Son of Guillaume Pepin and Jeanne Meschin, Pierre Pepin dit Laforce is the origin of the Laforce patronym, at least for a portion of the "Laforce" in North America. In 1678, with his brother Étienne, he takes part in the Du Luth expedition which reaches the Upper Mississippi. Lake Pepin, an enlargement of the Mississippi River on the Wisconsin/Minnesota border has been named in memory of these Pepin brothers. Coming back two years later, Pierre Pepin dit Laforce marries Louise Lemire in Québec. Their 14 children will ensure their descent and will spread the name "Laforce" through Canada and the United States. Well established on a large estate on the St-Lawrence River near Nicolet, he will live to be 70 years old.

An historical monument erected in Trois-Rivières honors some great explorers of the New World: Jean Nicolet, Cavelier de Lasalle and Pierre Pepin dit Laforce.

(http://www.genealogie.org/famille/pepin/zancetres.htm)