Hon. Charles Seraphim Rodier

Along the path of broad usefulness and activity Hon. Charles Seraphim Rodier advanced to prominence and success. He was a pioneer contractor, lumber merchant and manufacturer of Montreal and eventually came to figure prominently in financial circles. He was born in this city, October 14, 1818, and his life record spans seventy-two years, drawing to its close on the 26th of January, 1890. His grandfather was a physician in the French army and leaving Paris came to Canada, settling in Montreal in the middle of the eighteenth century. His father was Jean Baptiste Rodier, who married Miss Montreuil, daughter of a well known navigator who commanded vessels sailing from Montreal.

The opportunities accorded Charles Seraphim Rodier in his youth were somewhat limited. He pursued his education in a church school, but at the age of fourteen years put aside his text-books in order that he might earn his own living. He was apprenticed to the carpenter’s trade and for his services received a wage of one dollar per day. Thus from a humble position in the business world he steadily worked his way upward until long prior to his death he had reached a place in the millionaire class. He applied himself thoroughly to the mastery of his trade and when but eighteen years of age began contracting on his own account and gained a good patronage. About the year 1846 he began the manufacture of threshing machines on St. Peter Street, now St. Martin, and for the remainder of his life was to be found almost daily at his office at No. 62 St. Martin. The business prospered from the beginning and machines that were made there over a half century ago are still repaired there. Each step in his business career brought him a broader outlook and wider opportunities. He was the owner of freight and passenger vessels and was one of the founders of the Jacques Cartier Bank, in which he placed one hundred and forty-five thousand dollars. He acted as both vice president and director of that institution and was connected with several joint stock companies, his opinions carrying weight in their management, for his advice was always considered sound and his judgment discriminating in regard to business affairs.

Aside from his personal interests, he was for over fifty years active in public life. In 1838 he was elected alderman for St. Antoine ward of Montreal but could not take his seat until later when he became of age. For nine years he served in the council, being elected three times by acclamation. Politically he was a stanch liberal-conservative and three times he refused a senatorship, but later, at the urgent request of his family and friends, he accepted in 1888, being gazetted senator on the 17th of December, of that year, for the division of Mille Isles. He last attended parliament the week before his death and was last at his desk on the 24th of January, 1890. He gave careful consideration to the grave questions which came up for settlement and stanchly supported any movement which he considered of vital worth. His activities also extended to other lines. He was president of the St. Jean Baptiste Society; was warden of Notre Dame church; and president of St. Vincent de Paul Society. He was also lieutenant colonel of the Sixty-fourth Beauharnois Battalion at the time of its formation and he was ever a generous contributor to religious, educational and charitable institutions.

Senator Rodier was united in marriage in 1848 to Miss Angelique Lapierre, a daughter of Andre Lapierre. The death of Mr. Rodier occurred January 26, 1890, when he had reached the age of seventy-two years, while his wife survived until March 24, 1907. They were the parents of four sons and four daughters.