In partnership with the Maine Memory Network Maine Memory Network

Biddeford History & Heritage Project

Sharing the history of a proud city rising where the water falls

Louis B. Lausier (1879-1962)

This slideshow contains 6 items
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Mayor Louis Lausier of Biddeford, 1941

Mayor Louis Lausier of Biddeford, 1941

Item 33719 info
McArthur Public Library

Louis “Papa” Lausier was elected to fifteen successive terms as mayor of Biddeford from 1941 to 1955, his final term coinciding with Biddeford’s celebrated centennial. Born on November 17, 1879 to Antoine and Aurilie (Cartier) Lausier and raised in Biddeford, he graduated from Collège de Sainte-Anne-de-la-Pocatière in Quebec and returned to Biddeford to study law with Judge George F. Haley.


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Pepperell Trust Company, Main Street, Biddeford, 1955

Pepperell Trust Company, Main Street, Biddeford, 1955

Item 33972 info
McArthur Public Library

After passing the bar in 1906, he soon went into municipal government, holding a variety of offices including city auditor, municipal judge and alderman. He also served as a state representative before being elected mayor and was president of the Pepperell Trust Company.


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City Centennial parade, Biddeford, 1955

City Centennial parade, Biddeford, 1955

Item 33975 info
McArthur Public Library

Lausier was a fiscally conservative Democrat and took great pride in maintaining Biddeford as a debt-free city. He was a controversial figure, particularly among champions of social services and non-Franco ethnic groups in the city.


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Mayor Louis B. Lausier at a union dinner, Biddeford, 1950

Mayor Louis B. Lausier at a union dinner, Biddeford, 1950

Item 33973 info
McArthur Public Library

Much of the notoriety surrounding his administration was due to the ethnic discord that existed in the city during these years. This included ugly displays of anti-Franco sentiment and as mayor, many felt that Lausier was right to champion Franco issues. However, others believed that this, coupled with his determination to balance the books, resulted in disregard for other ethnic groups and the poor.


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St. Joseph's School students and teachers, Biddeford, 1910

St. Joseph's School students and teachers, Biddeford, 1910

Item 33273 info
McArthur Public Library

For example, it was charged that Lausier was unconcerned about the public schools since most Francos sent their kids to parochial schools. By the time he sought re-election to his 16th term as mayor, this ongoing strife finally had taken its toll; he was defeated (though only by 29 votes) in the primary by Albert C. Lambert.


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City Building, Biddeford, 1909

City Building, Biddeford, 1909

Item 25593 info
McArthur Public Library

While his obituary noted that Lausier’s “personality and conduct of his office won him many friends and enemies,” John H. Reed, Maine’s governor at the time of his death, memorialized him thus: “Mayor Lausier will be remembered for steadfast devotion to his party ideals and the interest which he always maintained in furthering the progress of his city and state.”

Lausier died on January 14, 1962 at the age of 82.


This slideshow contains 6 items