Rev. J. R. Boissonnault, pastor of St. Anne's Roman Catholic Church at Calumet, Houghton County, Michigan, was born in Quebec, Canada, in 1863, and comes of a prominent French family which became settled in Quebec at the beginning of the seventeenth century. It is an extensive family and there is a book published that details its genealogy.

Rev. Mr. Boissonnault first attended the Christian Brothers' College, and afterwards took a classical course and studied theology in St. Laurent College for two years. He completed his study of theology in St. Jerome's Seminary at Berlin. Ontario, which institution he left in 1889. In that same year he came to Michigan, and on July 19th, of that year, at Marquette, was ordained by Bishop Vcrtin and installed as assistant pastor of St. Anne's Roman Catholic Church at Menominee. Michigan. In November, 1889, he was transferred to Newbury, Michigan, where he continued for five months, then for the following six months was pastor of St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Church, at Hancock, Michigan. He was transferred to Michigamme, Marquette County, Michigan, where he remained for nine months, and was then assigned to Ishpeming. Marquette County, where he built the French church and house, this being St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Church. He left Ishpeming June 1, 1898, and removed to the French speaking people of Calumet, who were at that time using a frame building on Fifth and Scott streets, which had served the purpose of a hall. On this site the present beautiful edifice of brown stone stands. This congregation was started in 1885 by Father Vermare, a priest from France, who is now at Chassell, Houghton County. Rev. Mr. Boissonnault succeeded Father Poulin to this pastorate, and in June, 1900, commenced excavating for a new church building. St. Anne's Church was dedicated 13 months later and is an imposing structure, with a seating capacity for 900 persons. Its equipment is all strictly modern, and it is furnished with steam heat and electric lights. It is located on valuable property and is a credit to the town. A parochial school was established before our subject assumed charge, and under his wise direction it has improved and the membership increased. It is conducted by lay teachers and affords excellent opportunities to the children of the parish. There are some 400 families included in the congregation. Rev. Mr. Boissonnault lias organized the Catholic Lady Foresters and Sodality for Young Ladies and has also organized the St. Cecelia Club, which is purely social in its aims.

Our subject left home at an early age in quest of study, and has been a diligent student ever since. He is a man of comprehensive knowledge and high aims, and wherever his path has wound good and generous deeds have followed. He has the material as well as spiritual welfare of his congregation at heart, and his noble character has inspired love and confidence in their breasts. Biographical Publishing Company - 1903 Chicago IL