Jean-Baptiste Couture (1866-1943), more commonly known as J-B or Jean, was the manager and owner-publisher of Le Messager, Lewiston's French-language newspaper. He was born in Lévis, QC and came to Le Messager in 1883 after working as a typesetter at L'Evenement in Québec City. During his time as owner of Le Messager, Couture was placed under interdict by Bishop Louis Walsh for the paper's objection to Maine's Corporation Sole law. Couture served two terms in the Maine State Legislature, was a member of the post-prohibition State Liquor Board, from 1933-37, and he founded WCOU, a French radio station in Lewiston.
Louis-Philippe Gagné (1922-1964) moved to Lewiston from Québec City in 1922, and became editor of Le Messager, having worked for Le Soleil in Québec since 1917. He gained US Citizenship in 1928, ran as a ward clerk in 1928, was a member of the school committee from 1930-1934 and Mayor of Lewiston 1947-1949. He founded the Snowshoe movement in the United States, and was first president of the Union Américain des Raquetteurs. As a radio host, he presented L'Oeil et Son Autueur on local station WCOU (q.v.). He founded Le Club Montagnard and Les Vigilants, and was a member of The Union St. Jean Baptiste, the Societé Des Artisans, and L'Assomption.
Georgette Beauparlant Bérubé (1927-2005) was a lifelong resident of Lewiston who served in the State Legislature for more than a quarter-century, longer than any other Maine woman. She was the daughter of Leonard and Blanche (Tremblay) Beauparlant, a student of St Peter's School and Ave Maria Academy, the University of Maine at Augusta and the Maine School of Commerce, where she met her future husband, Gérard Bérubé. She worked with her brother, Maurice, at Beauparlant Furniture, located at 359 Lisbon Street. As State Representative and Senator, she was an independently-minded who often voted with Republicans on fiscal issues. In 1978, she and Madeleine Giguère were censured by the local Democratic party for endorsing future US Senator William Cohen, a Republican. In 1982 she ran unsuccessfully for governor against the Democratic incumbent, Joseph Brennan. She retired from the State Senate in 2000. Georgette was a strong advocate for Franco-American heritage, as a legislator and community member. She hosted a long-running French radio station, Le Rendez-Vous de la Chanson on the Bates College Radio Station. She was a member of the International Association of French-Speaking Parliamentarians, the Fédération Feminine, L'Union Saint-Jean Baptiste d'Amérique and the Financial Council of the Catholic Diocese of Maine. Along with Professor Madeleine Giguère, she was a founding member of the original Centre d'Héritage Franco-Américain which became the Franco-American Collection at USM LAC. She was chair of the Collection at the time of her death in 2005.
Albert Cote (Nov 26 1915 – Feb 27, 1986) was a Maine Democratic State Senator (1978-80) and Representative (1951-79), a long-time politician and involved in many community groups and activities, especially the Montagnard Snowshoe Club and American Snowshoe Union.
Fernand Despins (1896-1960) was the son of Césarine Giguère and Napoléon Despins. He served in WWI, attended St Charles Seminary in Sherbrooke, Québec, Bates College in Lewiston, and the Boston University of Law. He practiced as an attorney, and served as Mayor of Lewiston (1939-40) and a Lewiston Municipal Court Judge (1956-60). He received a Presidential Medal of Honor from the French Government in 1950.
Louis C. Jalbert (1910 - 1989), was known as "Mr Democrat" for his state governmental service record. He was born in Lewiston Maine and educated in Lewiston schools. He attended the University of Maine-Portland and Bliss College, from which he obtained his J.D. He was a member of the Centre D'Héritage and the Jacques Cartier Snowshoe Club, and an officer of the Central Maine Railroad. He was Dean of the Maine House, and a legislator from 1945 until 1984 – a record 19 two-year terms. He held numerous committee chairs during this time, and was responsible for establishing the Central Maine Vocational Institute (later Central Maine Community College) and the building of the Veteran's Memorial Bridge between Lewiston and Auburn. He married Yvonne Sproul In 1938 – the couple had no children.
An interesting collection of newspaper clippings of newsworthy events in our Franco community.schools, churches, businesses, societies, awards, musicals, politics etc. ; https://digitalcommons.usm.maine.edu/fac-scrapbooks/1001/thumbnail.jpg
Newspaper clippings of political and social events in Lewiston and Auburn, Maine. ; https://digitalcommons.usm.maine.edu/fac-scrapbooks/1004/thumbnail.jpg
Newspaper clippings of political and social events in Lewiston and Auburn, Maine. ; https://digitalcommons.usm.maine.edu/fac-scrapbooks/1005/thumbnail.jpg
Newspaper clippings of political and social events in Lewiston and Auburn, Maine. ; https://digitalcommons.usm.maine.edu/fac-scrapbooks/1006/thumbnail.jpg
Newspaper clippings of political and social events in Lewiston and Auburn Maine. ; https://digitalcommons.usm.maine.edu/fac-scrapbooks/1009/thumbnail.jpg
