Fortier, Joseph, 1835-1898.

Joseph Fortier was born in Napierville (Quebec), Canada, in 1835. He came to St. Peter, Minnesota in 1854. From 1855 to 1862 he was employed as a clerk at the Upper Sioux Indian Agency on the Yellow Medicine River. During the Dakota War (1862), Fortier joined the Renville Rangers. He took part in the battles of New Ulm, Fort Ridgely, and Wood Lake, and was with the Sibley and Sully expeditions against the Dakota in 1863 and 1864.

After the Civil War he opened a store in Yellow Medicine City, took part in the organization of Yellow Medicine County, and helped "boost" the selection of Yellow Medicine City as the county seat. In 1868 he married Sarah E. Seward.

When the county seat was changed to Granite Falls in 1874, he soon followed and engaged in mercantile trade in that city. He was elected sheriff of Yellow Medicine County in 1877 and held that position until about 1887. He later served for a time as a guard at the state prison at Stillwater. He lived during his last years at Granite Falls, where he died in 1898.

This sketch was taken from the papers, from An Illustrated History of Yellow Medicine County, Minnesota (p. 279-280), and from Minnesota Geographic Names (p. 594).

From the guide to the Account book and other papers., 1865-1897., (Minnesota Historical Society)