Adele Marie-Antoinette Gratiot was born in Galena on November 12, 1826.  She is notable for many reasons:

• First woman of European descent born in Galena
• Her mother was lady-in-waiting for Marie Antoinette, the last queen of France
• Her father, Henry Gratiot, was early Galena smelter who became US Indian Agent during Winnebago and Black Hawk Wars, founded Gratiot's Grove, and Gratiot, Wisconsin is named after him.
• She married Elihu Washburne, early Republican, abolitionist, and kingmaker who was instrumental in the elections of Lincoln and Grant to the White House as well as the passage of the reconstruction amendments to the Constitution of the United States of America.