Abraham Turgeon

Abraham Turgeon (February 14, 1783 – August 2, 1851) was a notary and political figure in Canada East. He served as an officer in the Lower Canada militia in the War of 1812, was a justice of the peace, and held other civil positions. He represented Bellechasse in the Legislative Assembly of the Province of Canada from 1842 to 1844, as a member of the French-Canadian Group.

Turgeon was born in Saint-Michel, Bellechasse County, in the old Province of Quebec. He was the son of François Turgeon and Geneviève Bauché. His sister Geneviève married their cousin Louis Turgeon, a notary, who was elected three times to the Legislative Assembly of Lower Canada, and then was appointed to the Legislative Council. Abraham apprenticed as a notary with Louis Turgeon, qualified to practise in 1804 and set up his practice in Saint-Gervais. In 1819, he married Monique Goulet.

He served in the militia during the War of 1812, as a captain and adjutant in the Saint-Vallier division. He later reached the rank of lieutenant-colonel, commanding the 3rd battalion of the Bellechasse militia. In 1814, Turgeon was named a justice of the peace. He was appointed commissioner for roads in Hertford County in 1817. In 1825, he was named the census commissioner for Hertford County.



Turgeon was elected to the assembly in an 1842 by-election held after Augustin-Guillaume Ruel accepted an appointment as district registrar. Turgeon was a supporter of Louis-Hippolyte LaFontaine and was part of the French-Canadian Group in the Assembly. He did not stand for re-election in 1844.

Turgeon died in Saint-Michel at the age of 68. He was buried from the parish church.