On Friday, June 26, 2026, a plaque to honor ‘Marquis de Lafayette’, whom Lafayette County was named after, was dedicated at the Lafayette County Courthouse, as part of America’s 250 Anniversary. Members of the Wisconsin Society of the Sons of the American Revolution and Color Guard, Daughters of the American Revolution, Lafayette County Board Members, Senator Howard Marklein, Representative Todd Novak, and members of the community, gathered to honor the Revolutionary War Patriot. It was Lafayette’s chance meeting on April 29, 1825 that would leave a lasting impact on William Hamilton, the son of his good friend, Alexander Hamilton. A few years after the meeting, Hamilton moved to Wisconsin and established Hamilton’s Diggings, now known as present-day Wiota.
Lafayette County, in Southwest Wisconsin would be established in 1846, named directly from the high-ranking soldier, Marie Joseph Paul Yves Roch Gilbert Du Motier, Marquis de Lafayette; who is best known as the shortened version of his name: Marquis de Lafayette; who had died years prior in 1834. He will forever be known as a privileged noble, who was well established at the age of 14. Former US President John Quincy Adams gave a eulogy of Lafayette that lasted three hours, calling him “high on the list of the pure and disinterested benefactors of mankind”.
Those in attendance in Darlington would share some of those same distinguishments about Lafayette during Friday’s dedication, as two Sons of the American Revolution Presidents, Don Skarda, and William Austin, would highlight Lafayette’s efforts in the American Revolutionary War. Several spoke at the dedication, including Barb Nemec of the Daughters of the Revolution, Senator Howard Marklein, and County Board Chairman Jack Sauer. All were giving high prestige to the General they came to honor. Music was provided by Tom Black. After the ceremony, guests enjoyed homemade patriotic cookies by Connie McIntyre on the courthouse lawn.
The Marquis de Lafayette was a French aristocrat, born in 1757, who joined the American Revolutionary War at his own insistence. At the time, he didn’t know that joining the war would cause him to become one of America’s most successful leaders in combat. The Marquis de Lafayette’s bravery and courage would help him earn a quick friendship with General George Washington. Their loyal companionship would remain into their later years. Lafayette remains to be a hero in both, the United States and in France.
In addition to the dedication plaque, a Liberty Tree was planted in the lawn of the Lafayette County Courthouse. As the tree plaque reads, the Liberty Tree was a famous elm tree that stood in Boston, near Boston Common prior to the American Revolution. In 1765, colonists in Boston staged the first act of defiance against the British government at the tree. From that point forward, the tree became a rallying point for the growing resistance to the rule of Britain over the American Colonies and the ground surrounding it became known as Liberty Hall.
The Republican Journal shared the story of Lafayette’s life in April 2025, on the 200th Anniversary of the special meeting that would forever change the course of local history. The plaque dedication was another privilege to honor Marquis de Lafayette, the namesake of Lafayette County, and the place that we call home.
