Gilbert DesRoches
Encyclopedia
Gilbert DesRoches was a merchant, farmer and political figure in Prince Edward Island
. He represented 5th Prince
in the Legislative Assembly of Prince Edward Island
from 1899 to 1900.
He was born on the 23rd or 24 July 1848 in Miscouche, Prince Edward Island
, the son of Jean DesRoches and Nanette Poirier, Acadian
s. In 1873, he married Sophie Poirier. He learned the trade of making shoes but then went into business with his brother-in-law, Joseph Poirier, in 1876. In 1880, he established his own business in Miscouche, building a store and grain storehouse. DesRoches also exported lobster
s and Malpeque
oyster
s. He served as local postmaster and, for a time, operated a construction business. In 1880, he attended the Convention Nationale des Canadiens Français at Quebec City
and he helped organized the Second Acadian National Convention which was held in Miscouche in 1884. Desroches ran unsuccessfully for a seat in the provincial assembly in 1890 and 1893; he was elected in an 1899 by-election held after Alfred Lefurgey
resigned his seat to run for a seat in the House of Commons. He was defeated in the 1900 general election. DesRoches died in Miscouche in 1915 after a long illness.
Prince Edward Island
Prince Edward Island is a Canadian province consisting of an island of the same name, as well as other islands. The maritime province is the smallest in the nation in both land area and population...
. He represented 5th Prince
5th Prince
5th Prince was an electoral district in the Canadian province of Prince Edward Island, which elected two members to the Legislative Assembly of Prince Edward Island from 1873 to 1996.The district comprised the city of Summerside.-Dual Member:...
in the Legislative Assembly of Prince Edward Island
Legislative Assembly of Prince Edward Island
The Legislative Assembly of Prince Edward Island, along with the Lieutenant-Governor, forms the parliament of the province. The General Assembly meets at Province House, which is located at the intersection of Richmond and Great George Streets in Charlottetown....
from 1899 to 1900.
He was born on the 23rd or 24 July 1848 in Miscouche, Prince Edward Island
Miscouche, Prince Edward Island
Miscouche is a Canadian rural community in Prince County, Prince Edward IslandIncorporated in 1957, Miscouche is located 6 miles west of the city of Summerside...
, the son of Jean DesRoches and Nanette Poirier, Acadian
Acadian
The Acadians are the descendants of the 17th-century French colonists who settled in Acadia . Acadia was a colony of New France...
s. In 1873, he married Sophie Poirier. He learned the trade of making shoes but then went into business with his brother-in-law, Joseph Poirier, in 1876. In 1880, he established his own business in Miscouche, building a store and grain storehouse. DesRoches also exported lobster
Lobster
Clawed lobsters comprise a family of large marine crustaceans. Highly prized as seafood, lobsters are economically important, and are often one of the most profitable commodities in coastal areas they populate.Though several groups of crustaceans are known as lobsters, the clawed lobsters are most...
s and Malpeque
Malpeque Bay
Malpeque Bay is a bay on the north shore of Prince Edward Island, Canada.-Description:Malpeque Bay is the second largest bay in terms of surface area in Prince Edward Island, following Hillsborough Bay. It is also notable for almost dividing the province; an isthmus occupied by the city of...
oyster
Oyster
The word oyster is used as a common name for a number of distinct groups of bivalve molluscs which live in marine or brackish habitats. The valves are highly calcified....
s. He served as local postmaster and, for a time, operated a construction business. In 1880, he attended the Convention Nationale des Canadiens Français at Quebec City
Quebec City
Quebec , also Québec, Quebec City or Québec City is the capital of the Canadian province of Quebec and is located within the Capitale-Nationale region. It is the second most populous city in Quebec after Montreal, which is about to the southwest...
and he helped organized the Second Acadian National Convention which was held in Miscouche in 1884. Desroches ran unsuccessfully for a seat in the provincial assembly in 1890 and 1893; he was elected in an 1899 by-election held after Alfred Lefurgey
Alfred Lefurgey
Alfred Alexander Lefurgey was a Canadian lawyer and politician.Born in Summerside, Prince Edward Island, the son of John Lefurgey, Lefurgey was educated at St. Dunstan's College, Mount Allison University and Harvard Law School...
resigned his seat to run for a seat in the House of Commons. He was defeated in the 1900 general election. DesRoches died in Miscouche in 1915 after a long illness.