Tonti Chevalier Henri De 1650-1704 Born In Gaeta Italy Son Of A
well-known financier, and inventor of the Tontine form of life
insurance. Served in the Silician wars, where lost one of his hands.
Introduced to La Salle in Paris, and agreed to join him in his ambitious
schemes of western exploration. They crossed the Atlantic together in
1678, and the same year set forth for the west. At Cayuga Creek, above
Niagara Falls, Tonti built the Griffon, while La Salle went back to
Fort Frontenac for supplies. In the spring of 1679, they sailed together
to Michilimackinac; descended the Illinois, and built Fort Crevecoeur.
In 1682 accompanied La Salle down the Mississippi to the Gulf. Engaged
in the fur trade at Fort St. Louis, after the death of La Salle.