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.