Julien Dubuque
Julien Dubuque was a Canadian of Norman origin from the area of Champlain, Quebec who arrived near what now is known as Dubuque, Iowa, which was named after him. He was one of the first European men to settle in the area. He initially received permission from the Meskwaki people to mine the lead in 1788, which was confirmed by the Spanish, who gave him a land grant in 1796.
Once he had received permission from the Meskwaki to mine lead, Dubuque remained in the area for the rest of his life. He befriended the local Meskwaki chief Peosta – for whom the nearby town of Peosta, Iowa is named. It is widely believed that Dubuque married Peosta's daughter, named Potosa. The marriage is disputed. Those who back the marriage claim point to letters that mention a Madame Dubuque as meaning Dubuque's wife.
After his death, the Meskwaki built a log crypt for Dubuque, which was replaced in the late 19th century by an imposing stone monument.
The name "Potosa" often appears in fanciful origin stories for the name of Potosi, Wisconsin, a small town founded in the 1830s as a lead-mining settlement located north of Dubuque.
Legacy
Dubuque is remembered as the first person of European origin to settle in what would become the state of Iowa. He is remembered as a friend of the Native Americans in the area and a champion of their cause. Dubuque was also a generous man who spent lavishly on many friends, which had the unfortunate effect of keeping him in debt during the later part of his life.When White Americans settled what would become Iowa, a settlement in the area where he had mined was named after him. It was known by several names, including DuBuque's Mines. Eventually, it became the first city in Iowa, and was named simply Dubuque in his honor. Dubuque's resting place and memorial lie on a cliff facing the Mississippi river at the Julien Dubuque Monument in the Mines of Spain State Recreation Area and E. B. Lyons Nature Center.