ALBERT H. CAMPBELLALBERT H. CAMPBELL
ALBERT H. CAMPBELL
Capable, earnest and conscientious, Dr. Joseph Israël Desroches has for many years exercised his profession in Montreal, where he is widely known to the general public and enjoys high prestige among his colleagues, especially in regard to hygiene and children’s hygiene, upon which subjects he is an expert. His standing is quite evident from his connection with some of the foremost societies in the medical line in the world and it is therefore not surprising that his practice should be extensive and representative as well as lucrative to him. Dr. Desroches was born in October, 1850, at St. Esprit and is a son of André and Héloïse (Mercier) Desroches, the former in his day a well known agriculturist of St. Esprit. The Desroches family is descended from one Jean Deroches, who was born in 1614 and in 1641 left Ste. Lucie, near Autun, France, for Villemarie. He made the journey with one Monsieur de Maisonneuve. In 1647 he married Françoise Godet and this marriage was the first contract of that kind to be registered at Villemarie. Jean Deroches had a family of eight children, of whom his son Pierre married Marie Beaudry on November 24, 1698, at Pointe-aux-Trembles. It was he who added the s to the original name of Deroches. Jean Deroches died at Quebec on August 23, 1664. This record of the early ancestors of Dr. Desroches is to be found in Abbé Tanguay’s Dictionnaire Généalogique, in volume I, page 184.
Dr. Desroches pursued his classical studies at the Seminary of Joliette and received his medical education at the School of Medicine and Surgery of Montreal. There he received his degree of M. D. in 1877. He has ever since engaged in his profession at Montreal and, deeply studious of mind, has ever continued in perfecting his wide knowledge and keeping up-to-date with the latest discoveries made in the world’s medical science. The humane element in his nature is strongly developed and much of his success must be ascribed to the confidence which he inspires in his patients and which is recognized today as being one of the larger factors in effecting a cure. Careful in diagnosis, he is decisive in his actions after reaching a conclusion and there are hundreds who can testify to his ability and are grateful to him for having given them back health and happiness.
It is but natural that a man of Dr. Desroches’ ability should turn to the scientific side of his profession, not finding his sole satisfaction in mere attendance upon and ministrations to the sick. In 1884 he was chosen by the Hygienic Society of the Province of Quebec as manager of the Journal of Popular Hygiene and had charge of this valuable medium of influence until 1895, contributing many articles toward the enlightenment of the general public. In 1887 Dr. Desroches was nominated an honorary member of the Société Française of Paris and in the same year, on the occasion of the exposition of children’s hygiene, held in Paris, he received from the Hygienic Society for Children, of that city, a diploma and a gold medal and was chosen a corresponding member of the society. In 1889 hewas made a corresponding member of the Society of Physical, Natural and Climatological Sciences of Algiers. From 1892 to 1895 and from 1898 until 1901 Dr. Desroches had charge of the medical bureau of the province of Quebec and from 1894 until 1900 was a member of the Provincial Council on Hygiene, of Quebec.
On February 9, 1881, Dr. Desroches was united in marriage to Miss Albertine Groulx, a daughter of Louis Thomas and Cornélie (Doyou) Groulx, the former a well known barrister and notary public of Joliette. Dr. and Mrs. Desroches have the following children, Jeanne, Gilberte, Henri, Juliette and Lucille. In various connections the Doctor has made valuable contributions to hygienic science and the subject of medicine and several of the works of which he is the author enjoy a wide circulation and are considered standard by the profession. He is a public-spirited man, progressive not only in his profession but in regard to all subjects that affect his home city and is ever ready to give his warm support to worthy public enterprises. His deep knowledge assures him of a position of distinction, while his kindly spirit has gained him a place in the hearts of his fellowmen.
Hon. Honore Mercier, minister of colonization, mines and fisheries, lawyer and legislator, recognized as one of the liberal leaders of Montreal and also acknowledged one of the capable representatives of the bar, was born at St. Hyacinthe, P. Q., in 1875, his parents being the late Hon. H. M. (Count) Mercier and Virginie (St. Denis) Mercier, the former prime minister of Quebec and one of the eminent lawyers of the province, of whom mention will be found elsewhere in this work.
The preparatory education of Honore Mercier was received at St. Mary’s (Jesuit) College, following which he was privately tutored in preparation for his work at Laval University, that institution conferring upon him the LL. B. degree in 1899. He was made an advocate in 1900, since which time he has successfully practiced his profession, being now senior member of the law firm of Mercier & Beique, with offices in the Quebec Bank building. Mr. Mercier’s knowledge of the principles of jurisprudence is comprehensive and exact, and his ability, devotion to his clients’ interests and the thoroughness with which he prepares his cases have given him high standing as a representative of the legal profession in the province.
Mr. Mercier has been a prominent figure in municipal and provincial affairs, standing firmly in support of the principles and measures which he deems of vital worth. He was elected to the city council of Montreal in February, 1906, and in 1907, was appointed a member of L’Ecole des Hautes Etudes Commerciales, of which he is secretary and treasurer, and in the work of which institution, Mr. Mercier has proven a most capable official.
He was chosen in the liberal interest to represent Chateauguay in the provincial parliament, where he has sat almost uninterruptedly since 1907. On April 29, 1914, he was appointed minister of colonization, mines and fisheries in the Gouin cabinet. He gives earnest and thoughtful consideration to the questions of theday and is farsighted in his outlook over the political field with all that it implies in its relation to the welfare, progress and prosperity of the province and dominion.
Mr. Mercier was married, in April, 1903, to Miss Jeanne Frechette, a daughter of the late Dr. L. H. Frechette, C. M. G. Their religious faith is that of the Roman Catholic church. They occupy an attractive home at No. 408 St. Denis Street, and its hospitality is greatly enjoyed by their many friends. They also have a summer residence at Bellevue. Mr. Mercier is not a club man in the usually accepted sense of the term, yet he belongs to the Club Canadien and has social qualities that make and retain friends.
Natural ability and profound learning have placed Alfred Forest among the well known young barristers of Montreal, where he enjoys an extensive practice as a member of the firm of Le Blanc, Brossard & Forest, who have offices at No. 35 St. James Street. Well versed in the letter of the law, he is capable, earnest and conscientious in the discharge of his duties and has been entrusted with much important litigation since beginning his career.
The Forest family were among those French emigrants who settled in Acadia—now Nova Scotia—and the earliest record to be found of them in Montreal is that of Madeline Forest, who was born in 1709 at d’Annapolis, Acadia. On the maternal side Alfred Forest is descended from the Mousseau family, who are named among the early settlers in the province of Quebec, the first mentioned being Jacques Mousseau, who was married on January 25, 1694, at Boucherville, to Marie-Ann Daunet, or Daunais.
Alfred Forest was born on the 8th of June, 1881, in the parish of St. Patrick of Rawdon, in the county of Montcalm. His parents were Urgel Forest, gentleman, and Eliza (Mousseau) Forest, a niece of the late Hon. Alfred Mousseau, in 1882 prime minister of the province of Quebec and later minister of public service in the cabinet of Sir John A. Macdonald in 1884. In 1886, when he died, he was judge of the superior court of Montreal and was always a leading conservative.
In the acquirement of his education Alfred Forest attended the Seminary of Joliette and then followed the philosophical course at the Seminary of the St. Sulpice Fathers in Montreal, graduating in 1905 with the degree of B. A. This was followed by a law course at Laval University, where on December 21, 1907, he obtained his degree of LL. L. with distinction and was admitted to the bar on the 15th of January, 1908. In 1906 he was secretary of the law students at Laval University and in 1907 was their president. During his law course he received practical training in the office of the Hon. Judge Paul Martineau and with the Hon. P. E. Le Blanc, ex-speaker and ex-leader in the legislative assembly, with whom he is now connected under the firm style of Le Blanc, Brossard & Forest. After settling down to his practice no long novitiate awaited him for he soon demonstrated his ability to cope with the most intricate legal problems. His reasoning is sound, his logic forceful and, being a student of humanity as wellas book lore, he easily perceives the vital point in the most difficult legal tangles. As the years have passed he has made himself felt in the legal fraternity. Moreover he is now connected with some of the largest interests of the city, this connection having led him to become a director of the Modern Gas Light, Heat & Power Company, in which organization he served in that capacity in 1912 and 1913.
On April 30, 1913, in Montreal, Mr. Forest was united in marriage to Miss Hélène Jondreville, only daughter of Charles Jondreville, formerly of Paris, France. Her parents came directly from that city to Montreal in 1880. Of a distinguished family, Mrs. Forest is a cultured young lady of rare attainments and many accomplishments and will no doubt take a prominent part in the social life of the city.
Mr. Forest has always been a profound student and is an expert on political economy. He is a member of the conservative party and was offered the candidature in the federal election of 1911 by the electors of the county of Montcalm but declined, as his private interests practically forebade him to divert his time. He is an adherent of the Catholic church and holds membership in the Canadian Club, L’Alliance Française and the Conservative Club. Mr. Forest is loyal to the interests of Montreal, of which he is considerate and which he always tries to promote, proving thereby his value as a citizen. He is esteemed and respected not only among the legal fraternity but among the general public, who have recognized his worth as man, citizen and lawyer.
Personally popular, William Paterson left behind him a large circle of friends at his death on the 23d of October, 1902. For twenty years he had been engaged in the tailoring business in Montreal, where he enjoyed a wide acquaintance. He was born December 2, 1858, in Montreal, a son of James Paterson, a native of Scotland, who passed his youthful days in that country. He there married Miss Ellen Swanson and afterward left the land of hills and heather for the new world. To him and his wife were born seven children.
The father was a tailor by trade and it was under his direction and guidance that William Paterson learned the business. He pursued a public-school education and then entered his father’s shop, devoting many decades to that pursuit. He was in business on Notre Dame Street for two decades, having one of the well equipped establishments of the city and gaining a liberal patronage, which grew with the passing years and made his one of the prosperous tailoring establishments of the city.
On the 18th of August, 1881, Mr. Paterson was united in marriage, on Prince Edward Island, to Miss Arabella Le B. Graves, of Nova Scotia, and they became the parents of four children: Leslie J.; William Henry; Alice G., who is Mrs. James J. Aird; and Grace W.
Mr. Paterson voted with the conservative party but never took an active interest in politics to the extent of seeking office as a reward for party fealty. He was very prominent in fraternal circles, serving as worshipful master of ElginLodge, A. F. & A. M., and in 1898 he was elected district deputy grand master of the Montreal district. He was past grand in the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He was also a life member of the Montreal Amateur Athletic Association, and was one of the members of Knox Presbyterian church, serving for several years on the board of managers. His varied interests and activities of life maintained an even balance and made him a forceful and influential factor in support of the business, social and municipal affairs with which he was connected.
WILLIAM PATERSONWILLIAM PATERSON
WILLIAM PATERSON
D. Aug. Fontaine is a well known lawyer and notary of Montreal, being located at No. 244 St. Catherine Street East. Born in the town of Marieville, Rouville county, February 2, 1872, he comes of distinguished French-Canadian ancestry. The Rev. Damase Limoges is an uncle and Morrainé Alphonsine Lemieux, his cousin. The Rev. Damase Limoges was curate of the Catholic parish of St. Jean Baptiste, in the county of Rouville, and our subject was baptized in the Catholic church in that parish on the 4th of February, 1872. His father was Felix Fontaine, a notary at Marieville, and his mother Claire (Limoges) Fontaine. The former was born at St. Charles sûr Richelieu or at St. Hyacinthe about November 24, 1832. He studied in the Seminary of St. Hyacinthe and served a legal clerkship at Marieville with the notary Laberge. He afterwards established himself in that city as a notary and there practiced for the rest of his life, being recognized as a brilliant lawyer and gaining great success. He was a member of the Chamber of Notaries for about twenty-five years and when he died was vice president of this institution. The mother was born at Terrebonne, about August 2, 1840, a daughter of Pierre Limoges, a blacksmith, and Dame (Viger) Limoges. The paternal grandfather of our subject was Felix Fontaine, a teacher at St. Hyacinthe. The maternal grandfather, Pierre Limoges, and Charlotte Luce (Viger) Limoges, his wife, were the parents of twenty-three children, three daughters of whom embraced holy orders, one of them having joined the Ladies of the Sacred Heart at Montreal. One of their sons, Joseph Magloire Limoges, is a curate at Sorel; another, Damase Limoges, a curate at Beloeil and Farnham. A daughter, Claire Limoges, is the mother of our subject.
Louis Fontaine received his education in the elementary school at the Hospice of Ste. Croix at Marieville. He completed his commercial and classical studies at the Seminary of Ste. Marie de Monnoir at Marieville, having terminated his course in 1893. He studied law at Laval University of Montreal from 1893 to 1897 and served a clerkship with Maître J. A. Dorval, of Montreal. He received his notaryship at Quebec (with distinction) September 14, 1897. Mr. Fontaine then formed a partnership with his former preceptor, Maître Dorval, under the firm name of Dorval & Fontaine. Following, he associated himself with his classmate, Oscar Desautels, continuing the partnership of Fontaine & Desautels until 1899. At the end of that time he succeeded his father, Felix Fontaine, as notary in Marieville. Taking up his father’s practice, he there followed his profession for about ten years and has been actively engaged in legal work in Montreal since1910. He was secretary-treasurer of the school commission of Marieville and also was manager of the Marieville branch of a private bank, known as “La Caisse d’Economie de Drummondville.” He also was for some time collector of customs at Marieville. In politics he was a strict liberal until 1909 and although he yet gives his allegiance to that party, is a nationalist at the same time.
On the 29th of July, 1896, Mr. Fontaine was married in the town of Marieville, which is now annexed to Montreal and known as the town of Ste. Cunegonde, to Miss Marie Eugenie Anna Vezina, daughter of Alexandre and Emma (Chagnon) Vezina. The father is engaged in the saddlery business. Mr. and Mrs. Fontaine have three children: Marie Eugenie Claire Ubaldine, fourteen years of age; Marie Marguerite Jeanne, twelve years of age; and Joseph Alexandre Felix Auguste, aged eleven.
Mr. Fontaine is a member of the Roman Catholic and Apostolic church. He is a musical composer of no mean ability and has produced a pleasing repertoire of Canadian songs. He is the author of the Canadian national song, which was written to the words of Abbé A. Fournet, P. S. S. He was a prize winner in the competition between Canadian poets in 1908 and the newspaper La Presse paid him one hundred dollars, le prix de concours. He is adviser to the singers of Notre Dame parish church of Montreal. Mr. Fontaine deeply interests himself in all matters pertaining to public affairs and is interested in the cause of education and in arts and letters. He is a lawyer of ability, a patriotic citizen and a man who stands for the higher things in life and who finds great pleasure and satisfaction in following his aesthetic tastes and in implanting his art ideas in others. His talent along musical lines has been ably put to use in elevating the musical standards of the city and in bringing more closely before the public the idea of creating a home musical art particularly and peculiarly Canadian.
In the field of engineering the name of Arthur Surveyer is widely known. Liberal training and broad experience have brought him to a prominent position and won for him the liberal patronage that is accorded him as senior partner in the firm of Surveyer & Frigon, consulting engineers of Montreal.
Mr. Surveyer was born in this city on the 17th of December, 1878, son of L. J. A. and M. A. Hectorine (Fabre) Surveyer, of whom more extended mention will be found elsewhere in this book, and supplemented his course of study in St. Mary’s College by a course in L’Ecole Polytechnique in which he won the degrees of Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Applied Science and was graduated as a civil engineer. He also pursued a special post-graduate course at L’Ecole d’Industrie et des Mines du Hainout, Mons, Belgium. His liberal training and broad experience have made him one of the most efficient representatives of the profession. From 1904 until May, 1911, he was in the service of the Canadian department of public works and was engaged on the survey, plans and estimates for the Georgian Bay Ship Canal project and the survey of the Richelieu river for a twelve-foot canal. He was supervising engineer during the construction of the Port Arthur Dry Dock and reported on several hydro-electric projects on theSt. Lawrence river. In May, 1911, he left the public service, in which he was connected with many important works, to enter upon private practice, but has been retained as consulting engineer by the public works department in a number of important matters such as the preparation of Canada’s case against the Chicago drainage canal and the report on the plans submitted to the government by the Montreal Tunnel Company and by the Montreal Central Terminal Company. Mr. Surveyer is a member of the St. Lawrence River commission, is engineer for various municipalities and is a member of a number of professional societies and associations, including the Canadian Society of Civil Engineers, the International Federation of Consulting Engineers and the Hydrotechnic Society of France. Thoroughness has characterized all that he has undertaken. That quality was manifest in his preparation for his profession. He was a most discriminating and earnest student and in his practice he has lost sight of no detail of his work and at the same time has given due prominence to its most important problems and features. His entire professional career has been characterized by continuous advancement.
J. F. Olivar Asselin was born at St. Hilarion, in Charlevoix county, P. Q., November 8, 1874, a son of Rieule and Cedulie (Tremblay) Asselin, the latter of whom is still living. He emigrated to the United States with his parents in 1892, and in Fall River, Massachusetts, J. F. Olivar Asselin was for two years employed in the cotton mills.
Taking up journalism, he was at first connected with small French weekly publications. He afterward became editor of La Tribune, a Woonsocket, Rhode Island, daily, in which capacity he enjoyed the friendship and confidence of the Hon. Mr. A. J. Pothier, then lieutenant governor, and now governor of Rhode Island. While practicing his profession in Woonsocket, Mr. Asselin was principal of an evening public school in that city in 1897 and 1898.
He was the first man to enlist in the First Rhode Island Volunteers, at the breaking out of the Spanish-American War.
Returning to Canada in 1900, he was successively connected with the Montreal Herald, La Patrie, Le Journal, La Presse, La Nationaliste and Le Devoir, with a two years intermission—1901-1903—during which he was private secretary to the Hon., now Sir Lomer Gouin, then minister of colonization and public works of the province of Quebec. In 1902 he organized the Nationalist league, being for several years president of the Montreal branch. This indicates his deep interest in political problems and to disseminate the principles in which he believed, he founded La Nationaliste as the organ of the party, and for a time was editor of that publication.
He has written much upon various subjects, his publications including a series of political brochures with the title, Feuilles de Combat. He is also the author of “A Quebec View of Canadian Nationalism, an Essay by a Dyed-in-the-Wool French-Canadian,” which was published in 1910.
He has been in business for four years as manager of the Credit Metropolitain, one of the well known real-estate and financial firms of Montreal.
In 1912, he was appointed by the federal government, a special commissioner to French and Belgium, to study the question of emigration from those countries to Canada. Mr. Asselin has made a special study of municipal questions, and is well known as a member of the National Municipal league, as well as a contributor to the Municipal Journal. Mr. Asselin stood twice as a candidate for parliamentary honors, without success, a result which, in one case at least, was said to be due to his caustic spirit. In 1913 he was elected general president of the great St. Jean Baptiste Society, the national society of the French.
In 1903 Mr. Asselin wedded Mlle. Alice Le Bouthillier of Montreal.
A specialist in the treatment of children’s diseases and prominently known in connection with both hospital and private practice, Dr. Joseph Asselin is one of the best known physicians of Montreal. He was born in Joliette, Quebec, August 10, 1858, a son of Eusebe and Elmire (Cornellier) Asselin. The father was a merchant and proprietor of an important seigneury.
JOSEPH ASSELINJOSEPH ASSELIN
JOSEPH ASSELIN
Dr. Asselin acquired his classical education in Joliette College, and in further preparation for the profession which he had determined to make his life work, he studied for two and a half years in hospitals for children, in Paris, under the direction of such eminent men as Parrot, Bouchert, Simon and Descroizilles. Since entering upon active practice in Montreal his advancement has not only been continuous but rapid, winning speedy recognition for his ability. He has served as a director of the town dispensary of the Sisters of Providence, Montreal, an institution in which many thousands of children have been treated each year. He has also been physician of the Orphelinat St. Alexis at the corner of Mignonne and St. Denis Streets, Montreal.
On the 10th of October, 1883, Dr. Asselin was married to Miss Albina Laurier, daughter of Dr. Louis Laurier, and their family numbers five children. Dr. Asselin is a conservative in politics and in religious faith a Roman Catholic. He holds membership with the Independent Order of Foresters, but his chief interest is that of his profession. He gives untiringly of his service for the benefit of mankind and is highly esteemed not only by his colleagues but by the community generally.
In a profession where advancement depends entirely upon individual merit, talent and ability Louis Theophile Marechal has attained distinguished rank. Firmly entrenched in the principles of jurisprudence, he adds to his forensic knowledge and ability the rare gift of eloquence, which has been an effective force in winning for him a high position in his profession. He represents one of theold and distinguished French families in the Montreal district. His birth occurred at St. Henri, near Montreal, on the 13th of March, 1864, and in the pursuit of his education he spent some time as a student in Montreal College and in St. Mary’s (Jesuit) College. He afterward entered Laval University, where he pursued his law course until graduated with the class of 1889. The same year he was called to the bar and has since practiced as an advocate of Montreal. He was made a king’s counsel in 1903 and was appointed a councillor of the Montreal bar for the year 1908-9. His advancement in his profession has been continuous. He accurately applies law principles, being seldom, if ever, at fault in the citation of a fact or legal precedent. He speaks French and English with equal fluency and has been gifted with oratorical power that enables him to sway his hearers with the force of his eloquence. Moreover, his statements are convincing, and his legal utterances are always based upon a thorough understanding of the legal principles involved.
Mr. Marechal was united in marriage to Marie, the only daughter of Hon. C. B. de Boucherville, but lost his wife in death in 1902. His recognition of the duties and obligations of citizenship is manifest in many tangible ways. In politics he is a conservative of the pronounced type. He unsuccessfully contested St. Mary’s (Montreal) for the house of commons in the general election of 1904 and was again a candidate for the same seat in 1908. It is a recognized fact that he is a leader in party ranks and has done much to mold public thought and action. His religious faith is that of the Roman Catholic church. The spirit of progress dominates him in all things, especially in his professional and public relations, and his position of leadership is one to which his ability, public spirit and eloquence have brought him.
Specializing in the treatment of diseases of the eye, ear, nose and throat, Dr. Badeaux has won a merited place in his particular branch of the medical profession. A native of Three Rivers, Quebec, he is descended from a very old and prominent family, the ancestry being traced back to 1630, when Jacques Badeaux, who was one of the first notaries in Canada, settled at Beauport. In the direct line from Jacques Badeaux to the subject of this review, there were four notaries. The great-great-grandfather, Jean Baptiste Badeaux, who resided at Three Rivers, was also an author and journalist and among his literary productions was a journal relating to the American Invasion in 1775. His son, Joseph Badeaux, also a notary, was a member of the legislature from Three Rivers at Quebec during the Revolution of 1837.
Dr. Georges Badeaux, his son, and grandfather of Dr. L. Georges Badeaux, was a widely known physician of Three Rivers, where he engaged in practice for fifty-five years, or until the time of his death. He was the father of two sons and several daughters. One of his sons, Joseph Badeaux, was a physician at Three Rivers, but is now deceased. His only son is Dr. Joseph M. Badeaux, now engaged in the practice of medicine as successor to his father and grandfather.
Louis Badeaux, father of Dr. Badeaux, of this review, has always resided at Three Rivers, where for more than a quarter of a century he was engaged in the wholesale dry-goods business. He is now living retired.
Dr. L. Georges Badeaux was born March 21, 1886, in Three Rivers and acquired his classical education in St. Joseph’s College in his native place. In 1906 he began the study of medicine at Laval University, Quebec, and after spending two years there he entered Laval University at Montreal, from which he was graduated with the degree of M. D. in 1910.
He then began to make special study of the eye, ear, nose and throat at the Hotel Dieu, being assistant there in the treatment of the diseases of those organs. For the past three years Dr. Badeaux has been an assistant in practice to Dr. Albert Lassalle, the noted eye and ear specialist. For two years Dr. Badeaux was a professor in the demonstration of anatomy at Laval and he is a member of La Société Médicale de Montreal.
On the 28th of April, 1913, Dr. Badeaux was married in Montreal to Anita Fellay, a daughter of Ernest Fellay, of this city, and they have one child, Louis Jacques.
Dr. James Chalmers Cameron, medical practitioner and educator of Montreal, was for thirty-eight years actively connected with the profession in this city, enjoying not only the respect of all with whom he came in contact but also the love and affectionate regard of those to whom he ministered in his professional capacity by reason of his ready sympathy and thorough understanding as well as his medical and surgical skill. Kindness and helpfulness might be termed the keynote of his character and those qualities constantly found expression in all the relations of his life. Ontario was proud to number him among her native sons, for as he developed his latent powers and energies he gained a wide reputation. He was born at Aultsville, Ontario, January 18, 1852, being the eldest son of Rev. James Y. Cameron, of the Presbyterian church, who after receiving his education in Edinburgh, under Dr. Thomas Chalmers, was actively connected with the ministry in Canada for a number of years, but later withdrew from that field to devote his energies to teaching. He conducted a private academy in Lundy’s Lane for several years and was later in turn principal of the Drummondville (Ont.) high school, the Williamstown (Ont.) high school and for a couple of years lecturer in classics and mathematics at the Presbyterian College, Montreal. Rev. J. Y. Cameron married Charlotte Ann Ault in 1851. Both husband and wife were descended from United Empire Loyalist families, who had sacrificed their homes in the American colonies to remain true to the British flag and settled in Glengarry.
Dr. Cameron began studying in the old Upper Canada College, Toronto, and by reason of his aptitude and close application became head boy of the school in 1870. He next entered McGill, where in four years he became first prize man in medicine, graduating in 1874. The succeeding three years were spent in connection with the General Hospital in Montreal, but in 1877 he severed his connectionwith that institution and in April of the same year sailed for Dublin, Ireland. He pursued post-graduate courses in medicine and surgery in Berlin, Paris and Vienna and thus he added greatly to his knowledge through acquaintance with the methods of practice of the most eminent physicians and surgeons of the old world. The chair of obstetrics at Bishop’s College was offered to Dr. Cameron when he returned from his first post-graduate course at the Rotunda and was at once accepted. He remained there until the chair at McGill was offered him, thus giving him wider opportunities. He became professor of obstetrics and infants’ diseases at his alma mater, holding that chair for twenty-six years and contributing in large measure to the success of the medical department. He believed always in raising the standards of medical education because of his clear recognition of the responsibilities devolving upon the practitioner and his labors and teachings were an inspiration to all who came under his instruction. While professor at McGill Dr. Cameron became associated with the old University Lying-in Hospital, which later became the Montreal Maternity Hospital, and Dr. Cameron’s work in behalf of that institution resulted largely in bringing it to its present standard of modern excellence. It was not only as practitioner and educator that Dr. Cameron became widely known but also as a contributor to various text-books on medicine, this gaining him a wide reputation. His treatises were written in English, French and German. He was well known in the United States and was elected an honorary fellow of the American Gynecological Society, besides being a member of many other leading societies connected with the medical profession. He was a member of the British Medical Association and the Edinburgh Obstetrical Society. For many years he was chief medical examiner for the Equitable Life Assurance Society in Montreal. He gained eminence as a lecturer on subjects of literary interest, his addresses on Robert Louis Stevenson and Robert Burns being especially well received.
Dr. Cameron was married in 1880 to Miss Elizabeth Jane Dakers, daughter of James Dakers, who was for thirty-five years secretary and manager of the Montreal Telegraph Company. Mrs. Cameron survives with one son, Dakers Cameron, of Montreal. Dr. Cameron is also survived by his mother and two brothers, Dr. John W. Cameron, of Buffalo, New York, and Wellington Ault Cameron, barrister, of Toronto.
The remarkable energy of Dr. Cameron found expression along other lines. He was for a time assistant surgeon of the Sixth Fusiliers. His name was on the membership role of the St. James and University Clubs and in 1874 he was initiated into Royal Albert Lodge, A. F. & A. M. Subsequently he became the principal mover in establishing the University Lodge, A. F. & A. M., which has rapidly grown in influence and includes many university graduates and students of McGill. He was the first worshipful master of this lodge and also an officer of the grand lodge of Quebec. In Masonry he attained the thirty-second degree. As specially appointed medical examiner for the German army, Dr. Cameron held a position unique in Canadian history, an honor which he valued very highly. He was also a member of the Teutonia Club. Dr. Cameron died suddenly on March 16, 1912. The funeral services were conducted according to Masonic rites, the religious ceremony taking place at St. Paul’s Presbyterian church, of which he was a member. One of the local papers said: “His every patient became his friend and his death is a loss to thousands.” The news of his demise, indeed, carried a senseof personal bereavement into many homes where his eminent skill and kindly ministrations had made him loved and honored. In all of his professional relations he approached the ideal because of his comprehensive knowledge and still more because of his deep human interest and sympathy. He regarded it as a sacred privilege and obligation to discharge the duties of his profession and his life embodied the thought of the philosopher who has said: “Not the good that comes to us but the good that comes to the world through us is the measure of our success.”
On the list of architects who have had to do with the building of Montreal appears the name of Joseph Venne, senior member of the well known firm of Venne & Labelle, and those who are to any extent familiar with the building operations that have been carried on here in the last third of a century know that he has figured prominently as one whose work combines the indispensable qualities of utility, comfort, convenience and adornment. He was born in Montreal, June 14, 1859, was educated in the Christian Brothers school of this city and, being a diligent student, creditably passed his examinations.
JOSEPH VENNEJOSEPH VENNE
JOSEPH VENNE
After putting aside his text-books he entered the office of Perrault & Mesnard, architects, and for many years was their head clerk. The high regard entertained for him by his employers is indicated in the advancement that came to him from time to time and his eventual admission to the firm under the style of Perrault, Mesnard & Venne, which partnership continued for several years when it was dissolved. Since 1912 he has been associated with Louis Labelle.
In 1882 Mr. Venne was united in marriage to Miss P. Boucher, a daughter of S. Boucher, Esq., of Montreal. A Roman Catholic in religious faith, he belongs to the St. Jean Baptiste Society and has been president of the Sacred Heart section. In politics he is a liberal. Along professional lines his connection is with the provincial Association of Architects, and through his identification with that organization he keeps in touch with the advanced work and progressive ideas of representative men of the profession and also contributes from his experience and wisdom to its discussions and conferences.
The name of Niel H. Asselin has become a familiar one in commercial circles in Montreal, where he occupies the important and responsible position of general agent of the Singer Sewing Machine Company for eastern Canada. He was born in 1845 at St. Michel, Bellechase county, in the province of Quebec, and supplemented his preliminary education by study in the St. Michel Commercial College. He reached what may be termed his métier by a somewhat circuitous course. He started with the Grand Trunk Railway in the position of operator and stationmaster at Hadlow in 1863 and left that position to accept one in theoffice of the prothonotary for the Quebec district, in which capacity he served for six years. He then resigned to travel in the boot and shoe trade, and in 1874 came into active connection with the sewing machine business as representative of the Howe Sewing Machine Company. When this went into liquidation he made his way to the United States and joined the sales force of the Wheeler & Wilson & Domestic Sewing Machine Company.
Upon returning to Canada in 1884, Mr. Asselin entered the employ of the White Sewing Machine Company as its representative in Quebec, the maritime provinces and Newfoundland. In 1891 he joined the Singer Sewing Machine Company at Quebec as its manager for half of the province and a part of New Brunswick. In 1903 he was advanced to the position of superintendent and in 1905 became general agent for all eastern Canada, comprising Quebec, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia and Newfoundland, with headquarters in the Board of Trade building in Montreal. Here with an office staff of fifteen under his control and twenty-eight regular shops, thirty-two contract shops and four hundred outside employes under his jurisdiction, he may well be said to hold the blue ribbon position in sewing machine circles in Canada.
Mr. Asselin has a fluent command of both English and French and is a cultured, genial gentleman, whose popularity arises from attractive social qualities as well as pronounced business ability.
Robert T. Mullin, one of the able and successful advocates in Montreal, is a representative of a well known Canadian family whose members settled in the Dominion about 1810. He was born in 1870 at Bryson, province of Quebec, and after completing his preliminary education, entered McGill University at Montreal. He was graduated from the law department in 1896, with first rank honors, and he was also a gold medallist in Roman law in his graduating year. While at McGill, Mr. Mullin was a member of the Literary and Debating Society and was also editor in chief of the “McGill Fortnightly.” He was called to the bar in 1900, beginning the practice of his profession in this city in partnership with Colonel J. P. Cooke, who later became registrar, the firm name being Cooke & Mullin. This connection was productive of mutually beneficial results and was maintained until 1910 when it was dissolved. Mr. Mullin later was a member of the firm of De Boucherville, Mullin & Mathieu, but since 1912 he has been alone in practice. Mr. Mullin is at all times a strong and forceful practitioner, well versed in underlying legal principles and possessed of the insight, keenness of perception and powers of deduction necessary to make his knowledge effective. He controls a large and important clientage and is very successful in its conduct, standing today in the front ranks of reliable and competent advocates in Montreal.
At the inception of the Cobalt mining activities, Mr. Mullin became interested in various mining properties, and he has had considerable success along this line of industry and has played a conspicuous part in the development of various mining properties. His operations have been so successful that his judgment has been profitably followed by others in the mining world.
Mr. Mullin is connected with the Masonic fraternity and with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks and is active in the affairs of the local branches of both organizations. Mr. Mullin has done valiant service in the ranks of the liberal party. He has always been an enthusiastic supporter of Sir Wilfrid Laurier and ready to respond to his party’s call at any time. In the city where practically his entire active life has been passed his signal ability has gained him the respect of his professional brethren, while his constant courtesy and sterling qualities of character command everywhere high honor and regard.
J. A. St. Julien, K. C., was a member of the prominent and well known law firm of St. Julien & Theberge, having offices at No. 60 Notre Dame Street East. During the years of his connection with the Montreal bar he attained an enviable place in the practice of his profession.
Mr. St. Julien was a native son of Montreal, born in 1855. Liberal educational opportunities qualified him for important professional service. His early studies were supplemented by a course in the Montreal College, Laval University and in McGill University and from the last named institution he was graduated with the degree of B. C. L. He entered upon the active practice of his chosen profession in 1882 and was continuously before the courts from that time until his death. His ability was pronounced for he was ever a careful and discriminating student of the principles of law and was accurate in the application thereof. His devotion to his clients’ interests was proverbial, yet he never forgot that he owed a still higher allegiance to the majesty of the law, and neither the zeal of an advocate nor the pleasure of success permitted him to disregard this. His political allegiance was given to the liberal party, but he was never an aspirant for office, preferring toconcentrate his energies upon his professional interests and perform his public service as a private citizen. His death occurred May 4, 1914, and was deeply regretted by all who knew him. In his demise Montreal lost one of her foremost representatives of the legal profession and a citizen who was always loyal to his city.
Hon. Charles Laurendeau, chief city attorney, the head of the city’s legal department, is one of the able members of the legal profession in Montreal. The Hon. Mr. Laurendeau belongs to one of the oldest families in the province of Quebec. He was born at St. Barthelemy, in 1865, and was educated at L’Assomption College and Laval University. In the latter institution he pursued the study of law and was graduated with the LL. B. degree in 1892.
In the same year he began practice as an advocate, and rapidly won a foremost position among his colleagues until his ability and power to successfully cope with the intricate and involved problems of jurisprudence became widely known.
He was at one time associated in practice with Justice Fortin, subsequently becoming the head of the law firm of Laurendeau, Pelletier & Pelletier. He was created king’s counsel in 1906, and on July 6, 1910, was honored with the appointment of puisne judge of the superior court of the province of Quebec.
Advancement at the bar is proverbially slow and yet he has progressed step by step, putting his knowledge to the practical test in his application of legal principles to the points at issue, in which connection he is seldom at fault.
Judge Laurendeau resigned his position on the bench, to accept the far more arduous one of city attorney, to which he was appointed October 26, 1913.
Judge Laurendeau is married to Miss Georgina Beaudet, the eldest daughter of G. J. Beaudet, of Coteau-du-Lac, P. Q. Judge and Mrs. Laurendeau hold membership in the Catholic church. The hospitality of their attractive home is enjoyed by many friends, and Judge Laurendeau is well known and honored among his professional colleagues by reason of his strict conformity to the highest ethics of the law.
Will. H. Whyte, prominent and successful in the insurance profession and an eminent representative of Masonry in Canada, was born in Montreal, March 15, 1850, the eldest son of the late James Whyte of “The Greenlaw,” Paisley, Scotland, and Annie Gray (Shanks) Whyte, whose girlhood home was at Berwick on Tweed.
Will. H. Whyte became a student at the Montreal Collegiate school and entered business circles in connection with the wholesale dry-goods house of Ogilvy & Company. The steps in his orderly progression are easily discernible and his course has been marked by a continuous advance along lines of constantly broadening activity and usefulness. For six years he was business manager of the Montreal Herald when the Hon. Peter Mitchell was the principal owner and president. Since 1897 his attention has been given to the insurance business, and his constantly expanding powers have brought him into prominent relations with the profession. He is now secretary-treasurer and underwriter of the Royal Marine Insurance Company of Montreal.
His business connections alone would entitle him to distinction, yet he has, perhaps, an even wider acquaintance through his Masonic associations. Indeed, few Canadian Masons are better known throughout the Masonic world. He was initiated in Prince Consort Lodge, No. 52, and was installed worshipful master in December, 1876. He was elected to a number of important offices in the grand lodge and became grand secretary of the grand lodge of Quebec in January, 1902. He has passed through the various branches of Royal Arch Masonry and was grand first principal Z. of the grand chapter of Quebec, holding the office for the years 1888-9. He has held the office of grand scribe E. from 1893. He received the Cryptic degrees and has been illustrious grand master of the grand council of the maritime provinces. He was knighted as a Knight Templar in 1882 and was supreme grand master in 1895 and 1896 of the sovereign great priory of Canada and has been grand chancellor since 1897. He was the second Knight Templar to be elected an honorary member of the grand encampment,K. T., of the United States at the triennial conclave in Chicago in 1910. He is a member of the Ancient Arabic Order of the Mystic Shrine and of the Royal Order of Scotland. The many important offices he has held, as well as his reviews and historical sketches have brought him very prominently before the Masonic craft for many years.
In former years Mr. Whyte was an active athlete and supporter of amateur athletics. He was one of the founders and is the historian of the Montreal Amateur Athletic Association. He has also served as one of its directors. He was likewise president of the Montreal Lacrosse Club in 1885-6; was vice president and secretary for six years of the Montreal Snowshoe Club; is one of the oldest members of the Dominion Commercial Travelers’ Association; is a life member of the Caledonian Society; a member of St. Andrew’s Society; and of the Board of Trade of Montreal.
On the 3d of January, 1882, Mr. Whyte married Almeda Garratt, a daughter of the late Captain Robert Nelson Garratt of Kingston, Ontario, a representative of one of the families longest connected with the history of the city of Kingston. They are members of the American Presbyterian church, and they delight in dispensing the hospitality of their home at No. 4290 Western Avenue, Westmount.
James Paton, a well known citizen of Montreal, died November 17, 1905. He was born in this city in 1853, a son of Laird Paton, a distinguished citizen of Montreal, who was at the head of the firm of Laird Paton & Sons, contractors.
It was to that business that James Paton turned his attention, when his school days were over, joining his father and acquainting himself with every phase of the business in which he was destined to win substantial success. The firm of Laird Paton & Sons took high rank among the contractors of the city and erected many of Montreal’s best buildings. James Paton was capable of watching and directing the slightest detail as well as the most important features of his business and could turn with equal energy and enthusiasm to sporting events. In a word, he had the power of concentrating his entire energy upon the interest of the moment and it was this that gained him prominence along each line. Whenever the name of James Paton was seen in connection with any sport, it was a guarantee that it was clean and honest and he rendered great service to the city in the promotion of amateur sports. He belonged to the Montreal Amateur Athletic Association and was one of the moving spirits in the development of that organization and in the efforts which eventually lead to the securing of the present handsome quarters of the organization on Peel Street. He was also instrumental in securing the establishment of its swimming-pool and he belonged to the Montreal and Caledonian Curling Clubs, was always ready to take an active part in the water carnivals, and was a favorite of the membership in the different organizations with which he was identified. He found pleasure and manifested marked proficiency in ice-boating and tobogganing. He loved sailing and seemed a born sailor, displaying great ability in managing his craft and taking part in many sailing contests of note.