Montreal from 1535 to 1914. Vol. 3. Biographical

Leonidas Villeneuve

From a comparatively humble position in business circles Leonidas Villeneuve advanced until he ranked with the millionaire merchants of Montreal and throughout his entire career his record was such as any man might be proud to possess, bringing to him the respect of colleagues and contemporaries. The record of his career, showing the steps in his orderly progression, may serve as a source of inspiration and encouragement to others and in this biography finds its chief motive and value.

Mr. Villeneuve was born in Terrebonne county, at Ste. Anne des Plaines, a son of Joachim Villeneuve, who was a farmer there. His boyhood and youth were uneventfully passed, but when twenty years of age he determined to try his fortune in the commercial field. He was attracted to the lumber business and, believing that he would find it congenial and profitable, he established a small lumberyard north of Mount Royal Avenue, in the ownership and conduct of which he was first associated with the late Senator J. O. Villeneuve. Gradually he advanced toward the goal of success, his business growing with the development of the district. He remained at its head until his death, eventually conducting an extensive business under the name of the L. Villeneuve Company. This brought him substantial returns and his fortune also arose through his wise and judicious investments in real estate. From time to time he added to his holdings and, when there was a real-estate boom in the district, he had extensive holdings, a portion of which he sold, realizing therefrom a handsome fortune.