Jacques Marquette

Jacques Marquette was born in Laon, France in 1637. He joined the Jesuit Society and was sent as a missionary to New France (Canada) in 1666.

In 1668, Father Marquette and Father Claudius Dablon (see Jesuits for more info) founded the mission at Sault Ste. Marie, most likely the first permanent settlement in what is now Michigan.

In 1671, Marquette founded the mission of Point St. Ignace.

On May 13, 1673, Marquette and Louis Joliet set out to discover the mouth of the Mississippi River. They succeeded on June 17, 1673.

In September of 1673, Marquette was sent to the Green Bay area to the mission of St. Francis Xavier. On October 25, 1674, Marquette left for what is now Illinois. On April 8, 1675, Marquette arrived at Kaskaskia and founded the Immaculate Conception mission.

On May 18, 1675, Father Marquette died in present day Ludington, Michigan

Back to Prelude to a City
Jesuits

Links to more Jacques Marquette Sites

• Discoverer's Web: Louis Jolliet and Jacques Marquette
• Kyle and Alyssa's Louis Joliet and Jacques Marquette Page
• UP History - Explorers: Jacques Marquette
• The Virtual Museum of New France: Jacques Marquette