Etienne Truteau

Étienne Truteau (1642–1712) was an early French pioneer to emigrate to New France, that later became Canada. He was involved with the colonization and development of the area of New France that is now Montreal, Longueuil and St. Lambert. He was a master carpenter, wheelwright and a notable soldier.

Early life
Étienne Truteau was born in La Rochelle, France on June 8, 1642 to François Truteau, a master stone mason, and Catherine Matinier.

Life
He emigrated to Quebec on September 7, 1659. In 1663 he was hired as a master-carpenter by the Compagnie des Prêtres de Saint-Sulpice. He married Adrirenne Barbier dit le Minime in 1667, and they had fourteen children. On March 12, 1675 he was given a land grant by Lord Charles Le Moyne. His third son, François Trudeau (1673–1739) emigrated to French Louisiana.

He is best known for fighting for the colony as a militia man, in particular a battle with the Iroquois in 1662 during the establishment of the colony. In 1663, he enlisted in the 6th squadron of the Militia de la Sanite-Famille, that was headed by Governor Paul Chomedey de Maisoneuve.

He is the patronymic ancestor of the Trudeau family (Truteau) of North America including the American politician Charles Laveau Trudeau, Zénon Trudeau and Candian prime ministers Pierre Trudeau and Justin Trudeau. He died on July 22, 1712.

Legacy
A park in Longueuil, Quebec is named after him, Étienne Truteau Park, a street in Notre Dame de Î'lle Perrot, Quebec, is named for him, rue Étienne Trudeau, and in Saint Lambert, Quebec, the road, avenue Etienne Truteau is named for him.