14
The office of the Desjardins CompanyAround 1905
Saint-André de Kamouraska (Québec), Canada
Credits:The Collection of the Musée régional de Kamouraska
The Desjardins Family Private Collection
Photographer: Éva Roy, known as Desjardins
N.A.C. P2006.278
15
Charles-Alfred Roy, known as Desjardins1880-1900
Saint-André de Kamouraska (Québec), Canada
Credits:The Collection of the Musée régional de Kamouraska
The Desjardins Family Private Collection
Photographer: Unknown
N.A.C. P2005.55
16
During this same period, Charles-Alfred decides to try his hand at politics. In the 1886 provincial election, he is the Conservative candidate for Kamouraska county. Defeated by just 63 votes, he tries again in 1890. He is elected and, in 1892, is re-elected by acclamation. Tired of politics, he does not stand for election again in 1897. However, this period serves to demonstrate his attachment to the development of his region, especially as concerns the modernization of agriculture.17
Mechanical drill at the foundryAround 1920
Saint-André de Kamouraska (Québec), Canada
Credits:The Collection of the Musée régional de Kamouraska
The Desjardins Family Private Collection
Photographer: Éva Roy, known as Desjardins
N.A.C. P2007.1
18
In order to modernize his installations, Charles-Alfred decides to build a foundry in 1894. It will be used to make the cast iron parts needed to manufacture his machines.19
The wharf at Saint-André1900-1920
Saint-André de Kamouraska (Québec), Canada
Credits:The Collection of the Musée régional de Kamouraska
The Desjardins Family Private Collection
Photographer: Éva Roy, known as Desjardins
N.A.C. P2007.10
20
In 1890, Charles-Alfred decides to incorporate his business. Its first commercial name is ?Desjardins et Paradis?. In fact, he forms an association with Joseph-F. Paradis, master mechanic and carpenter, and with his own son, Joseph Roy, known as Desjardins. Charles-Alfred will hold 60% of the shares while the other two will each have 20%. In the same year, he begins the construction of the wharf of Saint-André, which means he can export his merchandise as well as import certain components. Ten years later, he sells this infrastructure to the federal government for $10 000.21
A postcard offering a view of Saint-André1940-1960
Saint-André de Kamouraska (Québec), Canada
Credits:The Collection of the Musée régional de Kamouraska
The Desjardins Family Private Collection
Photographer: Unknown
N.A.C. P2005.183
22
In addition to his factory, Charles-Alfred is also owner of a general store, the Syndicat des cultivateurs (the Farmers' Union). But his hold over the village does not stop there. He decides, in partnership with Alfred Canac-Marquis, to go into cheese production in 1898. However, his venture into this area will not be one of his great successes, though it does demonstrate his control over the economy of the locality of Saint-André. A very large proportion of the population works for the Desjardins family, lives in one of Charles-Alfred's houses (he owns about 20 in the village) or buys his products. Very few people in Saint-André have no economic link with Charles-Alfred.23
The cheese factory of Charles-Alfred Roy, known as DesjardinsAround 1905
Saint-André de Kamouraska (Québec), Canada
Credits:The Collection of the Musée régional de Kamouraska
The Desjardins Family Private Collection
Photographer: Éva Roy, known as Desjardins
N.A.C. P2007.4
24
Outside the Syndicat des cultivateurs (the Farmers' Union)Around 1920
Saint-André de Kamouraska (Québec), Canada
Credits:The Collection of the Musée régional de Kamouraska
The Desjardins Family Private Collection
Photographer: Éva Roy, known as Desjardins
N.A.C. P2006.294
25
A place for coasting on the snow in Saint-AndréAround 1915
Saint-André de Kamouraska (Québec), Canada
Credits:The Collection of the Musée régional de Kamouraska
The Desjardins Family Private Collection
Photographer: Éva Roy, known as Desjardins
N.A.C. P2005.205
26
Throughout his life, Charles-Alfred will have a passionate interest in technological inventions. It is this interest that prompts him to file, on June 5, 1899, an application with the municipality to set up a telephone service. His request is refused because the Kamouraska Telephone Company has offered the same service from Saint-Pascal and Saint-Germain since 1894. Faced with this situation, Charles-Alfred becomes a stockholder in the company and quickly arranges for Saint-André to have access to telephone service. Then in 1902, he becomes a stockholder in the National Telephone company in order to offer a wider range of communication to the people of Saint-André.27
Desjardins, the "Champion canadien"Around 1905
Saint-André de Kamouraska (Québec), Canada
Credits:Reproduction of an advertising decal used for the material of the Desjardins Company
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