Peter J. Desnoyers
Peter John Desnoyers | |
|---|---|
| Born | Template:Birth date Paris, France |
| Died | June 3, 1846 (aged 73) Detroit, Michigan, United States |
| Occupation(s) | Silversmith, entrepreneur, public official |
| Known for | Early Detroit resident, silversmith, general store owner, city alderman, University of Michigan Regent, Bank of Michigan president |
Peter John Desnoyers (August 1, 1772 – June 3, 1846) was a distinguished silversmith and entrepreneur, recognized as an influential early resident of Detroit, Michigan.
Early life
Desnoyers was born in Paris, France to Charles Roquiley Desnoyers and Charlotte (Mallet) Desnoyers. He apprenticed as a silversmith under his father's guidance until he reached eighteen years of age. His father acquired land on his behalf from the Sciota Land Company, an organization that encouraged craftsmen to relocate to America. In 1790, Desnoyers arrived in Gallipolis, Ohio, but the land acquisition turned out to be fraudulent, rendering their property titles invalid.
Life in Detroit
While some settlers chose to stay in Ohio, Desnoyers relocated to Pittsburgh and, by 1796, enlisted in General Anthony Wayne's forces heading to Detroit. There, he served as an armorer under the command of Jean François Hamtramck.
On July 30, 1798, he wed Marie Louise Gobeille; together they had twelve children, among them notable businessmen Peter Desnoyers and Francis X. Desnoyers.
Desnoyers continued his work as an armorer until 1803 before establishing his own silversmith enterprise. The Great Fire of 1805 devastated his shop and stock, but he rebuilt by combining a general store with a silversmith workshop. He managed both operations until 1822, after which he concentrated solely on the general mercantile business. Although he retired in 1835, he remained a respected figure in Detroit.
Public Service
Throughout his life, Desnoyers held various public offices, including serving as one of the inaugural Trustees on the Board of Regents of the University of Michigan. Additionally, he completed multiple terms as a city alderman and held positions as director and president of the Bank of Michigan.
He passed away at his residence in Detroit on June 3, 1846.