Rimouski, which is located three hours east of Quebec city (about 208 miles) and 51/2 to 6 hours from Montreal (about 360 miles), has a population of more than 30 000 inhabitants.

    The arrival of "seigneur" (lord) René Lepage and members of his family, settlers from Ile d'Orléans, meant the first concessions of land granted in this area.  Other settlers slowly came but the third seigneur, Joseph Drapeau, helped develop the forestry industry as well as agriculture.
 

    The first Michaud whose name appears on registers is Benjamin (son of Joseph and Marie-Anne Raymond from Kamouraska) who was married to Josephte Dubé in Rimouski on June 12, 1815.  His son, Louis-Joseph Michaud, was married to Marguerite Lavoie (daughter of Benjamin and Marguerite Soucy from Kamouraska) in Rimouski on November 27, 1838.  Up to 1900, members of the liberal professions, merchants, civil servants and members of the clergy settled in Rimouski and this had an impact on education, religious and cultural life as well as governmental services given to the population.
 

    Amongst these merchants, Octave Michaud (1882-1975), opened a general store as early as 1906.  By 1914, he was one of the seven residents of Rimouski who owned a car.  In 1941, he gave land to Episcopal Corporation to build the church of St. Robert Bellarmin in Rimouski.  No wonder that in that part of the city, there are streets called "Octave" and "Michaud".  Albert Michaud (1890-1972), Octave's younger brother, became a partner in the family business.  After the 1950 fire, the general store was replaced by a shopping centre where one could find a Michaud Automobile, a Michaud Furniture Store, a Michaud Hardware Store and a Michaud Grocery, naturally.

    Albert Michaud was a philanthropist who helped rebuild the church in Ste. Flavie (which is located about 20 miles east of Rimouski).  He loved sports and there is still an Albert Michaud trophy for a winning team.  A churchwarden in his own parish, he was a founder of the Friends of the Seminary Association.  He was elected city councilor but always refused to run for mayor.  His son, Philippe Michaud, later bacame mayor of Rimouski from 1978 to 1990.