Of distinguished French-Canadian ancestry, Oscar Desautels worthily wears the family name and worthily carries forward the family traditions. He is a successful notary of Montreal, in which city he has many interests. His Canadian ancestry goes back to Pierre Desautels, who was born of the marriage of Thomas and Marie (Buisson) Desautels, of Malicerne, in the bishopric of Mans, France. Pierre Desautels married Marie Remy and to them was born Joseph Desautels at Montreal on the 29th of October, 1666. He married Marie Charlotte Chatillon, and they became the parents of a son, Michel, who was born at Pointe-aux-Trembles, Montreal, October 1, 1701. Michel Desautels married Louise Catherine Bergeron, and their son Michel was born at Sorel in 1727. He married Marie Charlotte Rondeau, and they became the parents of a son, Michel, who was born at St. Ours on the 11th of August, 1759. To this Michel Desautels was born a son, Michel, at Beloeil in 1796. He married Josephte Morin, and their son Elzear was born at St. Jean Baptiste, November 25, 1827. He was the father of our subject. His wife was Malvina Guertin, and their son Oscar was born at St. Jean Baptiste, April 26, 1872.
Oscar Desautels pursued a classical course at the Petit Seminaire of Ste. Marie de Monnoir at Marieville and was graduated in June, 1893, with the Bachelor of Arts degree. From 1893 to 1898 he studied law at St. Hyacinthe, in the office of Taché & Desautels, notaries. He was admitted to practice on September 10, 1898. On November 1st of that year he established himself as a notary at Montreal and in the evening kept an office in the town of St. Louis. His entrance into the legal profession and his first years thereafter were arduous but his ability, energy and honesty led him to success. During the first ten years—as is so often the case in professional careers—his clientele grew slowly. He was notary of the corporation of the town of St. Louis and also of the school commission of the various parishes of the town of St. Louis and is counsel for various other important institutions. He enjoys today a numerous and representative clientage which recruits itself largely from the old town of St. Louis, which is now the ward Laurier of the metropolis. Mr. Desautels is interested in various enterprises, largely along real estate lines, among which is La Compagnie Nationale d’Immeubles, of which he has always been one of the directors. He has interested himself actively in mutual societies and has held official positions in nearly all those societies established in the town of St. Louis.
At Beloeil, on the 8th of June, 1903, Mr. Desautels was united in marriage to Miss Corine Bernard, a daughter of Elophe and Mathilde (Lafontaine) Bernard. To them have been born four children, Bernard, Robert, Thérèse and Bruno. Mr. Desautels gives his political allegiance to the liberal party and is treasurer of the Liberal Club of the town of St. Louis. He is an effective worker for his party, in which he enjoys great prestige. An excellent notary and public-spirited citizen, he is highly esteemed and respected by all who know him. As a notary he enjoys the highest reputation as to ability and integrity, and more and more important interests have come under his direction as the years have passed.
ZEPHIRIN HEBERT.
Zéphirin Hébert, president of the wholesale grocery firm of Hudon, Hébert & Company, Ltd., the leading concern of its kind in Canada, was born in Montreal, February 6, 1866, the son of Charles P. Hébert, who was the first president of the above mentioned firm. In 1883 Zéphirin Hébert became connected with the business of which he is now the head. In 1893 he was admitted as a partner. In 1906, on the incorporation of the company, he became assistant manager and a director. In 1908 he was elected to the office of vice president and in 1911 succeeded his brother, the late Albert Hébert, as president. For about twenty-five years he has been a member of the Montreal Board of Trade and since the 1st of February, 1913, he has served on the council of that body, and in December, 1913, was elected a member of the transportation bureau of that organization.
ZEPHIRIN HEBERT