Volume III - ElectricCanadian.com

2O4MEN-4 TON. JAMES EMILE PIERREcrM PRENDERGAST, B.A., L.L.V> B., M.P.P., Barrister, SaintBoniface, Manitoba, was born March22nd, 1858, in the city of Quebec. Heis a French Canadian of Irish descent.His father, James Prendergast, now deceased,was a Barrister and Coroner forthe District of Quebec. His mother,Emilie (Gauvreau) Prendergast, is stillliving (1893). Mr. Prendergast waseducated at the Quebec Seminary, andLaval University, where he graduatedin arts and law. He was admitted tothe Bar in 1881, and in 1882, settled inManitoba. Was elected M.P.P., in1885, 1886, and 1888 for LaVerandrye in; 1889, forWoodlands; and 1892, forSt. Boniface. He entered theGreenway Administration,as Provincial Secretary, in1888, but resigned in 1889,upon his colleagues adoptingthe Public School policy.Since then has unceasinglyand strenuously opposed, byspeech in the House, writingsin the press, and memorialsto the federal authorities,the abolition of separateschools. He was, forfive years, treasurer of St.Boniface, and twice electedby acclamation mayor ofthe same town. Mr. Prendergastis also an ex-presidentof the St. Jean-BaptisteSociety of Manitoba, and amember of the ProvincialBoard of Education for sixyears, prior to its abolition,in 1890. He is also a memberof the University Council.As a journalist, hefounded L^Quest Canadien.During his university careermade himself known,in French Literary circles, by thepublication of poetry, followed by historicalessays. He was married, in1886, to Olivina, daughter of the lateFrancis Mundor. of St. Boniface. Hisfamily consists of five children. Henow practices law with John ThompsonHuggard, Esq., under the firm nameof Prendergast & Huggard, solicitorsfor the Hochelaga Bank and CreditFoncier. In religion, he is a RomanCatholic, and in politics, a Liberal.For a young man of 34, Mr. Prendergasthas his fair share of warmestfriends and, as with all able men, a fewbitter enemies.