Toponymie | Canton de Potton | Place Names

Mansonville's popular “dep” was once where belly bands, bridles, girth straps, traces and reins were made! These items would have been stock in trade for Dave Halley, the harness maker, who plied his trade from the basement of the building.  We erroneously presumed that it was Halley who built this building around 1860.  Big mistake to assume anything in history!  Dave Halley was born in 1868, died in 1936, is buried in Mansonville Cemetery with his wife, Jennie Keach Halley (1873-1937). Their son, David Keach (1914-1945) is with them.  We are still researching the names of the original builder.  As the need for harnesses diminished, vocations changed.  The building then became some kind of shop, but what?.  We do know that in 1920, a customs office was added in the building, and that gas pumps were installed.

In 1949, Léon “Mickey” Lamothe (1907-1989) bought the building and began a grocery store.  He married Minerva (Minnie) A. Woodard (1913-2006) and raised a family of seven children in Mansonville.  In the mid 1970's, and in failing health, “Mickey” relinquished his store to his only son, Léon (Junior), who operated it for a short time, before selling it to Ross Hamelin in 1979^[1].  Ross then operated it with the help of his wife, Elaine Sherrer, and later sold to Daniel Fontaine. 

When in 1986, thirteen Pottonites won big in the lottery, part of their winnings was invested in the purchase of this building from Daniel Fontaine.  It then became known as the “Dépanneur des 13”.  Over time, the business has grown to the invaluable convenience store it now is. 

Now you have a little of its history, including the reason for its unusual name!