CHARLES G. HILLCHARLES G. HILL
CHARLES G. HILL
MRS. CHARLES G. HILLMRS. CHARLES G. HILL
MRS. CHARLES G. HILL
On the 19th of August, 1840, Mr. Hill was united in marriage to Miss Margaret J. Galt, a daughter of William Galt, who for many years was one of the leading citizens of Montreal. He engaged in the tanning business near Glasgow, Quebec, and amassed a very considerable fortune. Following his death, Mr. Hill retired from commercial interests to supervise the Galt estate. To Mr. and Mrs. Hill were born eleven children, eight of whom reached adult age. These children were: William Galt, deceased; Charles G., who also has passed away; Margaret Ewing, the widow of G. M. Patterson, residing in Cleveland, Ohio; Robert Ewing, deceased; Adelaide, who married Samuel P. Wigg and resides in Lakefield, Ontario; Lewis E., deceased; Helena Augusta, residing in Montreal; Jean Elizabeth, now Mrs. E. A. Hilton; Peter Alexander; Emma Louise, who married Albert A. Adams and is deceased; and Dr. Adolphus James Hill, deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Hill devoted the greatest care to rearing their large family and bestowed upon the children their tenderest love. Those who grew to adult’s estate were an honor to the family name and in full measure repaid the care of the parents, whom they ever held in reverent memory. It is due to the kind cooperation of Miss Helena A. Hill,—and to her the publishers are indebted,—thatthey are able to present herewith the excellent steel etchings portraying her parents.
HELENA A. HILLHELENA A. HILL
HELENA A. HILL
Mr. Hill attended services and held a pew in the First Baptist church and also in the Church of England, in the Cathedral. His membership was in the latter and his wife, who died in 1882, was a member of the former. Both were greatly esteemed and an extensive circle of friends indicated their worth and the high regard in which they were held.
Waldo W. Skinner, practicing at the Montreal bar as a member of the firm of Smith, Markey, Skinner, Pugsley & Hyde, was born at St. John, New Brunswick, a son of the late Hon. C. M. Skinner, K. C. His youthful days were largely devoted to the acquirement of an education in the schools of his native city and at Upper Canada College, Toronto, and having determined upon the practice of law as his life work, he entered McGill University in preparation for the bar, and was graduated B. C. L. in 1901. In 1913 Mr. Skinner was created a king’s counsel. The year following his graduation he entered upon the active work of his profession and his course has been marked by continuous progress. He is now associated with one of the leading law firms of the city, Smith, Markey, Skinner, Pugsley & Hyde, and is actively interested in much important litigation, in connection with which he is retained as counsel for the defense or prosecution. From the outset of his career he has recognized the fact that careful preparation is one of the indispensable elements of success, so that thorough work precedes his presentation of his cause in the courtroom. His reasoning is clear and cogent and his arguments strong and forceful.
In June, 1907, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Skinner and Miss Loulou Forget, the eldest daughter of the late Hon. L. J. Forget, senator. Mr. Skinner in his social relations is well known, being a member of the Mount Royal, St. James and Montreal Clubs, while his interest in sports is further indicated in his membership in the Montreal Racquet and Royal Montreal Golf Cubs. Attractive social qualities render him popular in those organizations, in which he has gained many friends.
Organization is the watchword of the age. Promotion in every field of endeavor is brought about through the agency of organized effort and cooperation, and thorough study of each situation constitutes the basis of effort in this direction. This spirit and tendency of the age has led to the formation of many companies or societies for the benefit of business interests and it is in this connection that Thomas Robb is known, being manager and secretary of the Shipping Federation of Canada. A native of Scotland, he was born in the city of Glasgow in the year 1863, his father being the late Thomas Robb, who for some yearswas superintendent of police in Glasgow. Spending his youthful days in that city, the son pursued his education in the public schools and in the Glasgow Academy. Mr. Robb came to Canada first in 1883 and spent one year at farming in the Niagara district. Returning to England he became identified with the shipping interests and in connection therewith was located at different periods in Australia, South Africa and New Zealand. He returned to Canada in 1902 and upon the organization of the Shipping Federation of Canada, which is incorporated by act of the Dominion parliament, he was chosen manager and secretary. He still continues in the dual position, his efforts being of marked value to the organization in promoting its object and accomplishing its purpose as he is actively engaged in all matters relating to navigation and shipping. In 1913 Mr. Robb was appointed member of the royal commission appointed to inquire into and report upon the “Law Respecting Pilotage” and its administration in the pilotage district of Montreal and Quebec.
In 1891 Mr. Robb was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth McLaren, a daughter of Andrew McLaren. Their religious faith is that of the Presbyterian church and Mr. Robb belongs to St. Andrew’s Society. He is a justice of the peace for Montreal and district. He is likewise a member of the Engineers Club and of the Canadian Club and has gained the warm friendship of many in both organizations.
Hon. John Joseph Curran, barrister, jurist and orator, whose life record was an honor to the land of his ancestors and to the land of his birth was born in Montreal, February 22, 1842, his parents being Charles and Sarah (Kennedy) Curran, both natives of Ireland, the former born in County Down and the latter in County Wexford. Emigrating to the new world they retained the intense love of native land, so characteristic of the Irish race and instilled the same deep attachment into their son, who with his increasing age and powers gave freely of his time and talents for the benefit of Erin’s green isle.
In the pursuit of his education Judge Curran attended a Jesuit school and St. Mary’s College at Montreal, where he entered upon a classical course. He afterward became a student in St. Joseph’s College at Ottawa and in 1891 the University of Ottawa conferred upon him the LL. D. degree. In the continuance of his education, he entered McGill University as a student in the law department and won his D. C. L. degree in 1862. It was in the spring of 1859 that he began preparation for the bar, reading at times under the direction of such distinguished lawyers as Bernard Devlin, Hon. T. J. J. Loranger and Andrew Robertson, K. C. While pursuing his classical courses he cultivated a taste for literature and oratory and in his student days developed the natural gifts that in course of time made him one of the foremost Canadian orators. It was also in his early manhood that he joined the Irish national movement and thus his life was taking shape along those lines which were to make him a power in moulding the history of province and country.
The year following his graduation from McGill, or in 1863, he was called to the bar of Quebec. No dreary novitiate awaited him. Almost immediately his talents won him recognition and he gained prominence as one of the younger members of the profession, by the important part which he took in the conduct of a number of notable criminal cases, including the Shehan, Havern, Kehoe and Considine murder cases and the Dunbar, Brown, Kearney and T. F. O’Brien frauds.
It is said that he had no superior in the conduct of election cases. He was successful in the Devlin-Ryan, Tansey-Malone and the James McShane-Loprairie contests and all these drew to him the attention and favorable comment of the profession. He was equally capable in the practice of civil law and was the legal representative of some of the largest contractors of the continent including men prominent in business in New York, Ottawa and Montreal. His legal counsel was sought by men of prominence again and again. Probably his last appearance as an advocate was when he represented the Dominion government in an arbitration with the province, the case being heard in the city of Quebec about 1894.
Judge Curran was created a king’s counsel by the Marquis of Lorne and was appointed secretary of the commission for the codification of the statutes of the first De Boucherville government. He was called to judiciary honor when made a puisne judge of the superior court, December 5, 1892. He was appointed solicitor general in the ministry of Sir John Thomas and continued to hold that office after Sir Mackenzie Bowell became premier. A contemporary writer said, “on the occasion of his appointment his lordship was congratulated by the press without distinction of party, both on public and personal grounds in acknowledgment of his ‘indefatigable efforts to promote the interests of his constituents’ and he was presented in 1890, chiefly by citizens in Montreal, with a purse of seven thousand dollars.” Judge Curran remained upon the bench for fourteen years and proved himself the peer of the ablest jurist who has gained the superior court bench. There were those who opposed him in the beginning, but all came to acknowledge his capability, his record being a credit and honor to the bench. His opinions were models of judicial soundness and his record as a jurist was such as any man might be proud to possess.
Politically his lordship was a liberal-conservative and he rendered valuable service to his party. He was elected by a large majority for Montreal Center to the house of commons in 1882, 1887 and again in 1891, and upon his appointment to the solicitor generalship of Canada in 1892 he was reelected by acclamation.
On the organization of a law faculty in connection with the University of Ottawa in 1892 Judge Curran was appointed to one of the legal chairs and elected vice dean. He was also a member of the senate of that university and president of its Alumni Association. As an orator he swayed all by his eloquence. He gained high rank as a lecturer and was frequently called upon to address public gatherings.
In religious faith Judge Curran was a most earnest Catholic and was ever watchful of opportunity to assist those of his faith in public or in private. While his health permitted he never failed to appear annually with his colleagues of the bench and bar in the Tete Dieu procession and his piety and devotion in the closing years of his life were an encouragement to the old and an edifyingexample for the young. As a Canadian his life work was one of conciliation and he strove to promote harmony between all creeds and colors. He accepted invitations to address gatherings of foreign colonists, and the Jews, Germans and Italians knew him well, while among the people of his nationality he was not only loved but respected. He yielded to none in the breadth of his sympathy and generous desire for the union of all denominations in the best and noblest objects. Following his elevation to the bench he said “that as a public man it had been his constant aim to bring about the union of hearts and minds among all creeds and classes,” and “he was satisfied that if we desired to have a prosperous country with a happy and contented people we could only secure those blessings by all creeds and classes uniting together for one common end, ‘the advancement and welfare of Canada and the empire.’” In August, 1896, Judge Curran was elected a delegate to the Irish Race convention, which met in Dublin in September of that year. He had previously been president of St. Patrick’s Society of Montreal and prior to his elevation to the bench was one of the directors of the True Witness Publishing Company. After his trip to the old country in 1907 the Burns Club honored him with an invitation to a banquet and to respond to a toast to the memory of Robert Burns. On rising to speak he said, that all had become brothers the world over since men of such intense love for Old Scotia had, here in our happy Canadian home, called upon a descendant of old Ireland to do honor to the name and fame of Scotland’s greatest bard. There are few, indeed, who have greater love for the land which shelters their race than had Judge Curran. He was perfectly familiar with Irish history, was a reader of Irish literature and a lover of Irish music, and he was an ardent and unflinching advocate of home rule.
In 1865 Judge Curran married Mary Elizabeth, the youngest daughter of the late Patrick Brennan of Montreal. His third son, Francis Joseph Curran, following his graduation from Manhattan University of New York and McGill University of Montreal, was called to the bar of his native province.
Something of the position which Judge Curran occupied in public regard is indicated in works written of him ere his demise, which occurred on October 1, 1909. Morgan in his volume of Canadian Men and Women said, “by the Irish community of Montreal he was regarded as one who had stood the test of devotion to their common fatherland, but it is to Canada that he has given his best service and by his fellow-Canadians, without distinction of origin or creed, he is held in the highest esteem and honor.” A Montreal citizen wrote of him, “he bears a character without reproach and is as popular in legal and political circles as he is respected.” The Montreal Gazette said editorially, “no constituency in Canada has ever had a representative who gave up more of his time, his talent and his energy to the promotion of its interests than did Mr. Curran during the thirteen years he has enjoyed the confidence of his electors. His genial kindly nature, his large-heartedness, his conspicuous liberality of mind, absolutely free from every trace of bigotry, and his splendid oratorical powers caused him to be in constant requisition whenever men were gathered together in the promotion of worthy objects for the discussion of public affairs or the advancement of the material and social welfare of the country.” The Montreal Herald concluded an admirable eulogy with the following paragraph:“Unselfishness and genuine consideration for others, probably explained his personal popularity and his political success. He used to say that the man in public life erred in dodging office seekers. ‘When I saw one who looked as if he wanted to get at me I always went to him first, and gave him his chance to speak,’ he once explained. He gave freely of his presence where he thought a good cause could be served, or a good example be set. He did his duty, as he saw it, without flinching. He was a good citizen, and he leaves a name to be held in honor.”
Pierre-Chrysologue Lacasse, who follows the profession of notary in Montreal, is widely and favorably known in this city. He enjoys a representative clientele and his practice is extensive as he has gained a wide reputation on account of his extensive knowledge, which is based on a thorough education. The Lacasse family is an old and distinguished one in Canada, the first ancestor to come to this country being Antoine Lacasse, also called Casse or Cassé, who came to this country from Douai (French Flanders) about 1650, or more correctly, between 1639 and 1665. This statement is based upon a reference made in an appendix to the History of Canada by Abbé Ferland. The paternal grandfather, François Lacasse, was born at St. Vincent de Paul (Jesus Island) and the forefathers were born in the same parish. The maternal grandfather, Joseph Brissette, was a native of St. Cuthbert, of the county of Berthier, where his ancestors also were born. The father of our subject, Narcisse Lacasse, was born on February 5, 1821, of the marriage of François Lacasse with Thérèse Bastien and died on December 27, 1892. He was a notary, receiving his commission on June 15, 1849. The mother, Mathilde Brissette, was born on November 1, 1820, a daughter of Joseph Brissette and Marie Lavoie. She died in Montreal on August 29, 1911, at the advanced age of nearly ninety-one years. The father followed his occupation in the parish of Ste. Elizabeth, in the county of Joliette, where his wife was born.
Pierre-Chrysologue Lacasse was born on January 7, 1866, at Ste. Elizabeth, county of Joliette, in the province of Quebec, and in the acquirement of his education attended the model school of Ste. Elizabeth, also receiving private tuition. In furtherance of his knowledge he then attended Joliette College, now known as the Seminary of Joliette, and Laval University at Montreal, graduating with the Bachelor of Arts degree from the latter institution in 1885. From the same institution he received his degree of LL. B. in 1891. However, on June 3, 1890, he had already been commissioned a notary and has followed that profession ever since. On January 29, 1891, he was admitted to the study of law for the profession of advocate. His professional reputation is of the very highest character and he has also extensively engaged in real estate and in dealing in bank and insurance stock. Among important estates which he has handled as testamentary executor were those of John Pratt, Thomas Philippe Barron, L. C. Gravel and others.
The position conceded him by the profession is evident from numerous important official and semi-official positions which he has held. He was elected a member of the board of notaries for the district of Montreal in 1897, 1900, 1903, 1906, 1909 and 1912. He was a member and afterwards president of thecommittee of discipline and also of the committee of surveillance of said board and a member and afterwards president of the commission for the admission to the study of the notarial profession, which position he now holds. In his political views he is independent, giving his support to measures and candidates as dictated by his judgment. His religious faith is that of the Catholic church. Mr. Lacasse was connected with military life during a few years as lieutenant in Company 4,Eighty-third Battalion of Infantry of Joliette.
A man of wide experience and with a wide outlook upon life, he is interested along lines of endeavor that touch upon the progress of the city and can always be found among those who loyally support any movement undertaken for public betterment. He is highly respected and esteemed in the city where he is widely known and enjoys the confidence and good-will of the foremost citizens of Montreal.
The tendency of the age is toward specialization and the professional man who achieves distinction usually concentrates his efforts not upon the broad field of his profession but upon some particular branch thereof, and thus develops a proficiency which he could not otherwise hope to attain. Such was the record of Dr. Arthur A. Browne, educator and practitioner, who gained eminence as an obstetrician. He practiced for more than forty years in Montreal, entering upon the active work of the profession in early manhood. He was born in Eastern township, in 1848, and was descended from Irish parentage, and of a family whose name figures prominently in military circles. His more specifically literary course was completed by graduation from McGill with the Bachelor of Arts degree in 1866. A year or two thereafter was devoted to business but feeling that a professional career would prove more congenial, he entered upon the study of medicine and was graduated M. D., C. M., in 1872. He then spent a year abroad, during which time he investigated the methods of eminent physicians and surgeons of the old world, after which he opened an office in Montreal. The usual experiences of the professional man were his. He had to work his way upward in face of competition with men who had long been in the profession and had well established reputations. The conscientious care which he gave to the cases entrusted to him at length won him recognition and his practice grew until it became one of the largest in the city. As time passed he concentrated his efforts more largely upon obstetrical diseases until he gained a wide and most enviable reputation in that field, his opinions coming to be regarded as authority upon many involved and intricate questions relating thereto. In 1883 he was appointed professor of obstetrics at McGill University, succeeding the lateProfessor Duncan MacCallum, at the same time taking charge of the University Maternity Hospital. Three years later, however, owing to his growing practice, already extensive, and his distaste for the drudgery of teaching, he resigned his professorship. Yet, he was always intensely interested in McGill and her welfare, and no function held by the medical department was thought to be complete if Dr. Browne was absent. He was not only thoroughly informed concerning hischosen calling but possessed a fine literary mind and his broad reading made him one of the best informed men on general literature among the practitioners of medicine and surgery in Montreal. He was a student of the classics, and all these things had influence to make him a noble-minded man, whose life exemplified the high principles which constituted the basis of his character. He possessed an artistic taste that found expression in his intense admiration of the beautiful in both art and nature. Moreover, keen sympathy was one of his strongly marked traits and featured as one of the elements of his success. He might well be called “the beloved physician,” for his cheery presence as well as his scientific skill brought comfort and assurance to many households. He inspired and encouraged his patients and thus assisted them far on the road to recovery.
In Montreal, in 1878, Dr. Browne was married to Miss Jane Labatt, of London, Ontario, and their children were: H. Dalzell, of Montreal; R. Russell, of Bassano, Alberta; Captain G. Sackville Browne, of B Battery, Royal Canadian Horse Artillery, of Kingston; and F. Dora.
Dr. Browne held membership with the Masonic fraternity and in his life exemplified the beneficent spirit of the craft. He had passed the sixty-second milestone on life’s journey when his death occurred January 26, 1910. His eminent ability gained him honor, his kindliness and consideration won him gratitude and friendship; and thus it is that his memory is cherished and remains as a blessed benediction to all who knew him.
Important corporation and financial interests have felt the stimulus of the enterprise, keen business insight and intellectual force of Thomas McDougall, who is known in literary as well as financial circles. He was born at Three Rivers, P. Q., May 21, 1843, a son of the late John McDougall, a merchant of Three Rivers, who sat in the Canadian parliament from 1851 until 1854 and a brother of the late Hon. Justice McDougall of Aylmer, P. Q. For many years Thomas McDougall was in the service of the Quebec Bank and was agent of that institution in 1870. Later he became manager at Montreal and in 1894 was made assistant general manager, from which position he was advanced to that of general manager in December of the same year. He continued actively in control of the extensive and important financial interests that came under his guidance until 1909, when he resigned but remained a director of the bank. With him close reasoning has become habitual, and he has therefore found ready solution for difficult and involved financial problems. He was chairman of the clearing house at Montreal and was active in the meeting of bankers, convened to revise the banking act in 1890. In 1898-9 he was president of the Canadian Bankers Association, which indicates his place of prominence and influence in the moneyed circles of the country. He is still a member of the advisory board of the Scottish Union & National Insurance Company, is vice president of the Shawinigan Water & Power Company and a director of the Asbestos Corporation of Canada.
In many public connections outside the field of business and finance his name has figured prominently and his labors have been effectively and helpfully felt.In 1908 he was the general treasurer of the Quebec tercentenary committee. He possesses literary taste in high degree. He has written on banks, bankers and banking, being the author of a well known article entitled, T. Pomponius Atticus, a Roman Banker.
Mr. McDougall was married at Three Rivers, P. Q., to Miss Helen Baptist, a daughter of the late George Baptist. His religious connection is with the Presbyterian church and in club circles he is well known as a member of the St. James Club of Montreal and the Quebec Garrison Club of Quebec. His social qualities and marked ability along many lines as well as his important business interests have gained him the prominence which is today his.
Jean Baptiste David Legare, one of the most successful real-estate promoters in the city of Montreal, was born in the parish of Sillery, near Quebec, June 7, 1865. Fortune did not smile on him for many years. His father having died when the son was an infant of but three months, he was reared in the home of his maternal grandfather, F. Cote, of St. Foy. While there he acquired his elementary education and later attended the academies at Sillery and Quebec. Manifesting laudable ambition from early youth, at the age of eighteen years he began business life as a clerk in the general store of Louis Bourget in Quebec. Subsequently he was employed in the wholesale dry-goods houses of P. Garneau and William McLimont & Sons in Quebec. Later he became a representative of large grain and flour mills and also became proprietor of a wine and vinegar manufactory in Quebec. Fate was against him and he failed for seventy-two thousand dollars. This would have utterly discouraged and disheartened many a man of less resolute spirit, but an optimistic nature would not allow Mr. Legare to acknowledge defeat and still held before him the promise of later success. He then engaged in promoting various undertakings in Quebec, but still the results were not such as were desired.
In 1908 Mr. Legare came to Montreal and continued in the promoting business, making a specialty of real estate. This proved to be the turning point in the career of Mr. Legare and he has since gradually but surely advanced to the goal of success. In the past five years he has made over three hundred thousand dollars and when the sum he had acquired was sufficient to cancel all of his indebtedness he made a special journey to Quebec for that purpose. Mr. Legare says that through all of the dark days, when the storm clouds gathered about him that threatened disaster and defeat, it was his wife’s encouragement and her faith in his future that buoyed him up and made possible his ultimate prosperity.
The principal companies which Mr. Legare has successfully promoted during the past five years are: The Greater Montreal Land Investment Company, Limited; and The Chateauguay Garden City Company, Limited. He was also the promoter of the town of Chateauguay. He is the owner of twenty-seven lakes on the seigniory of Mille Isles and the water rights pertaining thereto. A strong man physically and mentally, his optimistic temperament makes him an idealpromoter. The various business enterprises which he has promoted during his career have contributed a great deal toward the development of the natural resources of the Dominion.
JEAN BAPTISTE D. LEGAREJEAN BAPTISTE D. LEGARE
JEAN BAPTISTE D. LEGARE
Mr. Legare was married in Quebec, in 1891, to Alda Garneau, daughter of Charles Garneau, ex-sergeant of arms of the Quebec assembly. Upon the maternal side she is descended from the De Villers and the De Lachevrotiere families, both being of the noblest families of France. Mr. and Mrs. Legare are parents of a daughter, Yvonne, who was married in 1913 to Dr. Rene Turcot, and they reside in Quebec.
One of the greatest individual forces in the promulgation of Baptist doctrines in Canada, a man who has worked long and earnestly in the promotion and spread of Baptist principles, giving of his unusual talents, his great energy and tireless labor to the cause, is Rev. John Alexander Gordon, for fourteen years pastor of the First Baptist church in Montreal and now the incumbent of the chair of pastoral theology at Brandon Theological College, active in the work of the foreign missionary societies and in the spread of temperance doctrines throughout the Dominion.
Dr. Gordon is of Scottish ancestry and was born in Uigg, Prince Edward Island. He acquired his early education in the public and high schools of his native province and in Acadia University, graduating with the degree of B. A., and acquired his theological training in the Newton Theological Seminary in Newton, Massachusetts. He was ordained to the Baptist ministry in 1875 and has since been prominent and active in the work of the Baptist church. He received the honorary degree of M. A. from Acadia College in 1894 and the honorary degree of D. D. from the same institution in 1904. Previous to his ordination he had been engaged in the mercantile and commission business at Montague, Prince Edward Island, and his first ministerial charge was as pastor of the church in that community. He was afterward called to Milton church, Yarmouth, Nova Scotia, where he remained from 1880 to 1885, after which he went to St. John, New Brunswick, serving as pastor of the Leinster Street Baptist church, and from there went to the First Baptist church, Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, remaining there until 1893, when he became pastor of the Main Street Baptist church at Charlottetown. In 1899 he was called to Montreal as minister of the First Baptist church of this city, a position which he held until June, 1913, when he accepted the chair of pastoral theology at Brandon Theological College. Dr. Gordon has been found most earnest, zealous and consecrated in his work and has been carried forward by the force of his ability and the extent of his interests into important relations with religious work of many kinds, notably that of the local branch of the Lord’s Day Alliance, of which he is vice president; the Prisoners’ Aid Association, of which he is also vice president; the Grand Ligne Missionary Society, of which he is president; and the Maritime Baptist Union. No individual has done more powerful or effective work than he in the propagation of Baptist doctrines or in the promotion of the church’s interestsfor he was in 1906 appointed a member of the committee on Church Union and two years later was one of the promoters and a member of the committee which organized the Baptist Union. He is a governor of Acadia University and is especially interested in the work of the Foreign Mission Board of Ontario and Quebec, of the British and Foreign Bible Society and the Moral and Social Reform Council. He has written a “History of the First Baptist Church of Montreal,” published in 1906, and in August, 1908, entered a vigorous protest against the celebration of high mass on the Plains of Abraham as a part of the tercentenary celebration.
Dr. Gordon married at Kingsborough, Prince Edward Island, Margaret Ford, eldest daughter of the late John Ford, and to them were born five sons: John, a resident of Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island; Dr. Alvah H., of Montreal; Peter W., of Calgary; Herbert F., of Winnipeg; and Walter H., city editor of The Gazette of Montreal. Dr. Gordon has been a lifelong temperance worker and reformer and has accomplished a great deal of excellent work along this line, being uncompromising in his attitude toward the liquor evil and battling against it always to the extent of his great ability. In Montreal he is known as a man whose actions conform closely to his principles and whose energy, aggressiveness and untiring activity have been elements in the accomplishment of great and lasting work.
Charles Henry Gould, librarian of McGill University and president of theAmerican Library Association, 1908-09, is son of Joseph G. and Abigail (DeWitt) Gould, the latter a daughter of the late Jacob DeWitt, M. P., of Montreal. Born in Montreal on the 6th of December, 1855, Charles H. Gould pursued his education in the city schools through successive grades until he completed the high school course, after which he entered McGill University and was graduated B. A. with first rank honors in 1877, also winning the Chapman medal in classics. Through the succeeding scholastic year he devoted some time to post-graduate work in physics. With the completion of his education he entered business circles, in which he continued for several years. He afterward took up the study of library economy and also spent some time in travel before entering upon his present connection as librarian of McGill University. For twenty years he has filled his present position with eminent ability, having entered upon his duties in September, 1893. He was made governor’s fellow in 1891. There is no Canadian, perhaps, who has made a more thorough study of the work and opportunities of the librarian than has Charles Henry Gould, and realizing the deficiencies of many who undertake the librarian’s task, he founded the McGill School for Librarians in 1904. His prominence in his chosen field is indicated in his election to the first vice presidency of the American Library Association for 1907 and 1908 and his subsequent election to the presidency for 1908-9. He has continued his labors at McGill although offered the appointment of associate librarian of the public library of Brooklyn, New York, in 1908, and that of librarian of the Toronto public library. A fellow of the American Library Institute, he belongs to theChamplain Society, was president of the Bibliographical Society of America 1912-13 and is a member of other bodies which have for their basis the promotion of scientific and literary knowledge. He is also a member of the University Club, and the Canada Journal names him as a loyal and valuable citizen.
Specializing in the field of civil and commercial law, Donat Brodeur has gained recognition as a man capable of handling intricate and involved legal problems. He is a native of Montreal, born in March, 1863. His preliminary education was acquired in St. Mary’s Jesuit College, with the later professional course in Laval University, from which he was graduated with the degree of B. C. L. with the class of 1887. He was called to the bar at the beginning of the succeeding year, and since that date he has practiced his profession continuously in this city, now covering a period of a quarter of a century. Each year has found him in a point in advance of that which he occupied the previous year both in knowledge and in the nature and importance of his practice. He is a well known writer on legal subjects and a frequent contributor to legal periodicals. He has also lectured on law topics before the Canadian Accountants Association and the Chamber of Commerce. He has ever been a student of his profession, constantly broadening his knowledge by wide reading and research, and the care and precision with which he prepares his cases constitute a strong element in his success.
Attractive social qualities are the basis of his personal popularity, making him a valued member of different social organizations.
Robert Fowler, a merchant, was born in Montreal, November 17, 1851, and died in April, 1903. He was a son of Robert J. Fowler, who was born in England in 1818 and was educated there. He was brought up in the cathedral, having from the age of ten years made his own way, becoming a choir boy in the church. In 1847 he crossed the Atlantic going to Sorel, Canada, with Sir Benjamin Levine and his staff, to teach the daughters music. In 1849 he came to Montreal and was the first instructor of the city to hold musicales. For forty years he was professor of music in the normal school and at different times was organist in nearly all of the churches of the city. He could play any instrument and was recognized as the best instructor in music, by far, of his day. He was also known to some extent as a composer and, in a word, his musical talent was highly developed, while his professional labors and influence were an element in promoting and cultivating musical tastes and standards in the city. His was an artistic nature. He wielded the painter’s brush with skill and he was, moreover, a great naturalist. He took deep interest in the city’s improvement and in all projects for civic betterment. He held membership inChrist Church Cathedral, rentinga pew there for thirty-five years. His life thus became a potent force in the artistic and moral progress of the city. He was married in Weymouth, England, to Miss Annie Wadsworth and they became the parents of five children, who reached adult age but only one, Annie, is now living. The others were William, Susan, Robert and John Henry. The death of the father occurred March 14, 1900, and the mother passed away in 1911.
Robert Fowler supplemented a public-school course by study in the normal school of Montreal and started in the business world as an employe in Robertson’s dry-goods store, in which he acquainted himself with every phase of the business and gained practical experience which made him a successful merchant when he started out on his own account.
He carefully saved his earnings until his frugality and economy had brought him sufficient capital to become a partner in the purchase of a stock of goods and the establishment of a store. The firm of Fowler & Leishman was then organized for the conduct of a retail dry-goods business and after a few years Mr. Fowler was able to purchase his partner’s interest becoming sole proprietor. He then devoted his entire time to the business and enjoyed a liberal patronage, deriving a fair and gratifying profit from his investment.
In Montreal in 1892, occurred the marriage of Robert Fowler and Miss Amy Hamilton, a daughter of Robert Hamilton. Their three children were Gordon, Wallace and Doris.
Mr. Fowler belonged to the Episcopal church and to its teachings was loyal and faithful. He was a member of the Philharmonic Club. He manifested the qualities of good citizenship and was devoted to the welfare of his family, who, when he passed away in April, 1903, lost a loving and generous husband and father, while his associates mourned the death of a loyal, faithful friend.
The history of Montreal’s architectural development would be incomplete were there failure to make reference to Alexander Cowper Hutchison, who, though in his seventy-seventh year, is yet active in his profession in which he has long been a recognized leader. His position today is that of consulting architect and his utterances are accepted as words of wisdom by younger representatives of the profession. Mr. Hutchison is one of the old-time residents of Montreal. In fact, his entire life has here been passed with the exception of a period of three years spent in Ottawa, Ontario. He has seen this city develop from less than forty thousand to a metropolitan center of over six hundred thousand inhabitants.
Mr. Hutchison was born April 2, 1838, on the east side of Queen Street between Wellington and William Streets, at Montreal and many years later it fell to his lot in the course of his business, to tear down the old house in which his birth had occurred, this being done to make room for the Ives and Allen warehouse which was erected upon that site. He comes of old Scotch ancestry. His father was William Hutchison who came from Ayrshire, Scotland. He was a builder in Montreal and afterward was connected with the public worksdepartment. The mother, whose maiden name was Helen Campbell Hall, was also a native of Ayrshire, Scotland.
ALEXANDER C. HUTCHISONALEXANDER C. HUTCHISON
ALEXANDER C. HUTCHISON
Such schools as existed in Montreal during his youthful days provided Alexander Cowper Hutchison with his educational opportunities. When but a boy of twelve years he began to learn the stone-cutter’s trade under the direction of his father and during the winter months for two or three years after he had commenced work he attended the school conducted by the late C. P. Watson. Subsequently he became a student in night school and devoted all of his spare time to study, having come to a full realization of the value of education. He possessed an inherited talent for drawing and to develop his powers in that direction he attended drawing classes that were conducted at the Mechanics’ Institute. He had made rapid progress from the very first as a stone-cutter and displayed exceptional ability and skill in that direction.
When scarcely out of his teens he was placed in charge of the cut stone work on Christ Church Cathedral and some of the finest stone work around the altar in that edifice was cut by him before he had attained his majority. After the completion of that building he was placed in charge of the cut stone work of the eastern block of the parliament buildings at Ottawa during their erection, his efforts in that connection continuing through the year 1862. While engaged in that work he successfully conducted classes in drawing which were largely attended. On the completion of the government buildings he was called to Montreal to conduct classes in connection with the Mechanics’ Institute, giving instructions in architectural and geometric drawing. These classes were afterward transferred to the Board of Arts and Manufacturers and it was while connected therewith that he took up the active practice of his profession which he followed for many years. The beauty and utility which have always been salient features of his designs are evident in many of the principal buildings of Montreal.
Among the many structures designed by Mr. Hutchison independently or in a partnership relation, and which stand as monuments to his skill and ingenuity may be mentioned: Redpath Museum; McGill University; Erskine church; Crescent Street Presbyterian church; Warren Memorial church at Louisville, Kentucky; St. Andrew’s church, at Westmount; Montreal high school and a number of other school buildings; Royal Insurance building; London & Liverpool & Globe Insurance Company’s building; Canadian Express Company’s building; La Presse building; Queen’s Hall block; Henry Birks & Sons’ building; Lord Strathcona’s residence; Macdonald College buildings at Ste. Anne de Bellevue, Quebec, as well as a large number of residences in Montreal and elsewhere together with many warehouses, factories etc. One of the most recent expressions of his architectural skill is seen in the Chalmers church at Ottawa. He has not only practiced his profession as one of its active followers, but has also gained renown as an educator in his special field. He has lectured on ecclesiastical architecture before the Presbyterian College of Montreal and he was one of the original members, selected by its founder, the Marquis of Lorne, of the Royal Canadian Academy of Art, and remained its vice president until 1907, when he resigned. He has likewise been honored with the presidency of the Quebec Architects’ Association, of which he was one of the founders, and thus has come to him direct recognition of the honor and respect entertained for him by the profession.
In political affairs Mr. Hutchison has taken a prominent part but never as a party leader in the commonly accepted sense of the term. With him men and measures have ever been considered before partisanship, and the public welfare has ever stood before personal aggrandizement. For years he was a member of the council and was the second mayor of Cote St. Antoine, now Westmount. His deep interest in and loyalty to the cause of education was demonstrated in his eighteen years of service as a school trustee. For a number of years he was a member of No. 5 Queen’s Company Volunteer Fire Brigade. He was likewise a member of the First Company Rifles which was originally an independent company and afterwards became the First Company of Prince of Wales’ Regiment. He was also an officer in a rifle company in Ottawa, while subsequently he became an officer of the Montreal Engineers, retiring with the rank of lieutenant. He took part in the Fenian raids of 1866 and 1870 and was accorded the Queen’s medal.
Mr. Hutchison manifested great interest in church work. He was formerly an elder in Erskine church, but afterward became connected with St. Andrew’s church at Westmount, which had previously been known as Melville church but differences of opinion caused a split in the congregation and the portion that left took the name with them. St. Andrew’s church was then organized and remained on the old site, at the corner of Stanton and Cote St. Antoine road. Mr. Hutchison was one of its founders and since the organization of this church has taken a most prominent part in its affairs. He has been an elder for many years, was superintendent of the Sunday school for thirty years and since 1886 has continuously served as session clerk. He is a member of the board of managers of the Montreal Presbyterian College and was a member of the national committee of the Presbyterian Laymen’s Missionary movement in 1909. He has likewise served as president of the Provincial Sunday School Union of Quebec.
No good work done in the name of charity or religion has ever sought his aid in vain, and his broad humanitarianism has been manifest in his helpful support of many movements to benefit the poor and needy or ameliorate the hard conditions of life for the unfortunate. He is a life governor of the Montreal General Hospital, of the Protestant Hospital for the Insane, governor of the Western Hospital, and president of the Protestant House of Industry and Refuge. He is an ex-president of the Canadian branch of the Royal Caledonian Curling Club and of the Montreal Caledonian Curling Club, being now honorary president of the latter and an ex-president of the Heather Curling Club of Westmount. He was a warm personal friend of the late Hon. Alexander Mackenzie and he counts among his close associates many of the most distinguished and eminent residents of Montreal and the province. The Ottawa Free Press has termed him “one of Montreal’s best known and most honored citizens.” He has long occupied positions of distinction, not only by reason of what he has accomplished along professional lines, but also owing to the fact that he has made his life of signal service and benefit to his fellowmen in his support of benevolent and religious plans and projects. His life has ever been actuated by the highest principles of honor and no citizen of Montreal is more worthy of high regard.
On the 10th of July, 1862, in Cobourg, Ontario, Mr. Hutchison was united in marriage to Miss Margaret Burnet of that place, and they celebrated their golden wedding in July, 1912. Mr. and Mrs. Hutchison have two sons and one daughter: William B., of the firm of Hutchison, Wood & Miller, architects, who is married; Charles Alexander, engaged in ornamental iron work, who is married and has two children, Margaret and Lorne; and Helen, the wife of George W. Wood of that firm. She has three sons: Alexander Campbell, George Arthur and Douglas Fletcher.
Mr. Hutchison resides at No. 240 Kensington Avenue and has lived in that immediate vicinity for nearly fifty years. During his boyhood his parents resided on the north side of St. James Street just a short distance west of Bleury Street which was then one of the attractive residential sections of the city and Mr. Hutchison relates some highly interesting incidents of those early days.
In 1865 when he took up his residence in what is now Westmount, that district was supposed to be far out in the country. In fact, the nearest residence, other than homes of farmers, was on Dorchester West near what is now Greene Street. While Mr. Hutchison has passed the seventy-sixth milestone upon life’s journey, he is a well preserved man, active in mind and body. Regular in his habits, he has never tasted intoxicating liquors or used tobacco in any form. His great vitality has enabled him to withstand three very serious operations since reaching the age of seventy years and his complete recovery has attracted the attention of members of the medical profession. He is a splendid type of a high-minded gentleman of the old school, whose natural politeness and courtesy are in evidence at all times.
David W. Campbell, prominently connected with marine transportation interests, is now general agent in Canada for the Elder-Dempster Company in the South African and Mexican service. He was born in Montreal in 1861, a son of the late John and Sarah (Evans) Campbell, of this city. His youthful days were spent in his parents’ home and his education was completed in the Montreal high school. He comes of Scotch ancestry and in his career has manifested many of the sterling traits characteristic of the land of the heather. His initial step in business was made in the service of Thompson, Murray & Company, then managing agents of the Beaver line of steamships in Canada. Fidelity, industry and capability won him promotion from time to time and after twenty years’ continuous connection with the company he was appointed to the position of general manager in 1895. While acting in that capacity he was the first to establish a direct steamship service during the winter months to a Canadian port—that of St. John, New Brunswick. It was through his instrumentality that the vessels of the Beaver line were sold to the Elder-Dempster Company in 1898 and two years later, or in 1900, he became Canadian manager for the latter company. His efficiency in the field of steamship service management led to his selection, in 1903, for the position of general superintendent of the Canadian Pacific Railway Company’s Atlantic fleet of steamers at Montreal, in which position heremained until June, 1905, when he resigned in order to take control for Canada of the interests of the Elder-Dempster Company in connection with the South African and Mexican service. He subsequently became general agent in Canada for the same company, and his efforts have greatly furthered its interests. He readily recognizes the possibilities of a situation, utilizes the opportunities that are presented and accomplishes substantial and gratifying results. He is a director of several shipping companies and is on the board of the Montreal Sailors’ Institute and the Shipping Federation of Canada, all of which are more or less directly connected with the line of business in which he has so long been engaged. Moreover, he has done much to popularize the St. Lawrence route. He is serving on the executive committee of the Canadian Shipping Federation, and his long experience with maritime interests well qualifies him to speak authoritatively upon matters with which the federation deals.
Mr. Campbell has for some years been a member of the Montreal Board of Trade, in 1910 was elected one of its councillors and in 1914 a vice president. He is also Cuban consul at Montreal.
In November, 1900, Mr. Campbell married Miss Emily Maud Baird, a daughter of the late H. N. Baird of Toronto. They hold membership in the Presbyterian church, and Mr. Campbell belongs to the St. James Club. He favors free trade with the Empire and has been a close student of many political situations and questions having to do with the welfare and progress of the Dominion. His opinions upon such questions are never lightly valued, for experience has developed in him sound judgment and keen discrimination.
Louis Dufour dit Latour, member of the real-estate firm of Latour & Guindon, with offices in the Versailles building, Montreal, was born in this city, June 15, 1867, a son of François XavierLatour dit Dufour of Lavaltrie, P. Q., where he followed farming, and of Elizabeth (Prud’homme) Latour of St. Sulpice, P. Q. His great-grandfather was Michel Dufour dit Latour, a church builder, and his great-grandmother was Charlotte Du Moulin from France.
In the acquirement of his education Louis Dufour dit Latour attended the College of Chambly—the Brethren of Christian School, pursuing a commercial course. His early experience in business lines came to him as office boy with the Thomas Davidson Manufacturing Company, tinware and granite ware manufacturers of Montreal. He was in the employ of the company for twenty-six years, gradually working his way upward as his developing powers and ability prepared him for further activities and responsibilities. He served successively as custom house clerk, cashier, bookkeeper and as manager of the Montreal branch of the business, continuing in that position of responsibility for twelve years. No higher testimonial of his business integrity, enterprise and fidelity could be given than the fact that he remained with one company for over a quarter of a century. He left them in 1909 to open a real-estate office in connection with J. M. Guindon, a hardware merchant of Montreal, under the firm style of Latour & Guindon at No. 1202 Mount Royal East Street, where they remained from 1909 until 1913.They then transferred their business to No. 52 St. James Street, retaining the old office, however, as a branch. In May, 1914, the offices were removed to the new Versailles building on St. James Street.