A Cyclopædia of Canadian Biography Brief biographies of persons distinguished in the professional, military and political life, and the commerce and industry of Canada, in the twentieth century

Part 22

Chapter 223,723 wordsPublic domain

=L’Esperance, Hon. David Ovide= (Quebec City), Member of the Senate and Chairman of the Harbor Commission of Quebec, was born in the thriving town of Montmagny, in the County of Montmagny, in the Province of Quebec. He is the son of Edouard L’Esperance, his mother’s maiden name having been Morin. His career as a business man, banker and broker, has been a successful one, his connection with sundry influential exploiting firms having given him an influence in public circles which has been enhanced by his acumen as a parliamentarian. He has been for years a Director of the Quebec Railway Light, Heat and Power Co., a Director and President of the Quebec Exposition Board, President of the Grande Allee Apartments Company, and President of L’Evenement Publishing Company. He is President of the Amable Belanger, Ltd., Manufacturing Co., Montmagny, and of the General Car & Machinery Works of the same place. His prominence as a successful business man and his influence as a public-spirited citizen, did not fail to bring him into touch with the political circles of the Conservative Party; and in the year 1911 he was elected a Member of the Federal Parliament for Montmagny. While a member of the House of Commons, his influence as a deliberate speaker and his industry as a member of committees were acknowledged by all associated with him in parliamentary work; and, when the vacancy occurred on the Harbor Commission of Quebec, on the withdrawal of Sir William Price, he was selected to succeed the latter as Chairman of that Board. In July, 1917, he was called to the Senate. His efforts to improve the harbor facilities of the port of Quebec have been appreciated and seconded by the Federal Government and his associates in office, with due recognition of his public spirit and energy by his fellow-citizens and the country at large. In 1888, he married Miss Clara Dionne, of Ste. Anne de la Pocatiere, of the Province of Quebec. Their family residence is on Ste. Genevieve Avenue, and their summer residence at Percé, Co. of Gaspé. Mr. L’Esperance has won for himself a prominence in all the movements that have had for their purpose the advancement of the city in which he has his home. He is a loyal Quebecer. As a Conservative, he has won an influential place in his party. And as a philanthropist he has won the good opinion of his fellow-men and co-workers.

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=O’Reilly, His Honor James Redmond=, is the eldest son of the late James O’Reilly, Q.C., M.P., and Mary Jane (Redmond), born at Kingston, Ontario, February 14, 1862, and educated at Regiopolis College, Kingston, Collegiate Institute, Kingston, St. Mary’s (Jesuit) College, Montreal, and Queen’s University, Kingston, from which latter institution he graduated with the degree of B.A., and Gold Medal in Political Economy in 1882. Called to the Bar, May, 1885. Created a K.C., 1899, successfully practised his profession at Prescott for several years until his appointment as Senior County Judge for Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry, in March, 1900. His Honor was formerly a Liberal. President of the South Grenville Liberal Association for 13 years. Married December 31, 1889, Rose Mary, fourth daughter of the late James Bermingham, and is the father of two children: James, born November 16, 1891, and Wm. H., born December 26, 1896. In religion the Judge is Roman Catholic. He resides at Cornwall, Ont., and is a member of the Cornwall Club. In earlier years Judge O’Reilly had some military experience, being Bombardier in Wellington Field Battery.

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=Keefe, R. Daniel= (Penetanguishene, Ont.), Principal of the High School of that town; was born at Iroquois, Ont., June 10, 1877, and is the son of Patrick Keefe, a native of Cork, Ireland, who came to this country when a child and later settled on the St. Lawrence in the Town of Iroquois and became a builder and contractor, erecting a large planing mill, installed an electric light plant for the Town and bought the waterworks system which was afterwards sold to the municipality. Principal Keefe’s mother was of United Empire Loyalist descent. He was educated at the Iroquois High School, McGill University, Montreal, and the University of Toronto, and the School of Pedagogy, Hamilton. Graduated in 1901 with the degree of B.A., Toronto University. On graduating, taught successively in the High Schools of Port Elgin, Colborne and Gananoque, and was then appointed Principal of the Penetanguishene High School, where he has been for over twelve years teaching Science and Classics. Principal Keefe has the reputation of being one of the best after-dinner speakers in Northern Ontario. Besides the father, one brother, W. S. Keefe, a School of Science graduate in Electrical Engineering, survives. Principal Keefe has been an active member of the Carnegie Library Board, having acted as Secretary and Chairman of the Buying Committee for several years. Is President also of the Penetanguishene Hospital. Married in 1905 to Ethel Madeline, daughter of Norval Manning, of Toronto, and is the father of two children, Beverley Hartle, born 1913, and Wilbur Neville, born 1916. He is a member of the Masonic order, being Past Master of Georgian Lodge, No. 348, and Past Z. of Kichikewana Chapter No. 67, Midland; P.G.S. of the Grand Lodge of Canada. Is keenly interested in all manner of sports and prominent in Association football, hockey and curling. Has played football in the Champion team of Eastern Ontario and the Champions of Hamilton District League, winning the Spectator Cup. Has managed several hockey teams and is a Past President and Past Secretary-Treasurer of the Penetanguishene Curling Club, and has been one of the District Tankard Skips for the past four years. In religion, Mr. Keefe is a member of the Methodist Church, and politically, a Liberal.

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=MacLean, Archie=, R.R. No. 4, Paisley, Ont., was born in Bruce Township, County of Bruce, in 1868, of Highland Scotch parents, and glories in the fact that he has Highland Scotch blood flowing through his veins. He attended the public school in the section in which he lived until he was about thirteen years of age, when, being the eldest of the family, he had to leave school to assist on the farm. His ambition for an education was unquenched and he studied at home, and at the age of twenty-one took a three-months’ course in the public school, secured his matriculation. He went to Port Elgin and Walkerton High School and succeeded in creditably securing a second-class certificate. He taught school for a few years, but the profession at that time not being over-remunerative, he again took up farming, and also engaged in grazing and shipping cattle, which occupation he still successfully follows. In 1901 he was elected to the Township of Bruce Council, where he served for two years. In 1903-4 he was elected to Reeveship of the Township. In 1910 he again contested the Reeveship successfully and held the office until 1912. This office he did not covet for office sake, but being enthused with the true spirit of co-operation for the benefit of all he set the log rolling for the establishment of a municipal telephone system, for the benefit of nine different municipalities, his own native township being the initiating one. This enterprise is now looked upon as the greatest example of co-operation in the whole county. In his efforts he was ably seconded by men who caught his vision. He is at present one of a commission of three, the other two being, D. McNaughton, Ex-M.P.P., and J. J. Hunter, who handle the business of this system. Mr. MacLean is a man of splendid executive ability, which has been shown by his able judgment in all public enterprises with which he has been connected. It has been said that the farmer needs ideas. In his case he has ideas—big ones—and is not afraid to champion them even in the face of strong opposition. He is a leader and a safe one to follow, because of his canny Scotch nature. He is a good public speaker and has such splendid control of himself that he has never been known to show anger even under trying circumstances. In patriotic endeavor he is always to the fore, having done his part ably and conscientiously ever since the war began. As yet he has not taken unto himself a wife. He is a Liberal in politics, and his name has often been mentioned in connection with Parliamentary honors. He is a member of Port Elgin Lodge, No. 429, A.F. & A.M., Camp McCrimmon, S.O.S., and the I.O.O.F. His genial good nature, wide knowledge of municipal affairs and splendid physique, make him an outstanding farmer in any company.

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=Heaton, Ernest= (Toronto, Ont.), born in 1861, at Bellws-yn-Rhos, North Wales. Is the son of Rev. Hugh E. Heaton, of Plas Heaton, Denbighshire, North Wales. Educated at Marlborough College and University College, Oxford (B.A., 1884). Came to Canada on his graduation and was called to the bar of Upper Canada at Osgoode Hall, 1887. Successfully practised his profession in Toronto till 1892, when he removed to Goderich; returned to Toronto in 1900. Now manager of Heaton’s Agency, Toronto. Founded a semi-official system of publications, including Heaton’s Annual, Heaton’s Provincial Booklets and Heaton’s Handbooks of Canadian Resources. Has contributed many articles to Canadian and English magazines and is the author of “Canada’s Problem” (1895); “The Trust Company Idea and Its Development” (1904); and also editor of the “Commercial Handbook of Canada.” Married Grace, daughter of H. G. Attrill, of Baltimore and Ridgewood Park, Goderich, and is the father of the following children: Helen Grace, born 1891, married Capt. Ruggles George; Hugh Attrill, born 1893; Thomas Gilbert, born 1900; Catherine Mary, born 1893. Mr. Heaton is a member of the Toronto Golf Club, Toronto Hunt Club and Albany Club; is an adherent of the Church of England, and has been a delegate to its Synods. He is a Conservative in politics.

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=Jones, Henry Victor Franklin= (Toronto, Ont.), Assistant General Manager of the Canadian Bank of Commerce, son of the late Charles S. Jones and Helen (MacDougall); mother sister of the late Honorable William MacDougall, C.B., one of the “Fathers of Confederation.” Born at St. Mary’s, Ontario, September 28, 1871; educated at Toronto; married June 4, 1904, Bunella, daughter of the late E. W. Rathbun, Deseronto, Ontario. Entered the service of the Canadian Bank of Commerce, December 13, 1887. Was at head office and New York branch, and manager of the London, England branch of this bank. Chairman Editing Committee Journal Canadian Bankers Association, member Ontario Provincial Housing Committee. He is a member of the City Club and Conservative Club, and the Royal Colonial Institute, London, England; Richmond Country Club, New York; The York, Toronto, National, Racquet, and the Toronto Golf Clubs. Mr. Jones is the father of four children, three girls and one boy. His principal recreation is golf, racquets, fishing, shooting.

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=Middlebró, William S., K.C.= (Owen Sound, Ont.), son of John and Margaret Middlebró. Born, October 17, 1868, at the town of Orangeville, Ont. Educated at the Owen Sound Collegiate Institute and Osgoode Hall, Toronto; called to the Bar, 1892, and created a King’s Counsel in 1910; Mayor of the city of Owen Sound, 1889, and 1900. Married, September 2, 1903, to Laura J. Trethewey, who died April 21, 1907, leaving no children; on October 22, 1913, married Pearl Irene, daughter of G. B. Ryan, of Guelph, Ont. Mr. Middlebró, who enjoys a large legal practice in the city of Owen Sound, was first elected to the House of Commons in 1908; re-elected in 1911 and again in 1917, by a majority of 2,291, to represent the constituency of North Grey. He has been a prominent member in the House since his first election to Parliament and has been Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee and Chairman of the Special Committee appointed to investigate Army boots in 1915, and also chief Government Whip of the former Borden Government and of the Union Government. Mr. Middlebró is a fluent platform speaker and well versed in all questions of National importance. He is a member of the Church of England, and belongs to the Sydenham Club of Owen Sound, and has one son by his second marriage, William George.

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=Marsh, Lieutenant-Colonel Lorne Wilmot= (Belleville, Ont.), born at Frankford, Ont., June 29, 1871, son of John Secord Marsh and Lydia M. (Hunt), U.E. Loyalist descent. Educated at the Public and High Schools, Belleville. Matriculant of Toronto University and an Undergraduate. Married, February 13, 1894, Euretta M., daughter of John and Isabella Smith, Point Fortune, Quebec. Father of one son, John Edward, born June 16, 1900. Is a member of the Masonic Order and a Past Master, and a Member of The Chapter, a Knight Templar, A.O.M.S., also the I.O.O.F. and the I.O.F. Interested himself in the Municipal affairs of the city of Belleville, and served as Alderman five years, 1903-1907, inclusive, and elected Mayor in 1909 and 1910, Took active interest in military matters: Served in the ranks of the 15th Argyll Light Infantry. Lieutenant, 1898-9; Captain, 1899, and by gradual promotion rose to the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel and Commanding Officer of the Battalion. Has been a successful manufacturer since 1897, when he took over the manufacturing business of the defunct G. & J. Brown Manufacturing Company, with the late W. H. Henthorn, which was incorporated in 1908 and conducts the manufacture incident to a foundry, machine shop and boiler shop, specializing in hoisting machinery, steel tanks and general contractors’ machinery, and has recently built a $75,000.00 plant to take care of the rapidly increasing output. The nomenclature of his business is “Marsh Engineering Works, Limited.” Lieutenant-Colonel Marsh is a Methodist in religion, and has been classed as an Independent Liberal.

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=Hebert, Zepherin=, President, Hudon, Hebert & Co., Ltd., Montreal, Quebec, Wholesale Grocers and Wine Merchants, importing direct from manufacturers in Europe, China, Japan, Asia Minor and United States. Born in the city of Montreal on February 6, 1866, the son of Charles P. and Rose (Busseau) Hebert, the subject of this sketch is in the prime of life. Having attended the Catholic Commercial Academy and St. Mary’s College, Mr. Hebert received a liberal education, and to this fact, marked business ability, which he displayed at an early age, and a winning personality are due his rapid rise, and present recognized position in the Eastern Metropolis. Mr. Hebert’s business career and his advancement is worthy of note. He joined his present firm as clerk in 1883, when but seventeen years of age; admitted partner ten years later; became Director and Assistant Manager, 1906; elected Vice-President, 1908; President, 1911. This business was established, 1839, under the name of E. & V. Hudon; later, V. Hudon, J. Hudon & Co.; Hudon, Hebert & Cie, 1883; incorporated under present name, 1906, the late C. P. Hebert being first President. They now employ a staff of 170, and have 25 travelling salesmen constantly visiting all Canada and selling their goods from the Atlantic to the Pacific oceans; their turn-over ending January 31, 1913, was $4,000,000, an increase of $1,000,000 over the past two years’ business. For the last twenty-five years Mr. Hebert has been a member of the Montreal Board of Trade, second Vice-President in 1915, first Vice-President in 1916, and in 1917 was accorded the honor of being elected President of that influential body, being the first French-Canadian upon whom such a signal mark of distinction has been conferred. He was appointed a member of the Council in February, 1913; elected member Transportation Bureau December, 1913; has held most of important offices, Dominion Grocers’ Guild, and is now President; Chairman, Prize Committee, Province Quebec; President Montreal Wholesale Liquor Association; Treasurer and Governor, Notre Dame Hospital; Governor Montreal General Hospital, Governor Laval University. Mr. Hebert is a dominant force in the cultivation of harmonious relations between the Provinces of Ontario and Quebec, and was one of the promoters of the Bonne Entente movement, having presided as Chairman at the Conference when the idea was first crystallized, which led to such happy results, and is at present a member of the executive. Of broad opinions, and liberal views, he has been described as “a thorough-going Canadian.” He is an ardent admirer of British institutions, with a fine pride of his own race and its splendid traditions. His opinions on economic questions, of which he has been a close student, are held in the highest regard and his addresses before the Canadian Credit Men’s Association on “Credit and Co-operation,” and before the Wholesale Grocers’ Guild, on “Evolution of a Credit Plan” were considered masterly expositions of the subjects dealt with. Mr. Hebert has had a distinguished military career. He served with the 65th Regiment, Mount Royal Rifles, as private, 1882; saw active service in the North-west Rebellion, 1885; promoted to Sergeant and Captain, and retired with the rank of Major, after eighteen years of service. With such a fine record he is enthusiastic on the winning of the war, and prominent in all undertakings of a patriotic nature. With admirable diction he is able to speak English and French, and has all the courtesy and charm of manner which characterizes the educated French-Canadian. He married Blanche Robidoux, daughter of J. O. Robidoux, Oct. 9, 1894; has two sons, Charles P. and Jacques Robidoux, and two daughters, Marielle and Gertrude. He belongs to the following clubs: Canadian, Jockey. Recreations: General, military affairs. Politics, Independent Liberal. Religion, Roman Catholic. Address, Montreal, Quebec.

=McMahon, Edward= (Ottawa), arrived in Canada from Ireland in 1882, and immediately entered into the real estate business as agent for the owners of By Estate. In 1891 he was appointed to the Secretaryship of the Central Canada Exhibition Association, and held that position until 1916, when he retired. During this period he remained in the real estate business and was also Secretary-Treasurer for Registered Sale Pure Bred Cattle. Mr. McMahon is a member of the firm of Bate & McMahon, builders of Connaught Rifle Range, South March (1913), and member of the firm of Bate, McMahon & Co., Contractors with the Dominion Government for the construction of Valcartier Camp, Quebec; Camp Sewell, Manitoba; and Camp Hughes, Alberta; Camp Borden, the largest Military Camp in the world; also builders of Aviation Camps, viz., Borden, Mohawk and Leaside, under contract with the Imperial Munitions Board. Mr. McMahon is also senior member of the firm of E. McMahon & Son, Insurance and Real Estate Agents, and is on the Board of Directors of the following companies, viz., Dominion Hardwoods, Limited; the Ottawa Construction Company; the Standard Paving Company, and the Ottawa Artificial Ice Company. It was owing to Mr. McMahon’s marked business and executive ability during the twenty-five years that he held the Secretaryship and, practically, the General Management, that the Central Canada Exhibition Association, next to Toronto, is now the best institution of the kind in Canada. Each year, from the time of his appointment, it grew stronger, more attractive and more valuable, until to-day it is second only to Toronto’s Great Annual Exhibition. Mr. McMahon came to Canada from Monaghan, Ireland, where he was born, January 17, 1862. His father and mother were Edward McMahon, farmer and accountant, and Jane Mitchell. He was educated at the National and Collegiate Schools and graduated with honors. He married Susan Jane Haram, daughter of Robert Haram, Ottawa, and has two sons and one daughter, viz.: H. E. McMahon, Lillian M. McMahon and Robert M. McMahon. He is a member of the Loyal Orange Institution and a Mason; is a Conservative in politics and a Protestant in religion. He resides at 87 James St. and has offices in the Central Chambers.

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=Jacobs, Samuel W., K.C., M.P.=, senior member of the legal firm of Jacobs, Couture & Fitch, Montreal, Que. Has been President of the Baron de Hirsch Institute, 1912-1914, and is a member of the Canadian Committee of the Jewish Colonization Association of Paris, which administers the Baron de Hirsch Fund. He is an Honorary Vice-President of the Jewish Publication Society of America, and was a director and member of the governing board of the Montreal Reform Club for many years. Mr. Jacobs has contributed numerous papers on legal subjects to various law Reviews, and is the author of “Railway Law of Canada,” also joint editor of Jacobs and Garneau’s Code of Civil Procedure. He was born in Lancaster, Glengarry County, Ontario, the son of William and Hannah Jacobs, and received his early education at Montreal High School, graduating from McGill University in 1893, as B.C.L., with first rank honors, and from Laval University in the following year as LL.M. cum Laude. He was elected to the House of Commons at the general elections in 1917 for the George Etienne Cartier Division of Montreal by over 6,000 majority, defeating two opponents. In 1906 he was created a King’s Counsel. Mr. Jacobs married Miss Amy Stein, daughter of the late Michael Stein of Baltimore, Md., in April, 1917, and they have issue one daughter, Hannah, born in 1918. He is a member of the Jewish religion, and a Liberal in politics.

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=Boyer, Major Gustave=, son of Benjamin Boyer and Angelique Latour (both French-Canadians), born November 29, 1871, at St. Laurent, Jacques Cartier County, near Montreal. Educated at St. Laurent College and Laval University. Married April 10, 1907 to Pamela, daughter of François Rheaume of Montreal. Formerly a public lecturer on agriculture for the Quebec Government. Has been connected with both “La Patrie” and “Le Canada,” as agricultural editor. Founded the “Echo de Vaudreuil,” 1897; was alderman and mayor of the town of Rigaud for nine years. Has had an active military career, being Major and Second in Command of the 17th Regiment Duke of York’s Royal Canadian Hussars, of which he organized B. Squadron in Vaudreuil County, and afterwards organizer and first commanding officer of the 33rd Regiment of Hussars, Vaudreuil and Soulanges. First elected to the House of Commons as a Liberal at the general election of 1904, and re-elected in 1908, 1911, and 1917. Major Boyer is recognized as an authority on all matters pertaining to agriculture.

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