Chapter M: C. Baillairgé, Quebec (22)

=Grant, Rev. George Monro=, D.D., Principal of Queen’s University, Kingston, Ontario.—In an age too prone to rank mere material good above the higher well-being of man, it is well for Canada that she can claim in Principal Grant a representative Canadian—representative at least of her higher, purer, and more generous life. The principal of Queen’s University is emphatically what the late editor of the “Century” magazine once styled him, “a strong man,” having that union of diverse qualities that constitutes strength. He comes of the fine old Celtic stock which, when its intensity and enthusiasm are blended with an infusion of Anglo-Saxon breadth, energy, and common sense, has produced not a few of the leaders of men. He is a native of the county of Pictou, Nova Scotia, somewhat remarkable for the number of eminent men it has already produced. His patriotic and passionate love for his country in all her magnificent proportions is one of his leading traits, and has much the same influence on his mind which the love of Scotland had on that of Burns, when, in his generous youth, he desired, for her dear sake, to “sing a sang at least,” if he could do no more. Principal Grant was born on the 22nd December, 1835, at Stellarton (Albion Mines), a village on the East River, Pictou county, and his early days were passed in a quiet country home, amid the influences of nature, to which he is strongly susceptible. His father, who was a Scotchman by birth, taught the village school. He was led by circumstances, and doubtless by that “divinity that shapes our ends,” to study for the ministry, and won honorable distinction in his preliminary course in the Academy at Pictou, where the family had removed. His studies were pursued chiefly at Glasgow University, where he came under the strong personal influence and inspiration of the high-souled and large-hearted Norman McLeod, whom in some of his characteristics he strongly resembles. While a student in Glasgow he became a laborer in the mission work carried on amid the degraded inhabitants of its closes and wynds, gaining there an insight into life and character which has been most valuable to him in fitting him for his later work among men. He did not remain long in Scotland, however, for though the beauty and culture of the land of his fathers had many attractions for him, he felt that to Canada his heart and his duty called him. He ministered for a time to the quiet country charge of Georgetown, in Prince Edward Island, from which he was soon called to the pastorate of St. Matthew’s Church, Halifax, one of the oldest congregations in the Dominion. His gifts as a pulpit orator were soon recognised. The force, directness, and reality of his preaching strongly attracted to him thoughtful young men, who found in him one who could understand their own difficulties, and who never gave them a “stone” for the “bread” they craved. His charge grew and prospered, and a new church was built during his pastorate. His ministerial relations were so happy that it was a real pain when a voice that he could not resist called him to another sphere. When his friend and parishioner, Sandford Fleming, civil engineer, was about to start on a surveying expedition for the proposed Canadian Pacific Railway, Dr. Grant accompanied the party for a much-needed holiday. The novel experiences of the long canoe journey, through what was then a “great lone land” with unknown capabilities, strongly impressed his own imagination, and were communicated to thousands of readers through the hastily-written but graphic pages of “From Ocean to Ocean.” This glimpse of the extent and grandeur of the national heritage of Canadians—the fit home of a great people—made him still more emphatically a Canadian, and gave him a still stronger impulse and more earnest aim to use all the powers he possessed to aid in moulding the still plastic life of a young nation born to such privileges and responsibilities. The popularity attained by the publication of this volume (published by Hunter, Rose & Co., Toronto) called attention to Principal Grant as a writer, and though his time and strength have been too much taxed in other fields to leave him leisure for much literary labor, his vivid and forceful style has made him a welcome contributor to Canadian and American periodical literature, as well as to “Good Words” and the “Contemporary Review.” Several articles of his in the “Century” magazine have given American readers some idea of the extent and grandeur of the Canadian Pacific. His happy associations with the inception of this enterprise, and repeated visits during its progress, have given him an almost romantic interest in an achievement worthy of the “brave days of old.” If in the judgment of some he seems to exaggerate its utility, and to lose sight of serious drawbacks and evils which have become connected with an enterprise too heavy for the present resources of the country, the explanation is to be found in the fascination which, to his patriotic heart, invests a work that connects the extremities of our vast Canadian territory, and helps to unite its far-scattered people. It need hardly be said that Principal Grant heartily rejoiced over the confederation of the Canadian provinces, or that he has always been a warm supporter of its integrity, and a staunch opponent of every suggestion of dismemberment. He thinks it not all a dream that this young sturdy “Canada of ours” should indeed become the youngest Anglo-Saxon nation, working out for herself an individual character and destiny of her own on the last of the continents where such an experiment is practicable. It is his hope that such a nation might grow up side by side with the neighboring Republic, and in the closest fraternal relations with it, free to mould its life into the form most useful and natural, and therefore most enduring, but yet remaining a member of the great British commonwealth, bound to it by firm though elastic bonds of political unity, as well as by unity of tradition, thought, and literature. This hope and belief makes him a warm supporter of Imperial federation—a scheme which he thinks full of promise, both for Great Britain herself and for her scattered colonies, as well as for the world at large, in which such a federation might be a potent influence, leading possibly to a still greater Anglo-Saxon federation. To such a consummation his wide and catholic sympathies would give a hearty God-speed. But he believes intensely that, in order to secure a noble destiny, there must be a noble and healthy political life, and that for this there must be a high and healthy tone of public opinion, a pure and lofty patriotism. And this he earnestly seeks to promote so far as in him lies. The following stirring words recently published in the _Mail_ are a good illustration of the spirit in which he seeks to arouse Canadians to their responsibilities: “Duty demands that we shall be true to our history. Duty also demands that we shall be true to our home. All of us must be Canada-first men. O, for something of the spirit that has animated the sons of Scotland for centuries, and that breathes in the fervent prayer ‘God save Ireland,’ uttered by the poorest peasant and the servant girl far away from green Erin! Think what a home we have. Every province is fair to see. Its sons and daughters are proud of the dear natal soil. Why, then, should not all taken together inspire loyalty in souls least capable of patriotic emotion? I have sat on blocks of coal in the Pictou mines, wandered through glens of Cape Breton and around Cape North, and driven for a hundred miles under apple blossoms in the Cornwallis and Annapolis valleys. I have seen the glory of our Western mountains, and toiled through passes where the great cedars and Douglas pines of the Pacific slope hid sun and sky at noonday, and I say that, in the four thousand miles that extend between, there is everything that man can desire, and the promise of a mighty future. If we cannot make a country out of such materials it is because we are not true to ourselves; and if we are not, be sure our sins will find us out.” All narrow partisanship he hates, and every kind of wire-pulling and corruption he most emphatically denounces, whether the purchase be that of a vote, a constituency, or a province. The evils inflicted on the country by the virulence of blind party spirit he has again and again exposed, with a frankness that finds no favor from the thorough-going partisans of either side. During the elections of 1886-7 his voice and pen urged on all whom he could reach the honest discharge of the most sacred trust of citizenship, the paramount duty of maintaining political purity—of opposing, as an insult to manhood itself, every approach to bribery, direct or indirect. Nor were his eloquent appeals to conscience quite in vain. Some elections at least were in some degree the purer because, leaving the beaten track to which some preachers too often confine themselves, he followed the example of the old Hebrew prophets in denouncing the moral evils that threaten to sap the public conscience, and seeking at a public crisis to uphold the “righteousness that exalteth a nation.” In 1877 Principal Grant was called from his pastorate at Halifax, to take the responsible office of principal of Queen’s University, Kingston. It was no sinecure that was offered him, and considerations of personal happiness and comfort would have led him to decline the call. But the university had urgent need of just such a man to preside over its interests, and he could not refuse what he felt a call of duty. The institution was passing through a financial crisis, and it was imperatively necessary that it should be at once placed on a secure basis, with a more satisfactory equipment. He threw himself into his new work with characteristic energy, and his great talent for organization and comprehensive plans soon made itself felt. It is mainly due to his counsels and efforts that the university has been able to lengthen her cords and strengthen her stakes, as in the last ten years she has done. His eloquence stirred up the city of Kingston to provide a beautiful and commodious building to replace her former cramped and inconvenient habitation. But the gifts that he secured for her treasury were of less account than the stimulus imparted to the college life by his overflowing vitality and enthusiasm—a stimulus felt alike by professors and students. The attendance of the latter largely increased, and the high aims and ideals of the principal could not fail to have their influence on all its grades, down to the youngest freshman. He has always treated the students not as boys, but as gentlemen, seeking to lead rather than to coerce, and under his sway there has been no need of formal discipline. The application of female students for admission to the university led him to grant their request without reluctance or hesitation, from a conviction that public educational institutions should be open to the needs of the community as a whole, and, in supplying these, know no demarcations of sex. Without taking any special part in the movement for the “Higher Education of Women,” he believes that every individual who desires a thorough mental training should have the opportunity of procuring it. He has a firm faith in the power of the ineradicable laws of human nature to prevent any real confusion of “spheres,” and believes that it is as beneficial to the race as to the individual, that each should receive the fullest training and development of which he or she is susceptible. On the subject of University federation, Principal Grant has maintained a strongly conservative attitude. He believes firmly in the wisdom of respecting historic growth and continuity of organisation, and in the salutary influence of honorable traditions on institutions as well as countries. He deprecates extreme centralisation, as narrowing the scope of education for the many, even though raising its standard for the few. He thinks that for Canada, as for Scotland and the United States, several distinct universities, each with its own individuality and _esprit de corps_, will prove most useful in the end; and that the Queen’s University, for the good work she has done and the high position she has maintained, deserves to preserve her continuous historic life. Heartily endorsed in this position by the trustees and graduates of the university, he has set himself vigorously to the task of raising by voluntary subscription such an endowment as shall give it an assured position for the future, in the face of the growing needs of higher education in Canada. Probably no other man would have dared such a task, but that he will carry it to a successful completion few can doubt who know the man and the magnetic power over men of his cheery and resolute spirit. Principal Grant has since his appointment acted as professor of divinity also. His prelections in the class-room, like his preaching, are characterised by breadth of thought, catholicity of sympathy and vividness of presentation. He has instituted a series of Sunday afternoon services for the university, conducted sometimes by himself or other professors, sometimes by eminent preachers from other places and of different denominations. These are much appreciated, not only by the professors and students, but also by a large class of the thoughtful citizens of Kingston, to whom—though many admirable sermons are preached there—none are more welcome than those of the principal himself. As a preacher he is marked by simplicity, directness, earnestness and force. For “fine writing” and rhetorical and finished periods he has no admiration, and aims instead at the direct conversational style for which he has the highest of all examples. He is not afraid of plain speaking, and prefers direct appeals to heart and conscience to theological disquisitions. Valuing only that vital religion which is the root of right feeling and right action in daily life, he has no respect for a “profession” of faith without its fruits. As in the case of political sins, so he denounces social and individual sins with the same fearless freedom, believing that this is one of the preacher’s most solemn duties. He strives not for _effect_ but for _effects_, and though he not infrequently rises to impassioned appeals, he aims rather at producing permanent conviction than temporary excitement. His moral influence on the community is somewhat analogous to that of the late Rev. Henry Ward Beecher in the neighboring republic. He is always on the side of the generous and unselfish policy as against that of mere expediency, and he seeks to uphold the pursuit of a noble idea as infinitely better than that of mere material success. Many, especially of young Canadians, owe to him their perception of this truth, and some measure of inspiration for his enforcement of it, and from the example of a noble and unselfish life. But while ever ready to promote with heart and hand any movement for the real good of humanity, he believes in no artificial panacea for evil. He holds that as this is radical, having its root in human selfishness, that power alone, which can change the natures of individuals, can in the long run change the condition of masses, and he believes that the only true light of a darkened World streams from the Cross. “In this sign” all his efforts, all his teachings find their inspiration. To him it is the most real of all realities; and to make it such to others is the central aim and impulse of his life. His faith in this, and in the duty of the Christian church to fulfil her “marching orders,” have made him a warm advocate for Christian missions, giving a catholic sympathy to all, of whatever name, who are seeking to plant among the heathen abroad what he holds to be the root of a true Christian civilization, or who are laboring by any method to humanise and christianise the heathen at home. The narrowness of conventionality in religion is as repulsive to him as that of creed or ritual. He delights to own true brotherhood with all who “profess and call themselves Christians,” and he looks and labors for the true spirit of unity in the Christian church, which shall give it its true power in the world. It is the inspiration of this faith and hope which has made his life so fruitful in power and inspiration, and will make him live in many hearts and lives when other men, as prominent now, shall be forgotten.

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=Gendreau, Jean Baptiste=, Notary Public, Coaticook, county of Stanstead, province of Quebec, was born on 25th February, 1850, in that part of the old parish of St. Hyacinthe now called Ste. Madeleine, in the province of Quebec. His father, Jean Baptiste Gendreau, was first a farmer and afterwards an hotel keeper in the parish of St. Pie, in Bagot county. Jean Baptiste Gendreau, the subject of our sketch, first studied at the College of St. Hyacinthe, and after completing his college course, passed a few months in the Jesuits’ Novitiate, at Sault-au-Récollet, near Montreal. He left the latter place for Coaticook in the fall of 1873, where he served for a few months as a clerk in a store, and then, in May, 1874, he decided to study the notarial profession. This he did for four years, and was then admitted to the profession of notary in May, 1878. He then settled in Coaticook, where he still resides and does a good business. Though comparatively a young man, he has taken a prominent part in all the public questions, and is now one of the leading citizens of his district, especially amongst the people of his own nationality. When Mr. Gendreau first settled in Coaticook it was a village municipality, erected in January, 1864; now it has grown to be an enterprising place, and there are several manufactories and industries established in it. Mr. Gendreau has successfully filled the following offices, namely: secretary-treasurer of the Catholic School Board since 1875; municipal councillor since 1881; president of the old Coaticook Building Society at the time of its liquidation in 1882; director of the Eastern Townships Colonization and Credit Company of Lake Megantic since 1882; mayor of Coaticook, after its erection into a town, in 1884 and 1885, and warden of the county of Stanstead during the same years; and is now the revising officer of the same county under the new Dominion Franchise Act. He was married to Marie Rose Durocher, daughter of Gédéon Durocher, a notary public of the parish of St. Aimé, in Richelieu county.

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=McKnight, Robert=, Owen Sound, Registrar of the county of Grey, was born at Kilkeel, in the county of Down, Ireland, on the 4th September, 1836. His parents were Robert McKnight and Eliza Gray. He received a scanty education in the schools of his native village, and when only nineteen years of age left his native land for Canada. He arrived in New York in the latter end of June, 1858, and while there he engaged with the captain of a whaling ship to go to the Arctic regions on a whaling expedition, but in consequence of the ship not being ready to put to sea at the time agreed upon, he broke off the engagement and started for Canada. Arriving in Tossoronto, Simcoe county, he found employment in a saw mill. Six months after the mill was placed in his charge, and the entire business was conducted by him for the next three years. In 1860 he left the mill, and took charge of a school in the adjoining township of Essa, where he remained for another three years. Leaving Essa, he took up his abode in Tecumseth, where he taught for another three years, and during this time secured the highest grade of a first-class teacher from the County Board of Education. In 1864 he entered the Military School at Toronto, and received a cadet’s commission. He raised a company of volunteers at Markdale during the Fenian raid, and was chosen captain, but the minister of militia having declined to increase the strength of the 31st battalion, the company disbanded. Subsequently, however, on his removal to Meaford, he accepted a lieutenant’s commission in No. 2 company Grey battalion, and remained in the service until he was appointed registrar of Grey, when he resigned. Bidding good-bye to school teaching, he opened a general store in the village of Markdale, Grey county, where he remained for two years and then sold out. He next took up his abode in Cookstown, Simcoe county, and here began business anew, adding drugs to his general business. Next year a fire broke out in the village, and, among other buildings, swept away Mr. McKnight’s store and dwelling. Nothing disheartened by this calamity, although a great loser by the destruction of the contents of both store and dwelling, he went to work and paid up every dollar of his indebtedness. He then removed to the then rising village of Meaford, and went into the drug and grocery business, and through close attention to business he soon overcame his losses at Cookstown, and it was not long before he became one of the leading citizens, taking an active part in everything pertaining to the advancement of the village. As a politician he was ever active, having first taken a part in the contest between the late Hon. William McMaster and John W. Gamble, in the old home district, for a seat in the Legislative Council of Canada. At this time Mr. McKnight sided with Mr. McMaster and the Reformers, and has ever since worked in the same ranks. In 1872 he was chosen by the Reformers to contest East Grey against W. R. Fletcher, the Conservative candidate, for a seat in the House of Commons, but he failed to secure his election. Again, in 1874, he took the field against his old opponent, but at the close of the poll it was found that Mr. Fletcher still held the seat, although only by a majority of three hundred, on the previous occasion he having carried his election by six hundred majority. In 1875 Mr. McKnight was once more chosen to carry the Liberal standard, and this time in North Grey. His opponent was David Creighton, the sitting member, and editor and proprietor of the Owen Sound _Times_, a gentleman well known throughout the riding, while Mr. McKnight was practically an outsider. The battle was a fierce one, but at the end of it Mr. Creighton held his old seat in the Ontario legislature, only, however, by a majority of fifty-nine. In 1874 Mr. McKnight was made a justice of the peace, and the same year a commissioner _per dedimus potestatem_. He was appointed registrar for the county of Grey in 1875, and to this office he now devotes the principal part of his time. His removal from the arena of politics has given the subject of our sketch some leisure to practise his favorite pursuits—notably, floriculture and horticulture—and his home in Owen Sound testifies to his skill and taste in both. But fortunately for his neighbors he does not confine himself to his own private pursuits. He is at present president of the Mechanics’ Institute; a member of the Board of Education, and of the Board of Health; and an active member of the Masonic fraternity. He is well known as an enthusiastic apiarist. He is one of the leading spirits of the Ontario Bee-keepers’ Association, having been present at the convention held in Toronto, when it was first organized, and presided over the deliberations of that meeting in the city hall for three evenings. He was elected the secretary-treasurer of the newly-organized association, and on him devolved the perfecting of the organization, which he did thoroughly and well. For two years he held this position, and during that time edited the bee department of the _Canadian Farmer_. The following year he was elected president, and he has been on the executive committee ever since. He was appointed one of the delegates to represent Ontario’s display in the Colonial exhibition, held in London, England, in 1886. The magnificent display of honey was due in a very great measure to his efforts, as after a fair trial it was found that he possessed the art of staging the goods to the best possible advantage, and we think we may say, without fear of contradiction, that he has no superior, if an equal, in this line. To him alone was left the entire arrangement of the display, and the bee-keepers of Ontario feel very grateful for his untiring efforts in watching and carefully keeping the display up, changing it from day to day and from week to week, and making it always look fresh, as if just placed in position. He not only worked in the honey-building, but frequently spent hours after midnight with the pen to maintain the honor and reputation of the bee-keepers of his adopted country. He is an adherent of the Presbyterian church. In 1865 he was married to Miss McLean, daughter of Duncan McLean, of Elm Grove, and has a family of three children.

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=Torrance, Hon. Frederick William=, B.C.L., Judge of the Superior Court of the Province of Quebec.—The late Judge Torrance was born in Montreal on the 16th July, 1823, and died in the same city on the 2nd January, 1887. He was a son of John Torrance, in his lifetime one of the leading merchants of Montreal. Judge Torrance received his primary education at private schools at Montreal, at the Nicolet College, and at Edinburgh under private tutors; and finally entered the University of Edinburgh, where he took the degree of M.A. in 1844, ranking second in the order of proficiency in classics and mathematics. He had previously, in 1839-40, followed courses of lectures at Paris, France, at the Ecole de Médecine and at the Collège de France. He studied law with the late Duncan Fisher, Q.C., and the Hon. James Smith, subsequently attorney-general for Lower Canada, and a judge of the Queen’s Bench. In 1848 he was called to the bar of Lower Canada. In 1852 he formed a partnership with Alexander Morris, who afterwards for a time filled the position of chief justice of the Court of Queen’s Bench for Manitoba—the firm being known as Torrance and Morris. In 1861, Hon. Mr. Morris having entered the political arena, was elected to represent South Lanark in the Legislative Assembly, and shortly afterwards removed to the province of Ontario. He was succeeded in the firm by his brother, J. L. Morris. On 27th August, 1868, Mr. Torrance was appointed a puisne judge of the Superior Court of Quebec, and from that time until his death earned for himself the reputation of an eminent jurist, and an upright, careful and painstaking judge. His decisions in business matters were always considered of great value, on account of his extensive experience in commercial law while practising at the bar. Judge Torrance was lecturer and professor of Roman law in McGill University (of which he was governor, and from which he obtained the degree of B.C.L. in 1856) from 1854 to 1870. In 1865, he was one of the commissioners appointed to enquire into the St. Albans raid affair, and did good service. In conjunction with Strachan Bethune, Q.C., J. L. Morris, and the late Mr. La Franaie, he brought out the _Lower Canada Jurist_, to which he contributed for many years. He was intimately connected with the Fraser Institute, and with the Hon. J. J. C. Abbott devoted much of his time towards establishing a free library in connection therewith. In religion Judge Torrance was a staunch Presbyterian, and he took a deep interest in all things relating to that church. He was president of the Presbyterian Sabbath-school Association, and after being connected with the Coté Street Church, Montreal, for many years, he became an elder of Crescent Street Church, which position he held at the time of his death. He contributed materially to the foundation of the Montreal Presbyterian College, and always took a lively interest in its welfare. He was also a life governor of the Montreal General Hospital. He subscribed largely to the general fund of the Home and Foreign Missions of the Presbyterian church. He took special interest in the missions to the Jews. He always identified himself enthusiastically with Sabbath-school work. He was known as a generous, kind-hearted and public-spirited citizen, and his death was deeply regretted by a large number of personal friends and the whole community, by whom he was held in great esteem. Some ten years ago he married Mrs. Pugh, of Louisville, Ky. He left a widow, but had no children. Judge Torrance was not reputed to be very wealthy, but during his lifetime his donations to the institutions with which he was connected were large and numerous.

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=Thomson, Donald Cameron=, Lieutenant-Colonel, Lumber Merchant, Quebec, one of the most esteemed and successful men of business in the ancient capital, was born in 1823, at Kenlochiel House, near St. Andrew’s, county of Argenteuil, province of Quebec. His father served as a commissariat officer during the war of 1812; and his mother belonged to the family of Lochiel. In 1860, when the _Trent_ outrage aroused the loyalty of Canada’s sons, Mr. Thomson raised a company of volunteers, and was attached to the battalion commanded by Lieut.-Col. De Salaberry, and on the latter retiring from the service, Captain Thomson was promoted to the lieutenant-colonelcy, and given command of the battalion. He was out during the Fenian troubles, and subsequently retired retaining his rank. For a number of years Colonel Thomson has been actively engaged, and still continues, in the export trade of timber to Britain, etc. He took a prominent part in the creation of the Union Bank of Canada, at Quebec, as well as in the formation of several commercial companies connected with river navigation. At present he is a director of the Union Bank of Canada; vice-president of the Quebec Steamship Company; president of the Saguenay & Lake St. John Railway Company; director of the St. Lawrence Steamboat Company; and director of the Quebec Ferry Company. A lover of sport Col. Thomson divides his summer vacation between the secluded salmon pools of the Murray river, leased to him, and his rustic cottage at Pointe-à-Pic, Murray Bay. Later on one may meet him scouring for cariboo, with an Indian guide, the snow-clad heights in rear of Baie St. Paul, known as Les Jardins. In politics the colonel may be counted among the Liberal-Conservatives, and in religion an adherent of the Presbyterian church. He is married to Annie Atkinson, niece of the late Henry Atkinson, of Spencerwood.

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=Oulton, Alfred E.=, Dorchester, Judge of Probate for the county of Westmoreland, New Brunswick, was born in Westmoreland, on the 2nd March, 1845. His parents were Thomas E. Oulton and Elizabeth Carter, both natives of Westmoreland county, whose ancestors came from Yorkshire, England, and settled in Westmoreland in 1763. Mr. Oulton received his education at the schools of his native place, and after attending in his father’s store for a while, went to Sackville, New Brunswick, and spent three years in Mount Allison Academy, taking a course of studies which embraced the higher mathematics and the Latin language. He adopted law as a profession, and pursued his studies in the office of A. L. Palmer, now judge in equity of New Brunswick. He was admitted to practice as an attorney in June, 1867, and as a barrister in June the following year. He then went into a law partnership with Mr. Palmer for three years, when Mr. Palmer removed to St. John and the partnership was dissolved. Since then he has carried on business on his own account, and we may say here that he has been a very successful lawyer. His practice extends into all the courts in the province, and also into the Supreme courts of the Dominion, and he does a great deal of office work, such as the collecting of claims, conveyancing, and general notarial work. Mr. Oulton was elected secretary of the municipal council of Dorchester, N.B., on its organization on the 7th June, 1887, and still holds the office. On the death of Governor Chandler, he was appointed judge of probate, August 1, 1878, and is considered practical and painstaking in the discharge of his official duties, and gives great satisfaction to the public. He is a commissioner for the Admiralty Court of New Brunswick. He joined the Masonic order in 1866, and was for three years in succession master of the Blue lodge at Dorchester. He is also a Royal Arch Mason, being a member of the chapter held at Moncton. In religion he is a member of the Church of England; and in politics a Conservative. He was married in June, 1883, to Kate Estabrook, daughter of the late G. B. Estabrook, of Sackville, N.B., and they have a family of three children, two boys and one girl.

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=McIsaac, Colin F.=, Barrister, Antigonish, Nova Scotia, M.P.P. for Antigonish, was born at South River, Antigonish county, in 1856. He is of Scotch descent, his ancestors having come from Inverness-shire, Scotland, many years ago, and settled in Antigonish county. His brother, Angus McIsaac, now judge of the county court of Antigonish, sat in the House of Commons at Ottawa from 1873 to 1885. Colin F. McIsaac was educated at St. François Xavier College, in his native county. Having adopted law as a profession, he devoted some years to study, and on 12th January, 1880, was admitted to the bar of Nova Scotia, since which time he has successfully practised his profession. In 1882 he was elected a governor of St. François Xavier College, and has occupied this position ever since. He entered political life in 1886, and at the general election held that year was elected by a handsome majority to represent Antigonish in the Nova Scotia legislature. In politics Mr. McIsaac is a Liberal; and in religion is a member of the Roman Catholic church.

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=Philp, Rev. John=, M.A., Pastor St. James Street Methodist Church, Montreal, is a Canadian by birth, having been born in the town of Cobourg, in the province of Ontario. His father, the Rev. William Philp, a native of Cornwall, England, was for nearly forty years a minister of the Wesleyan Methodist church in Canada. His mother was a person of rare excellence of heart and life. Rev. Mr. Philp, the subject of our sketch, was educated at Victoria University, Cobourg, and graduated in the arts course in 1861, receiving the B.A. degree, and taking the Hodgins prize. Three years later the same university conferred upon him the M.A. degree. He entered the ministry of the Wesleyan Methodist church in 1860, when in the twentieth year of his age, and while yet at college. In June, 1861, he received his first appointment. In June, 1865, he was married to Miss Maggie Grafton, of Dundas, Ontario, and has a family of four children, living, the eldest of whom will soon graduate in medicine in McGill University, Montreal. His stations in order have been Oakville, Dundas, St. Mary’s, Woodstock, Fairfield, Windsor, Paris, St. Mary’s, Queen’s Avenue Church, London; Wesley Church, Hamilton; Carlton Street Church, Toronto; St. James Street Church, Montreal, and few ministers in the denomination can show more work done in the Master’s vineyard during nearly twenty-eight years. Fairfield circuit, near Brantford, was his first superintendency, and here extensive revivals of religion took place. One of the finest country churches was erected on what is known as Fairfield Plain. At Windsor during his term, the small frame building in which the congregation had long worshipped was superseded by a new and attractive brick church. At Paris, the present beautiful sanctuary was built, and thus the interests of Methodism there greatly furthered. At St. Mary’s, a remarkable temperance movement took place, in which over two thousand signed the pledge. In this he took an active part. During his term in London, the Queen’s Avenue Methodist Church was modernised and beautified, at a cost of $14,000. And since he took charge of the St. James Street Church, Montreal, the congregation, by their spirit and liberality, have begun a signally important and greatly needed work—the erection of a representative church in a more central part of the city; which, when it is completed will be the most imposing and commodious religious edifice of Methodism in Canada. Mr. Philp has received many marks of esteem and confidence on the part of his brethren in the church. He has been the secretary of the London Conference; secretary of the Examining Board; delegate to the General Conference; Conference examiner for the Theological College, Montreal; preacher of one of the baccalaureate sermons for Victoria University, &c. Though greatly devoted to his ministerial duties, he has found time to go abroad a little, making a trip to Britain, and a tour through the Continent, sailing up the Rhine, lingering amid the glories of Alpine scenery, and viewing some of the principal cities of Europe. While in England, nothing affected the reverend gentleman more than a visit to the little Cornish town where his (now sainted) parents were born and spent their early days. From that unpretentious centre (Lostwithiel and its immediate vicinity) came eight young men who knew each other in their boyhood, and who entered the ministry of the Methodist church in Canada, doing blessed and effective service for Christ. Most of them have since passed to their reward. Rev. Mr. Philp is a firm believer in the great doctrines of truth as held by the Methodist church, not because they are the creed of the church, but because they are the vitalities of Christian life; preeminently, the divinity of the Son of God, the vicarious character and sufficiency of the atonement, free and full salvation alone through faith in Christ, regeneration, the witness of the Spirit, the divine authority of the Holy Scriptures. But, while strongly attached to the Methodist church, he would scorn all narrowness of thought and view, all servile devotion to mere dogma, all sectarian prejudice and caste, and would most fervently pray with the Apostle, “Grace be with all them that love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity.” He believes that the pulpit should be progressive in its spirit and aim; abreast of the times in sanctified scholarship and power to teach, wisely conservative in its doctrinal tendency (by which he means not too eager to hail and foster new things), gospel in its character, never descending to the level of the mere lecture platform, or wasting its energy in mere speculative enquiry. Its one mission should be to preach Christ with all tenderness, simplicity, earnestness and directness as the sinner’s hope, the world’s saviour. The Montreal _Daily Star_, of the 24th October, 1887, thus kindly speaks of the Rev. Mr. Philp:—“He is a comparatively young man, although his ministerial work has been much greater and more varied than falls to the lot of men of his years. In the pulpit he presents the appearance of a man of great intellectual power, and his delivery bears out the impression, as his discourses are logical and keenly analytic. His elocution is easy, and increases in animation as he approaches the conclusion and application of his arguments. Mr. Philp is noted as a successful revivalist, and he has held in many places large meetings, and by his earnest, self-denying labors in every station in which he has labored caused large increases in the membership of his church. While especially active in forwarding the advance of the spiritual interests of his flock, Mr. Philp is not forgetful of the fact that the handmaids of religion, architecture, music, etc., have also their influence on the people. He has endeavored to promote their cultivation in available forms, and his efforts in the direction of improving the ecclesiastical structures over which he has had control, and the erection of others, have been peculiarly successful.”

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=Paton, Hugh=, General Manager and Secretary of the Shedden Company, Montreal, was born at Johnstone, Renfrewshire, Scotland, on the 5th October, 1852. His parents were William Paton and Mary Shedden, of Kilbirnie, Ayrshire, Scotland. Mr. Paton received his education in the Grammar School of Paisley, Scotland. In 1871 he came out to Canada, to reside with his uncle, the late John Shedden, railway contractor, Toronto. He entered Mr. Shedden’s office in Toronto, and remained there until that gentleman’s untimely death in 1873, he having been killed by a train on the Toronto and Nipissing Railway, when celebrating the opening of that line, which he had built. Mr. Paton then removed to Montreal, where he has since resided, and became secretary-treasurer of the Shedden Company, general forwarders and carriers, and cartage agents for the Grand Trunk Railway, which succeeded to the business of the deceased Mr. Shedden. This position he occupied until 1879, when he became manager and secretary, and this office he still holds; and we say here that Mr. Paton is now the principal proprietor of this company. He was honorary secretary-treasurer of the Province of Quebec Turf Club for four years; and honorary secretary-treasurer of the Montreal Tandem Club for two years. From 1879 to 1886 he was honorary secretary-treasuror of the Montreal Hunt; and this year (1887) he was elected master of the fox hounds, and that position he now holds. He has always taken an interest in racing and in agricultural pursuits, and is the owner of a farm near the city of Montreal where he resides during the summer months, and where he indulges in his favorite pursuits. He has owned several “Queen’s platers” and “steeple-chasers.” Since Mr. Paton took charge of the Shedden Company he has considerably extended its ramifications over the Dominion of Canada and the Western States of America, carrying on the business of contractors, forwarders, and carriers, owning about eight hundred horses, and grain and general storage warehouses at several points. In 1879 he made an extended tour over the continent of America, visiting nearly all the western states, and among other places of note Salt Lake City, the Yosemite valley, and San Francisco. Since then he has twice travelled over the continent of Europe. Mr. Paton is a Liberal-Conservative in politics; and in religion is an adherent of the Presbyterian church. He was married in 1884 to Bella Robertson, daughter of Andrew Robertson, formerly merchant, Montreal, and now chairman of the Montreal Harbor Commission.

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=De Wolfe, Charles Edgar=, Windsor, Barrister, Judge of Probate, and Revising Barrister for the county of Hants, Nova Scotia, was born in the town of Windsor, the shire town of the county of Hants, Nova Scotia, on the 22nd of July, 1845. His parents were James Lovitt De Wolfe, and Margaret A., daughter of the late Thomas Lovett, of Cornwallis, Kings county, Nova Scotia. Their children were Charles Edgar, Sarah Frances, widow of the Rev. H. P. Almon; Amelia Isabella; Benjamin Arthur, who died 17th February, 1845; James Lovitt, a doctor, residing in England; Benjamin Alfred, who died 17th August, 1851; Perez Morton, head of the well-known book firm of De Wolfe, Fiske & Co., Archway Book Store, 365 Washington street, Boston; Annie, wife of W. I. Fenwick, broker, Montreal, and Mary Agnes. J. L. De Wolfe was a lawyer, studied law in the office of the late Judge L. M. Wilkins; and subsequently, and for many years, Mr. De Wolfe was engaged in mercantile business in the town of Windsor, in the widely-known firm of B. De Wolfe & Son, in which he was junior partner. He died on 16th April, 1863, and his wife died on 23rd November, 1886. Benjamin De Wolfe, grandfather of C. E. De Wolfe, was the senior partner in the before-mentioned firm. He was member for Hants county in 1827-31. He married a Miss Lovitt, of the city of St. John, New Brunswick. They had four children, James Lovitt, Benjamin, lost at sea when acting as supercargo of a vessel; George, a medical student, also dead; and Sarah L., who now resides in Windsor. Benjamin De Wolfe, senior, died 9th December, 1863. Loran De Wolfe, the father of Benjamin, was born at Say Brook, Connecticut, 7th April, 1754. He resided in Windsor, or about three miles from it, the greater portion of his life. He married Mary Fox, of Cornwallis, Kings county. They had five children, viz., Benjamin, Phœbe M., George, Hannah, and Isaac. In 1791 Loran De Wolfe was assessor for the town of Windsor. The “Baptist Missionary Magazine” for April, 1835, in an obituary notice of him remarks: “As an instance of the public confidence in this worthy man, we may remark that he was elected in 1812 by acclamation, to represent the township of Windsor in the General Assembly. He retained his seat until ill health obliged him to retire from public life.” Nathan De Wolfe, father of Loran, and great-great-grandfather of C. E. De Wolfe, was born in Say Brook, Connecticut, in 1720, graduated A.M. in 1743, at Yale College, New Haven, and was engaged in the practice of law. He had previously “owned the covenant,” or joined the Congregational church, 7th June, 1741. He married, first, about 1748, Lydia Kirtland, daughter of John Kirtland. His second wife was Lydia Beldon, born at Say Brook, October 28th, 1721. Their children were Lucilla; Edward, born 1752; Loran, born 7th April, 1754; Elisha, born 5th May, 1756, and Nathan. Nathan, senr., came to Horton, Kings county, Nova Scotia, in 1760. He was a successful farmer. The Nova Scotian census returns of 1770 give a detailed account of his farm produce and stock. His residence was on the east side of the main post road, opposite to the present Baptist church, in Wolfville (1887). His legal practice did not interfere with his agricultural pursuits. He was for many years senior justice of the peace for Kings county. He was also registrar of probate, and took an active part in public affairs. He died at Horton on the 21st of March, 1789, aged sixty-nine years. Charles Edgar De Wolfe, the subject of our sketch, after receiving the usual course of education, entered upon the study of law in the office of the solicitor of the city of Portland, Maine, U.S., and continued his studies in the office of S. L. Morse, Q.C., Bridgetown, Annapolis county, Nova Scotia, and completed them in the office of the Hon. James Macdonald, Halifax, the present chief justice of Nova Scotia. He was admitted to the bar on the 19th of July, 1870. In 1880 he was appointed judge of probate for Hants county; and in 1886 was made revising barrister for the same county, under the Electoral Franchise Act, and both offices he still continues to hold. Previous to his becoming a law student, Mr. De Wolfe owned and edited a weekly newspaper in Bridgetown, and for five years he was proprietor and editor of the Windsor _Mail_, published at Windsor, N.S. He has taken a deep interest in the temperance movement, and on various occasions, and in different places in his native province, delivered strong addresses on its behalf. In politics he is a Liberal-Conservative, and has been an active party man in his county. On the 12th of October, 1887, he was married to Cassie H., daughter of Samuel Grey, of New Annan, Colchester county, N.S. Mrs. De Wolfe was, before her marriage, a captain in the Salvation Army, and a very zealous worker for God and humanity in the provinces of Nova Scotia and Newfoundland, but through ill health, had to retire from active service in the army. Mrs. De Wolfe has a sister in India, working there as a missionary, under the direction of the Baptist Board of Foreign Missions, of Nova Scotia.

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=Killam, Amasa Emerson=, Moncton, Manager of the St. Martin’s and Upham Railway, M.P.P. for Westmoreland county, New Brunswick, was born on the 25th of August, 1834. His parents were born in New Brunswick, his father on the 26th of March, 1811, and his mother on the 10th of May, 1812. His paternal grandfather was an officer in the British army, and served during the American war of independence, and on the declaration of peace came to New Brunswick and settled at Sackville. His grandparents, on the mother’s side, were U. E. loyalists, and also became settlers in the Maritime provinces. Mr. Killam received his education at the common schools of his native place. He held the position of postmaster for a number of years, and is now manager of the St. Martin’s and Upham Railway, and in 1884 purchased the Elgin, Petitcodiac and Havelock railway, from Petitcodiac to Elgin, and in 1885 built the extension of the road to Havelock, and became managing director, and in 1886 took an interest in building the Central Railway, from Norton to Fredericton, and is managing director of the company: also managing director of the Buctouche and Moncton railway. He first entered the House of Assembly after the general election held in 1878, as representative of Westmoreland county. At the following general election he failed to be returned; but in September, 1883, on the resignation of P. A. Landry, who was elected to the House of Commons at Ottawa, Mr. Killam was chosen to fill the vacancy. At the general election held in 1886 he again came before his constituents, and was once more chosen their representative in the local house. In politics he is a Liberal-Conservative. On the 25th July, 1857, he was married, at Sackville, to Millicent Wheaton, and the fruit of the union has been seventeen children.

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