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Leonidas Villeneuve - Biography
From a comparatively humble position in business circles Leonidas Villeneuve advanced until he ranked with the millionaire merchants of Montreal and throughout his entire career his record was such as any man might be proud to possess, bringing to him the respect of colleagues and contemporaries. The record of his career, showing the steps in his orderly progression, may serve as a source of inspiration and encouragement to others and in this biography finds its chief motive and value.Mr. Villeneuve was born in Terrebonne county, at Ste. Anne des Plaines, a son of Joachim Villeneuve, who was a farmer there. His boyhood and youth were uneventfully passed, but when twenty years of age he determined to try his fortune in the commercial field. He was attracted to the lumber business and, believing that he would find it congenial and profitable, he established a small lumberyard north of Mount Royal Avenue, in the ownership and conduct of which he was first associated with the late Senator J. O. Villeneuve. Gradually he advanced toward the goal of success, his business growing with the development of the district. He remained at its head until his death, eventually conducting an extensive business under the name of the L. Villeneuve Company. This brought him substantial returns and his fortune also arose through his wise and judicious investments in real estate. From time to time he added to his holdings and, when there was a real-estate boom in the district, he had extensive holdings, a portion of which he sold, realizing therefrom a handsome fortune.Mr. Villeneuve was a prominent figure in local circles in connection with the growth and progress of his section. When the district north of Mount Royal Avenue gradually developed from a sparsely settled region into a fast growing town he was one of the leading spirits in planning roadways, parks and public improvements. To him in great measure it is due that, with its wide streets and well built homes, Laurier ward is among the most attractive in this city. He was for twenty years associated with the municipal life of Ville St. Louis, first serving as alderman and afterward for three terms as mayor.In politics Mr. Villeneuve was a stalwart conservative, but while working actively in the party and doing everything in his power to promote its growth and secure its success, he could never be tempted to try his fortune in either the federal or provincial fields, although he was requested on many occasions to carry the party banner. He was universally respected for his unswerving business honesty and uprightness, and upon these qualities as a foundation he builded his success, which placed him among the leaders in his particular line in eastern Canada. His sound judgment enabled him to correctly value those things which go to make up life’s contacts and experiences. His opinions were sound, his enterprise unfaltering and his activities were of a character that contributed to the public welfare as well as to individual success. Mr. Villeneuve was a member of the Roman Catholic church, and took a great deal of interest in church affairs.Mr. Villeneuve was married twice. His first wife was Malvina Joyal, a sister of Dr. Joyal, of Montreal, and to them was born a son, J. Arthur, who was educated in Montreal and traveled extensively with his father in Europe. He married Miss Yvonne Lariviere, of Montreal, and has a son, Jean Leonidas, born July 11, 1913. J. Arthur Villeneuve is vice president of the L. Villeneuve Company and of the Eagle Lumber Company and is a worthy successor of his father in connection with the lumber industry of the country. For his second wife Leonidas Villeneuve chose Dame Exilda Bergeron, who also survives. His life of intense and intelligently directed activity brought him success and, moreover, he always followed constructive methods in his business career, so that his path was never strewn with the wreck of other men’s fortunes.
