LUDGER GRAVEL.
Ludger Gravel is well known in business circles of Montreal as a dealer in carriage maker’s and blacksmith’s supplies, as president of Société des Artisans Canadiens-Français and also as a successful manufacturer’s agent, connected in this way with some of the most important industrial concerns in Canada, the United States and Europe. The industry and the spirit of enterprise, progress and initiative which have brought him success have also been factors in his conduct of his extensive interests and place him today among the men of marked ability and substantial worth in this community.
Mr. Gravel was born in 1864, at St. Raphael, Ile Bizard, Canada, and acquired his education in Montreal, beginning his business career immediately after laying aside his books. He was for eight months with Thomas Wilson & Company of this city and at the end of that time became connected with P. P. Mailloux at 223 St. Paul Street, with whom he remained over twenty years, rising during that time to a position of weight and responsibility and proving himself a farsighted, capable and progressive business man. Having shown his worth and his capability, Mr. Gravel eventually engaged in business for himself, establishing the extensive business which he now conducts. Under his able management this has become a large and important enterprise and it is still growing, for Mr. Gravel is constantly extending the field of his activity and forming new commercial relations. In addition to his retail business he is also acting as exclusive agent in Montreal for a number of manufacturing firms in Canada, the United States and Europe, and his important connections along this line are conclusive proof of his prominence and high standing in business circles. Among the firms which he represents may be mentioned the following: Ontario Asphalt Block Company, Ltd., Walkerville, Ontario; The Standard Paint & Varnish Works, Ltd., Windsor, Ontario; The Frank Miller Company, New York, New York; Windsor Turned Goods Company, Ltd., Windsor, Ontario; The Conboy Carriage Company, Ltd., Toronto, Ontario; The Neverslip Manufacturing Company, New Brunswick, New Jersey; Sem. Lacaille, Nominingue, Quebec; Meilink’s Home Deposit Vaults, Toledo, Ohio; Propriétaire de l’Huile Balmoral; James Boyd & Brothers, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; and Jacob Maas & Company, New Orleans, Louisiana.
Mr. Gravel became connected with Société des Artisans Canadiens-Français in 1903 when he was elected a director, and his ability and executive skill soon commanded for him a place of power in this organization. He was made second vice president in 1904 and first vice president in 1906 and in 1910 was elected president, a position which he has held since that time. The demands which it has made upon his energy, his enterprise and his executive ability have been completely met, and the fortunes of the society under his hands have been constantly prosperous. He has been a member of the Chamber of Commerce since its organization and at present is one of its directors. His membership in mutual, charitable, antiquarian, social, political and sporting clubs is extensive and in a number of them he holds official position. However his business never suffers from these connections and his time and attention are so distributed that he proves a valuable member in all of the organizations.
On May 26, 1891, in Montreal Mr. Gravel was married to Laura Roy, the daughter of Alfred Roy. Of the fourteen children born to Mr. and Mrs. Gravel, six are now living as follows, Olympe, L. Pierre, Germaine, Emelia, Lucette and Simone.
With the extension of his interests Mr. Gravel’s powers have continually developed, his insight has deepened, his view broadened and with the passing years he has become a man of power and prominence, finding in the field of business the best scope for his interests and activities. He is a devout member of the Roman Catholic church and his upright life which has been guided by its principles, has brought him prominence, substantial fortune and the respect and esteem of many friends.
SEVERIN LETOURNEAU, K. C.
Severin Letourneau, who has advanced beyond the ranks of the many and stands among the able and successful few in the practice of law and in liberal leadership, is a native of St. Constant, born on the 23d of May, 1871. His preliminary education acquired in the Jacques Cartier Normal school, was supplemented by a course in Laval University, in which he completed his law studies and was graduated with the class of 1895. In July following he was called to the bar and at once entered upon active practice of his profession in which he has made continuous progress. Advancement at the bar is proverbially slow and yet, no dreary novitiate awaited Mr. Letourneau, who, during the eighteen years of his practice has won a high reputation by reason of his broad legal knowledge and the skill and ability in which he handles his cases, mastering the points in evidence with the precision of a military commander who marshals his troops on the field of battle. In 1906 he was appointed king’s counsel. He is today practicing as a member of the firm of Pelletier, Letourneau & Beaulieu, advocates, with a clientage that is extensive and important.
Mr. Letourneau is prominently known as one of the leaders of the liberal party and as the liberal organizer for the district of Montreal has justified his appointment by the series of brilliant successes that have been scored for the liberal party in and around the city. He has rendered to his party service as a tactician and he is now sitting for Hochelaga in the provincial legislature, stanchly supporting Sir Lomer Gouin in his policy of progressive legislation. Mr. Letourneau is also a member of the Montreal Reform Club. He is a man of unfaltering determination, carrying forward to successful completion whatever he undertakes, whether in the field of law or politics. He stands stanchly for the right as he sees it, and his position is never an equivocal one.