Background
He was born in Saint-Louis-de-Lotbiniere, Quebec, the son of Joseph Isaie Lemay.
He was born in Saint-Louis-de-Lotbiniere, Quebec, the son of Joseph Isaie Lemay.
He represented Saint Norbert North from 1871 to 1874 and Saint Vital from 1874 to 1878 in the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba. Lemay became an American citizen and was elected to the Minnesota Territorial House of Representatives for District 2 in 1854 as a Democrat. He also served as a justice of the peace for Minnesota.
In 1855, Lemay married Marie Julie Camille Auger.
He was put in charge of United States. Customs for the town of Pembina, North Dakota. After an attack by the Sioux, Lemay moved to Upper Fort Garry and then Saint Norbert.
He owned a steam mill and was also a land speculator. Lemay was heavyset and was said to require two chairs when he sat in the assembly.
The Ritchot Orphanage (in French, Asile Ritchot), named after Father Joseph-Noël Ritchot, is now a Manitoba historical site.
He was a founding member of the Winnipeg Board of Trade in 1873.