Born at Saint-Raphael, l’lle Bizard, Quebec, Canada. Married Sophie Laura Roy (1865-1943) on May 20, 1891.They had four daughters and a son. Employed in the hardware business, distributor of Balmoral Oil, vice president of the Hardware Clerk’s Association of Montreal. Transitioned into the sale of motor car accessories with Ludger Gravel & Fils in 1918.

Gravel began to collect coins about 1889. He ordered metallic business cards to promote Balmoral Oil and Maison P. P. Mailloux. He established a private museum called La Villa Antique north of Montreal.

Member of the Numismatic and Antiquarian Society of Montreal. Joined the American Numismatic Association in 1908. Served as ANA Librarian in 1911. Elected to the ANA Board of Governors in 1921, elected

ANA Vice President. In 2014 he was inducted into the ANA Hall of Fame.