Alexander C. DesBrisay

Who was Alexander C. DesBrisay?

Alexander Campbell DesBrisay was a French Canadian businessman and politician in the Province of New Brunswick. The son of Solomon DesBrisay, and his wife, Mary Campbell, he was a descendant of Captain Théophile de la Cour DesBrisay whose Huguenot family fled religious persecution in France and settled in Dublin, Ireland before emigrating to Canada.

Alexander DesBrisay was born in Bathurst, New Brunswick and educated at a public school. As an adult, he was a successful businessman in both the lumber and fishing industries. He married Jane Finnis with whom he had six sons and three daughters.

A supporter of the Province of New Brunswick joining the proposed Canadian Confederation, in the February 21, 1865 New Brunswick general election, DesBrisay was voted into office as the Confederation Party representative for Restigouche County in an election won by an Anti-Confederation Party made up of a coalition of Conservatives and Reformers led by Albert J. Smith.

DesBrisay was reelected in the 1866 New Brunswick general election won by his party. On August 16, 1867, Premier Andrew Wetmore appointed Desbrisay to the Cabinet as a Minister without Portfolio.