Francis Janis, an old and well known citizen of Marion Township, was born in Ste. Genevieve County, Mo., October 15, 1831.
His father, Andrew Janis, and his mother, formerly Miss Aubuchon, were born in the same county, descendants of the early French settlers of that region. In 1873 the father died at the ripe age of eighty-eight years, while his widow illustrates an unusual case of longevity and health at the advanced age of ninety-seven years, with fair prospects of added years.
Young Francis passed his youthful years in the duties of a farmer's son, and in 1854 married Miss Mary Pratte, a native of St. Francois County. (For an account of her parents see the sketch of Jules Pratte.)
After his marriage he began mining at Bonne Terre, and so continued for about twenty-five years. After this long period with the earth's interior, he turned to the development of its surface, and in 1876 he bought his present fine farm. It embraces 325 acres in Marion Township, six miles from Bonne Terre, and is well improved in all its features, showing the hand of a skillful agriculturist.
Mr. and Mrs. Janis have six sons and one daughter. The family are members of the Catholic Church. Mr. Janis is an earnest Democrat.
St. Francois County
Lucian Chromur, son of Joseph Chomer (sic) & (no given name) Boyer, and Miss Aseelia Janis, daughter of Andrew Janis & Sacynthe Aubuschon; married on 20 April 1862 by Jn. Onselm, Pr. at French Village, St. Francois Co., Mo.; witnesses: Julius P. Pratte, Augustina Roussin; the abstract prepared by Mrs. Howard W. Woodruff has Lucians Chromer (Cromer) and Julius Pratt; the hand written index has Lucian Cromer.[History of Southeast Missouri Publication: 1888, Goodspeed Publishing Company
reprinted 1990 Southern Historical Press Book Page: 676]
According to the 1880 census for Perry township, St. Francois Co., Mo, pg. 35, Lucien was the head of household and at the age of 43 was a mining boss. He was married to Azelia M. (spelled Prillia), age 43. Also listed in the household was Felix J., 16, Carpenter Apprentice; Louis A., 14; Anna M. 9; Harry U. 5.
===============
Lucien A Thomure, a well known resident of Bonne Terre, Mo., is deserving of a more than a passing mention in the present volume as a representative of one of the oldest pioneer families in Ste. Genevieve County. His parents were Joseph and Celeste Thomure, both natives of this county, where the father died in 1879, at the age of eighty-six. The mother, the oldest person in Ste. Genevieve County, is still living, and it is eminently proper that a sketch of her eventful life should be made at this place. Born near the Fourche, on January 25, 1798, she was the daughter of Jacob Boyer, a native of France. During the time of her childhood this territory, as may be supposed, was but thinly settled, and the main portion of the population resided on the bluff beside the present settlement of New Bourbon where the overflow of the Mississippi had driven them. About 1817 she saw the first boat steam up the river. During a part of her early life she had lived at Old Mines, near Fredericktown, where her father died, his being the first grave made at that place. February 1, 1815, she was married to Joseph Thomure, by Rev. Donatio Ollivier, and their happy married life extended over a period of sixty-four years, or until separated by death. Mrs. Thomure, is remarkably well preserved in years, and indicates by her vitality the vigor and energy which must have characterized her younger years. She has borne twelve children, seven of whom are living. One of these Lucien A. Thomure, the subject of this sketch, was born January 8, 1837, in Ste. Genevieve County, and there grew to manhood, passing his youthful days in the occupation of farming. He acquired a good common school education, and in 1868 became located at Bonne Terre, where he engaged in mining, following that calling for three years. Smelting then received his attention, and at this time he is superintendent of the mill department of dressing work. January 26, 1862, Mr. Thomure was united in marriage to Miss Azelia Janis, a native of Ste. Genevieve County, of which her parents were the old and esteemed settlers. Six children have blessed their union, four of whom survive: Felix J., Louis H., Anna E., and Harry E. Mr. and Mrs. Thomure are members of the Catholic Church. In politics the former is Democratic. He is a member of the A. O. U. W.
["History of Southeast Missouri", Goodspeed Publishing Co., 1888, pg. 676, Source Media Type: Book]
===============
A picture of Lucien is provided in the book "History of Southeast Missouri", Goodspeed Publishing Co., 1888, between pg. 676 and 677.
Felix J. Thomure was born in Bonne Terre, Mo., March 1, 1864, the son of Lucien A. and Azalia (Janis) Thomure, whose sketch appears elsewhere in this volume. Mr. Thomure began his apprenticeship as a carpenter at the very early age of fourteen, and continued so employed for two years. In 1881 he entered the Christian Brothers' College in St. Louis, and graduated from the commercial department. For some time thereafter he was a clerk in Bonne Terre, and in 1885 was appointed to his present position as assistant station agent at the same place. Politically he is a Democrat and is a member of the Catholic Church.
["History of Southeast Missouri", Goodspeed Publishing Co., 1888, pg. 676, Source Media Type: Book]
His middle name is probably Eugene which would explain the Harry U. and Harry E. listings.
Died young.
Died as an infant.
Francis AuBuchon. One of the oldest pioneers of Southeastern Missouri is the subject of this sketch. Born in Ste. Genevieve County, Mo., January 16, 1812, unto the family of Antoine and Ellen L. AuBuchon, natives of the same county, he grew to be ten years of age, when his parents concluded to locate in French Village. Here, at about age of seventeen years, he apprenticed himself to a blacksmith for three years, and after many years' residence there he moved to Washington County. It was about seventeen years after his arrival there that he returned to St. Francois County, which has been his home for many years. His occupation has been chiefly that of a blacksmith, but he has also dealt in merchandise, besides farming and devoting considerable time to general trading. His wife, formerly Teressa Coleman, was born in Washington County in 1816, and has borne him fourteen children, of whom six sons and two daughters are now living. They have a large number of descendants living, there being, besides eight grandchildren deceased, thirty-one grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. Mr. And Mrs. AuBuchon are Catholics. His Ancestors were among the earliest French settlers of Ste. Genevieve. Mr. AuBuchon recalls the days when he watched the first steamboat that ever ascended the Mississippi River to Ste. Genevieve.
[History of Southeast Missouri, Goodspeed Publishing Co., 1888, pg. 620, Source Media Type: Book]
===============
Per the census of Exclusive of Liberty township, St. Francios Co., Missouri, 1860, Francois was a 48 year old merchant. He was married to Theresa, age 44. Living with them at the time of the census were their sons Ferdinand, age 24, Theodore, age 22, Cyprian age 18, Adrain, age 9, Zeno, age 8 and Frank, age 4 and daughters Mary, age 20, Sarah, age 19, Theresa, age 14, and Elvira, age 4. Also living with them was their son Peter Aubuchon, a 23 year old merchant and his wife Eliza, age 20.
His name has also shown up as Francis E. Aubuchon. It is presumed that the middle initial of "E" is from the phonetical pronounciation of Xavier "Exzavier".
799. Victoria Pelagie Aubuchon
A Pelagie OBuchon is shown as a servant in the household of Joseph Langelier in the 1860 census for Saline township, Ste. Genevieve Co., MO, Avon post office, page 152. Coincidentally a John Obuchon is shown living in the household of Pierre Langelier in the same census for Beauvias township, New Breman post office, page 163. John Nicholas and Victoria Pelagie are brother and sister, the children of Antoine Aubuchon and Odile Maurice. Although I currently have no evidence, I believe that Victoria Pelagie is the same Pelegie OBuchon identified in the census.
A John Obuchon is shown living in the household of Pierre Langelier in the 1860 census for Beauvias township, Ste. Genevieve Co., MO, New Breman post office, page 163. Coincidentally a Pelagie OBuchon is shown as a servant in the household of Joseph Langelier in the same census for Saline township, Avon post office, page 152. John Nicholas and Victoria Pelagie are brother and sister, the children of Antoine Aubuchon and Odile Maurice. Although I currently have no evidence, I believe that John Nicholas is the same John OBuchon identified in the census.