Joseph Ovide Gravel

Joseph Ovide Gravel, for many years manager and executor of the John Pratt estate in Montreal and prominently connected with other important corporate and business interests of the city, was born here in 1839. He acquired his education in the commercial schools of the city and in 1854 began a business career which brought him constantly increasing prominence and prosperity. From that date until 1863 he was connected with the firm of Benning & Barsalou and was then made secretary-treasurer of the Canadian Rubber Company, taking an active part in the affairs of that concern until 1899. He was later a director in the Canadian Linseed Oil Mills, a trustee of the Guardian Assurance Company, president of the Sincennes-McNaughton line and of the Dominion Oil Cloth Company. He became known as a reliable, forceful and discriminating business man, one who always carried forward to successful completion whatever he undertook, and he made his ability and insight the basis of a substantial and well deserved success. He married Aurelie La Rocque. His son, C. E. Gravel, is now in charge of the Pratt estate and is ably carrying forward his father’s work in its management.