelligence was native to her being. She dressed in the accepted costume of the white womans's world. From her father came fair
complexion and classic features, her dark hair and eyes were her mothers. In her heart was the beauty and pride of the Miami people.
Cates was an 1828 Indian marriage to the brave and vigorous Francis Lafontaine, also of French and Miami Indian heritage. In the early 1840's the couple received a Hungington County marriage license and took their vows in the Catholic rite.
When Cates father died in 1831 her husband became Miami Chief. Cates's mother died shortly after.
Her father proviced well for her in his will. He bequeathed three sections of land at the Forks of the
Wabash, its house and furnishings including some gold coins. and land at the forks of the Mississippi and the
Wabash.
The couple moved into her father's home at the Forks of the Wabash near Huntington. She was accustomed and suited to the life she would lead as wife of the Chief. Cates bore four boys and three girls who reached adulthood. An eight child may have died in infancy. They were each baptized in the Roman Catholic Faith
and her children as she had been were sent to St. Augustine's for formal education. They returned home
during the summer. Her husband desired a home in the town of Huntington. To a massive red brick home formerly at the site of West Park Drive and Polk street, they retired each winter. Cate's husband expended much conceern and energy in dealcroachment upon the peaceful Miami land- Land which the great Sprit had intended for all.
Her eldest son Lewis traveled on year to view the lands in kansas to which the government enforced the
Miami relocation. Such great anguis her husband now heavy in heart and body alike, experienced for his people when all but a few exempted families were relocated in 1846. He accompanied his people to the new land. She and the children longed for his return, son Joseph was but two years old. His teturn was in body, his spirit departed in the spring of 1847. Wheather death came from slow poisoning by the hands of their own people or by illness, she knew not, but Cates had her own suspicions. She buried her husband in the Catholic cemetery at St. Peter and Paul Catholic Ch. in Huntington now Mt. Calvary Cemetery.
Left a rich widow, Catherine "Cates" Richardville Lafontaine was quickly wooed by Francis D. Lasselle, a
wealthy businessman with political asprations. They married Sept 26 1848 and she died on Tuesday morning Dec 19 1848 less than 3 months later. Her children had been provided for in her own fathers will. Yet
in their fathers will they were left as wards of his business partner and friend John Roche, and father
Benoit as executor.
"Catherine "Cates" her indian name was Pe-con-go-quah she was laid to rest nex to her husband and
father of her children.
Family Members
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See more Lafontaine Laselle or Richardville memorials in:
- Mount Calvary Cemetery Lafontaine Laselle or Richardville
- Huntington Lafontaine Laselle or Richardville
- Huntington County Lafontaine Laselle or Richardville
- Indiana Lafontaine Laselle or Richardville
- USA Lafontaine Laselle or Richardville
- Find a Grave Lafontaine Laselle or Richardville
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