The village name Bourbonnais is attributed to Fran§ois Bourbonnais. He was a 19th-century French Canadian fur trader who maintained a post in a grove of trees along the east bank of the Kankakee River. This location became known as Bourbonnais Grove. Noel LeVasseur, a former American Fur Company employee, bought two sections of land in the grove in 1834 and established a settlement of immigrant French Canadians. At first, the village was called variously La Point, La Ville, and Vasseurville. A post office named Bourbonnais Grove opened in 1838. The village was known as Bourbonnais Grove until 1875, when it was incorporated as Bourbonnais. By the 1860s, Bourbonnais Grove had 1,719 inhabitants, a blacksmith shop, livery stable, hotel, and a new church dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary of the Nativity and built of native limestone. The images in this book depicting life in Bourbonnais have been gathered from local private and museum collections.

Reproduction of the original. The publishing house Megali specialises in reproducing historical works in large print to make reading easier for people with impaired vision.

"East of Paris" is a travelogue and memoir written through Matilda Betham-Edwards, a British creator and journey writer of the nineteenth century. The book captures Betham-Edwards' adventure via the lesser-explored regions of eastern France. The narrative unfolds as Betham-Edwards takes the reader on an immersive exploration past the properly-trodden paths of Paris, delving into the landscapes, cultures, and communities of the japanese French provinces. Her eager observations and brilliant descriptions offer a wealthy tapestry of the people, traditions, and scenic splendor she encounters alongside the way. As an astute social commentator, Betham-Edwards goes beyond mere travelogue, imparting insights into the socio-financial and cultural aspects of the regions she visits. The narrative reflects her deep appreciation for the range of French existence outdoor the capital, shedding light on the day by day lives of the people and the unique individual of every locality. "East of Paris" stands as a testomony to Betham-Edwards' literary skill, combining journey writing with cultural statement. Her work no longer best serves as a charming account of her private journey however also as a valuable ancient and cultural document, supplying readers with a nuanced and insightful view of eastern France during the overdue nineteenth century.

Kelly McLaren, 2008 candidate for Kankakee County's Recorder of Deeds, exams the office and his recommendations for improvements.