(3 Sept. 1857-8 Dec. 1941), blacksmith. (John H. Charlebois, J. H. Charlebois) Born at St-Dominique, Soulanges County, Que. He learned the blacksmith’s trade as apprentice in Morristown, N.Y., went to the western states in 1875, had a blacksmith shop at Lisbon in what is now North Dakota for five years, and in 1887 opened a blacksmith shop at Minot in what is now North Dakota. This was the town’s first blacksmith shop. Returning to Canada, he was a blacksmith in Alexandria 1895 to 1907. He constructed the iron cross which was placed on the steeple of St. Finnan’s in 1902. In 1907 he returned to Minot, and resumed his blacksmith business there. In 1920 he visited Europe as a Knights of Columbus delegate at the unveiling of the Lafayette monument. Over the years he revisited Alexandria many times. His wife lived in Alexandria rather than Minot during at least the later years of their marriage. He died at St. Joseph’s Hospital, Minot, on the day after Pearl Harbour. Burial was at Minot in St. Leo’s cemetery, for which he had donated land to the parish. His obituary states that he continued to work till a few weeks before his death. He was married to Emilda or Emilia Levitre. (thirteen children) Their children included Elmer J. Charlebois and Peter A. Charlebois. The blacksmith shop in Minot was continued by their son Louis (retired Dec. 1959, died 1960) and Louis’ sons (Anthony) Tony and Eloy. After three generations of Charlebois had worked in the business, it was sold in March 1984 having been associated with the Charlebois family for almost a century. It was believed at this time to be the oldest business in Minot. In its later years it was occupied with welding, repairs, and ornamental iron work.
The Minot Daily News 9 Dec. 1941, Glengarry News 12 Dec. 1941, Standard Freeholder 13 Dec. 1941* People-Places and Events: Minot-Ward County Centennial (1985) * “Charlebois Shop Was Oldest in Minot, N.D.,” repr. GN 11 April 1984 from Minot Daily News 8 March 1984 * Angus H. MacDonell, “Blacksmiths Helped Town [Alexandria] Grow,” GN 14 March 1984 * Cross on St. Finnan’s: GN 5 Dec. 1902; McDonell in article last cited; Macdonald, St. Finnan’s 15 * wife, son, called to Minot by her husband’s illness, GN 2 Dec. 1921