Wife of Solomon Juneau, who was the founder of the city of Milwaukee and of the Milwaukee (Sentinel) newspaper.

Josette Vieau (also spelled Vieaux or Vieux) was born April 16, 1803, at Fort Howard in Green Bay. She was the oldest daughter of French-Canadian fur trader Jacques Vieau and his wife Angeline Vieau (or Angelique), formerly Roi (also spelt Roy, Le Roi, LaRoi or LeRoy).

Jacques Vieau opened and operated fur trading posts throughout Wisconsin but spent a majority of his time in the Green Bay area. In around 1818, Solomon Juneau came to work for Jacques Vieau as a clerk. Just two years later, Juneau married Josette. He was 27, while she was 17. Vieau became Juneau at the old Mission Church in Green Bay. After the ceremony, the couple reportedly completed a journey in a bark canoe to Milwaukee. It was there that they settled and had 17 children, three of which did not survive early childhood.

Known as the "Mother of Milwaukee" for more than just her marriage to Solomon, Josette served as a midwife for early Milwaukee settlers. Along with bringing children into the world, she trained young girls who faced misfortune in housework, sewing and religious studies. After their training was complete, she would secure employment for the girls. These girls were not the only frequent guests of the Juneau home, as Josette welcomed traveling missionaries of many Christian denominations to stay with her family as a resting point along their journey. She helped those on the passage out of life, aiding the sick and dying, as well.

Josette also assisted Solomon with his trading business serving as his translator. While French was the primary language spoken by the Juneau family, Josette was fluent in three to five languages: Menomonee, Potawatomi, Winnebago and Chippewa, speculatively, along with some English.

As Milwaukee grew, and sentiment against Metis (meaning half/mixed blood) with it, Josette longed for rural life again. In 1852, she convinced her husband to move the family to their summer home in Theresa. During their time there, Solomon continued his trading business and built a general store and dam. The Juneaus lived the rest of their lives in Theresa until 1855 when Josette grew ill. They moved back to Milwaukee for her to receive treatment; however, the operation was unsuccessful. Josette died November 19, 1855. Solomon died a little under a year later on November 14, 1856.

Dodge County Pionier February 16, 2023 Excerpt