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[Block 78C]
This poteaux en terre (posts in the earth)
house was built in 1795 and owned by Joseph Alvarez Hortiz. Hortiz
was born Joseph Alvarez in Lienira, Estremadura, Spain in 1753.
He came to St. Louis as a soldier, having taken his mother's maiden
name when he enlisted. In January 1780, the 27 year old former soldier
married 17 year old Marguerite Marianne Becquet. Alvarez had nine
children, and continued in public service by working as a personal
secretary to lieutenant governors Trudeau and Delassus (see Block
6). He was also a merchant in the town. Hortiz died in 1808, aged
just 55.
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