The Clair & Gonon The Clair & Gonon FamiliesFamilies

(ancestors of Janelle Richardson)(ancestors of Janelle Richardson) from France to from France to

KansasKansasThe Story of the FamiliesThe Story of the Families

Helping to Establish the Silk Helping to Establish the Silk Ribbon Industry at Silkville, Ribbon Industry at Silkville,

KansasKansas

Claude Clair, a silk ribbon weaver, and his wife Benoite Gonon Clair and children-Marguerite and Pierre left Saint Etienne, France, and came to Silkville in 1869.

Benoite Clair

Claude Clair

Antoine Gonon, Benoite’s younger brother also a silk ribbon weaver, and his wife Marie Badel Gonon and daughters Jennie and Catherine came to Silkville in 1871.

The Clairs and Gonons Lived in Saint The Clairs and Gonons Lived in Saint Etienne, FranceEtienne, France

Working as silk ribbon makersWorking as silk ribbon makers

Saint Etienne, FranceSaint Etienne, France

Hôtel de Ville, City Hall, late 1800s

Place du Peuple, 1800s, square near where Clair’s lived in Saint Etienne

Statue to Silk Ribbon Maker

(in front of Saint Etienne city

hall)

Silk Ribbon Makers

•Dominated trade in Saint Etienne.

•Weavers considered most skilled of craftsmen.

•Jacquard loom used perforated cards.

•Silk workers wanted more control over their working conditions. Rebelled in 1871.

Descendants of Clair Family

Visit Saint Etienne City Hall

18 members visited Saint Etienne in May 2000 “to walk where their ancestors walked.”

Rue de Heurton, street where Clairs lived in 1857

(as seen in 2000)

Why did the Clair Family leave Saint Etienne?

•Saint Etienne was a well established city of more than 150,000 people with magnificent buildings and churches.

•Claude Clair had a successful career as a weaver.

•The Clair’s left family and friends.

•The family sold everything to come to Kansas.

The Clairs came to Kansas The Clairs came to Kansas in 1869in 1869

Recruited by Ernest de Boissiere to Recruited by Ernest de Boissiere to help establish Silkville.help establish Silkville.

Needed to set up and run looms to Needed to set up and run looms to make silk ribbon.make silk ribbon.

First several years rustic at Silkville.First several years rustic at Silkville. Clairs lived with de Boissiere at first.Clairs lived with de Boissiere at first. Theodie Clair born in 1870.Theodie Clair born in 1870.

Why did Clair family come to Why did Clair family come to Kansas?Kansas?

There was a socialistic movement in There was a socialistic movement in Saint Etienne with workers demanding Saint Etienne with workers demanding more rights and profits. more rights and profits.

Everyone supported themselves. Paid Everyone supported themselves. Paid for lodging, food and other personal for lodging, food and other personal expenses. expenses.

All workers would share All workers would share responsibilities and rewards.responsibilities and rewards.

Was it the appeal of socialist Was it the appeal of socialist community?community?

Ottawa, Kansas Main Ottawa, Kansas Main Street, 1868Street, 1868

•Ottawa had a population of about 3000 people.

•Still frontier town with dirt/mud streets and wooden sidewalks.

•Had temporary train station.

•About 17 miles from Silkville.

Silkville founded by Ernest Valeton de Boissiere

•Was a wealthy French philanthropist from near Bordeaux. Grandfatherly 59-year-old bachelor.

•Banished from France in 1852 because of his philosophic and political beliefs.

•Went to New Orleans and forced to leave because of wanting to establish a facility for black children.

•Came to Franklin County, Kansas, in 1869 and purchased about 3500 acres to establish Silkville.

•Filed intent of citizenship in 1871 and became citizen in 1874.

•Went back to France in 1884. Returned to Silkville in 1890. Then returned to France and died in 1894.

Silkville based on Social Silkville based on Social Reform IdealsReform Idealsof Fourierismof Fourierism

Started in France by Charles Fourier. Started in France by Charles Fourier. Advocated the transformation of society Advocated the transformation of society

into self-sufficient, communities of into self-sufficient, communities of independent “phalanges” (phalanxes). independent “phalanges” (phalanxes).

Fourier believed that a society that Fourier believed that a society that cooperated would see an immense cooperated would see an immense improvement in their productivity levels. improvement in their productivity levels.

Workers would be recompensed for their Workers would be recompensed for their labors according to their contribution. labors according to their contribution.

Silkville CommunitySilkville Community Also called Kansas Co-Operation Farm, or Prairie Also called Kansas Co-Operation Farm, or Prairie

HomeHome Colony where everyone would share Colony where everyone would share

responsibilities and rewards. responsibilities and rewards. Boissiere invested more than $100,000 in Boissiere invested more than $100,000 in

improvements.improvements. Phalanx or manor built to house 100 workers. Phalanx or manor built to house 100 workers.

Probably no more than 40 people lived there.Probably no more than 40 people lived there. 15 miles of stone fence built around property.15 miles of stone fence built around property. Planted mulberry trees and imported silkworms Planted mulberry trees and imported silkworms

from France and Japan. from France and Japan. Built stone barns for dairy, factory for silk Built stone barns for dairy, factory for silk

making, winery, icehouse, black smith barn and making, winery, icehouse, black smith barn and school. school.

Produced silk ribbons, cheese and wine.Produced silk ribbons, cheese and wine.

1873 Prospectus of Silkville

(To attract Socialist)

•Associates needed to apply.

•Pay own living expenses.

•Put down $100 deposit per person.

•Pay rent two months in advance.

•Live frugal and inexpensive life.

Original Phalanstery built 1874 to house 100 people.

Three stories with 60 rooms including dining room and library Three stories with 60 rooms including dining room and library of 2500 books. of 2500 books.

Called the Chateau, Manor or big house by locals. Called the Chateau, Manor or big house by locals.

Remains of Manor House-2003Remains of Manor House-2003Rebuilt after fire of 1916, 1/3 size of original Rebuilt after fire of 1916, 1/3 size of original

buildingbuilding

Silk Ribbon MakingSilk Ribbon Making

In 1871, looms were ordered from New In 1871, looms were ordered from New York City.York City.

Claude Clair set up and ran looms. Claude Clair set up and ran looms. Benoite Clair helped. Benoite Clair helped.

Antoine Gonon, Clair’s brother-in-law, Antoine Gonon, Clair’s brother-in-law, came from Saint Etienne in 1871.came from Saint Etienne in 1871.

224-300 yards of finished ribbon were 224-300 yards of finished ribbon were turned out a day.turned out a day.

In 1876 Silkville ribbons won award at In 1876 Silkville ribbons won award at the Philadelphia Centennial Exposition. the Philadelphia Centennial Exposition.

Silkville RibbonsSilkville Ribbons

1876 award given for silk ribbons made at Silkville. (as displayed at Old Depot Museum, 2003, Ottawa, Kansas)

Silkville woven and velvet ribbons-in possession of Clair family descendants.

Silkville School-part of Franklin County Schools.

(as seen in 2003)

Originally, school was conducted on the upper floors of the cheese factory.

Clairs Had own HomeClairs Had own Home

•In January 1872, Claude Clair leased 2 acres from de Boissiere to build a house and out buildings. Later leased up to 20 acres.

•Yearly lease was $10-$23, term for 21 years.

•Located at junction of present day Arkansas and Cloud Roads.

Old limestone building, believed to be location of weaving barn at Silkville (as

seen in 2003)

Remaining mulberry trees at Silkville. More than 130 years old. (as seen in 2003)

Photo taken at Silkville between 1875-1881. Man second from left believed to be Antoine Gonon or Claude Clair. Photo courtesy of Old Depot Museum.

Life at SilkvilleLife at Silkville

There were always lots of kids playing.There were always lots of kids playing. Dinner parties were held.Dinner parties were held. Had ice cream socials.Had ice cream socials. Had dances where they square danced, Had dances where they square danced,

waltzed, and did the polka. waltzed, and did the polka. De Boissiere often played the fiddle. De Boissiere often played the fiddle. On a summer Sunday in 1874, On a summer Sunday in 1874,

townspeople were invited to visit, eat, townspeople were invited to visit, eat, drink and dance. drink and dance.

Commune FailedCommune Failed Not enough associates could be recruited for the Not enough associates could be recruited for the

cooperative scheme. cooperative scheme. Cooperative labor plan used for silk industry and Cooperative labor plan used for silk industry and

cheese factory only. Other farm workers were cheese factory only. Other farm workers were hired. hired.

Many associates left community to work Many associates left community to work elsewhere and acquire own farms. elsewhere and acquire own farms.

By 1882 competition for silks from the Orient By 1882 competition for silks from the Orient made silk production unprofitable. Clair and made silk production unprofitable. Clair and Gonon died in 1881 and 1882. Silk activities Gonon died in 1881 and 1882. Silk activities abandoned in 1886. abandoned in 1886.

Silkville Property Given to Establish Silkville Property Given to Establish OrphanageOrphanage

De Boissiere deeded property to Odd Fellows to De Boissiere deeded property to Odd Fellows to establish orphans’ home and industrial school in establish orphans’ home and industrial school in 1892.1892.

Home was opened in 1894. Home was opened in 1894. Kansas Old Fellows lodge then rejected the Kansas Old Fellows lodge then rejected the

property stating they could not afford it.property stating they could not afford it. A long legal fight over control of the property A long legal fight over control of the property

lasted until two shrewd lawyers gained ownership lasted until two shrewd lawyers gained ownership and sold the property in 1910 for $130,000.and sold the property in 1910 for $130,000.

Property still owned by one private owner and is Property still owned by one private owner and is utilized as cattle ranch. utilized as cattle ranch.

Rumors about SilkvilleRumors about Silkville

Because Silkville was isolated by distance the first Because Silkville was isolated by distance the first years, local people were curious and imagined an years, local people were curious and imagined an unorthodox lifestyle. Some of the rumors were:unorthodox lifestyle. Some of the rumors were:

De Boissiere was a domineering patriarch.De Boissiere was a domineering patriarch. It was an atheistic colony.It was an atheistic colony. Free love practiced.Free love practiced. Marriage was abolished.Marriage was abolished.

ALL FALSEALL FALSE

EARLY SETTLERS OF SILKVILLEEARLY SETTLERS OF SILKVILLE

Clair FamilyClair Family

Claude ClairClaude Clair Born near Saint Etienne, Born near Saint Etienne,

France in 1831.France in 1831. Father was a tailor. Father was a tailor.

Died when Claude was Died when Claude was 5.5.

Stepfather was Francois Stepfather was Francois Gourd, a carpenter.Gourd, a carpenter.

Came to Kansas when Came to Kansas when 38 years old.38 years old.

Ran looms at Silkville.Ran looms at Silkville. Became sick with kidney Became sick with kidney

disease. Sought medical disease. Sought medical care in Saint Louis. care in Saint Louis. Died in NYC Dec. 1, Died in NYC Dec. 1, 1881, age 50, on way 1881, age 50, on way back to France. back to France. Claude Clair?

Benoite Gonon ClairBenoite Gonon Clair was 36 when she was 36 when she came to Kansas.came to Kansas.

Gave birth to Theodie Clair soon after Gave birth to Theodie Clair soon after arrival.arrival.

Widowed at age of 48.Widowed at age of 48. Lost son and husband in 1881, brother Lost son and husband in 1881, brother

in 1882, niece in 1888.in 1882, niece in 1888. Went back to France two times—1880s. Went back to France two times—1880s. Lived with the Rinns then the Jardons Lived with the Rinns then the Jardons

from 1889-1917.from 1889-1917. Never learned English.Never learned English. Travel by train to visit Marguerite in Travel by train to visit Marguerite in

Oklahoma.Oklahoma. Was a CatholicWas a Catholic Loved children and flowers.Loved children and flowers. Died 1917, buried Prairie City Died 1917, buried Prairie City

Cemetery, near Baldwin City, Kansas. Cemetery, near Baldwin City, Kansas.

Clair ChildrenClair Children•Marguerite Clair Rinn came to America in 1869 with family when she was 12. •Lived in commune at Silkville.•Married Lewis Rinn in 1876.•Lived at Camp Supply, Indian Territory until 1883. Moved to Williamsburg, Kansas 1883-1901.•Mother of ten children.•Owned ice cream shop in Williamsburg, Kansas.•Moved to Oklahoma in 1901.•Widowed in 1905 at age forty-eight, raised 4 minor children.•Died in 1929, buried at Hazel Dell Cemetery near Minco, OK.

Clair childrenClair children

Theodie Clair JardonTheodie Clair Jardon believed to be the first believed to be the first baby born at Silkville in baby born at Silkville in 1870. 1870. She married Martin She married Martin Jardon in 1889.Jardon in 1889. She then lived on farm She then lived on farm near Baldwin City, near Baldwin City, Kansas.Kansas.Raised a family of five Raised a family of five children. children. She died in 1953 and is She died in 1953 and is buried at Prairie City buried at Prairie City Cemetery near Baldwin Cemetery near Baldwin City next to her husband City next to her husband and mother. and mother.

Pierre (Peter) ClairPierre (Peter) Clair

Was 10 when family came to Kansas.Was 10 when family came to Kansas. Left home with a friend in summer of Left home with a friend in summer of

1879 to find work in Colorado.1879 to find work in Colorado. Appeared on 1880 census in Pueblo, Appeared on 1880 census in Pueblo,

Colorado, living in rooming house Colorado, living in rooming house with 17 other men. Listed as laborer. with 17 other men. Listed as laborer.

Disappeared.Disappeared. Declared dead in 1892. Declared dead in 1892.

GONON FAMILYGONON FAMILYThe brother of Benoite Gonon ClairThe brother of Benoite Gonon Clair

Pierre GononPierre Gonon--father father of Benoite & Antoine Gononof Benoite & Antoine Gonon

•Born 1803 near Saint Etienne, France.

•Owned successful blacksmith, locksmith business in Saint Etienne.

•Died May 1871 in Saint Etienne.

Antoine GononAntoine Gonon brought brought his family from Saint his family from Saint Etienne, France in 1871. Etienne, France in 1871. He was a silk ribbon He was a silk ribbon maker and blacksmith at maker and blacksmith at Silkville. Sometime Silkville. Sometime during the late 1870s he during the late 1870s he left Silkville and moved left Silkville and moved to Osage County, Kansas to Osage County, Kansas where he was a where he was a blacksmith. He died in blacksmith. He died in 1882, at the age of 41, 1882, at the age of 41, when he was gathering when he was gathering coal and the mine coal and the mine collapsed. collapsed.

Photo taken Ottawa, Kansas between 1871-

1881.

Antoine Gonon was the brother of Benoite Gonon ClairAntoine Gonon was the brother of Benoite Gonon Clair

Marie Badel Gonon Marie Badel Gonon waswas thethe wife of Antoine Gonon. wife of Antoine Gonon. Preferring to speak French, she Preferring to speak French, she never learned English. After the never learned English. After the death of her husband, she and death of her husband, she and her daughter, Jennie, lived near her daughter, Jennie, lived near the Judson Claypool farm in the Judson Claypool farm in Osage County, Kansas. They Osage County, Kansas. They supported themselves by doing supported themselves by doing laundry for others. She died laundry for others. She died 1902 and is buried next to her 1902 and is buried next to her husband in Waverly, Kansas.husband in Waverly, Kansas.

Photo taken Ottawa, Kansas between 1871-

1881.

Gonon ChildrenGonon Children

Jeanne GononJeanne Gonon was four-years- was four-years-old when her family came to old when her family came to Silkville from France. She Silkville from France. She never married. For 20 years, never married. For 20 years, she took care of her mother in she took care of her mother in Osage County. Afterwards, she Osage County. Afterwards, she worked at Ottawa University as worked at Ottawa University as a cook. She died in 1957 at the a cook. She died in 1957 at the age of 92. age of 92.

Lillie Gonon ClaypoolLillie Gonon Claypool was seven when she was seven when she came to Silkville. She came to Silkville. She married Judson Claypool married Judson Claypool in 1878, had four in 1878, had four children and died of flu children and died of flu in 1888. Some of her in 1888. Some of her descendants reside in descendants reside in Franklin County.Franklin County.

Clair & Gonon FamiliesClair & Gonon Families

Dreams of a successful life at Silkville Dreams of a successful life at Silkville failed.failed.

Claude Clair became ill and died in 1881.Claude Clair became ill and died in 1881. Pierre Clair disappeared in 1880.Pierre Clair disappeared in 1880. Antoine Gonon died in an accident in 1882. Antoine Gonon died in an accident in 1882. Silkville terminated in 1892.Silkville terminated in 1892.

Families survivedFamilies survivedThe Clair descendants--the Rinns and Jardons, and the The Clair descendants--the Rinns and Jardons, and the

Gonon descendants are numerous. They are successful Gonon descendants are numerous. They are successful Americans living throughout the United States. Americans living throughout the United States.