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In 1910 when he was 34 years old, Edward J. Filiatrault helped organize Duluth's first Rotary Club and become one of Club 25's charter members in 1911. Born in Faribault, Minn., he moved to Duluth with his family in 1886 and graduated from Duluth High School. Filiatrault studied electrical engineering in Buffalo, N.Y., and then did electrical work for the Burgess Electrical Company in Duluth. In 1901, he and his partner, Emil A. Nelson, established the Mutual Electric and Automobile Company, selling automobiles and garage supplies.
This was the first automobile dealership in Duluth. Filiatrault made the first automobile sale in Duluth in 1902, the same year he married Andrea Chaput, a Duluth resident. In 1908, Filiatrault and Nelson divided their business, with Nelson forming the Mutual Electrical Company, and Filiatrault forming the Mutual Automobile Company. By 1911, Filiatrault had the first Ford dealership in Duluth.
Filiatrault promoted road development in the state legislature and was President of the Teddy Roosevelt Highway Association. He was President of the Duluth Auto Club and a member of St. Jean Baptiste Catholic Church. He donated land for a church Health Camp at Three lakes, and was President of the French Naturalization Club.
Filiatrault died in 1922 at age 46 of complications from an operation. He is buried in Calvary Cemetery in Duluth.
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