Fonds yuk-662 - Pepin family fonds

Gedeon Pepin, a world famous choirmaster organist and organ repairman, was born Dec. 9, 1878 in Saint-Martin in the Beauce region of Quebec. He studied music at the Quebec Seminary. In 1901, Pepin travelled to the Yukon, leaving his wife Merilda and daughter Blanche. He found work on Dominion Creek on a claim owned by Swedes. Thirty days later, he found work at St. Mary's Catholic Church as an organist and doing odd jobs for the church. He worked for the territorial government as the officer of the registry of mines and with his savings bought a cabin and sent for his family. While in Dawson City, he accompanied Robert Service during some recitals. His wife Merilda (nee Saint-Pierre) died March 2, 1909, age 28 leaving four daughters. Pepin married Barbara Pearl Albert on April 19, 1910 and together they raised fifteen children. Pepin was at the center of Dawson City's music arena from 1901 to 1912 before leaving for Edmonton, Alberta. Gedeon Pepin died in 1950.