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thePeorian.com
Personal Profile
Henri de Tonti: A man of mystery
French explorer Henri de Tonti,
the founder of Peoria for whom
the award is named, was an inter-
national man of mystery.
de Tonti was born around 1649
near Gaeta, Italy, on the shore of
the Mediterranean Ocean, about
100
miles southwest of Rome.
Shortly after his birth his family
was forced to seek political asy-
lum and moved to Paris, France.
In 1668, at about the age of 19, de
Tonti joined the French military
forces. Eight years later, during
a battle with the Spanish Navy
off the island of Sicily, de Tonti
lost his right hand in a grenade
explosion. From that time on, he
wore a prosthetic hook covered
by a glove, thus earning the nick-
name “Iron Hand.” His skillful
use of the prosthetic was later to
lead Native American Indians
to believe he possessed special
powers.
In 1678, at the approximate
age of 29, de Tonti first traveled
to North America with Robert
Rene Cavalier, Sieur de La Salle.
Over the next 26 years, until his
death, de Tonti would become
one of the most significant French
explorers and traders within the
mid-continent of North America.
Although largely ignored by
traditional historical narratives
because his exploits occurred far
from the political and business
centers of New France, de Tonti
directed a significant portion of
the French fur trade in the Missis-
sippi River valley.
Once in North America, de
Tonti quickly became La Salle’s
principal lieutenant. Together
they first explored the Illinois
River valley during an expedition
in the winter of 1680. Traveling
south, in search of the Mississippi
River, La Salle’s expedition ar-
rived at the Indian villages along
the shores of Lake Pimiteoui just
south of the present McCluggage
Bridge on Jan. 5, 1680.
State Sen. Koehler was instrumental in helping the city of East Peoria get funding for the Levee District, which now is open.
State Sen. Dave Koehler with U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Illinois, and State Rep. Jehan Gordon-Booth when ground was
broken for the new Peoria airport terminal. At right, he helps a local grade schooler in a commuter class.
Continued on page 62
