W. H. Violette Ltd. (am_2349)

The Wilfred H. Violette Garage is located on Madawaska Road above the falls at Grand Falls. After the Second World War, the mechanization of farms accelerated and the potato growers of Drummond, Grand Falls, Saint-André, Saint-Léonard and Portage became the regular clients of this garage. In 1947, Wilfred Fred Violette (photo in medallion) founded the company W. H. Violette Ltd. with two associates, Rodolphe and Claude Gervais. Fred Violette was representing the International Harvester Company formed in 1924 by the merger of McCormick Harvesting Machine Company and Deering Harvesting Company. In order to promote the agricultural machinery in the nearby parishes, Fred organized information meetings including a recreational part. From 1950 to 1956, Fred Violette also had the dealership for Studebaker-Packard and in 1957 for Lincoln-Mercury and finally for Ford. The W. H. Violette Ltd business grew and soon opened a garage in Edmundston and established, in time, branches in Saint-Quentin, Plaster Rock and Woodstock. Later on, Philippe Violette, son of Fred, became the owner of the Violette garage in Edmundston and Robert took over Violette Ltd in Grand Falls. Photo taken in 1948. Lent by Robert Violette.