A major 20th-century figure in Trois-Rivières, Albert Tessier was born on March 6, 1895, in Sainte-Anne-de-la-Pérade. He was the son of Alphonse Tessier, a farmer, and Sophie Rompré. After completing his classical studies and theology at the Séminaire Saint-Joseph in Trois-Rivières, he was ordained as a priest on June 29, 1920, by Msgr. François-Xavier Cloutier. He then began his ministry as a professor of literature at the seminary. Three years later, he travelled to Rome to improve his knowledge of theology.
Upon returning to the country, still at the seminary, he replaced Father Joseph Gélinas as professor of history in rhetoric, then succeeded him as prefect of studies. Tessier also made a name for himself as a historian, archivist, filmmaker, photographer, and writer.
He also contributed to several newspapers and magazines in the region while being a member of various cultural and historical societies.
It is to Albert Tessier that the museum owes its restructuring following the terrible fire at the seminary on November 13, 1929. Almost everything had been lost. Tessier established an extensive promotional campaign aimed at the public to restock the museum. Tessier remained at the helm of the museum until 1934 while assuming several other responsibilities at the seminary.
Then, from 1939 to the late 1950s, the government entrusted him with the role of visiting propagandist in home economics schools throughout the province of Quebec.
Upon his retirement, Tessier retired to Tavibois, a small country estate in Hérouxville in Mauricie, which he had built and which he would give to the community of the Daughters of Jesus upon his death.
He died at the Hôpital Saint-Joseph in Trois-Rivières on September 13, 1976, at the age of 81.
His memory lives on even today, particularly at the Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières, where a pavilion bears his name.
As for the artist, Onésime Lamothe, he was born in Saint-Maurice in 1893. He was the son of Denis Lamothe and Arlène Lacroix. After studying at the Saint-Antoine convent run by the Franciscans, then at the Séminaire Saint-Joseph in Trois-Rivières, Lamothe attended numerous visual arts and music schools and academies. He subsequently took a trip to Paris between 1919 and 1922, where he broadened his knowledge of the arts. Upon returning to Quebec, he taught at the École Technique de Trois-Rivières and became the owner of a studio there. He mastered drawing in addition to being a talented sculptor, cellist, and organist. He also devoted himself to photography.
On August 30, 1925, he married Gabrielle Michelin, a music graduate. Together, they stayed in the United States between 1925 and 1927, where Mr. Lamothe conducted choirs and musical groups. Unfortunately, on June 29, 1928, Gabrielle died at the age of 27. Onésime settled in Champlain and gave private piano lessons. He also took up teaching again at the École Technique de Trois-Rivières. He retired in 1962 and died in 1979.
Musée Pierre-Boucher Collection
1979 29 S
