Joseph Arthur Couture

Joseph Arthur Couture, a notary public practicing in Montreal and in Maisonneuve, was born on the 29th of December, 1881, at Sherrington in the county of Napierville, P. Q., his parents being Jules and Dométhile (Bourgeois) Couture. He represents two of the old French families of the province. His great-grandfather and his grandfather, both of whom bore the name of François Couture, were farming people, the former following agricultural pursuits at Lacadie, while the latter was a farmer at St. Cyprien in the county of Napierville. He married Sophie Ward and their family included Jules Couture, who married Dométhile Bourgeois. Her father, Pierre Bourgeois, was at one time a farmer at St. Jean, P. Q., and later at St. Cyprien, where he was residing at the time of his death. His wife was a member of the Granger family. Jules Couture was born in St. Cyprien, county of Napierville, and made farming his life work, but since 1900 has lived retired, his home being in the village of Napierville. His wife was born in the parish of St. John, P. Q., and died on the 15th of September, 1907. They had a family of twelve children, of whom three daughters and five sons are living.

Joseph Arthur Couture, the youngest of the family, attended the parish school to the age of ten years and afterward studied with the parish priest of Sherrington for three years. He next entered Montreal College, where he pursued a five years’ classical course and later became a student in the Seminary of Philosophy, where after two years, or in 1902, he won his degree of Bachelor of Letters. In September of that year he matriculated in Laval University where he studied law in preparation for the notarial profession, receiving his LL. L. degree in 1905. He was received as a notary in July of the same year and in September began practice in the village of Napierville, where he continued until the 1st of October, 1906. He then removed to the city of Maisonneuve, where he continues in practice, and at the same time maintains an office in the city of Montreal. He is likewise a commissioner of the superior court in and for the district of Montreal. He carefully prepared for his chosen calling and his knowledge of the law and his understanding of all phases of the notarial profession have given him high rank among his associates in that field of labor.

Mr. Couture is also interested in some syndicates, purchasing lots on the island of Montreal. He is a director of La Société du Boulevard Pie IX, Limitée and of Salmon River Gold Fields and of the Montreal Consolidated Real Estate and Investments, Limited. His connection therewith has resulted in bringing him good financial returns, while in his profession he is making continuous advancement.

On the 9th of October, 1905, Mr. Couture was married to Miss Mathilda Ida Lachapelle, a daughter of Alfred and Mathilde (Beauchamp) Lachapelle, the former in his life time a merchant of Montreal. Mrs. Couture died at Maisonneuve, at the age of twenty-seven years, on the 17th of December, 1913, leaving no issue. Mr. Couture is a member of the Roman Catholic church and in politics he was formerly a conservative but became a nationalist as he did not approve of the naval policies of either the liberal or conservative parties. He is still, however, a member of the Montreal Liberal-Conservative Club. He was for three years recording secretary of Court Gounod No. 3240, I. O. F., of which he is now deputy chief.