Pg. VIII

Mons . Antoine Claude Vincent was one who came with the first settlers in 1791. With him came M. Antionme, with whom he joined himself, upon his arrival, in the jewelry business; but the trade not being especially adapted to a new country, Antionme started in a boat for New Orleans, with all their combined stock in trade, to establish business, whither his partner was soon to follow. When near the Big Sandy he was killed and all the goods were lost. Mons. Vincent, upon learning the fate of his companion and the loss of all his worldly goods, with pluck and energy, started to curve his fortune anew. He had studied and nearly learned the English language on his passage across the ocean, and commenced teaching school, raised chickens and gardened. He went to Marietta to study, after a time, and married in 1799. In a passage from Marietta to Belpre, in a canoe, he nearly lost his life by falling overboard and freezing, but recovered under the care of physicians at Gallipolis, although he was left in a crippled condition. He moved to the grant in 1801, where he continued to reside, although he made frequent trips to Gallipolis to visit friends, always going on foot.

His life was full of incidents. While at Marietta, and still unmarried, Louis Phillippe, then Duke of Orleans, came to this country incognito, and stopping at Marietta, became strongly attached to Mons. Vincent and urged him to accompany him to New Orleans and share his fortunes, but he could not be prevailed upon to go. When, in 1830, Louis Phillippe was seated upon the throne of France, Mons. Vincent regretted that he had not been more easily influenced. He was a gentleman of culture, refinement and education, and was greatly respected here. A sketch of his life would make an interesting volume. He died August 22d, 1846, aged nearly 74 years.