Paul Foucault was born in 1875 in Canada. He was a resident of Duluth in 1900, but moved to Bemidji on April 2, 1902. He was married to Anna Peterson, born in Denmark. He was a barber, by occupation. In 1904, he was slightly injured:
“Paul Foucault, the barber who runs a shop in the basement under the First National bank,
sustained a slight injury this morning. He went to the head of the lake in a boat to visit with
friends and was taking his gun out of the boat when it went off, taking effect in his left arm. The wound was dressed by Dr. Ward and he is getting along nicely.” (Bemidji Daily Pioneer, Aug 16, 1904)
They first lived at 609 Twelfth Street. In 1905, Mrs. Foucault made an interesting announcement.
“Mrs. Paul L. Foucault has decided to open a Children’s Home in Bemidji and is now prepared to receive children of all ages from infants up. She has secured a competent and experienced nurse and will devote her entire time to the work. The Home is already open and several children have been received. Anyone wishing further information can call phone number 232 call 3 or call at 609 12th St.” (Bemidji Daily Pioneer, June 21, 1905)
They moved to 614 Fourth Street by 1910 and lived there for decades. He and Anna were living at this address at the time of the WW I Registration in 1918. He was a barber in partnership with Sam Baney at 220 Minnesota in 1931.
Paul Foucault served on the Bemidji city council for six years, and was a charter member of both the Knights of Columbus and Moose Lodges, and a member of the Catholic parish. Foucault went to Duluth for a visit with his son Clarence and was stricken suddenly. He died Aug 20, 1938, age 64.
Mrs. Foucault continued to make her home at 614 Fourth St. until her death at the Bemidji Lutheran hospital on Dec 25, 1953. She was born in Denmark Nov. 3, 1870, the daughter of Christ Peterson. She was survived by a son, Clarence Foucault of Duluth, and five grandchildren.