He assumed the presidency the day that Cincinnatus Leconte died in office from a massive explosion that destroyed the presidential palace.

Although some claim he was the victim of poisoning, his death was caused by severe anemia due to untreated, advanced syphilis.

[2] He was the owner of a trading house in Port-au-Prince, then became Minister of the Interior and Police under the presidencies of Florvil Hyppolite and Tirésias Simon Sam.

The Council of Secretaries of State composed of Seymour Pradel, F. Baufosse Laroche, Jacques Nicolas Leger, Tertullien Guilbaud, Edmond Lespinasse and Guatimosin Boco took power from May 3 to 12, 1913.

He is the grandfather of Jacques Roumain, a poet, writer, and Communist politician who had a considerable influence on Haitian culture.