J. Louis Michaud

J. Louis Michaud, district engineer of public works of Canada for the district of Montreal, was born November 27, 1851, at Rimouski, province of Quebec. He is descended from an old family of St. Denis, county of Kamouraska. His father was Tobie Michaud, a contractor and builder, and his mother was Felicitée Fournier.

J. Louis Michaud was educated at the Classical Seminary at Rimouski and studied engineering with Charles Baillarge, an eminent engineer of Quebec, for two years, and then for two years was connected with the engineering department of the Intercolonial Railway. On the 19th of April, 1878, he was admitted to practice as a licensed land surveyor at Quebec and the recognition of his skill and ability came to him in April, 1882, when he was made Dominion land surveyor at Ottawa. In 1883 he came to Montreal to reside, but his work for the Dominion in surveying the Canadian northwest continued until 1889. From that year until 1896 he was engaged in private practice in Montreal and an extensive clientage was accorded him. He is recognized as one of the best versed men in the science of his profession as well as in all the practical phases of the business. In 1896 he was appointed district engineer of public works for the district of Montreal and has since conscientiously and capably discharged the duties of that position.

In 1880 Mr. Michaud was married, at Matane, Rimouski county, Quebec, to Henriette Bradley, who died in 1910. They had eleven children, three of whom died in childhood. Two of the number, Albert, aged seventeen years, and René, aged fifteen, met death by drowning at Ste. Anne de Bellevue. The surviving six are: Alexander, who is with the Canadian Light & Power Company; Edouard, a missionary priest in central Africa; Juliette; Adolph; Grazielle; and Gabrielle. In a review of the life work of J. Louis Michaud it is self-evident that his advancement has come through the development of his powers resulting from broad study and active practice in the profession. He holds to the highest standards, and his progression has been continuous. He is a member of the Canadian Society of Civil Engineers and is a member of the Corporation of Land Surveyors in Quebec.