Gilbert Desroches

DESROCHES, GILBERT, merchant, shipper, factory owner, contractor, postmaster, farmer, and shoemaker; b. 24 July 1848 in Miscouche, son of Jean DesRoches and Nanette (Nancy) Poirier; m. 21 April 1873 Sophia Poirier, and there were no children; Roman Catholic; d. 2 June 1915 in Miscouche. DesRoches, a Conservative, was elected to the Legislative Assembly on 2 February 1899 for 5th Prince. He was defeated in the general elections of 1890, 1893, 1897, and 1900. DesRoches was educated at public schools and resided in his native community. He learned the trade of shoemaker, which he practised for only two years. In 1876, DesRoches went into the mercantile business with his brother-in-law, Joseph Poirier, and in 1880 he established his own business. He became one of the leading merchants in the province. DesRoches was often referred to as the "R T. Holman of Miscouche." He shipped grain, produce, and eggs, and was the largest shipper of oysters on the Island. He also shipped large quantities of canned lobster to the English market and operated a large factory on the south side of Miscouche. In 1882 he was the contractor for the Miscouche railway station and that same year gained a contract for improvements on the O'Leary station. Sophia DesRoches, the daughter of Joseph P. Poirier and Barbe Arsenault of Miscouche, was born 2 June 1845. She was educated at Notre Dame Convent and was a prize-winning needleworker and an accomplished gardener.