born in st. paul, minnesota on july 4, 1865, fournier was raised in wisconsin by french canadian parents. in 1879, at the age of fourteen, fournier moved to minneapolis. aspiring to be an artist, fournier found work painting signs and stage scenery. creating stage scenery gave him more time for his own painting and gave him experience painting panoramas, a popular nineteenth century art form. he began to experience modest success as a landscape painter.