Olivier-Maximin Melanson
Encyclopedia
Olivier-Maximin Melanson (July 2, 1854 – July 7, 1926) was an Acadian
businessman and politician in the Province of New Brunswick
, Canada. He represented Westmorland County
in the Legislative Assembly of New Brunswick
from 1890 to 1892, from 1899 to 1903 and from 1912 to 1917.
He was born and was educated in Haute-Aboujagane, New Brunswick, the son of Maximin Melanson and Julie Le Blanc. He began work as a clerk in a store owned by an Acadian merchant in Shediac
. After partnering with one of his employer's sons in business, Melanson opened his own store in 1874. He also began exporting produce, potatoes and eggs, and lobsters. In 1878, he married Marguerite Boudreau. In 1892, he was elected to the council for Shediac. Melanson was defeated in bids for reelection to the provincial assembly in 1892, 1903 and 1908. He was one of the first Acadians to give speeches in French in the assembly. He went on to serve as speaker for the legislative assembly from 1916 to 1917, when he retired from politics. Melanson died in Moncton at the age of 72 and was buried at Shediac.
Acadian
The Acadians are the descendants of the 17th-century French colonists who settled in Acadia . Acadia was a colony of New France...
businessman and politician in the Province of New Brunswick
New Brunswick
New Brunswick is one of Canada's three Maritime provinces and is the only province in the federation that is constitutionally bilingual . The provincial capital is Fredericton and Saint John is the most populous city. Greater Moncton is the largest Census Metropolitan Area...
, Canada. He represented Westmorland County
Westmorland County, New Brunswick
Westmorland County is located in southeastern New Brunswick, Canada. The county contains the fast-growing commercial centre of Moncton as well as its northern and eastern suburbs...
in the Legislative Assembly of New Brunswick
Legislative Assembly of New Brunswick
The Legislative Assembly of New Brunswick is located in Fredericton. It was established de jure when the colony was created in 1784, but only came in to session in 1786 following the first elections in late 1785. Until 1891, it was the lower house in a bicameral legislature when its upper house...
from 1890 to 1892, from 1899 to 1903 and from 1912 to 1917.
He was born and was educated in Haute-Aboujagane, New Brunswick, the son of Maximin Melanson and Julie Le Blanc. He began work as a clerk in a store owned by an Acadian merchant in Shediac
Shediac, New Brunswick
Shediac is a Canadian town in Westmorland County, New Brunswick.Situated on Shediac Bay, a sub-basin of the Northumberland Strait, the town calls itself the "Lobster Capital of the World" and hosts an annual festival every July which promotes its ties to lobster fishing; the largest lobster...
. After partnering with one of his employer's sons in business, Melanson opened his own store in 1874. He also began exporting produce, potatoes and eggs, and lobsters. In 1878, he married Marguerite Boudreau. In 1892, he was elected to the council for Shediac. Melanson was defeated in bids for reelection to the provincial assembly in 1892, 1903 and 1908. He was one of the first Acadians to give speeches in French in the assembly. He went on to serve as speaker for the legislative assembly from 1916 to 1917, when he retired from politics. Melanson died in Moncton at the age of 72 and was buried at Shediac.