August James Emmet Bachand was born 9 Dec 1900 in Petoskey, Emmet, Michigan, the son of Edward Alexander Bachand and Georginia Messenger. [Name on birth record was James E. A. Bachand, but he was called August, Augustus, Gus and Gust throughout his life.]
He joined siblings Mary Esther, born in 1894, Blanche, born in 1896 and Dayton, born in 1898.
Father Edward was born 5 Mar 1867 in Baraga, Baraga, Michigan, the son of August Victor Bachand and Margaret A. St. Arnauld. He married Georgina Messenger on 4 Aug 1892 in L'Anse, Baraga, Michigan. Georgina was born 1 May 1876 in Bay Mills, Chippewa, Michigan, the daughter of John Messenger and Mary Lightfoot.
Brother Arthur W. was said to be born in 1901 [from Edward's letter to Horace Durant]
1905 State Census - Town of Sanborn, Ashland, Wisconsin
Bachand, Edward, head, 36, born Michigan
Mrs., wife, 29
Margaret, mother, 65, widowed, born Wisconsin
Esther, daughter, 11, born Michigan
Blanche, daughter, 9, born Michigan
Dayton, son, 6 born Michigan
Augustus, son, 4, born Michigan
Jimmie, brother, 38, widowed, born Michigan
Ethel daughter, 12, born Michigan
James, son, 9, born Michigan
Brother Arthur William was born 15 Jun 1906 at Odanah, Ashland, Wisconsin
Brother Gilbert was said to be born in 1907 [From Edward's letter to Horace Durant]
1908 Durant Roll Field Notes
#20 page 5 - informantion from Peter Messenger
John Messenger, dead
wife, dead
child 1 - Georgiana Bachand, 37, P.O. Odanah, Wis.
husband, Ed, member of L'Anse Band
1) Esther, 17
2) Blanche, 14, drew at L'Anse
3)Dayton, 10
4) Augustus, 9, drew at L'Anse
5) Gilbert, 4
6) Archie, born Nov 1908 -- too late
child 2 - Peter Messenger, 28, P.O. Bay Mills, single
Letter from Edward Bachand to Horace Durant states Georgian Bachand, age 33, her father was John Messenger, born in vicinity of La Pointe reservation, her mother was Mary Lightfoot, born at Bay Mills, Michigan. Gave children as Mary E., 15, Blanch E., 13, Dayton E., 11, August J.E., 9, Arthur W., 4, and Gilbert 1.
1910 Federal Census - Bad River or La Pointe, Ashland, Wisconsin
Bachand, Edward, head, 40, married once, married 17 years, born Michigan, father born Canada/French, mother born Wisconsin, speaks English, salesman at grocery store, can read, can write, Chippewa, father white, mother Chippewa, 1/4 Indian, 3/4 white, married once, not living in polygamy, graduated. is taxed, received allotment in 1893, lived in civilized dwelling
Geogiana, wife, 34, married once, married 17 years, 7 children born, 6 children living, born Michigan, father born Wisconsin, mother born Michigan, speaks English, can read, can write, Chippewa, father Chippewa, mother Chippewa, 3/4 Indian, 1/4 white married once
Mary Esther, daughter, 15, born Michigan, parents born Michigan, speaks English, saleswoman at dry goods store, can read, can write, Chippewa, father Chippewa, mother Chippewa, 1/2 Indian, 1/2 white
Blanche E., daughter, 14, born Michigan, parents born Michigan, speaks English, can read, can write, attended school, Chippewa, father Chippewa, mother Chippewa, 1/2 Indian, 1/2 white
Dayton E., son, 12, born Michigan, parents born Michigan, speaks English, can read, can write, attended school, Chippewa, father Chippewa, mother Chippewa, 1/2 Indian, 1/2 white
Augustus J.E., son, 10, born Michigan, parents born Michigan, speaks English, can read, can write, attended school, Chippewa, father Chippewa, mother Chippewa, 1/2 Indian, 1/2 white
Arthur W., son, 4, born Wisconsin, parents born Michigan, Chippewa, father Chippewa, mother Chippewa, 1/2 Indian, 1/2 white
Gilbert M., son, 1 5/12, born Wisconsin, parents born Michigan, Chippewa, father Chippewa, mother Chippewa, 1/2 Indian, 1/2 white
Brother Roger Ernest was born 26 Jan 1911 in Odanah, Ashland, Wisconsin
Census of Bad River Chipppewa Indians of La Pointe Agency Wisconsin - 30 Jun 1914
Bachand, Georgiana, 1876
Dayton, son, born 1894
Blanche, daughter, born 1896
Augustus, son, born 1901
Arthur, son, born 1907
Roger, son, born 1911
Sister Jean was said to be born in 1915.
Census of Chippewa Indians of Mackinac Agency, Michigan - 30 Jun 1917
Bachand, James, 50 [uncle of August/brother of Edward]
Ethel, daughter, 19
James Jr., son, 21
Margaret, 63 [grandmother of August/mother of James and Edward]
Edward, 48
Blanch, daughter, 20
August, son, 16
Brother Maurice Gilbert was born on 14 Feb 1918 in La Pointe, Ashland, Wisconsin
Census of Chippewa Indians of Mackinac Agency, Michigan - 30 Jun 1918
Bachand, James, 51 [uncle of August/brother of Edward]
Ethel, daughter, 20
James Jr., son, 22
Margaret, 64 [grandmother of August/mother of James and Edward]
Edward, 49
Blanch, daughter, 21
August, son, 17
Census of Chipppewa Indians of Mackinac Agency Michigan - 31 Jul 1919
Bachand, James, born 1867 [uncle of August/brother of Edward]
Ethel, daughter, born 1898
James Jr., son, born 1896
Margaret, born 1854 [grandmother of August/mother of James and Edward]
Edward, born 1869
Blanch, daughter, born 1897
August, son, born 1901
1920 Federal Census - La Pointe (Bad River) Indian Reservation, Ashland, Wisconsin - taken January 1920
Bachand, Edward, head, own home - no mortgage, 51, can read, can write, born Michigan, father born Canada/French, mother born Wisconsin, can speak English, wood miller at lumber yard
Georgiana, wife, 43, born Michigan, can read, can write, father born Wisconsin, mother born Michigan, can speak English
Dayton, son, 21, can read, can write, born Michigan, parents born Michigan, can speak English, driver at transway
Gus, son, 19, did not attend school since 1 Sep 1919, can read, can write, born Michigan, parents born Michigan, can speak English, puller at lath mill
Arthur, son, 13, attended school, can read, can write, born Wisconsin, parents born Michigan, can speak English
Roger, son, 8, attended school, can read, can write, born Wisconsin, parents born Michigan, can speak English
Jean, daughter, 4, born Wisconsin, parents born Michigan
Maurice, son, 1 10/12
Census of Chipppewa Indians of Mackinac Agency Michigan - 30 Jun 1920
Bachand, James, born 1867 [uncle of August/brother of Edward]
Ethel, daughter, born 1898
James Jr., son, born 1896
Margaret, born 1854 [grandmother of August/mother of James and Edward]
Edward, born 1869
Blanch, daughter, born 1897
August, son, born 1901
Affidavit for License to Marry
25 Aug 1923, Baraga, Michigan
Gus Bachand , 22, white, born Lance, Michigan, occupation laborer, son of Mr. Ed Bachand and Georgianna Messenger to Marion Anderson, 18, white, born Wakefiled, Michigan, occupation domestic, daughter of Albert Anderson and Georgianna Massie.
Gus and Marion were married on 26 Aug 1923 in L'Ance, Michigan. Ceremony was performed by Rev. W. H. Rule, Minister. Witnesses were George McBride and Isabelle Davis.
L'Anse Sentinel - 31 Aug 1923
1930 Federal Census - Marenisco, Gogebic, Michigan
Bachand, James E., head, rents, $5 per month, not a farm, Indian, 29, first married at 23, did not attend school in prior year, can read and write, born Michigan, mixed blood Chippewa, scaler at lumber mill
Marian H., wife, white, 23, first married at 16, did not attend school in prior year, can read and write, born Michigan, father born Norway, mother born Wisconsin
June M., daughter, Indian, 5, went to school in prior year, born Michigan, parents born Michigan, mixed blood Chippewa
James S., son, Indian, 3 10/12, not in school, born Wisconsin, parents born Michigan, mixed blood Chippewa
Betty Joe, daughter, Indian 2 2/12, not in school, born Michigan, parents born Michigan, mixed blood Chippewa
On 8 Oct 1930 brother Dayton, 31, occupation barber, married Virginia Lathrop, 18, waitress, daughter of Ernest Lathrop and Elizabeth Stockweather.
On 1 Jun 1935. sister Jeanne, 20, married John Andrews, 21, C.C.C. worker, son of Joseph Andrews and Mary.
Brother Rogert Ernest died 23 May 1936 in Bessemer, Gogebic, Michigan. His birth was given as 25 Jan 1911. He had been an invalid for 5 years. Cause of death was Uremia Pyelitis Cystits [kidney disease]
On 3 Jul 1936, brother Arthur, 30, laborer, married Anna Maki, 18, daughter of John Maki and Anna Jaskola.
August died 19 Aug 1937 at the Newberry State Hospital, Luce, Michigan. His birth was given as 9 Dec 1900, age 36 years, 8 months, 10 days, birthplace at Petoskey, Michigan. Parents were given as Edward Bachand, born Baraga, Michigan and Georgiana Messenger, born Baymills, Michigan. Doctor states he attended Edward from 6 Jun 1937 to 19 Aug 1937, cause of death was general paralysis of the insane, duration unknown.
August was buried at Riverside Cemetery, Ironwood, Gogebic, Michigan
Ironwood Daily Globe - 24 Aug 1937
Ironwood Daily Times - 27 Aug 1937
Copyright (c) 2026 Vicki Wilson
