George Washington Gauthier

   Cause of his death was coronary occlusion.⁸

  General Notes:

From "Pen Pictures" (see citations):

"GEORGE W. GAUTHIER, a bright, active, energetic young man, was born in ST. PAUL in 1853, and is now one of the stirring mailcarriers of the city. George was a cook on various steamboats which plied upon the Mississippi river and its tributaries, for twelve years, and worked for P. H. Kelly before he entered upon his present occupation. He has a mother and two brothers, and is himself a worthy, sober, industrious gentleman."

"He would wash and get completely dressed before going to bed so he wouldn't have to do it in the morning."
...Ruth Helen Hill Reising Jacobs


"George W. Gauthier, one of the West End mail carriers, some time since made a bet that he could send a letter around the world and have it returned to him in good condition. He sent a letter addressed to himself to Hong Kong, and wrote to the postal department in that city to forward it to Alexandria, Egypt. The same tactics were pursued for the remainder of the long wanderings of the epistle, which was eventually returned to the St. Paul office, just four months and four days having
elapsed between the dates of sending and returning."

...The St. Paul Globe, Monday Morning, March 18, 1889.

"WOES OF A POSTMAN
-----------------
GEORGE W. GAUTHIER SUSPENDED
BECAUSE OF RECENT "IR-
REGULARITIES"
-----------------
LETTERS HAD GONE ASTRAY
-----------------
Complaints From the Business Districts on His Route Lead to an Investigation, Which Has So Far
Failed to Account Satisfactorily for the Disappearance of the Epistles.

Something of a surprise was sprung at the postoffice yesterday when George W. Gauthier, a letter carrier who has been in the department sixteen years, was suspended on a demand made by Postoffice
Inspector Sullivan. The charge against Gauthier, so far is the indefinite accusation of "Irregularities" in his work, but an investigation may result in other disclosures. No formal information has yet been filed against Gauthier, but Col. Sullivan says some action will probably be taken in the case tomorrow. The investigation, Col. Sullivan says, may exonerate Gauthier or may give the case a much graver complexion.
Gauthier was suspended when he arrived at the postoffice to take his route yesterday morning. The action was not altogether unexpected, as he had had a lengthy interview with two postoffice inspectors the day before, when it is alleged the discovery of "irregularities"was made.
Gauthier has for the last eight years delivered letters in the business district about the Ryan hotel, including some of the larger retail firms. For some time, it is not stated just how far back, it is said
that letters addressed to some of the business houses on Gauthier's route have not reached their destination. This fact, it is alleged, has been known to the postoffice officials, but they were slow to suspect that the letters went asstray (sic) by other than accidental means. The story of the discovery leading to Gauthier's suspension is to the effect that a decoy letter was placed in the mail, to be delivered on his route, Thursday, and that the postoffice inspectors thereby learned sufficient to warrant the demand for Gauthier's suspension.
Little information could be learned of the affair at the postoffice. Gauthier has always borne an excellent reputation, it is said, and from his long term as a mail carrier has won the esteem of all with
whom he came in contact, both at the postoffice and among the merchants whom he daily visited. He is a married man, having a family of six children, and lives at 221 East Curtis street."

...St. Paul Daily Globe, Sunday , September 17, 1899

"GAUTHIER TO GO BACK.
--------------------
Suspended Mall Carrier Is Reinstated, to Take Effect Oct. 15.

After a complete investigation by Postoffice Inspector Col. Sullivan an order was issued yesterday returning to duty George Gauthier, the mall carrier who was suspended as the result of charges
that he had purloined letters from the malls. Gauthier will return to work Oct. 15."

...St. Paul Daily Globe, Tuesday, October 10, 1899 ^{11 12}

  Things to check:

1920 US census says his mother was born in Louisiana.

  More of his medical data:

He died at 6:45 am.

The death certificate says he died at "2nd & Main St." ⁸

  Christening Notes:

At St. Paul Cathedral.
Godparents: John Clermont and Catherine Wagner.

  Notes on his death:

"George Gauthier, 86, Native St. Paulite, Dies"

"George W. Gauthier, 86 years old and often hailed as the oldest native St. Paulite, died suddenly Monday in Seattle while en route home after spending the Winter months in Moxee City, Wash., according to word received by relatives here.

Born here July 6, 1853, Mr. Gauthier had been active since his retirement as a mail carrier in 1920, in affairs of the Minnesota Historical society, the Minnesota Territorial Pioneers association, the National Association of Letter Carriers and other groups.

His birthplace was a small cottage on the site of what is now Eighth and Robert streets. The Gauthier family owned fifteen acres that ran into a duck swamp and clump of willows at Eighth and Cedar streets.

Today the property is near the center of the business district and worth millions of dollars, but the Gauthiers gave it up in 1857 to pre-empt 71 acres of land across the Mississippi river. That property is now part of Holman Municipal airport.

Foundation of the early Gauthier home may still be found near the airport's main hangar. About 1862 the family moved to Kentucky and Minnetonka streets, and Mr. Gauthier often related that the river floods of 1860-'61-'62 carried away their outbuildings and fences. In those days he used to play with Indian youths from Chief Kaposia's tribe, who lived near St. Paul Park prior to the Sioux uprising of 1862.

As a boy Mr. Gauthier sold the Daily Pioneer, predecessor of the Pioneer Press and Dispatch, and when 11 years old he took a job as third cook on a river steamer. He served on craft transporting Civil War soldiers returning from war.

On several occasions he was rescued from cold waters when boats were wrecked. He was on the War Eagle when it crashed into a bridge pier and sank. Other boats he was on had boiler explosions or were crushed by ice.

Forsaking the river after eight years, he obtained a job as newsboy on one of the first St. Paul-Duluth trains. Subsequently he served 37 years as a mail carrier. Since his retirement he occupied himself with wood carving, travel and historical work.

He is survived by three sons, Charles G., Robert N. and W. Ray Gauthier, and four daughters, Mrs. Caroline McKillip, Mrs. Mabel Moon, Mrs. Mae Sinon and Mrs. Evelyn Raasch, all of St. Paul.

Also surviving are a brother, Frederick Gauthier of St. Paul, and a sister, Mrs. Caroline Pickett of Grand Forks, N.D. Mr Gauthier lived at 842 South Smith avenue. Funeral services probably will be held here early next week."

...St. Paul Pioneer Press and Dispatch

  Burial Notes:

Services held at St. Louis Church.

  In his life:

• He was a member of Minnesota Territorial Pioneers, St. Paul, Ramsey, Minnesota. At one time he served as Vice President of the organization.

• In 1857 he lived in West St. Paul, Dakota, Minnesota. ¹³

• George was counted in the 1857 Minnesota census for West St. Paul, Dakota, Minnesota. ¹³ Enumerated as Gokey.

• He was counted in the 1860 US census for West St. Paul, Dakota, Minnesota. ¹⁴

• In 1860 he lived in West St. Paul, Dakota, Minnesota. ¹⁴

• In 1870 he lived in St. Paul, Ramsey, Minnesota. ¹⁵ See census note.

• George worked, in 1870, as a laborer in St. Paul, Ramsey, Minnesota. ¹⁵ See census note.

• He was counted in the 1870 US census for St. Paul, Ramsey, Minnesota. ¹⁵ Ward 2, page 12.
"George Gantier" is listed in the home of Alfred Dufrene, with a birthplace of Iowa. Seems a possible mistake by the census taker since Mary Dufrene was born in Iowa. The Gauthiers and Dufrenes were neighbors in 1880.

• George was counted in the 1880 US census for Winsted, McLeod, Minnesota. ¹⁶ SD 2, ED 80, P. 19
Listed as George Goche.

• In 1880 he lived in Winsted, McLeod, Minnesota. ¹⁶

• He worked, in 1880, as a farmer in Winsted, McLeod, Minnesota. ¹⁶

• In 1882 George lived at 146 Rivoli in St. Paul, Ramsey, Minnesota. ¹⁷

• He worked, in 1882, as a teamster for P. H. Kelly & Co in St. Paul, Ramsey, Minnesota. ¹⁷

• In 1883 George lived at 578 Broadway in St. Paul, Ramsey, Minnesota. ¹⁸

• He worked, in 1883, as a driver for P. H. Kelly Mercantile Co in St. Paul, Ramsey, Minnesota. ¹⁸

• In 1884 George lived at "n s Robie 2 w of Brown ave" in St. Paul, Ramsey, Minnesota. ¹⁹

• He was counted in the 1885 Minnesota census for St. Paul, Ramsey, Minnesota. ²⁰ Page 12, Schedule 34, 6th ward.
Enumerated as Geo Gouche.

• In 1885 George lived at 315 E. Robie in St. Paul, Ramsey, Minnesota. ^{20 21}

• He worked, in 1885, as a mail carrier in St. Paul, Ramsey, Minnesota. ²¹

• In 1886 George lived at 315 E. Robie in St. Paul, Ramsey, Minnesota. ²²

• He worked, in 1886, as a post office mail carrier in St. Paul, Ramsey, Minnesota. ²²

• In 1887 George lived at 315 E. Robie in St. Paul, Ramsey, Minnesota. ²³

• He worked, in 1887, as a mail carrier in St. Paul, Ramsey, Minnesota. ²³

• In 1888 George lived at 315 E. Robie in St. Paul, Ramsey, Minnesota. ²⁴

• He worked, in 1888, as a mail carrier in St. Paul, Ramsey, Minnesota. ²⁴

• In 1889 George lived at 315 E. Robie in St. Paul, Ramsey, Minnesota. ²⁵

• He worked, in 1889, as a mail carrier in St. Paul, Ramsey, Minnesota. ²⁵

• In 1890 George lived at 315 E. Robie in St. Paul, Ramsey, Minnesota. ⁹

• He worked, in 1890, as a mail carrier in St. Paul, Ramsey, Minnesota. ⁹

• In 1891 George lived at 315 E. Robie in St. Paul, Ramsey, Minnesota. ²⁶

• He worked, in 1891, as a mail carrier in St. Paul, Ramsey, Minnesota. ²⁶

• In 1893 George lived at 315 E. Robie in St. Paul, Ramsey, Minnesota. ²⁷

• He worked, in 1893, as a mail carrier in St. Paul, Ramsey, Minnesota. ²⁷

• In 1894 George lived at 315 East Robie in St. Paul, Ramsey, Minnesota. ²⁸

• In 1894 he lived at 315 E Robie in St. Paul, Ramsey, Minnesota. ²⁹

• George worked, in 1894, as a mail carrier in St. Paul, Ramsey, Minnesota. ²⁹

• He was counted in the 1895 Minnesota census for St. Paul, Ramsey, Minnesota. ³⁰ Schedule 24, Page 4, Ward 6, precinct 12.

• In 1895 George lived at 221 E. Curtice St. in St. Paul, Ramsey, Minnesota. ^{30 31}

• He worked, in 1895, as a letter carrier in St. Paul, Ramsey, Minnesota. ^{30 31}

• George worked, in 1897, as a letter carrier in St. Paul, Ramsey, Minnesota. ^{32 33}

• In 1898 he lived at 221 East Curtice Street in St. Paul, Ramsey, Minnesota. ³⁴

• George worked, in 1898, as a letter carrier in St. Paul, Ramsey, Minnesota. ³⁴

• He was counted in the 1900 US census for St. Paul, Ramsey, Minnesota. ³⁵ SD 4, ED 110, Sheet 25
The Gauthier family was counted twice in the 1900 U. S. census.

• In 1900 George lived at 221 E. Curtice St. in St. Paul, Ramsey, Minnesota. ³⁵

• He worked, in 1900, as a mail carrier in St. Paul, Ramsey, Minnesota. ³⁵

• In 1903 George lived at 221 E. Curtice St. in St. Paul, Ramsey, Minnesota. ^{36 37}

• In 1904 he lived at 221 East Curtice in St. Paul, Ramsey, Minnesota. ³⁸

• George worked, in 1904, as a letter carrier in St. Paul, Ramsey, Minnesota. ³⁸ At 426 S. Wabasha.

• He worked, in 1905, as a letter carrier in St. Paul, Ramsey, Minnesota. ³⁹

• George was counted in the 1905 Minnesota census for St. Paul, Ramsey, Minnesota. ³⁹ ED 26, Sheet 10, ward 6D, precinct 12.
According to this census he moved to 221 E. Curtice St. in May, 1887.

• In 1905 he lived at 221 E. Curtice St. in St. Paul, Ramsey, Minnesota. ³⁹

• In 1909 George lived at 221 East Curtice in St. Paul, Ramsey, Minnesota. ⁴⁰

• He worked, in 1909, as a letter carrier in St. Paul, Ramsey, Minnesota. ⁴⁰ At 426 S. Wabasha.

• George was counted in the 1910 US census for St. Paul, Ramsey, Minnesota. ⁴¹ SD 4, ED 88, Sheet 4a

• In 1910 he lived at 221 E. Curtice St. in St. Paul, Ramsey, Minnesota. ⁴¹

• George worked, in 1910, as a letter carrier in St. Paul, Ramsey, Minnesota. ⁴¹

• In 1912 he lived at 221 e. Curtice in St. Paul, Ramsey, Minnesota. ⁴²

• George worked, in 1912, as a carrier in St. Paul, Ramsey, Minnesota. ⁴²

• In 1920 he lived at 221 E. Curtice St. in St. Paul, Ramsey, Minnesota. ⁴³

• George was counted in the 1920 US census for St. Paul, Ramsey, Minnesota. ⁴³ ED 70, SD 109, Sheet 7A, ward 6, precinct 12.

• He worked, in 1920, as a mail carrier in St. Paul, Ramsey, Minnesota. ⁴³

• In 1930 George lived at 1567 Lincoln Avenue in St. Paul, Ramsey, Minnesota. ⁴⁴ Residing with son and family.

• In 1939 he lived at 842 South Smith Avenue in St. Paul, Ramsey, Minnesota. ^{7 45}

• In 1940 George lived at 842 South Smith Avenue in St. Paul, Ramsey, Minnesota. ^{6 8}

George married Selena Duboid, daughter of Cleophas Duboid and Aglae Elemond, on 5 September 1878 in Winsted, McLeod, Minnesota.^{2 46} (Selena Duboid was born on 6 May 1860 in St. Paul, Ramsey, Minnesota ², christened on 6 May 1860 in St. Paul, Ramsey, Minnesota,² died on 6 November 1893 in Ramsey County, Minnesota ^{2 28} and was buried on 9 November 1893 in Calvary Cemetery, St. Paul, Ramsey, Minnesota ².)

  About his marriage to Selena:

• They were married at St. John the Baptist Church. ²

• The marriage was witnessed by Cleophus Dubord and Joseph Rivet.

George next married Therese Marie Archambault, daughter of Zephrin Francois Archambault and Marie Helene Rouleau, on 31 October 1894 in St. Paul, Ramsey, Minnesota.^{3 4 5} (Therese Marie Archambault was born on 17 September 1868 in Ramsey County, Minnesota,⁴⁷ died on 21 February 1925 in Ramsey County, Minnesota ^{48 49} and was buried on 24 February 1925 in Calvary Cemetery, St. Paul, Ramsey, Minnesota ⁵⁰.) The cause of her death was asthma.⁸

  About his marriage to Therese:

• They were married at St. Louis Catholic Church. ²

• The marriage was witnessed by Frank and Helene Archambault.