From an early age he began learning the agricultural trade and he initially intended on working in the family business.

His work drew the attention of the Honourable Wilfrid Laurier who encouraged him to enter the Conseil des arts et manufactures (CAM) in Montreal.

In 1888 he won first prize at the Québec City Provincial Exhibition for his life size sculpture of Laurier.

He returned to Canada in 1907 where he began producing works that showed a marked influence of the sculptor Auguste Rodin.

[1] Between 1928 and 1932, he produced 215 small bronze sculptures depicting legends, customs and rural activities of the past and present history of the pioneers of Canada.