Sunday, October 16, 2011

Backward Glance - Henri Debonneville Marguerat

Born into an upper-class family in Chicago, Illinois, Henri Debonneville Marguerat was the son of Eugene Francois and Grace Eliza (Coryell) Marguerat. He was born on October 16, 1873, the sixth of seven children: Claire, William, Charles, Eugene, George and John. His family lived on Adams Street when he was two years old. He was enumerated as Harry in 1900 in his brother William's household, and seems to have preferred this name most of his adult life.

Harry was married to Mabel Ament on June 25, 1902, in Chicago. Mabel was the daughter of Joseph and Abigail (Martin) Ament. She was living in Chicago with her mother and brother when the 1900 census was taken. Harry and Mabel were the parents of two daughters: Claire Elise, born May 14, 1903; and Helen Amelia, born August 15, 1905. Their marriage ended in divorce, being finalized on November 24, 1908. Harry and the girls were living with his mother in Chicago in 1910. However, in about 1911, Claire and Helen went to live with their mother in Montana.

As far as occupation goes, Harry was listed in different records as a salesman, a grocer and a farmer. Family members owned various businesses in Chicago, including a wholesale grocery and Union School Furnishing Company. He was employed by them until at least 1915, and is still listed as a salesman in the Chicago directory in 1917, though he seems to have moved to Michigan by then.

In 1913, Grace purchased some land from Abel Tatro in Chikaming Township, Berrien County, Michigan. The description was reported in The News-Palladium (Benton Harbor, Michigan) on November 28th as 15 acres SE 1/4 of NW 1/4, section 21. Then, in March 1915, Grace died.
1860 Chikaming Township. Michigan USGenWeb.
On September 1, 1915, Harry married Celia (Gill) Bremner in Lake County, Indiana. She was born in Clinton County, Iowa, in 1878 to Daniel and Celia Gill. I know nothing more of this marriage except that Harry recorded her as his nearest relation on his World War I Draft Registration. He registered from Berrien County, Michigan, but reported Celia as living at 208 S. Hoyne Avenue, Chicago, just four numbers from his mother's last residence, 212 S. Hoyne. Celia, however, was enumerated in Chicago in the 1920 census, reporting herself a widow. It wasn't uncommon to report as widowed rather than divorced. Celia continued to reside in Chicago, passing away in 1965.

In 1930, Harry was enumerated in Chikaming Township, Berrien County, Michigan, presumably on the property his mother had purchased in 1913. His brother, Charles, was recorded as the head of the household. Their brother, John, was also living with them.

On March 13, 1933, Henri Marguerat died in his home in Harbert, Berrien County. He was 56 years old. His obituary was published in the The News-Palladium on March 14th. He is buried at the Riverside Cemetery in Berrien County.






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