He represented Témiscouata in the Legislative Assembly of Quebec from 1875 to 1890 as a Liberal and then Conservative member.
He was born in Cacouna, Canada East, the adopted son of Hilary Gagnon and Adeline Pelletier, and was educated there.
He later moved with his adoptive family to Saint-Épiphane.
He ran unsuccessfully for a seat in the House of Commons in 1891.
Later in life, he was involved in the lumber trade and operated two sawmills.