Jacques Le Ber

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Jacques Le Ber, (c. 1633 – 25 November 1706), came to Canada in 1657 from France as a soldier but was mainly a businessman after his arrival. He married Jeanne Le Moyne, the sister of Charles le Moyne de Longueuil et de Châteauguay and they became successful partners in the fur trade and the mercantile trade. Le Ber also was active in the cod fishery and West Indian trade including slaves.

Le Ber's wealth made him one of the most influential people of the time. For example, Governor General Frontenac sought his advice on important matters concerning trade and the welfare of the colony.

His daughter, Jeanne le Ber, used her inheritance to further the work of the Catholic church in Montréal. Le Ber was buried in the church of the sisters of the Congrégation de Notre-Dame, the place where his famous recluse daughter lived and which she had largely funded.