Bio of LA FONTAINE, Edward J. (b.1873), Hennepin Co., MN
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EXTRACTED FROM: History of Minneapolis, Gateway to the Northwest; 
Chicago-Minneapolis, The S J Clarke Publishing Co, 1923; Edited by: Rev. 
Marion Daniel Shutter, D.D., LL.D.; Volume I - Shutter (Historical); 
volume II - Biographical; volume III - Biographical
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Vol III, pg 57-58
EDWARD J. La FONTAINE
Edward J. La Fontaine, manager of the branch office of the Vilter Manufacturing
Company, is one of the most progressive business men in Minneapolis. He was born
on the 22d of December, 1873, a son of Sebidy and Anna (O'Connor) La Fontaine.
The father was born in Montreal, Canada, and the mother was also a native of
Canada. Mr. La Fontaine was a lover of race horses and he bred many noted horses
for the track. He passed away when eighty years of age. On the maternal side the
family were farmers.
In the acquirement of his education Edward J. La Fontaine attended the schools
of Sault Sainte Marie, Michigan; Bayfield, Wisconsin, and St. Paul and
Minneapolis, Minnesota. His initial step into the business world was made as a
messenger boy for the American District Telegraph, and after one year in that
service he became associated with the Bemis Bay Company. He was with that
concern for a like period, at the termination of which time he went into his
father's barber shop, assisting him for some six or seven years. In 1908 he
entered the employ of the Armour Meat Company, but a year later opened the
Central Roller Rink. He conducted that enterprise for three years and it proved
to be a favorable venture-his first real success in the accumu­lation of money.
Following this he was for six years engaged in the automobile business in
connection with which he opened the first automobile training school. Upon the
entrance of the United States into the World war he enlisted in the United
States army and was made superintendent of motor machines in the School of
Aeronautics. He remained there during the entire period of the war. After
receiving his honorable discharge he returned to Minneapolis and became branch
manager of the Vilter Manu­facturing Company, which position he now occupies.
Mr. La Fontaine is well fitted to discharge the many duties devolving upon him
and he has been an important factor in the commercial success of this city.
On the 25th of December, 1896, at St. Paul, was celebrated the marriage of Mr.
La Fontaine to Miss Jennie Reimers, a daughter of Chris Reimers, who is living
retired, at the age of eighty years. He was a major in the Prussian war of 1872
and came to this country in 1884, locating in St. Paul. He was very successful
in the meat business. To Mr. and Mrs. La Fontaine two children have been born:
Edward C., who is twenty-five years of age and is married: and Lawrence,
twenty-two yars of age.
Mr. La Fontaine is a consistent communicant of the Catholic church and
politically he gives his allegiance to the republican party and the principles
for which it stands. He is ever cognizant of the duties and responsibilities as
well as the privileges of good citizenship and his aid can always be counted
upon in the furtherance of every movement for the upbuilding of the city, county
and state.