Joseph Campau

Joseph Campau (February 2, 1769–July 23, 1863) was among Detroit, Michigan's leading citizens and wealthiest landowners at the dawn of the 19th century. Campau had three trading posts and a store in Detroit until the early 1800s. He then embarked on a real estate career that made him very wealthy. Campau was also a newspaper man, establishing a newspaper with his nephew, John R. Williams. He held several city public offices for the city. Campau was an officer in the Michigan Territory Militia and during the War of 1812.

Campau was a Roman Catholic until he was excommunicated for selling whiskey to Native Americans and having joined the Masons.

Joseph Campau was born on February 2, 1769 in Detroit. His parents were Jacques Campau and Catherine Menard. Campau's grandfather, Jacques Campau (1677-1751), left Montreal and settled at Fort Pontchartrain du Détroit in 1708, one year after his brother Michel. Antoine de la Mothe Cadillac founded Fort Pontchartrain du Détroit in 1701 and sold 68 land grants between 1707 and 1710, two of which were sold to the Campau brothers. Jacques had previously served as a secretary and an officer to Cadillac. Jacques sold furs, grains, and bread at "one of the finest merchant stores" in Detroit by the 1740s, according to Clarence M. Burton.

In his youth, Joseph Campau traded with the Native Americans. His younger brother, Barnabas, was also a wealthy businessman. He was a fur trader, merchant, and landowner. One of his properties was Belle Isle.

Campau began his business career as a merchant. He purchased good from Boston, the first person to do so in Detroit, and sold them at his store on Atwater. Campau spoke the dialects of several Native American tribes, French and English to his customers at his three trading posts at Saginaw, on Lake St. Clair, and on Lake Erie. He was called Chemokamun ("big shot") by Chief Wawanosh of Sarnia and Chief Maccounse of Lake St. Clair.

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