Sévère Rivard

Sévère Rivard ( born August 7, 1834 in Yamachiche, Lower Canada, † February 4, 1888 in Montreal ) was a Canadian politician and businessman. From 1879 to 1881 he was mayor of the city of Montreal.

Biography

The son of a farmer's family received his secondary education at the Gymnasium in Nicolet. He then studied law in the office of Rodolphe Laflamme politician (then existed in the province of Quebec no law school yet). In 1859 he was admitted to the bar and opened in Montreal and a partner own law firm. In 1867 he organized a fundraising campaign to send Canadian Zouaves for the defense of the papacy to Rome; seven years later for his services he was awarded the Order of Pius. At the beginning of the 1870s acquired Rivard by land speculation a large fortune. He was also involved in a woolen mill in his native city and in an organ factory in Montreal. In 1883 he was one of the founders of the gas utility company for Citizens ' Gas Company of Montreal.

1870 Rivard was elected to represent the constituency of Saint -Jacques in Montreal city council and took over the following year the chair of urban lighting Commission. As a member of a special commission, he also oversaw the construction of the new City Hall. In 1879, he stepped up to the mayoral elections on, thereby invited the controversial incumbent Jean -Louis Beaudry out and hit it with 290 -vote lead. In 1880 he was re-elected by acclamation. Rivards tenure was marked by efforts to make the city finances after the completion of numerous major projects back on a secured basis. In 1881, he aspired to no more re-election and resigned. From October 1886 until his death he was a member of the Legislative Council of Quebec.