Part 59

Judge Charbonneau’s public activity aside from his service on the bench has been partially in connection with political affairs. He unsuccessfully contested Jacques Cartier for the house of commons in the liberal interest at the general election in 1887 and in 1895 was elected at the by-election. He was appointed a royal commissioner for the province to inquire into the charges against the Hon. A. Turgeon in 1907. His attention, however, has largely been confined to his professional duties, and he has gained eminence in a calling where advancement depends entirely upon individual merit. Endowed by nature with strong intellectual power, he has so directed his reading and his activities as to have won place among the eminent judges of the province.

The present wife of Judge Charbonneau was Mlle. Lemieux. His religious belief is that of the Roman Catholic church. He maintains his residence in Montreal at No. 36 Simpson Street. His summer outing affords him opportunity for cruising, and he and his family are enthusiastic over this form of recreation. His launch, the Mouette, is much enjoyed. His circle of friends is select rather than large, and he is often found in those gatherings where intelligent men are met in the discussion of vital and significant themes and problems.

GEORGES ALPHONSE MONETTE.

Foremost in his profession in Montreal is Georges Alphonse Monette, architect, whose skill finds tangible expression in some of the most beautiful and substantial structures of the city. A native of Montreal, he is a son of Georges and Domithilde (Beauchamp) Monette. The father, now deceased, was a contractor. The mother is still a resident of this city.

G. A. Monette acquired his early education in the Christian Brothers school and began the study of architecture in the office of A. F. Dunlop, a well known architect, with whom he remained for five years. He received a diploma from the Associate Architects of the Province of Quebec in 1892 and soon afterward went to Boston, Massachusetts, where he studied in the offices of a number of the leading architects of that city. He then returned to Montreal and entered the office of Perrault & Mesnard, architects, subsequently engaging in business for himself about a score of years ago. While he has a large general practice, he specializes in public buildings work and substantial evidence of his ability may be seen in the La Patrie building, the large block of H. P. Labelle & Company, Ltd., the dental department building of Laval University, the St. Leo Catholic church of Westmount and a number of school and convent buildings. That he ranks notably high in his profession is indicated by the fact that he has been admitted to membership in various important organizations, including the Province of Quebec Association of Architects and the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada, while of the Architectural League of New York he is an associate member.

Mr. Monette was married in Montreal to Maria Versailles, a daughter of Nazaire Versailles of Montreal, and they have the following children: Antonio, Cecile, Gertrude, Marcal, Adrienne, Eugene and Hector. Mr. Monette is a member of the Club St. Denis and has attractive social qualities, which have won him popularity and prominence in a friendship circle that is extensive. His interests, however, have been concentrated upon his profession with the result that his position is now one of recognized leadership.

MAXIME DAOUST.

There is probably no other line of business that is a factor in a city’s growth and development equal to the real-estate business, when conducted by men who are reliable and who aim to develop only properties of merit and value. Included among such men is Maxime Daoust, president and founder of the Daoust Realty, Limited.

Mr. Daoust was born in St. Clet, P. Q., November 10, 1873, son of Leon and Olive Daoust. When he was six years of age his parents removed to Labelle county and there Mr. Daoust received his education. In 1893 he went to the United States and was employed in various places in New England until February, 1898, when he enlisted as a volunteer in the United States marines for service in the Spanish-American war, which then seemed imminent.

He was among the first troops landed on Cuban soil at Guantanamo, June 10, 1898, participating in the fight at that place. He remained in Cuba until August, when he was detailed as one of the guard to accompany the Spanish prisoners, survivors of Cervera’s fleet, to Portsmouth, New Hampshire.

Mr. Daoust remained in the United States service until the expiration of his enlistment, after which he returned to Canada in 1900 and for some time was employed at the trade of brass molder in Montreal. He then entered the fire and life insurance field as an agent, at which he achieved success so that in 1904 he had accumulated capital sufficient to engage in the real-estate business in a small way. He formed a partnership with the late Joseph Charrau under firm name of Charrau & Daoust, and the first subdivision handled by them was Frontenac Park, owned by the estate of Henry Hogan, the land being then an open field. This tract comprised twenty-five hundred lots, and today this property is populated by over five hundred families and its location is now the geographical center of Montreal. The firm quickly won a reputation for straight and honorable dealings so that when their subsequent subdivisions, Estate Viau and Christian Brothers, were placed on the market, it was not the merits of the properties alone that made them in demand.

Mr. Daoust later purchased the interest of Mr. Charrau and in 1908 the Daoust Realty, Limited, was formed with a capital of one hundred thousand dollars, Mr. Daoust becoming president and manager. Up to that time he had financed his own properties, but he realized that to carry out his huge land schemes he would require more capital, hence his company. Since then the Daoust Realty, Limited, has done some of the largest real-estate business in the city. In June, 1913, the capital of the company was increased to two hundred and fifty thousand dollars.

They are sole agents for Mount Lasalle Park, Mount Lasalle Annex Park and Champlain Park in Rosemount ward; Bernard Terrace, Bernard Plateau and Alliance Park in Longue-Pointe ward; St. Helen’s Park and Coteau Rouge Park, near town of Montreal South; St. Lambert Heights, near town of St. Lambert; Chambly Basin Park, Chambly, P. Q.; and Montreal East Extension, Pointe-aux-Trembles, these properties representing a carrying value of over three million dollars. Mr. Daoust is vice president of the Mackay Realty, Limited, a member of the Board of Trade and the Chambre de Commerce.

In politics he is a liberal and in religion a Roman Catholic. He is fond of athletic sports and is president of the National Sporting Club, Limited. Mr. Daoust was one of the first men in Canada to become interested in aviation and has spent thousands for furthering that science. He has built four machines, the designing and building being done in this district. The first two were failures, but notwithstanding the large expense he persevered until his courage and enthusiasm were rewarded by his machines making successful flights.

On June 20, 1905, Mr. Daoust was married to Amelia Clement, daughter of Samuel Clement of Pointe Claire, Quebec, and they have two children, Farnand and Jule-Berthe.

Mr. Daoust is a self-made man in the fullest sense of that term. He possesses many admirable qualities and a character of sterling worth. He is devoted to his home and family, is faithful in friendship and loyal to every interest to which he gives his support. He possesses marked business enterprise with ability to recognize opportunities that others pass heedlessly by and early grasped the eternal truth that industry wins, making industry the beacon light of his life, and has thereby entered into most important business relations. He has accomplished important and far-reaching results and has contributed in no small degree to the expansion and material growth of the community.

FRANCOIS GEORGE CREPEAU.

François George Crépeau, a representative of the notarial profession in active practice in Montreal since 1890, was born at St. Henri de Mascouche, Quebec, on the 25th of May, 1865, a son of Charles and Mathilde (Magnan) Crépeau. The ancestry of the family can be traced back to Paul Crépeau of Laverdure. The next in the line of descendants was T. Maurice Crépeau, major of militia, who married Marie Andet of St. Jean, isle of Orleans. Their son, Charles Crépeau, wedded Agnes Chartrand and their son, Charles Crépeau was married in 1765 to Françoise Gravel near Quebec. They were the parents of Joseph Crépeau, grandfather of François George Crépeau. He married Madeleine Allard, and they were parents of Charles Crépeau, father of our subject. The family were largely agriculturists and the old homestead which has been occupied by the family for over one hundred and fifty years, is now owned by Octave Crépeau, a brother of François George Crépeau. The father’s family numbered fifteen children, four of whom passed away, while six sons and five daughters are yet living and all are well and strong.

After the ordinary school training François George Crépeau attended an academy and followed his academical course by study in l’Assomption College. He won his degree at the College of Montreal and Laval University, being graduated LL. B. in 1890. Having studied law and prepared for the notarial profession, he entered upon active practice, in which he has since continued, his ability bringing him to his present position as a prominent representative of his chosen calling. His practice is very extensive and in addition he has other business investments, being a director of the Funeral Expense Society and of La Cie Mutuelle d’Immeubles, Ltee.

On the 25th of May, 1891, Mr. Crépeau was married to Miss Marie Louise Lecours, a daughter of Théophile and Marie (Prefontaine) Lecours, representatives of one of the old French families of the province. The children of this marriage are: George Henry, a photographer, who married Juliette Robillard; Joseph Roumald; M. Jeanne; M. Juliette; M. Emérentienne; and J. C. Bernard. The religious faith of the family is that of the Roman Catholic church. Mr. Crépeau holds membership with the Canadian Order of Foresters, and the Independent Order of Foresters. He also belongs to the Société Des Artisans, to the Knights of Columbus, to l’Union St. Pierre and l’Alliance Nationale.

ARSENE S. BROSSEAU, D. D. S.

Comprehensive knowledge of the science of dentistry, skill in its mechanical phases and close adherence at all times to the highest standards of the profession has made Dr. Arsene S. Brosseau one of the leading and best known dentists of Montreal. Moreover, he is one of the oldest, if not the oldest, in length of practice in the city. He was born January 22, 1861, in L’Acadie, P. Q., a son of Jacques and Catherine (Demerce) Brosseau. The parents were for many years highly esteemed residents of Montreal, but both are now deceased.

Dr. Brosseau acquired his early education in the Christian Brothers school in Montreal and then took up the study of dentistry at Laval University, being graduated in 1883. He began practice in the office of Dr. John C. Nichols, with whom he remained for five years, and later he spent three years in the office of Dr. Edmund Mathieu. Later he began practice on his own account and has since continued alone. He has continuously promoted his knowledge through broad reading and investigation, keeping in touch with the advanced thought of the profession. His practice comes to him from the best class of Montreal citizens and is very extensive. Splendidly equipped is his office, showing all the latest appliances known to modern dentistry, and back of all his success is the sound judgment which enables him to understand the specific needs of each case and to apply the necessary corrective. Reputation has placed him in a foremost position in the ranks of the dental fraternity in this city.

Dr. Brosseau was married in Montreal, in 1883, to Miss Fannie Robert, a daughter of Julien Robert, and they had two children: Lotta, who died in early life; and Leo. In club circles Dr. Brosseau is known as a popular member of the Club St. Denis and Club Canadien. He belongs to the Roman Catholic church and is a liberal in politics. In matters of moment to the individual and to the community he maintains the same spirit of progress which characterizes him in his professional activity, yet he has always made his profession his chief interest and has obtained a splendid practice. He has ever attended strictly to the duties incumbent upon him in that connection, being possessed of excellent business qualifications and a most attractive personality, which has been a large asset in his success. His is a splendid type of manhood and citizenship, and his record is a credit to the profession.

JOSEPH AUGUSTIN ODILON LA BADIE.

Joseph Augustin Odilon La Badie, one of the best known notaries of Montreal, was born May 12, 1852, at the family home on St. James Street, between Roy Street and David Lane. His grandfather, Joseph Augustin La Badie, also a native of Montreal, studied with Jean Marie Cadieux, a notary, and for many years had his office and also his home in the building which stood at the corner of St. Lambert Hill and St. James Street, now the corner of St. Laurence boulevard and St. James Street. He was devoted to his profession, spending the hours from 9 a. m. to 6 p. m. in his office. He was asked to become mayor of Montreal but declined the honor. He served as colonel of a volunteer regiment and was a warden of Notre Dame Cathedral. He married Louise Grenier, who was also of an old Montreal family, and to them were born eighteen children. Joseph A. La Badie passed away in 1885, at the advanced age of eighty years.

Joseph Evariste Odilon La Badie, father of J. A. O. La Badie of this review, was born in the old home at the corner of St. Lambert Hill and St. James Street. He attended Montreal College and in his father’s office prepared for the practice of the notarial profession. In the home in which he was born he continued to practice with his father until 1864, when the old building was razed and a new one erected on the same site. In the latter he continued to practice his profession until his death, which occurred in August, 1908, when he was eighty years of age. He was chief warden of Notre Dame Cathedral and was a prominent and influential citizen. He married Sophie Jeannotte, a native of Montreal, and they lived to celebrate their golden wedding. Mrs. La Badie passed away April 13, 1906. They had a family of seven children: Joseph Augustin Odilon; Adolphe, a notary of Montreal; Felix, a practicing physician of Montreal; Joseph Esdras, a real estate dealer of New York city; Flora, who died in childhood; Sophie, the deceased wife of Louis Belanger, a lawyer; and Alphonse, a broker, who died in Montreal in 1908.

Joseph Augustin Odilon La Badie pursued his education in the normal school and in the Jesuit College, from which he was graduated. In 1874 he won the degree of B. C. L. from McGill University and on the 8th of May, of that year, he was made a notary at Laval University in Quebec. He then began practice with his father and grandfather and has ever maintained high standing in his profession.