← Montreal from 1535 to 1914. Vol. 3. Biographical
Legleus Antoine Gagnier, M. D
Dr. Légléus Antoine Gagnier is widely and favorably known to the public as a general medical practitioner and more specifically in connection with the special work which he does in treating nervous diseases by electrical methods. He is a man who has never ceased to be a student and still frequently makes trips to Europe in order to attend the clinics conducted by the most eminent specialists in the profession. There is no new phase brought out in the world of medicine with which he is not thoroughly acquainted and which he does not thoroughly understand, and his complete knowledge has naturally resulted in a large and lucrative practice. Freeing himself from many of the old medical prejudices he applies modern thought in his treatments and more closely follows his own logical conclusions than book prescriptions. He believes that in numerous cases massage treatments, X-Rays, light baths and general hydrotherapy will achieve more beneficial and lasting results than the older treatment of giving medicaments internally. His well equipped offices, modernly appointed and filled with all the appliances necessary to follow out his methods, are located at No. 256 St. Denis Street, Montreal, and there ever can be found a long line of patients, rich and poor, old and young, waiting to be admitted for treatment.
Although the family of Gagnier is not among the very earliest Canadian settlers, it is an old one. There were variations in the name of Gagnier and extensive records show the name as Gagné and Gagnesse in Abbé Tanguay’s Dictionnaire Généalogique.
Légléus Antoine Gagnier was born at Ste. Martine, in the county of Chateauguay, on October 4, 1871, a son of François and Sophie (Perras) Gagnier, both deceased. The doctor received his classical education at Ste. Thérèse and St. Hyacinthe Seminaries and graduated in medicine from Laval University in 1895. He pursued special studies in Paris and has ever since continued to attend clinics in that and other European cities. Capable, earnest and conscientious, he has not only a reputation for ability but enjoys the utmost confidence of his patients, to whom he is more than a doctor, as they see in him their best and truest friend. He is physician for a number of French and English mutual associations and president of the Medical Board of Union St. Pierre of Montreal.
On September 28, 1897, Dr. Gagnier was united in marriage to Miss Delia Collerette, a daughter of O. Collerette, and they have the following children, Yvonne, Légléus Adolphe, Gaston, Gabrielle, Marie Régine, Germaine and Paul Emile.
The religious faith of Dr. Gagnier is that of the Roman Catholic church. For many years he was a conservative in politics but of late has allied himself with the nationalist movement, a party which in scope of progressiveness stands foremost of the three political organizations of the Dominion and has for its intention the improvement of general conditions not only political and governmental but also sociological. In the material growth of Montreal Dr. Gagnier is interested as a director of the Greater Montreal Land Investment Company, Limited. He has an interesting military record to his credit and has been in command of the Sixty-fourth Regiment of Chateauguay and Beauharnois for three or four years and since January 23, 1901, he has been on the officers reserve as lieutenant colonel. His deep love for mankind finds expression in his public-spirited actions, and he is never called upon in vain to give his support to any enterprise which will benefit the people of his city or country. Careful of his own interests, he is more minutely careful of those of others and influenced at all times by the thought of the broader effect which his work has upon his community, exemplifying in his conduct the lofty ideals of his nation and of a noble calling. He honors his profession by paying it honor and by his adherence to the solid virtues and enlightened principles underlying it.