More About the Children of
Narcisse and Edesse.

Joseph Petelle (1864-1940).

Our ancestor Joseph was born 18 July 1864 and baptized the same day at Notre-Dame-Cathédrale de Montréal in Québec, Canada. As he received the sacrament the warm summer sun streamed through the Gothic Revival church's stained glass windows which told the tale of the congregation's 200 year history. Joseph's godmother or marraine, Melina LeDuc, was married to his uncle Siméon Mondou. He was named after his godfather or parraine, the shoemaker-turned-grocer Louis Zénephile "Hilie" Mallette and thus was given the rather weighty moniker, Joseph Louis Zénephile Petel. He must not have been too happy with the long name when he was older, for his son Walter claimed that his father denied having a middle name, going by Joseph J., or simply the initials "J.J."

Joseph was the seventh child born to Narcisse Pétel and Edesse Mondou. Narcisse, 42, made boots and shoes. The family resided in a two-story brick home at 355 Joseph Street near Narcisse's brothers in the St. Lawrence ward of Montréal where they kept a cow to provide fresh milk for the children.

The Petelle's lived at various addresses in Montréal over the years, leaving the country for a short stint near Rouse's Point, New York in 1867 where younger brother Edwin was born. They were back in Montréal for the birth of Charles in 1870, briefly living with Narcisse's brother Paul before moving into their own home at 13 Rolland Lane. The 1871 census reveals Narcisse worked as a carter. Older brother Rocque was a printer's apprentice and sisters Hermine and Matilda were in school, leaving Joseph, 7, Edwin and Charles at home. Grandmother Charlotte Pinnsoneau lived in Montréal, as did many of his aunts and uncles.

Riding the Iron Horse.

Joseph was about 7 years old when his family left Canada for the Midwest United States. His brother Charles' naturalization petition indicates the family entered the United States through Detroit, Michigan in July 1871. They likely traveled the roughly 850 miles along the top of the Great Lakes by train. A very exciting trek for a young boy!

Railway companies gave families traveling together a special rate. Narcisse and Edesse tied their belongings and some food for the trip in bundles which they distributed among their older children. Furniture was packed in handmade wooden crates with Spanish moss stuffed around it for protection. If they were able to afford the new Pullman cars, they would enjoy nice sleeping berths. Otherwise they stretched out on what was essentially a wooden shelf. The rail system was still in its youth and lines from different companies rarely connected at a central station, leaving travelers to walk or to make arrangements for horse-drawn coaches or perhaps steamboats to get to the next station in order to complete the journey.