Village Cemetery #AtoZChallenge2021

During the research process of my fourth mystery, Neshoto Junction Homicide, I visited several cemeteries in the eastern half of Wisconsin. When ancestors came to Wisconsin in the 1800s, from France and Ireland by way of Quebec, they settled along the rivers flowing to Lake Michigan. Some relatives bought land and built homes in the Town of Mishicot (the village was not incorporated until 1950.) Although a few relatives were buried in the cemetery behind Holy Cross Church, most are buried in the village cemetery.

Baugniet section of village cemetery
Gravestones for Frederick and Macila are front-right

One of my research projects on the internet uncovered an interesting unsolved Mishicot mystery recorded in the Town of Mishicot meeting minutes. One entry shows that the town paid a Mr. Baugniet about $3 monthly to care for a "Mrs. Mishicott" at the Mishicot Poor House, which had been built in 1870 to care for those who couldn't care for themselves. Potawatomi officials say their chiefs could have had up to four wives. So the question remains: did one of them stay in Mishicot after Chief Mishicott left the area in 1862?

Later, according to another entry in the minutes, Mr. Baugniet was paid $7 for a casket to bury Mrs. Mishicott. But where was she buried? Speculation is that she was buried in the village cemetery, in a part that was often called potters field.

As for Mr. Baugniet, the only male Baugniet living in Mishicot at the time who would have been age-appropriate to care for the woman was my great grandfather, Frederick Baugniet. He and his wife, Macila, are both buried in the village cemetery.

Frederick
1855 - 1931

Macila
1861 - 1934

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