Joseph Primeau, Justice of the Peace and Notary Public of Negaunee, is an early pioneer of this city, and the following detailed biography will interest the many men with whom he has become familiar. The study of bis life from the time he was launched on the world after leaving college is a fitting lesson for the young generation that will follow. He is a man of military bearing, and the cordial way he meets one makes him easy of approach. Mr. Primeau was bora in Chateauguay, Martin county, Canada, August 30, 1S43, a son of Antonio Primeau, a native of Lower Canada. Our subject attended the parish schools until fifteen years of age, then spent five years in Montreal College, and took a two-years' classic course in Mason College, graduating at the latter institution with the class of 1863. Mr. Primeau next entered a military school. He still has in his possession three diplomas, which he keeps with pride as a remembrance of his school days. After graduating at the military school in 1864, he studied law in the office of Archam Bault for one year. In July, 1864, here-turned home for one year, and on again coming to this country he carried a recommendation from the priest of his parish, saying that Mr. Primeau was a member of an old and highly respected French family, and that he was an honest young man. Although he had never done any hard work, he came to this country with a determination to succeed, and his first work was in a sawmill at East Saginaw, where he remained about three months. He next found employment with two grocery firms in St. Paul, Minnesota, for six months, and in the following year returned to his home in Canada. Coming again to the United States, Mr. Primeau located in Negaunee, Michigan, was employed as clerk in the crockery store of Dr. Cyr for three months, spent the same length of time as clerk in the general store of the Iron Cliff Company, and afterward served as general manager of the Robbins store in Forestville until it was closed, December 1, 1870. Our subject's next business venture was as proprietor of a boarding-house in Marquette, and while thus engaged he also wrote in the County Clerk's office and taught French to a class of ninety pupils. During the year of 1872-3 he clerked in the clothing-house of Shot & Company. May 5, of the latter year, he was elected Recorder of Marquette, and held that position seven years. In June, 1880, he began work as general manager of the store of the Deer Lake Company, was next engaged in the insurance business with the Michigan Aid Society, afterward secured the position of bookkeeper for J. Johnson, a lumber dealer of Kegaunee, but in the spring of 1S94 resigned that position to become a Justice of the Peace. Mr. Primeau married Miss Angelina McBomber, and they have had thirteen children, seven now living. Our subject is a stanch Republican, and socially he affiliates with the Knights of Pythias.

Memorial Record of the Northern Peninsula 1895