Lucy Murphy Publishes New Book, "Frenchtown Chronicles"

Ohio State Newark Professor Examines Midwestern Frontier Values in New Book

NEWARK, Ohio, January 9, 2017 – A new book co-edited by The Ohio State University at Newark Professor of History Lucy Murphy, Ph.D., is a book she believes we all could learn a lot from. Frenchtown Chronicles of Prairie du Chien: History and Folklore from Wisconsin's Frontier was recently published by The Wisconsin Historical Society Press. While the book is the story of one Midwestern frontier town, it also is filled with lessons about family and commitment.

“The history of Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin is complex. Over its history, the town served as home to Native Americans, French-Canadian fur traders, British soldiers and Americans after the American Revolution,” said Murphy. “This book examines the town’s fur trading days through stories handed down through the generations and examines the family and relationships that were the foundation of the community.”

Frenchtown Chronicles of Prairie Du Chien tells the story of the Midwestern frontier through Albert Coryer, the grandson of a fur trade voyageur-turned-farmer who collected history and folklore in the late 1800s and early 1900s in Prairie du Chien. Coryer soaked up all the tales of bygone times from his parents, grandparents and neighbors -- old fur trade families, Native Americans, French-Canadian farmers and descendants -- who lived in the city's Frenchtown area. In his journals, Coryer recorded their local oral traditions, narratives about early residents and landmarks, stories of interesting and funny events, and details of ethnic customs and folklore. Late in life, this lively caretaker of Wisconsin's fur trading past drew a detailed, illustrated map of the area and began to write his stories out longhand.

Murphy and co-editor Mary Elise Antione add historical context to Coryer's map, stories, interview transcript and colorful accounts of life -- and Prairie du Chien -- in the late nineteenth century, when the Midwestern frontier was undergoing significant demographic, social and economic change.

“This book shows the sense of community that existed during that time and how families and neighbors worked and lived together, with an overall concern to help to each other,” said Murphy. “Their lives were hard, but also simple and enjoyable.”

Frenchtown Chronicles is Murphy’s fifth book. She got the idea for Frenchtown Chronicles while writing another book called Great Lakes Creoles: A French-Indian Community on the Northern Borderlands, Prairie du Chien, 1750 - 1860.

“I came across the materials when I was doing research for Great Lakes Creoles, and thought that they would make a good book,” said Murphy. “I really wanted to do something to give back to the people and historical societies in Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin, who had helped and encouraged me so much. All of the royalties from Frenchtown Chronicles will go to the Villa Louis Historical Site and the Prairie du Chien Historical Site.”

Frenchtown Chronicles of Prairie du Chien: History and Folklore from Wisconsin's Frontier is available for purchase in the Barnes and Noble bookstore on the Newark campus.

The Ohio State University at Newark offers an academic environment that’s challenging but supportive with world-renowned professors and access to Ohio State’s more than 200 majors. It’s where learning comes to life. Research, study abroad and service learning opportunities prepare students for their careers in ways they never expected.