RESTHER, Jean Baptiste (1830-1896), active for nearly 50 years in Montreal and in the region of southern Quebec province. He was recorded in the following firms:
Resther & Fournier, St. Hycinthe, Que. 1851-c. 1865
J.B. Resther, contractor, Montreal, Que. 1867-1873
J.B. Resther, architect, Montreal, Que. 1873-75
Roy & Resther, architects, Montreal, Que., 1875-1877 (with Victor Roy)
J.B. Resther, architect, Montreal, Que. 1877-79
J.B. Resther & Son, architects, Montreal, Que., 1879-1881 (with Jean Z. Resther)
Resther, Resther & Vanier, architects, Montreal, Que. 1881-1892 (with Jean Z. Resther and Joseph E. Vanier)
J.B. Resther & Son, architects, Montreal, Que. 1892- May 1896 (with Jean Z. Resther)
Jean B. Resther was born in Montreal, Que. on 17 July 1830, son of John Ignace Resther, a contractor in that city. He trained as a carpenter and construction supervisor under his father from 1847, then moved to St. Hyacinthe where he worked as a contractor for the college and for the Grand Trunk Railway, acting as builder for all of their stations from St. Thomas, Ont. down the St. Lawrence River to Riviere du Loup, Que. He is likely the same person listed as a partner in the firm of 'Resther & Fournier, Architectes' who called for tenders on rebuilding the Roman Catholic Church in St. Hyacinthe in 1851 (La Minerve [Montreal], 12 July 1851, 1, t.c.). In 1867 he returned to Montreal and worked as a contractor until 1873 when he began to list himself as 'architect' in the Montreal City Directories. In 1875 he formed a partnership with Victor Roy (see list of works under Roy & Resther). His earlier connections with officials of the Town of St. Hyacinthe where he had served as a town councilor were instrumental in allowing for Roy & Resther to obtain the commission to design the substantial Market Hall there in 1876.
By 1877 Resther was again working alone; in 1879 he was joined by his son Jean Z. Resther as full partner in the firm of J.B. Resther & Son. In 1881 they invited Joseph E. Vanier to join the partnership, offering full services as 'Civil Engineers, Land Surveyors, Architects, Measurers & Patent Solicitors'. Their practice flourished as they proved to be capable designers of a wide range of building types from speculative tenement buildings to major institutional and ecclesiastical works for the Roman Catholic Church in Montreal and elsewhere. In 1892 Vanier left the firm to start his own office, and from 1893 the firm of J.B. Resther & Son remained active until May 1896 when J.B. Resther died. His son continued to use the original firm name until after 1900, but it can be assumed that all the designs produced by the office after June 1896 were from the hand of Jean Z. Resther, not Jean B. Resther. J.B. Resther was one of the founding members of the Prov. of Quebec Association of Architects. He died in Montreal on 14 May 1896 and was buried at Cote des Neiges Cemetery (obit. Gazette [Montreal], 15 May 1896, 3; La Presse [Montreal], 16 May 1896, 14; obituary Montreal Daily Star, 15 May 1896, 5; C.A.B., ix, June 1896, 89, with port.; biog. and port. W. Cochrane, Canadian Album- Men of Canada, ii, 1893, 209). A photographic portrait of Resther can found in the Notman Coll., Item 100102)
RESTHER, RESTHER & VANIER (Commercial & Industrial works in Montreal unless noted)
LA PATRIE PUB. CO., St. Gabriel Street, office building for the newspaper, 1883 (L'Opinion Publique [Montreal], 14 June 1883, 286, illus.)
MONUMENT NATIONALE BLOCK, Gosford Street, between Duvernay Street and Maisonneuve Street, a three storey block of retail stores, offices and assembly hall, 1884 (Gazette [Montreal], 20 June 1884, 3, descrip.)
WINDSOR LIVERY STABLES, Cathcart Street, for James McVey, 1884 (Gazette [Montreal], 13 Jan. 1885, 2)
ST. LAWRENCE STREET, at Napolean Street, shop and tenement for Hilaire Corbeil, 1884 (Gazette [Montreal], 13 Jan. 1885, 2)
ST. AIME, QUE., office for James A. Massue, 1887 (Montreal Daily Star, 8 Sept. 1887, 6)
MICHEL LEFEBVRE & CO., Champs de Mars Street, office, 1887 (Montreal Daily Star, 8 Sept. 1887, 6)
VALLEYFIELD, QUE., offices for the Valleyfield Electric Co., 1887 (Montreal Daily Star, 8 Sept. 1887, 6; Gazette [Montreal], 21 Jan. 1888, 2)
ST. MARTIN, QUE., hotel for Mrs. Desormeault, 1887 (Gazette [Montreal], 21 Jan. 1888, 2)
ACTONVALE, QUE., woolen mill and factory, 1889 (Gazette [Montreal], 17 Jan. 1889, 2)
ST. LAWRENCE STREET, near Craig Street, commercial block of two stores with flats above, for the J.L. .Beaudry Estate, 1889 (Montreal Daily Star, 25 July 1889, 3, descrip.)
ST. LAWRENCE STREET, near Craig Street, commercial block of 3 stores, with dwellings above, on the property of Dame Veuve J.L. Beaudry, 1889 (Montreal Daily Star, 25 July 1889, 3, descrip.)
ST. LAWRENCE STREET, at Lagauchetiere Street, a 4 storey commercial block, with 3 stores and flats above, for Alfred Dalbec, 1889 (Montreal Daily Star, 25 July 1889, 3, descrip.)
RESTHER, RESTHER & VANIER (Institutional & Ecclesiastical works in Montreal unless noted)
COLLEGE l'IMMACULEE CONCEPTION, Rachel Street between Colborne Avenue ant Papineau Road, 1884 (Gazette [Montreal], 13 Jan. 1885, 2)
DORCHESTER STREET WEST, at Bleury Street, stables for the Jesuit Fathers occupied by John Flanagan, 1884 (Gazette [Montreal], 13 Jan. 1885, 2)
ST. MARC, QUE., Co. Richelieu, presbytery for Rev. Mr. Lemay, for the Roman Catholic Church, 1886 (Gazette [Montreal], 12 Jan. 1887, 2; Montreal Daily Star, 8 Sept. 1887, 6)
ST. HYACINTHE, QUE., offices and pump house for the water aqueduct, 1886 (Gazette [Montreal], 12 Jan. 1887, 2)
VALLEYFIELD, QUE., offices and pump house for the water aqueduct, 1886 (Gazette [Montreal], 12 Jan. 1887, 2; Montreal Daily Star, 8 Sept. 1887, 6)
SUDBURY, ONT., a chapel for the R.R. Jesuits, 1887 (Montreal Daily Star, 8 Sept. 1887, 6)
NOTRE DAME ROMAN CATHOLIC HOSPITAL, Notre Dame Street, addition of a French roof and major alterations, 1887 (Montreal Daily Star, 8 Sept. 1887, 6)
WATERLOO, QUE., presbytery for the Roman Catholic Church, Foster Street near Lewis Street West, 1888; still standing in 2022 (Gazette [Montreal], 21 Jan. 1888, 2)
VARENNES, QUE., Roman Catholic college, 1889 (Gazette [Montreal], 17 Jan. 1889, 2)
DROLET STREET, Roman Catholic school for the St. Jean Baptiste Ward, 1891 (C.R., ii, 13 June 1891, 3)
HOTEL DIEU HOSPITAL, Pine Avenue West at St. Urbain Street, extensive alterations, 1891 (C.R., ii, 25 July 1891, 3)
CHAPEL DU TRES-SAINT-SACREMENT, Mount Royal Avenue at Berri Street, a church and monastery for the Fathers of the Holy Sacrement, 1892 (C.R., iii, 27 Feb. 1892, 2; Montreal, Les Couvents, 1984, 228-33, illus.)
RESTHER, RESTHER & VANIER (Residential works in Montreal unless noted)
ST. BERNARD STREET, twelve tenements for the Jesuit Fathers, 1884 (Gazette [Montreal], 13 Jan. 1885, 2)
STE. ROSE, QUE., residence for F.X. Lanthier, 1884 (Gazette [Montreal], 13 Jan. 1885, 2)
ST. DENIS STREET, at Mount Royal Avenue, row of seventeen cottages for Michel Lefebvre & Co., 1884 (Gazette [Montreal], 13 Jan. 1885, 2)
STE. SCHOLASTIQUE, QUE., residence for Z. Roussille, 1884 (Gazette [Montreal], 13 Jan. 1885, 2)
LACHINE, QUE., residence for Louis Clement, St. Joseph Street, 1884 (Gazette [Montreal], 13 Jan. 1885, 2)
ST. DENIS STREET, and on Mount Royal Avenue, eighteen houses for Michel Lefebvre & Co., 1886 (Gazette [Montreal], 12 Jan. 1887, 2)
DROLET STREET, house for Mr. Parkinson, 1886 (Gazette [Montreal], 12 Jan. 1887, 2)
MURRAY STREET, at Ottawa Street, three houses for Mr. Larkin, 1886 (Gazette [Montreal], 12 Jan. 1887, 2)
ST. FAMILLE STREET, three houses for James McCready, 1886 (Gazette [Montreal], 12 Jan. 1887, 2)
MOUNT ROYAL AVENUE, residence for Charles McKercher, 1886 (Gazette [Montreal], 12 Jan. 1887, 2)
VISITATION STREET, eight houses for Mr. Mooney, 1886 (Gazette [Montreal], 12 Jan. 1887, 2)
MAPLE AVENUE, three houses for D. Panzeau, 1886 (Gazette [Montreal], 12 Jan. 1887, 2)
BOUCHERVILLE, QUE., residence for Capt. Laforce and residence for Victor Normandin, 1886 (Gazette [Montreal], 12 Jan. 1887, 2)
BOUCHERVILLE, QUE., residence for Charles Normandin, 1887 (Montreal Daily Star, 8 Sept. 1887, 6)
ST. DENIS STREET, four houses for M. Prefontaine, 1887 (Montreal Daily Star, 8 Sept. 1887, 6)
MOUNT ROYAL AVENUE, ten houses for J.A. Massue, 1887 (Montreal Daily Star, 8 Sept. 1887, 6)
BERRI STREET, four houses for J.F. Vanier, 1887 (Montreal Daily Star, 8 Sept. 1887, 6)
DROLET STREET, three tenements for Odilon Vanier, 1887 (Montreal Daily Star, 8 Sept. 1887, 6)
AMHERST STREET, two tenements for D. Ouimet, 1887 (Montreal Daily Star, 8 Sept. 1887, 6)
IBERVILLE STREET, six tenements for L. Fauteux, 1887 (Montreal Daily Star, 8 Sept. 1887, 6)
CHERRIER STREET, residence for B.M.O. Turgeon, 1887 (Montreal Daily Star, 8 Sept. 1887, 6)
OTTAWA STREET, 4 tenements for the Larkin Estate, 1887 (Montreal Daily Star, 8 Sept. 1887, 6)
LAVAL STREET, two tenements for Joseph Lozeau, 1887 (Montreal Daily Star, 8 Sept. 1887, 6)
RACHEL STREET, residence for Charles Desjardins, 1887 (Montreal Daily Star, 8 Sept. 1887, 6)
ST. MARY STREET, residence for Louis Payette, 1887 (Montreal Daily Star, 8 Sept. 1887, 6)
STE. ROSE, QUE., a large country residence for J. Fortin, 1887 (Montreal Daily Star, 8 Sept. 1887, 6)
RACHEL STREET, six tenements for J.E. Beaudry, 1887 (Montreal Daily Star, 8 Sept. 1887, 6; Gazette [Montreal], 21 Jan. 1888, 2)
CRAIG STREET, at Panet Street, four tenements for F.C. Hector Barcelo, 1887 (Montreal Daily Star, 8 Sept. 1887, 6; Gazette [Montreal], 21 Jan. 1888, 2)
IBERVILLE STREET, six tenements for Leandre Fauteux, 1887 (Gazette [Montreal], 21 Jan. 1888, 2)
PIE IX AVENUE, six tenements for Jean J. Beauchamp, 1887 (Montreal Daily Star, 8 Sept. 1887, 6; Gazette [Montreal], 21 Jan. 1888, 2)
DROLET STREET, six tenements for Odilon Vanier, 1887 (Gazette [Montreal], 21 Jan. 1888, 2)
STE. FAMILLE STREET, three houses for James McCready, 1887 (Gazette [Montreal], 21 Jan. 1888, 2)
ST. DOMINIQUE STREET, twelve tenements for N. & J. Prefontaine, 1888 (Gazette [Montreal], 21 Jan. 1888, 2)
ST. DENIS STREET, two tenements for Mrs. Z. Prevost, 1888 (Gazette [Montreal], 21 Jan. 1888, 2)
ST. DENIS STREET, near Mount Royal Avenue, two tenements for Michel Lefebvre, 1888 (Gazette [Montreal], 21 Jan. 1888, 2)
ST. HUBERT STREET, two tenements for Zephirin S. Leboeuf, 1888 (Gazette [Montreal], 21 Jan. 1888, 2)
BERRI STREET, six tenements for Joseph Paquette, 1888 (Gazette [Montreal], 21 Jan. 1888, 2)
ST. DENIS STREET, eight tenements for H. Archambault, 1888 (Gazette [Montreal], 21 Jan. 1888, 2)
LATOUR STREET, eight tenements for Mr. Evans, 1888 (Gazette [Montreal], 21 Jan. 1888, 2)
JOLIETTE, QUE., residence for A. Devine, 1888 (Gazette [Montreal], 21 Jan. 1888, 2)
STE. ROSE, QUE., residence for T. Fortin, 1888 (Gazette [Montreal], 21 Jan. 1888, 2)
ST. DENIS STREET, residence for Henri Brosseau, 1891 (C.R., ii, 17 Oct. 1891, 2)
ST. DENIS STREET, residence for Godefroi Pelletier, 1891 (C.R., ii, 17 Oct. 1891, 2)
LAVAL AVENUE, residence for Henri P. Pepin, 1892 (C.R., iii, 7 May 1892, 2)
J.B. RESTHER & SON (works in Montreal unless noted)
SOHMER PARK, Notre Dame Street East at Panet Street, a park pavilion, 1892 (Le Prix Courant, xi, 14 Oct. 1892, 12)
ST. JUSTIN STREET, at Cadieux Street, two houses for Charles Berger, 1892 (Le Prix Courant, xi, 14 Oct. 1892, 12)
ST. ANTOINE STREET, at Inspector Street, warehouse for G.H. Matthews, 1892; additional building, 1893 (Le Prix Courant, xi, 14 Oct. 1892, 12; xii, 4 Aug. 1893, 11)
DUBORD STREET, house for Charles Garth, 1892 (Le Prix Courant, xi, 14 Oct. 1892, 12)
WESTMOUNT, residence for Charles A. Senez, Melbourne Avenue, 1892 (Le Prix Courant, xi, 14 Oct. 1892, 12)
ST. DENIS STREET, near Marie Anne Street, house for Telesphore Valade, 1892 (Le Prix Courant, xi, 28 Oct. 1892, 11)
ROY STREET, at Laval Avenue, house for Hypolite Gone, 1893 (Le Prix Courant, xi, 20 Jan. 1893, 11)
ST. URBAIN STREET, residence for J. Odilon Dupuis, 1893 (Gazette [Montreal], 15 March 1893, 5)
RACHEL STREET, residence for Ald. Alexander Germain, 1893 (Gazette [Montreal], 15 March 1893, 5)
CHATHAM STREET, residence of Charles Larin, 1893 (Gazette [Montreal], 15 March 1893, 5)
POLICE STATION, Ste. Catherine Street at Desery Street, for the Hochelaga Ward, 1893 (C.R., iv, 20 April 1893, 2, t.c.; Montreal Daily Star, 6 May 1893, 7, illus. & descrip.)
FRANCISCAN CHAPEL, Dorchester Street West at Hope Avenue, for the Franciscan Fathers, 1893 (Gazette [Montreal], 15 March 1893, 5; C.R., iv, 20 April 1893, 2; Montreal, Les Eglises, 1981, 32-5, illus.)
SHERBROOKE STREET EAST, at St. Denis Street, residence for L.J.A. Derome, 1893 (Le Prix Courant , xiii, 1 Sept. 1893, 17)
MOUNT ROYAL AVENUE, three houses for F.X. Prenoveau and J.B. Martineau, 1893 (Le Prix Courant, xiii, 17 Nov. 1893, 342)
VERCHERES, QUE., new facade, tower and steeple for St. Francois Xavier Roman Catholic Church, St. Pascal Street at Couvent Street, near Marie Victorin Street, 1894; still standing in 2022 (Le Prix Courant, xiii, 26 Jan. 1894, 614)
ARMOURY, for the Mount Royal Rifles Regiment, Cadieux Street at Charlotte Lane, 1894 (Montreal Daily Star, 23 April 1894, 3, descrip,; and 28 April 1894, 6, illus. & detailed architectural descrip.; C.R., v, 3 May 1894, 2)
HUDON, HEBERT & CO., De Bresoles Street at St. Sulpice Street, warehouse, 1894 (Le Prix Courant, xiv, 24 Aug. 1894, 754)
NOTRE DAME STREET WEST, at St. Martin Street, stores and flats for Louis Barre, 1894 (Le Prix Courant, xv, 14 Sept. 1894, 56)
RACHEL STREET, at Panet Street, residence for Marcel Thibeaudeau, 1894 (C.R., v, 20 Sept. 1894, 2)
PAPINEAU AVENUE, residence for Mrs. J.C. Robert, 1894 (C.R., v, 20 Sept. 1894, 2)
SAULT-AU-RECOLLET, QUE., cottage for Mrs. J.C. Robert, 1894 (C.R., v, 1 Nov. 1894, 2)
BOUCHERVILLE, QUE., cottage for M. Germain, 1894 (C.R., v, 1 Nov. 1894, 2)
STE. AGATHE, QUE., cottage for L.J. Lajoie, 1894 (C.R., v, 1 Nov. 1894, 2)
VALLEYFIELD, QUE., skating rink and concert hall, 1895 (C.R., vi, 21 Feb. 1895, 2)
PENSIONNAT ST. BASILE, Mount Royal Avenue at Rivard Street, a convent for the Sisters of Ste. Croix, 1895 (C.R., vi, 30 May 1895, 4; C.A.B., viii, Sept. 1895, 108, descrip. and illus. plate; Montreal, Les Couvents, 1984, 330-33, illus.)
J.M. FORTIER CO., St. Maurice Street, factory, 1896 (C.R., vii, 2 April 1896, 4)
QUIBLIER STREET, two houses for the Masson Estate, 1896 (C.R., vii, 9 April 1896, 4)
MOUNT ROYAL AVENUE, house for B. Deslauriers, 1896 (Le Prix Courant, xviii, 8 May 1896, 492)