 He was born Isidore Barthe in Restigouche (now Listuguj Mi'gmaq First Nation), Lower Canada, in 1834 and studied at the Séminaire de Nicolet.He articled in law and was called to the bar in 1856.With a partner, he published a newspaper "Le Bas-Canada" which advocated an independent Lower Canada; he went on to publish several other newspapers.