N.J. Choquette is one of the substantial business men of Concordia. He is a native of Canada and was born in 1863. He is of French extraction on his father's side, but his maternal ancestors were of Scotch origin. He is a son of Napoleon and Theresa (McDuff) Choquette, both natives of Canada.

N.J. Choquette is a graduate of St. Cesaire Commercial College of the class of 1883. He started in life as a clerk in his own town, St. Damase, in a general merchandise store. In 1889 he came to the United States, locating at Fall River, Massachusetts, where he filled the position of bookkeeper for two years. In 1891 he came west and stopped at Concordia. He was penniless and in debt ere he obtained employment. With a five weeks' board bill confronting him he secured a clerkship in the grocery store of C.A. Betourney, which position he held for nine years. At the expiration of this period he became associated with Mr. Renard in the furniture business and by their thrift, enterprise and close attention to business they built up an extensive and lucrative trade. In 1902 Mr. Choquette sold his interest in the furniture house of Choquette & Renard and after a few months had elapsed he opened a place of business on Main street, between Washington and Broadway. His stock is new and fresh and Mr. Choquette will doubtless command his share of the patronage.

Mr. Choquette was married in 1890 to Mrs. Minnie Ragsdale, who died in 1894, leaving a child by a former marriage, who now resides with her grandparents in Iowa. In 1897 he was married to Ella Smith, a popular young woman, who had been employed in the primary grades of the Concordia schools for several years. She is a native of Iowa and received her educational training at Monticello. They are the parents of a bright and interesting little daughter four years of age. The Choquettes have a very desirable home near the end of Sixth street. Mr. Choquette is a Republican voter, a member of the Order of Maccabees, Knights of Pythias and the Modern Tonties.