This family is of French origin, and settled in Canada about the year 1700. Of this family was Joseph Lafontaine, who was born at Chambly, Province of Quebec, Canada in 1787. In 1826 he removed to Champlain, New York, where he died in 1832, during an epidemic of cholera, at the early age of forty-five years. He was honest, upright and highly respected.
He married Louise Harteau, born in Chambly, in 1795, and died in Champlain in 1874.
Children:
Camille, futher mentioned.
Francis, Julude, Rachel, Mathilde, Laura, Joseph, who was the only one surviving in 1909, and a child who died in infancy.

(II) Camille Lafontaine, son of Joseph and Louise (Harteau) Lafontiane, was born in Chambly, Canada, Feb. 6, 1813, and died in Champlain, N.Y., June 28, 1901. For many years he worked in the saw mills of Pliny Moore, Esquire, of which he was superintendent for many years. He was an honored member of the community.
He married Mrs. Laura (Gosselin) etreau, widow of Jean Tetreau, born Nov. 11, 1819, died in Champlain, N.Y., Aug. 11, 1882, daughter of Louis and Louise (Harbeck) Gosselin, granddaughter of Louis Gosselin, a lieutenant in the revolution, under General Hazen; Clement, a brother of Louis Gosselin, also served in the revolution with the rank of captain.
Children of Jean and Laura (Gosselin) Tetreau:
1. Samuel, died in 1861, unmarried.
2.-3. Amelia and Adelaide, both Sisters of Charity, died and are buried in the convent of their oder at St. Hyacinthe, Canada.

Children of Camille and Laura (Gosselin) Lafontaine:
1. Joseph G., born Aug. 29, 1850, died Jan. 23, 1908; married (first) Henriette Houde; (second) Marie Z. Prud'homme.
Children of first marriage:
Mary Ada, Duncan A., Douglas L., Cora L.
Child of second marriage:
Edward J. Lafontaine.

2. Louis C., born July 24, 1852, of whom further.
3. Mary, died aged four years.
4. Edward, died aged three years.

(III) Louis Camille Lafontaine, son of Camille and Laura (Gosselin) Lafontaine, was born in Champlain, N.Y., July 24, 1852. He received his education in Champlain and at Montreal, Canada, and began his active career as clerk in a general store in his native town. After a year he sought an opportunity to learn telegraphy, and entered the employ of the Central Vermont Railroad Company at Champlain, soon mastered the art, and served as operator there for thirteen years. In 1883 he resigned in order to accept a postion as teller in the First National Bank of Champlain, was subsequently promoted to that of assistant cashier, and has filled it to the present time with skill and efficiency. He is also a member of the bank directorate. He is independent and liberal in his political views, and deeply interested in public affairs. He was tax collector of the town for two years, and was for a time supervisor. He was at one time nominated for county treasurer, but suffered defeat, his party being in the minority.
In religion he is a Roman Catholic, a communicant of St. Mary's Church. He is a member of the New York State Hospital Society, and an honorary member of L'Union St. Jean Baptiste d'Amerique. He is a very prominent and influential citizen, highly respected for his integrity, and held in high esteem for his public spirit.
A deep student of history, and holding in reverence the good and wise men of the past, Mr. Lafontaine has labored arduously and successfully to perpetuate their memory. He holds to a laudable pride in the association of his family with the beginning of the town of Champlain, his great-grandfather, Lieut. Louis Gosselin, a stone mason, having built the first house there, in 1784, four years prior to the organization of the town. A few years ago Mr. Lafontaine conceived the idea of erecting in the village a suitable memorial of Samuel deChamplain, the distinguished French navigator and explorer, discoverer of the lake which bears his name, founder of Quebec, and governor of Canada (1567-1635). To this purpose he devoted himself with zeal and intelligence, formulating all the plans for the procurement of the necessary means and bringing his splendid work to completion and unveiling on July Fourth, 1907. It is curious to note (and the fact adds the greater credit due to Mr. Lafontaine) that this is the only memorial in the United States to a great discoverer and explorer. The unveiling ceremonies were attended by a great concourse of people, including representatives of French-Americn bodies from various parts of the United States and Canada, and many distinguished clergymen. Among those who delivered addresses of historic value were Mr. Lafontaine, the originator of the memorial, and Rev. Father F. X. Chagnon, of Champlain, who had warmly seconded his effort. In recognition of Mr. Lafontaine's services in connection with the Champlain memorial, and his intelligent interest in historical matters, he was, on July 24, 1908, appointed by Governor Hughes as commissioner of the New York Lake Champlain Ter-Centenary celebration, and he also attended the Hudson-Fulton Commission.

Mr. Lafontaine married, Sept. 21, 1903, at Montreal, Canada, Emma A. Viger, born in Leenoxville, Province of Quebec. They have no children. [transcriber's note: this was published in 1910. If this couple ever had children, they were unknown at the time of publication].

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