Felix Hebert
Encyclopedia
Felix Hebert was a United States Senator from Rhode Island
. Born near St-Hyacinthe, Quebec, Canada
, he came to the United States when his parents, Edouard and Catherine (Vandale) Hebert, returned in 1880 and resumed their residence in the town of Coventry, Rhode Island
.
He attended La Salle Academy
. He was employed as a railroad freight billing clerk from 1893 to 1896 and as a private secretary from 1896 to 1898 he was deputy insurance commissioner
of Rhode Island
from 1898 to 1906, studied law, was admitted to the bar
in 1907 and commenced practice in Providence
. He was justice of the district court
of the fourth judicial district of Rhode Island from 1908 to 1928, trustee of the Nathanael Greene
Homestead Association of Rhode Island from 1924 to 1934, and a member and secretary of the Providence County Courthouse Commission from 1925 to 1934.
Hébert was elected as a Republican
to the U.S. Senate, unseating Democrat Peter G. Gerry
by a 51% to 49% margin. He served from March 4, 1929, to January 3, 1935; he was an unsuccessful candidate for reelection in 1934, losing a rematch to Gerry, who won 57% of the vote. While in the Senate, he was Republican whip from 1933 to 1935, and chairman of the Committee on Patents (Seventy-second Congress). He resumed the practice of law, was a member of the Republican National Committee
from 1944 to 1952, and was advisory counsel to the Associated Factory Mutual Fire Insurance Companies. He died in Warwick
in 1969; interment was in St. Joseph's Cemetery, West Warwick.
Mr. Hebert had thirteen siblings including Rev. Mathias A. Hebert, who on December 16, 1922 was appointed by Bishop William A. Hickey as the second pastor of St. Cecilia Parish of Pawtucket, Rhode Island
.
Prominent in legal circles and in the general life of Providence, and the town of West Warwick, is Judge Felix Hebert, whose career as an attorney and judge and as the holder of several other important public offices has won for him the respect and esteem of the community, and made him an influential man in local affairs. Judge Hebert was the son of Edouard and Catherine (Vandale) Hebert, both of whom were early immigrants from Canada, immigrating respectively at the ages of fifteen and seven years. The elder Mr. Hebert was the son of a prosperous farmer in the Province of Quebec, and in spite of his early age was himself engaged in that occupation before coming to the United States. Upon first coming to this country, the parents made their home at Coventry, where the young man took up mill work for a time, and was later in business as a custom bootmaker. Eventually he engaged in the boot and shoe business at Anthony, in the town of Coventry, and while living there was one of the founders (1870), and a trustee for thirty years, of St. Jean Baptiste Roman Catholic Church. Mr. and Mrs. Edouard Hebert were the parents of thirteen children.
Felix Hebert was born on December 11, 1874, at St. Guillaume, in the Province of Quebec, Canada, during a sojourn at that place made by his father and mother because of the former's health. Shortly after, they returned with their son to Coventry, and it was at the public schools of that place that Felix secured the elementary portion of his education. He afterward attended La Salle Academy at Providence, from which he was graduated with the class of 1893. Upon completing his studies at the latter institution, the young man sought for and secured employment as a stenographer with the New York and New England Railroad Company, where he was rapidly promoted to positions of responsibility. He remained with this concern for about three years, when he became secretary to the late General Charles R. Brayton
. He spent another three years in this capacity, and he then received an appointment as clerk in the office of Treasurer Walter A. Read, where he worked for one year. In 1899 he was appointed deputy insurance commissioner of the State of Rhode Island, and held this post continuously until 1917. During this long term he not only discharged his duties to the entire satisfaction of the department, but also took up the study of law, and was admitted to practice at the Rhode Island bar in 1907. In 1910 he was chosen judge of the District Court of the Fourth Judicial District, and continued to occupy that important and responsible post. Judge Hebert made a specialty of insurance law. He is a Republican
in politics. Judge Hebert was a Roman Catholic and was a member of the parish of St. Jean Baptiste, Arctic Centre, of which his father was one of the founders. He was a member of various societies and clubs, including the Catholic Club, and the Turk's Head Club of Providence.
Judge Hebert was married, September 18, 1900, to Virginia M. Provost, a daughter of Octave and Virginie (Deslauriers) Provost, of Ware, Mass., where the wedding was performed. They had four children: Catherine Virginia, Adrien Warner, Marguerite Rosalie, and Edouard Felix.
Rhode Island
The state of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, more commonly referred to as Rhode Island , is a state in the New England region of the United States. It is the smallest U.S. state by area...
. Born near St-Hyacinthe, Quebec, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
, he came to the United States when his parents, Edouard and Catherine (Vandale) Hebert, returned in 1880 and resumed their residence in the town of Coventry, Rhode Island
Coventry, Rhode Island
Coventry is a town in Kent County, Rhode Island, United States. The population was 35,014 at the 2010 census.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of . of it is land and of it is water...
.
He attended La Salle Academy
La Salle Academy, Providence
La Salle Academy is an independent, co-educational Roman Catholic college preparatory day school located in the Elmhurst neighborhood of Providence, Rhode Island...
. He was employed as a railroad freight billing clerk from 1893 to 1896 and as a private secretary from 1896 to 1898 he was deputy insurance commissioner
Insurance commissioner
Insurance commissioner is an executive office in many U.S. states, some in the state cabinet. The office differs state by state:...
of Rhode Island
Rhode Island
The state of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, more commonly referred to as Rhode Island , is a state in the New England region of the United States. It is the smallest U.S. state by area...
from 1898 to 1906, studied law, was admitted to the bar
Bar (law)
Bar in a legal context has three possible meanings: the division of a courtroom between its working and public areas; the process of qualifying to practice law; and the legal profession.-Courtroom division:...
in 1907 and commenced practice in Providence
Providence, Rhode Island
Providence is the capital and most populous city of Rhode Island and was one of the first cities established in the United States. Located in Providence County, it is the third largest city in the New England region...
. He was justice of the district court
District court
District courts are a category of courts which exists in several nations. These include:-Australia:District Court is the name given to the intermediate court in most Australian States. They hear indictable criminal offences excluding treason, murder and, in some States, manslaughter...
of the fourth judicial district of Rhode Island from 1908 to 1928, trustee of the Nathanael Greene
Nathanael Greene
Nathanael Greene was a major general of the Continental Army in the American Revolutionary War. When the war began, Greene was a militia private, the lowest rank possible; he emerged from the war with a reputation as George Washington's most gifted and dependable officer. Many places in the United...
Homestead Association of Rhode Island from 1924 to 1934, and a member and secretary of the Providence County Courthouse Commission from 1925 to 1934.
Hébert was elected as a Republican
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
to the U.S. Senate, unseating Democrat Peter G. Gerry
Peter G. Gerry
Peter Goelet Gerry was an American lawyer and politician. He was a U.S. Senator from Rhode Island.-Early life:...
by a 51% to 49% margin. He served from March 4, 1929, to January 3, 1935; he was an unsuccessful candidate for reelection in 1934, losing a rematch to Gerry, who won 57% of the vote. While in the Senate, he was Republican whip from 1933 to 1935, and chairman of the Committee on Patents (Seventy-second Congress). He resumed the practice of law, was a member of the Republican National Committee
Republican National Committee
The Republican National Committee is an American political committee that provides national leadership for the Republican Party of the United States. It is responsible for developing and promoting the Republican political platform, as well as coordinating fundraising and election strategy. It is...
from 1944 to 1952, and was advisory counsel to the Associated Factory Mutual Fire Insurance Companies. He died in Warwick
Warwick, Rhode Island
Warwick is a city in Kent County, Rhode Island, United States. It is the second largest city in the state, with a population of 82,672 at the 2010 census. Its mayor has been Scott Avedisian since 2000...
in 1969; interment was in St. Joseph's Cemetery, West Warwick.
Mr. Hebert had thirteen siblings including Rev. Mathias A. Hebert, who on December 16, 1922 was appointed by Bishop William A. Hickey as the second pastor of St. Cecilia Parish of Pawtucket, Rhode Island
Pawtucket, Rhode Island
Pawtucket is a city in Providence County, Rhode Island, United States. The population was 71,148 at the 2010 census. It is the fourth largest city in the state.-History:...
.
Prominent in legal circles and in the general life of Providence, and the town of West Warwick, is Judge Felix Hebert, whose career as an attorney and judge and as the holder of several other important public offices has won for him the respect and esteem of the community, and made him an influential man in local affairs. Judge Hebert was the son of Edouard and Catherine (Vandale) Hebert, both of whom were early immigrants from Canada, immigrating respectively at the ages of fifteen and seven years. The elder Mr. Hebert was the son of a prosperous farmer in the Province of Quebec, and in spite of his early age was himself engaged in that occupation before coming to the United States. Upon first coming to this country, the parents made their home at Coventry, where the young man took up mill work for a time, and was later in business as a custom bootmaker. Eventually he engaged in the boot and shoe business at Anthony, in the town of Coventry, and while living there was one of the founders (1870), and a trustee for thirty years, of St. Jean Baptiste Roman Catholic Church. Mr. and Mrs. Edouard Hebert were the parents of thirteen children.
Felix Hebert was born on December 11, 1874, at St. Guillaume, in the Province of Quebec, Canada, during a sojourn at that place made by his father and mother because of the former's health. Shortly after, they returned with their son to Coventry, and it was at the public schools of that place that Felix secured the elementary portion of his education. He afterward attended La Salle Academy at Providence, from which he was graduated with the class of 1893. Upon completing his studies at the latter institution, the young man sought for and secured employment as a stenographer with the New York and New England Railroad Company, where he was rapidly promoted to positions of responsibility. He remained with this concern for about three years, when he became secretary to the late General Charles R. Brayton
Charles R. Brayton
Charles R. Brayton was a prominent Republican politician and lobbyist in Rhode Island in the late 19th and early 20th centuries...
. He spent another three years in this capacity, and he then received an appointment as clerk in the office of Treasurer Walter A. Read, where he worked for one year. In 1899 he was appointed deputy insurance commissioner of the State of Rhode Island, and held this post continuously until 1917. During this long term he not only discharged his duties to the entire satisfaction of the department, but also took up the study of law, and was admitted to practice at the Rhode Island bar in 1907. In 1910 he was chosen judge of the District Court of the Fourth Judicial District, and continued to occupy that important and responsible post. Judge Hebert made a specialty of insurance law. He is a Republican
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
in politics. Judge Hebert was a Roman Catholic and was a member of the parish of St. Jean Baptiste, Arctic Centre, of which his father was one of the founders. He was a member of various societies and clubs, including the Catholic Club, and the Turk's Head Club of Providence.
Judge Hebert was married, September 18, 1900, to Virginia M. Provost, a daughter of Octave and Virginie (Deslauriers) Provost, of Ware, Mass., where the wedding was performed. They had four children: Catherine Virginia, Adrien Warner, Marguerite Rosalie, and Edouard Felix.