Peter Joseph La Ville, a skilled carpenter, came to the U.S. from France about 1842. Family lore states that he was from the Alsace Lorraine area, but his daughter Josie's death certificate states that her father was born in Paris. In April of 1849 he filed a Declaration of Intent to become a U.S. citizen, and married Julia Petent in Stark County, Ohio. Their first son Edward was born there a year later. They moved to Washington County, Wisconsin, where six more children were born. The family then moved to land outside the town of Whitehall, Muskegon County, Michigan in 1863. Tragedy struck the family there when Peter Joseph, his eldest son Edward, and baby son Francis all died within a short period of time. It is not known exactly where they are buried or what caused their deaths. They possibly were buried on their homestead, or perhaps in a now-forgotten small cemetery. The remaining family then moved into the town of Whitehall where the older children went to work to support the family.
Peter Joseph La Ville, a skilled carpenter, came to the U.S. from France about 1842. Family lore states that he was from the Alsace Lorraine area, but his daughter Josie's death certificate states that her father was born in Paris. In April of 1849 he filed a Declaration of Intent to become a U.S. citizen, and married Julia Petent in Stark County, Ohio. Their first son Edward was born there a year later. They moved to Washington County, Wisconsin, where six more children were born. The family then moved to land outside the town of Whitehall, Muskegon County, Michigan in 1863. Tragedy struck the family there when Peter Joseph, his eldest son Edward, and baby son Francis all died within a short period of time. It is not known exactly where they are buried or what caused their deaths. They possibly were buried on their homestead, or perhaps in a now-forgotten small cemetery. The remaining family then moved into the town of Whitehall where the older children went to work to support the family.
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