Rensselaer Gazette, Volume 2, Number 52, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 20 April 1859 — Obituary of a Negro. [ARTICLE]

Obituary of a Negro.

[From the St. Joseph, Mo., Gazette of the 30th.1

Died.—ln this city, on Monday morning, March 28, 1859, Jeffrey Deroin, in the 58th year of his age. Jeffrey was born in St. Louis, a slave of Joseph Robidutix, Sr., Esq., founder of St. Joseph, and passed nearly the whole of his early life with that old and noted trader in the Indian country. He thus acquired the tongues of many tr.bes, and became a proficient as interpreter. By association with his master, he became an expert trader, and realized sufficient means to purchase his freed>m in 1835. He was then employed as the Government Interpreter for many years. In liS i 1, he accompanied a number of lowa and Sac and Fox Indian chiefs,under the charge of (..>] Melody, to Europe. His interpretation of their language was so clear and intelligent that he not only made a favorable impression upon all the dignitaries of all the foreign Courts at which thej’ were received, but, it is said, fascinated a lady of high title. D Israeli and other literati had frequent conversations with nim, and showed him marked attention. He returned to this country loaded witii presents, and was soon recalled to a position ot Government. Interpreter. In expeditions of United States officers or other gentlemen of position over the plains and mountains, he was generally engaged as interpreter and guide. His acquaintance was almost universal in the far West, and many well remember him in Europe. He spoke French as fluently as he did English, or a ( dozen Indian tongues with which he was familiar. He was a fine-looking mulatto, with a benevolent, intelligent countenance, atout figure, modest, respectful demeanor, and was an honest and faithful man. He left a wife and children, ind several thousand dollars worth of property. He purchased his wif« some time ago, from Dr. Brown, of Kentucky. No negro was ever more respected or will be more generally regretted than Jeffrey Deroin.