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Home > FRANCO > JEAN-BAPTISTE-COUTURE

Jean-Baptiste Couture

 

Jean-Baptiste Couture (1866-1943), more commonly known as J-B or Jean, was the manager and owner-publisher of Le Messager, Lewiston’s French-language newspaper. He was born in Lévis, QC and came to Le Messager in 1883 after working as a typesetter at L’Evenement in Québec City. During his time as owner of Le Messager, Couture was placed under interdict by Bishop Louis Walsh for the paper’s objection to Maine’s Corporation Sole law. Couture served two terms in the Maine State Legislature, was a member of the post-prohibition State Liquor Board, from 1933-37, and he founded WCOU, a French radio station in Lewiston.

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Please read and review the Collection's Terms and Conditions regarding use of its materials. Credit must be given in the instance of publication or production to clearly identify the collection and University.

Please cite as: Jean-Baptiste Couture Collection, Franco-American Collection, University of Southern Maine.

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  • Faust-O. Couture décède à Lewiston [Article] by l'Unité

    Faust-O. Couture décède à Lewiston [Article]

    l'Unité

    Photocopy of an article about Faust O. Couture from L'Unité V3 N3.

  • Ou nous rappelons les personnes identifees avec le Messager [Article] by Le Messager

    Ou nous rappelons les personnes identifees avec le Messager [Article]

    Le Messager

    An article from Le Messager remembering past affiliates of the publication.

  • Jean-Baptiste Couture c.1933-1943 by Franco-American Collection, University of Southern Maine

    Jean-Baptiste Couture c.1933-1943

    Franco-American Collection, University of Southern Maine

    Photo of Jean-Baptiste Couture (1866-1943) in later life - approx. 70 or 80 yrs old. Founder of Le Messager and WCOU.

  • Jean-Baptiste Couture News Clippings by Le Messager

    Jean-Baptiste Couture News Clippings

    Le Messager

    Assorted clippings from Le Messager concerning Jean-Baptiste Couture.

  • Le Messager en Grief [Article] by Le Messager

    Le Messager en Grief [Article]

    Le Messager

    Photocopy of an the cover story from Le Messager announcing the death of Jean-Baptiste Couture.

  • M. Couture, nos sociétés et l'art de la musique [Article] by Le Messager

    M. Couture, nos sociétés et l'art de la musique [Article]

    Le Messager

    Photocopy of an article from Le Messager about the passing of Jean-Baptiste Couture.

  • J. B. Couture Publisher of Le Messager, Dies [Article] by Unknown

    J. B. Couture Publisher of Le Messager, Dies [Article]

    Unknown

    Photocopy of an article from an unknown source announcing the death of Jean-Baptiste Couture at the age of 76.

  • M. Couture était bon, sympathique [Article] by Unknown

    M. Couture était bon, sympathique [Article]

    Unknown

    Photocopy of an article from an unknown source that is a transcription of Louis-Philippe Gagne's speech about the character of Jean-Baptiste Couture after his passing.

  • Jean-Baptiste Couture Maine Press Association Award Article by Maine Press Association

    Jean-Baptiste Couture Maine Press Association Award Article

    Maine Press Association

    Photocopy of an article featuring Jean-Baptiste Couture's 1937 Maine Press Association Award for 50 years as a newspaper editor. The article caption is written in French.

  • C. M. Clipping: J. B. Couture, Leader of the French Culture in Lewiston-Auburn by Unknown

    C. M. Clipping: J. B. Couture, Leader of the French Culture in Lewiston-Auburn

    Unknown

    Photocopy of a typed remembrance from an unkown source detailing the life and accomplishments of Jean-Baptiste Couture with the note "C.M. Clipping".

  • Articles from the WCOU Times, Lewiston, Maine by The WCOU Times

    Articles from the WCOU Times, Lewiston, Maine

    The WCOU Times

    Photocopy of sections of the WCOU Times from Lewiston, Maine: cover, page 3, and page 4. The front page includes and image of Jean-Baptiste Couture, president of WCOU, and a description of the radio station's opening.

  • La Valse du Casseur de Pierres [The Stonebreaker's Waltz] by Jean-Baptiste Couture

    La Valse du Casseur de Pierres [The Stonebreaker's Waltz]

    Jean-Baptiste Couture

    Music notation and verse.

    Dated appx. 1930

  • 25 Anniversaire Mariage de M. et Mme. Valdore Couture [Article] by Unknown

    25 Anniversaire Mariage de M. et Mme. Valdore Couture [Article]

    Unknown

    Photocopy of an article from an unknown source [Le Messager?] about the 25th wedding anniversary of Valdore and Evelyn Couture.

  • Claudette Couture Photograph by Unknown

    Claudette Couture Photograph

    Unknown

    Photograph of Claudette Couture, daughter of Valdor and Evelyn Couture.

    Notation on back of photo: Claudette Couture, friend. Enclosed note: This is the family of Valdor & Evelyn Couture. He was part owner of Le Messager" in Lewiston. Claudette and Connie are their daughters.

    Dimensions 2.5" x 3.5"

  • Connie Couture Photograph by Unknown

    Connie Couture Photograph

    Unknown

    Photograph of Connie Couture in a portfolio. Connie was the daughter of Valdor and Evelyn Couture.

    Notation in cover:To Irene, with very best wishes. Sincerely, Connie Couture

    Portfolio photograph dimensions: 6" x 9" folded, 6" x 13" unfolded.

  • Evelyn Couture Photograph by Unknown

    Evelyn Couture Photograph

    Unknown

    Photo Post Card with an image of Evelyn Couture.

    Notation on back of photo: Chere Iréne: Mercie pour ta belle carte de noël. Ce portrait a te [fris] le jour de l'An. Commen est tout la famille? Best regards to you + yours, Evelyn
    friend, Evelyn Couture

    Enclosed note side 1: This is the family of Valdor + Evelyn Couture. He was part owner of "Le Messager" in Lewiston. Claudette and Connie are their daughters.

    Enclosed note side 2: Picture of Evelyn Couture on the beach in Hollywood, Florida.
    Valdore b[orn] 12/[0]1/1899 d[eceased] [0]8/[??]/1986 FL
    Evelyn b[orn] [0]4/13/1904 d[eceased] [0]9/14/1992 FL
    They were living in Ft. Lauderdale, FL at the time of their death

    Dimensions 3.5" x 5.25".

  • Jean-Baptiste Couture Photographs and Article by Unknown

    Jean-Baptiste Couture Photographs and Article

    Unknown

    Photocopies of a photograph of Jean-Baptiste Couture (photograph c. 1900) and two articles.

    Article 1

    Title: A Cap, A Flag, A Uniform – They All Look Good!
    Source: Unknown
    Date: 03/28/1928

    Article 2

    Title: Fondateur du Messager
    Source: Le Messager
    Date: 05/21/1955

  • Lewiston Mill Blocks Photograph by Unknown

    Lewiston Mill Blocks Photograph

    Unknown

    Undated photograph of the mill blocks in Lewiston, Maine, c. 1930.

    Text on back of photo:
    Top right hand drawer
    Lewison - Buildings - Mill Blocks
    MEC - AA 18

  • Valdore and Evelyn Couture Photograph by Unknown

    Valdore and Evelyn Couture Photograph

    Unknown

    Photograph of Valdore and Evelyn Couture, c. 1930.

    Notation on back of photo [written by Charlotte Michaud?]: Mr. & Mrs. Valdore L. Couture, friends
    Michaud - Lewiston

    Dimensions 4" x 6"

  • Jean-Baptiste Couture c. 1926 by Franco-American Collection, University of Southern Maine

    Jean-Baptiste Couture c. 1926

    Franco-American Collection, University of Southern Maine

    Jean-Baptiste Couture is shown in the title role of Fra Diavolo, a play he produced for the Lewiston-Auburn community.

    Couture (1866-1943) was a leader in the Franco-American community for more than 50 years.

  • L'Amour á Bord by Jean-Baptiste Couture

    L'Amour á Bord

    Jean-Baptiste Couture

    Jean-Baptiste Couture produced and starred in this French version of Gilbert and Sullivan's H.M.S. Pinafore.

    This book contains dialogue from the play with handwritten notation.

    Dated appx. 1925

  • "Fra Diavolo" Photograph by Unknown

    "Fra Diavolo" Photograph

    Unknown

    Photocopy of a photograph of Jean-Baptiste Couture in costume for the production "Fra Diaviolo".

  • Lewiston Journal Photograph by Unknown

    Lewiston Journal Photograph

    Unknown

    Undated photograph of the Lewiston Journal building in Lewiston, Maine, c. 1920.

  • Jean-Baptiste Couture c.1900 by Franco-American Collection, University of Southern Maine

    Jean-Baptiste Couture c.1900

    Franco-American Collection, University of Southern Maine

    Jean-Baptiste Couture (1866-1943), a native of Québec, left school at age 13 to become a typesetter. He came to the United States in about 1883, where he worked for Lewiston's French language newspaper, Le Messager.

    He owned and published the paper for more than 50 years and founded WCOU, a bilingual radio station, as well as being active in politics and theater.

 
 
 

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