Une page de notre histoire / A page of our history
— Wickham 1865-2015 —
de 6 000 œufs fonda les assises de ce allait devenir le plus important couvoir au Canada. Au début des années 1960, ses fils Paul et Clément s'associèrent à leur père. En 1973, deux autres fils, Claude et Denis se joignirent à l'entreprise.
Aujourd'hui Couvoir Boire & Frères inc., tant par sa longue histoire que par son importance, occupe une place de choix dans l'aviculture québécoise. Trois valeurs phares guident encore aujourd'hui la famille Boire et ses employés dans la conduite de leurs affaires : efficacité, qualité et service à la clientèle. D'où l'engagement de Boire & Frères envers sa clientèle : « Produire efficacement des poussins qualité supérieure avec la plus grande constance possible. »
Depuis 2015, la direction de Boire & Frères inc., de même que ses employés, sont honorés de figurer parmi les sociétés les mieux gérées au Canada.
Louis-Paul Cantin (1932-2007)
[3] Curé de Wickham de 1986 à 1996, Louis-Paul aimait être près des gens, il faisait souvent son homélie déambulant dans l'allée principale lors des messes dominicales, ce qui n'est pas commun pour un prêtre. Très près des jeunes, il a occupé le rôle d'aumônier de la Flambée des jeunes de 18 à 35 ans. Bon vivant, il s'adonnait à plusieurs activités: tennis, ski, bicyclette, bateau, mots croisés. Bon animateur, il abordait les gens facilement et aimait leur parler avec entrain et humour. Il a pris sa retraite à Wickham, tout en demeurant disponible pour le service dominical de cette paroisse et de celles voisines, et y demeura jusqu'à son décès.
[4] Guy Martin est né le 30 avril 1936, fils aîné de Laurette Lemoyne et Lorenzo Martin. En 1957, la municipalité de Wickham acheta son premier camion à incendie; en 1958, il a été nommé chef pompier. Il épousa en 1959 Marie-Ange Trottier. Il s'impliquait dans la municipalité et la paroisse: conseiller de 1964 à 1973 et marguiller en 1970. En juin 1975, à la suite du décès de son père, il prit la relève de ce dernier qui opérait la boulangerie familiale depuis 1935. Cette entreprise avait été achetée par son grand-père Ulric Martin d'Henri Hébert en 1931. Ce bon pain et ces beignes délicieux étaient cuisinés dans la résidence familiale au 692, rue Martin jusqu'à la fermeture au 31 décembre 1994. Il fait aussi chauffeur d'autobus scolaire pendant au moins une trentaine d'années. Il a été sacristain de novembre 2002 jusqu'à sa mort en janvier 2013.
[5] En 1915, Elzéar Lemoyne, boulanger du village, entreprit la construction d'une nouvelle maison, à l'avant de la boulangerie pour établir le magasin général E. Lemoyne. Après l'arrivée des autos, on offrait aussi le service de l'essence Impérial. On y fit quelques agrandissements à différentes époques ce qui lui donne sa superficie actuelle. Cet édifice a gardé belle apparence malgré ses cent ans en 2015. Il est la propriété de Denis Martin et Francine Brière qui sont fiers de leur résidence centenaire au 845, rue Principale, face au bureau de poste.
[6] L'hôtel St-Jean voisin du magasin général a marqué l'histoire de la municipalité, les voyageurs y étaient accueillis. Il y eut un temps où les femmes et les hommes ne pouvaient prendre leurs repas dans la même pièce. En 1950, on exigeait des salles séparées pour chaque sexe. A l'extérieur sur le toit, nous pouvons voir des tourtes voyageuses qui étaient chassées à l'époque pour en faire de pâtés à la viande, des fricassées ou pour les rôtir à la broche. Ces oiseaux peu farouches sont disparus depuis 1914 à cause d'un taux de natalité très faible soit un œuf par an et de la chasse facile car ils étaient pris d'un coup de filet. Avec le temps, cet hôtel a changé de vocation. Maintenant rénové, au 837, Principale, il est séparé en trois loyers.
En 1899, une ligne téléphonique de Bell relia Acton Vale à Wickham. Entre le magasin et l'hôtel se trouve la cabine téléphonique publique réservée pour les interurbains seulement, installée par Bell Canada en 1901. En 1907, il y a seulement six abonnés de Wickham: Sylvio Béliveau le curé, Station, Laflamme hôtel, Leonard magasin général, Racicot hôtel, Tétrault magasin général. En 1948, la Compagnie de Saint-Germain ouvrit un premier central à Wickham opéré par M. et Mme Adélard Hébert.
La première ligne électrique fut installée en 1919 pour distribuer l'électricité dans les limites du village. Ce n'est que plusieurs années plus tard que l'électricité fut acheminée dans tous les rangs de la paroisse.
[7] Le personnage en avant près du cheval était un important homme d'affaires: Doria Boisjoli (1903-1980). Il débuta sa vie à deux sur une petite ferme laitière dans le 12e rang de Wickham. Il commerçait les bestiaux. En 1931, secondée par son épouse Yvonne Laforge, il aménagea un petit abattoir et un étal de boucherie. En 1937, ils ont vendu leur ferme pour acheter un abattoir plus grand et mieux organisé ainsi qu'une maison située maintenant sur la rue Boisjoli au village. Vers 1955 s'ajouta la vente moulée PURINA et l'élevage du porc, de la dinde et du poulet. Le succès de leurs entreprises est dû à leurs nombreuses heures de travail et leur bonne relation avec leurs sous-traitants, les fermiers. En 1963, l'entreprise familiale formée avec leurs trois fils est devenue une société commerciale prospère DORIA BOISJOLI LTÉE qui procurait de l'emploi local. Cette entreprise a remporté la palme huit fois lors du Honor Council de la Compagnie Purina à San Francisco.
[8] Jérôme Houle, un patenteux heureux, est né à Wickham en 1916. Épaulé par Gilberte Lemaire, son épouse, il fonda J. Houle et Fils Inc. qui manufacturait les équipements agricoles Houle. Père prolifique et industriel dynamique, il a ouvert la voie à ses neuf fils qui lui succédèrent avec beaucoup d'ingéniosité dont une part certainement héritée de leur père. A l'exemple de ses fondateurs, J. Houle et Fils Inc. a fait des petits. La compagnie a généré Skiroule, Pacifique Mobile, Agrimétal, U.S. Farm System, Wic et Vita Pro. Il décéda en 2010.
[9] Gilles Villeneuve (1950-1982) a été engagé en janvier 1971 par Skiroule en recherche et développement pour les essais de motoneige qui se faisaient à l'arrière de l'usine Skiroule à Wickham. Pilote professionnel de motoneige, il participait à des courses. Il a contribué à l'évolution de la motoneige par son travail.
Omer Blanchard (1925-2006)
[10] Omer Blanchard est né à Wickham. Marié à Edwidge Côté, ils exploitaient la pomiculture de 1950 à 1988. Cet homme fut très impliqué au développement de sa communauté: président-fondateur de Les Industries Wickham Inc. et de l'O.M.H. de Wickham, président du Festival de la Pomme, directeur du Comité industriel et du Conseil d'administration du Cegep de Drummondville, président et administrateur du Village Québécois d'Antan. Il fut aussi présent dans divers clubs sociaux. Orner Blanchard a aussi été conseiller et maire de Wickham.
[11] Onésime Maurais a été l'un des premiers fondateurs de Wickham. En 1864, il a travaillé comme architecte avec son frère Octave à la construction de la première chapelle. Il a été commissaire en 1868, conseiller de 1868 à 1875, marguillier en 1870. Il est l'ancêtre des Tétreault, Coutu, Massé, Pétrin, Lacharité, Huberdeau et autres.
Tous les éléments à l'extérieur du cadre représentent le présent et le futur. Au bas de la fresque, nous apercevons la jeune Léa de trois ans qui joue sur le banc de sable avec un ballon, protégée du soleil par le parasol. Cela nous amène au camping de la Plage des Sources. Léa représente l'avenir avec son énergie et son espoir de réussite. Quant au panier de pommes, il fait place au Verger Blanchard. Les petits poussins symbolisent le Couvoir Boire et Frères et les nombreuses fermes avicoles établies sur le territoire.
English translation (Google):
The work commemorating Wickham's 150th anniversary in 2015 by François Daigneault represents the first 150 years of the municipality. This artist and designer has devoted eleven months of work to this great project of 50 by 22 feet.
Why this title? When the first settlers arrived, where Wickham is now located, the entire territory was covered with dense forests composed of hardwoods and softwoods. Wood was a very important element at the beginning of the colony for the construction of buildings. Men have had to work through the years: sawmills, crops, livestock. They kept beautiful elms along the roads.
The hardwood planks that frame the fresco represent the Wickham Wood-Francs Floors established since 1989 on 7th Place in Wickham.
The frills in the corners of the frame recall the presence of a copper mine operated from 1857 to 1863 on land purchased in 1842 by James Timmons on 10th Place East, about fifty employees worked there. In 1862, this land was sold to a Boston company and the mine had to close. A second copper operation took place in 1916 and was abandoned in 1917.
Everything inside the frame tells the story of the past. The stone columns at the front represent the granite poles of the cemetery fence. They pay tribute to all the settlers who worked very hard to clear and build with the means of time through the years.
The second school in the village was built by J. Tétreault in 1914, an annex was added to house the nuns in 1915. Four Sisters of the Assumption arrived in Wickham for the beginning of 1915 to teach and educate 120 students. More than twenty young people were learning music. This building, which no longer met the needs, was replaced by a new school that opened on September 3, 1957.
Around 1875, trains came to Wickham. James-J. Timmons was attracted to the railways and in the early 1880s he worked there. Around 1887, when the Canadian Pacific Railway acquired the South Eastern Railway (C.P.R.), the first station was built and James-J. Timmons became its first leader. In 1924, he retired after 42 years of service.
This station or rather this railway contributed greatly to Wickham's economic development. At the time, the railway was the busiest means of transportation: loading wood, butter and hay exported to the United States, as well as animals, poultry, eggs and milk cans sent to Quebec, Montreal, Sherbrooke or the United States. There was also a passenger train four times a day. The trunk was transported morning and evening until April 26, 1954. This railway line was finally abandoned in March 1989.
[1] Alice Timmons, daughter of James-J., was introduced at a very young age to the telegraph, tickets, the receipt of tanks, parcels, customs papers, the handling of the manipulator. "Little Alice" was the first woman to be appointed stationmaster in 1933. She remained there until 1967, when Wickham Station was officially closed. Perfectly bilingual, she worked for the people of her hometown as an interpreter. For 20 years she was a correspondent for the Drummondville newspaper "The Word". The first woman in Wickham to become a churchwarden in 1965, this great lady was honoured in many circumstances for her beautiful personality, achievements and big heart.
The current church was built in 1882. The niche above the central gates was closed in 1960, the statue of St John was there. On April 23, 1883, the old chapel erected in 1864 on the site of the present cemetery was auctioned for $55. It took six or seven years, after 1883-84, to complete the interior of the church. The current rectory was built in 1903. The church choir was renovated in 1957-58. In 1977, three paintings were painted at the front depicting St John the Evangelist, St. John the Baptist and St. Patrice, patron saint of the Irish. The church's forecourt was redone in 2015.
Two characters close to each other on the mural provided bread for the people of Wickham: Louis-Paul Cantin spiritually and Guy Martin with his bakery.
[2] Gérard Boire was born in Wickham on August 9, 1904. He married Marie-Jeanne Aubin in October 1938. From this union, seven children were born. Despite the incalculable hours devoted to his work to ensure the well-being of his family and his company, Gérard Boire participated fully in the development of his community. An active member of several social organizations and clubs, he presided over Wickham Parish Town Hall for 20 years, from 1953 to 1973, after serving as alderman for 5 years. He died in November 1990.
It was in 1927 that Gérard Boire, then twenty-three years old, built his first chicken coop on the family farm. This was a bold move since at the time the farmers kept only a few hens, usually for the family's needs. In 1930, the acquisition of a 6,000-egg incubator established the foundation for what would become Canada's largest hatchery. In the early 1960s, his sons Paul and Clement teamed up with their father. In 1973, two other sons, Claude and Denis joined the company.
Today, Couvoir Boire-Frères Inc., both in its long history and in its importance, occupies a prominent place in Quebec poultry farming. Three key values still guide the family and its employees in the conduct of their business: efficiency, quality and customer service. Hence the commitment of Boire-Brothers to its customers: "Effectively produce high quality chicks with the greatest possible consistency."
Since 2015, the management of Boire-Brothers Inc., as well as its employees, have been honoured to be among the best-managed companies in Canada.
Louis-Paul Cantin (1932-2007) [3] Parish priest of Wickham from 1986 to 1996, Louis-Paul liked to be close to people, he often made his homily walking down the main aisle during Sunday Masses, which is not common for a priest. Very close to the youth, he served as chaplain of the Youth Flame between the ages of 18 and 35. He was a good person who took part in several activities: tennis, skiing, cycling, boating, crossword puzzles. A good animator, he approached people easily and liked to talk to them with enthusiasm and humour. He retired to Wickham, while remaining available for Sunday service to that parish and neighbouring ones, and remained there until his death.
[4] Guy Martin was born on April 30, 1936, the eldest son of Laurette Lemoyne and Lorenzo Martin. In 1957, the Municipality of Wickham purchased its first fire truck; 1958 he was appointed fire chief. He married Marie-Ange Trottier in 1959. He was involved in the municipality and the parish: councilman from 1964 to 1973 and churchwarden in 1970. In June 1975, following the death of his father, he took over from the latter, who had been operating the family bakery since 1935. This company was bought by his grandfather Ulric Martin of Henri Hébert in 1931. This delicious bread and doughnuts were baked in the family home at 692 Martin Street until closing on December 31, 1994. He also was a school bus driver for at least thirty years. He was a sacristan from November 2002 until his death in January 2013.
[5] In 1915, Elzéar Lemoyne, a baker from the village, began building a new house at the front of the bakery to establish the E. Lemoyne General Store. After the arrival of cars, the service of Imperial gasoline was also offered. Some expansions were made at different times, which gave it its current size. This building has kept looking good despite its 100 years in 2015. It is owned by Denis Martin and Francine Brière who are proud of their century-old residence at 845 Main Street, opposite the post office.
[6] The St. John's Hotel next to the general store marked the history of the municipality, with travelers welcomed there. There was a time when women and men could not eat in the same room. In 1950, separate rooms were required for each sex. Outside on the roof, we can see birds that were hunted at the time to make meat pies, fricassees or to roast on a spit. These tame birds have been extinct since 1914 due to a very low birth rate of one egg per year and easy hunting. Over time, this hotel has changed its vocation. Now renovated, at 837 Main, it is separated into three rentals.
In 1899, a telephone line from Bell connected Acton Vale to Wickham. Between the store and the hotel is the public telephone booth reserved for long distance only, installed by Bell Canada in 1901. In 1907, there were only six Wickham subscribers: Sylvio Béliveau the parish priest, Station, Laflamme hotel, Leonard general store, Racicot hotel, Tétrault general store. In 1948, the Compagnie de Saint-Germain opened its first centre in Wickham operated by Mr. and Mrs. Adelard Hébert.
The first power line was installed in 1919 to distribute electricity within the village limits. It was not until several years later that electricity was brought to the whole ranks of the parish.
[7] The prominent character near the horse was an important businessman: Doria Boisjoli (1903-1980). He began his life on a small dairy farm on 12th place in Wickham. He was milking cows. In 1931, assisted by his wife Yvonne Laforge, he set up a small slaughterhouse and a butcher's stall. In 1937, they sold their farm to buy a larger and better organized slaughterhouse and a house now located on Boisjoli Street in the village. Around 1955, PURINA was sold for pork, turkey and chicken. The success of their businesses is due to their many hours of work and their good relationship with their subcontractors, the farmers. In 1963, the family business formed with their three sons became a successful commercial company DORIA BOISJOLI LTÉE that provided local employment. This company has won the palm eight times at the Honor Council of the Purina Company in San Francisco.
[8] Jerome Houle, a happy parent, was born in Wickham in 1916. Supported by Gilberte Lemaire, his wife, he founded J. Houle and Son, Inc. which manufactured Houle agricultural equipment. A prolific father and dynamic industrialist, he paved the way for his nine sons, who succeeded him with great ingenuity, some of that certainly inherited from their father. Like its founders, J. Houle and Son, Inc., spun off smaller ones. The company has generated Skiroule, Pacific Mobile, Agrimetal, U.S. Farm System, Wic and Vita Pro. He died in 2010.
[9] Gilles Villeneuve (1950-1982) was hired in January 1971 by Skiroule in research and development for snowmobile testing at the rear of the Skiroule plant in Wickham. A professional snowmobile driver, he took part in races. He has contributed to the evolution of the snowmobile through his work.
Omer Blanchard (1925-2006)[10] Omer Blanchard was born in Wickham. Married to Edwidge Côté, they operated apple farming from 1950 to 1988. This man was very involved in the development of his community: founding president of Wickham Industries Inc. and Wickham O.M.H., president of the Apple Festival, director of the Industrial Committee and Board of Directors of CEGEP Drummondville, president and administrator of the Quebec Village of Antan. He was also present in various social clubs. Omer Blanchard was also a councilman and mayor of Wickham.
[11] Onesime Maurais was one of Wickham's first founders. In 1864, he worked as an architect with his brother Octavian on the construction of the first chapel. He was a commissioner in 1868, a councilman from 1868 to 1875, a churchwarden in 1870. He is the ancestor of Tétreault, Coutu, Massé, Pétrin, Lacharité, Huberdeau and others.
All the elements outside the framework represent the present and the future. At the bottom of the fresco, we see the three-year-old Leah playing on the sandbank with a ball, protected from the sun by the parasol. This brings us to the campsite of the Beach of Sources. Leah represents the future with her energy and hope for success. As for the basket of apples, it makes way for the Blanchard Orchard. The little chicks symbolize the Boire and Brothers Hatchery and the many poultry farms established on the territory.
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