Chapter 11 cont. FROM BLOCK HOUSE TO MANSION His first home was a small log house soon replaced by a more pretentious structure from which he eventually removed into a splendid mansion on the bluffs, which commanded a beautiful view of the Misssissippi and the three cities.  After the death of Mrs. LeClaire it passed into the possession of the Catholic diocese and was used as a residence for Bishop McMullen, and at his death it was the residence of his successor, Bishop Cosgrove, who also died there.  Then came Bishop Davis, who disposed of the residence, which still stands on its original site. As Mr. LeClaire grew older his avoirdupois increased materially from his former small frame to a portly embodiment which made his physique noticable wherever he appeared.  In fact, his weight was something over 300 pounds.  He died September 25, 1861, suddenly from a third attack of paralysis.  His funeral was attended on the 26th of September by a multitudinous procession of citizens and old settlers of the county, on foot, walking mournfully to the church and the grave, attended by Rev. Pelamourgues and two other priests.  The funeral sermon was subsequently preached by Rev. John Donlan.  The body was interred in the yard close to St. Marguerite's church, a costly monument was placed at the grave by his widow, and when she died, her body was interred beside that of her husband.  Subsequently when the costlier monument to the memory and generousity of Antoine LeClaire, St. Marguerite's church, was razed to the ground, to give way to the Sacred Heart cathedral, the bodies of these noted pioneers were disinterred and found their last resting place in St. Marguerite's cemtery, where the monument purcheased by Mrs. leClaire was also removed. Debbie Clough G-erischer G-erischer Family Web Site http://gerischer.rootsweb.com/ Assistant CC, Iowa Gen Web, Scott County http://www.celticcousins.net/scott/ List Manager for: IASCOTT-L * G-erischer-L * D-encker-L Fitzpatirck-L * V-lerebome-L * Huntington-L * Otis-L * Algar-L EIGS-L * Pickens-L * McNab-L * Patris-L - Rankin-L