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View Tree for Appoline Elise LeconteAppoline Elise Leconte (b. 1833, d. 1923)

Appoline Elise Leconte (daughter of unknown)56 was born 1833 in Valenciennes, Nord, France, and died 1923. She married Alisier Joseph LeDieu on October 05, 1875 in Valenciennes, Nord, France56, son of Francois Philippe Joseph LeDieu and Marie Henriette Joseph Lesage.

 Includes NotesNotes for Appoline Elise Leconte:
[RonDieu.FTW]

It is common family belief that Appoline was somehow connected to early Nobility. The actual documentation and proof continues to evade all searches. Her parents were Romain Leconte and Joachine Musy. D'LaVergemme may be the family name

A family historian tells the story that Appoline's family had prearranged a marriage for her. She was not in love with the man and refused to marry him. On a trip to Paris, she met and fell in love with Alisier Joseph Dieu, a commoner. They may have married in a civil ceremony. Appoline was disowned by her family. She and Alisier lived in several areas of France two of which are certain: Paris and Chaumont. He worked for the railroad which may account for the moves. He was about 20 years older than she. Most of their 14 children were born in Chaumont where they lived for several years.

Records show that the two were married in Valenciennes, France on October 5, 1875. At this point, all of their known children were already born. Birth certificates show that the couple returned after the marriage to "legitimize" the births. Speculation is that the 1875 marriage was recognized by the church and the first was not. It is also possible that Alisier had a previous marriage preventing him from remarrying in the eyes of the church.

Appoline was a determined, kind, and very brave woman. She led several of her adult children to the United States in 1885 or 1886. They landed most likely in New York. Lack of English made life very difficult in the states. Many were coal miners in France so could secure jobs in the mines here. Records show that the families lived in Kentucky, Alabama, Mississippi, Illinois, Missouri, California, and Oregon. It may have taken a dozen years to reach the west coast. Eventually Appoline and her families arrived in the San Francisco area and settled. Soon however, they found mines on the southern Oregon Coast in the community of Marshfield (Coos Bay). Most of the families were living there for the 1900 census. Shortly after 1900, the death of Frank Dayen and dwindling mines drove them back to California. All of the families moved away except for Gabrielle and her family.

Appoline lived in South San Francisco on Commercial Street with her immediate and extended families as well as many other French people. It was nicknamed "French Town". She was close to her family and was considered to be a matriarch. In 1915 she was summoned to Coos Bay as the result of the drowning death of two of her grandchildren. Her daughter, Gabrielle, was in ill health and needed the support of her mother. Appoline moved in with her son and daughter-in-law, Albert and Augustine, on their small ranch. Like most of the family members, she maintained a garden of flowers and herbs. Her gray eyes sparkled. She did not learn much English but didn't find it necessary with so many other french speaking people around. She told stories of her family experiences in France and was known to be an expert on the wars in France during her life there.

She lived in Coos Bay until she became ill and died 3 months after turning 89. She was buried in the Lecocq family plot with her two grandchildren in the old pioneer cemetery in Marshfield. Appoline's obituary as reported in the Marshfield newspaper is as follows:

MRS. DIEU DIES AT SON'S HOME
Was Daughter of a Belgian Count and born in France
Is survived by five children, 23 grandchildren, and 38 great grandchildren

Mrs. Apauline Dieu died at 4:30 P.M. yesterday at her home adjoining that of her son, Albert Dieu, in Englewood. She would have been 90 years of age next December, was the daughter of a Belgian count, was born in France and was a remarkable woman for a person of her age. She had never in all her life been attended by a physician for sickness until she recently suffered pneumonia which caused her death.

Leave Large Family
Mrs. Dieu was the mother of thirteen children, five of whom are living. She is also survived by 23 grandchildren and 38 great grandchildren.
Mrs. Dieu lived in her own house near that of her son. She insisted upon looking after herself and had her own garden and chickens which she took great delight in caring for. Her relatives attributed her long life of good health to the fact that she interested herself in outdoor work.

Born in France
Mrs. Dieu's maiden name was Apauline Leconte. She was born at Valenciennes, Department Des Nord, France, while her parents were visiting there. She was the daughter of Count and Countess Leconte de la Vergemme, of the Belgian nobility.

When 16 years old and visiting Paris she met Alisier Dieu and there sprang up a romance which culminated in their marriage. The couple lived in Paris 13 years and later at Chaumont and Calais, Pas de Calais. Thirteen children were born to the couple. They were: Alexce, Joseph, Blanche, Jeanne, Leona, Alice, Gustave, Gabrielle, Louis, George, Camille, Albert and Emil.

Came to America
The husband died in 1884 and Mrs. Dieu came to America in 1885 and after a stormy voyage of 22 days arrived in New York. She came to Coos Bay in 1889 and in 1903 went to California to make her home but returned to Coos Bay in 1915 to be with her daughter, Mrs. H. Lecocq, when the latter suffered the disaster of losing her youngest daughter, Helen Rose, and her oldest son, George, by drowning.

Many Sorrows
This was only one of the sorrows which Mr. Dieu during her long lifetime was called upon to bear. Her oldest son, Alexce was killed in a mine in France and a short time afterward in America she lost two sons, George and Camille, who were killed in a mine in Tennessee.
Another son, Gustave, while on an expedition to Hindo China was captured by savages and so cruelly tortured that he lost his mind and years later disappeared while the family was living in Kentucky and was never heard of again.
Mrs. Dieu has born up patiently through the many sorrows which came into her life and had devoted herself to the comforting of others who were in trouble and was always ready to give help where it was needed. She took a great interest in the welfare and lives of her children and grandchildren.

Student of History
Mrs. Dieu was very fond of traveling and had visited every state in the union and although she never learned the English language she was quite Americanized in her beliefs. She was a student and an authority in French and Belgian history and especially of the Franco-Prussian war period, having lived under the iron rule of the Prussians when they dominated the French in 1870, and suffered many hardships during the siege.

Besides the members of the large family of which she was the head, Mrs. Dieu had many friends who will grieve because of her death.

Those Surviving
The five surviving children are Albert Dieu of Marshfield, Mrs. Gabrielle Lecocq of Marshfield, Louis Dieu and Mrs. Jeanne Ringue of South San Francisco and Emil Dieu of Stockton, Cal. Of the 23 grandchildren and 38 great grandchildren many reside here.

Funeral Tomorrow
The funeral will be held at 1 o'clock tomorrow from the Theurwachter Funeral Home.





More About Appoline Elise Leconte:
Date born 2: December 28, 1833, Valenciennes, Nord, France.56
Burial: March 29, 1923, buried at Pioneer Cemetery Coos Bay, Coos, Oregon.56
Census: 1910, listed in 1900 census in Coos Bay, Oregon.56
Died 2: March 27, 1923, Coos Bay, Coos, Oregon.56

More About Appoline Elise Leconte and Alisier Joseph LeDieu:
Marriage: October 05, 1875, Valenciennes, Nord, France.56

Children of Appoline Elise Leconte and Alisier Joseph LeDieu are:
  1. +Gabrielle Josephine LeDieu, b. February 09, 1862, Chaumont, Nord, France, d. date unknown, Coos Bay, Oregon.
  2. George LeDieu, b. January 06, 1870, Chaumont, Haute-Marne, France56, d. date unknown.
  3. +Albert LeDieu, b. January 23, 1873, Chaumont, Haute-Marne, France56, d. April 24, 1873, Chaumont, Haute-Marne, France56.
  4. +Emil LeDieu, d. date unknown.
  5. Espeiance LeDieu, d. date unknown.
  6. Blanche LeDieu, b., France56, d. date unknown.
  7. Camille LeDieu, b., France56, d. date unknown.
  8. Louis LeDieu, b., France56, d. date unknown.
  9. Octavie Josephine LeDieu, b. August 27, 1852, Paris, Seine, France56, d. date unknown.
  10. Alexce LeDieu, b. May 17, 1854, Paris, Seine, France56, d. date unknown.
  11. Jeanne Josephine Victoria LeDieu, b. June 15, 1857, Paris, Seine, France56, d. January 02, 1935, South San Francisco, San Mateo, California56.
  12. Gustave Joseph Clement LeDieu, b. July 16, 1859, Paris, Seine, France56, d. date unknown.
  13. Esperance Joseph LeDieu, b. March 15, 1864, Chaumont, Haute-Marne, France56, d. May 10, 1949, South San Francisco, San Mateo, California56.
  14. Leonie Josephine LeDieu, b. October 15, 1865, Chaumont, Haute-Marne, France56, d. October 24, 1865, Chaumont, Haute-Marne, France56.
  15. Emile Joseph LeDieu, b. January 30, 1867, Chaumont, Haute-Marne, France56, d. February 21, 1938, Ashland, Jackson, Oregon56.
  16. Camille Joseph LeDieu, b. January 23, 1873, Chaumont, Haute-Marne, France56, d. June 14, 1950, Coos Bay, Coos, Oregon56.
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