Charles-Alfred Roy, known as Desjardins, the "boss" of Saint-André de Kamouraska

Born in 1846, Charles-Alfred Roy (known as “Desjardins”) could truly be called a ‘self-made man’. At the age of 13, he started work on a ship as a sailor, but put an end to his seafaring life at the age of 17 following the drowning deaths of his father and two of his brothers. Back on land, he found work in a clock factory, and two years later bought the business from the owner. He moved into the production of agricultural machinery in subsequent years, and by the end of the century, Charles-Alfred was a multimillionaire. This was a rare accomplishment for a French-Canadian during this time, especially for one living far from a large urban centre.

This Community Memories exhibit explores the life of this industrialist, whose impact on the history of the municipality of Saint-André de Kamouraska is still seen today.