Part 33

=Crossland, E. F.= (Toronto, Ont.), was born at Port Dover, Ont., in 1866, was educated at Windsor, N.S., came to Toronto in 1886, and two years later he entered the Steele-Briggs Seed Co., Limited, and is at the present time the Second Vice-President. Being a man with a practical knowledge of this business, he has been a valuable asset to the Steele-Briggs Company, and much credit is due him for the high position that firm holds in the esteem of the Canadian people to-day. While his active business career requires considerable of his time and attention, still he is a citizen of more than ordinary worth, and he takes no small interest in all measures that have a tendency towards furthering public welfare, and is also a worthy friend of both religious and charitable enterprises. He is a Dominion Council member of the Brotherhood of St. Andrew and an ex-member of the Executive Committee; rector’s warden of St. Matthew’s Anglican Church, a member of the Toronto Board of Trade, and Masonic Order. Mr. Crossland is a man who makes many friends by his pleasing manner. In politics he is a Conservative, but believes that the future prosperity of Canada largely depends upon her public men, irrespective of their political leanings.

=Dickson, Rev. James A. R., B.D.= (Galt, Ont.), was born in Tranent, Scotland, on October 22, 1839. His father was David Dickson, a pious man, who was careful of the godly upbringing of his children, and being a zealous Free Churchman, instructed them in the standards of that church. Mr. Dickson came to Canada in the summer of 1857 to an uncle in Brantford, who was engaged in business there, where he resided for some time. His uncle attending the ministry of the Rev. John Wood, of the Congregational Church, he went with him, and under the faithful preaching of Mr. Wood, experienced the great change which altered the entire current of his life. He was active in Christian work in the Sabbath school and Y.M.C.A., but an irrepressible longing for wider usefulness led him to prepare for the Christian ministry. He took private lessons in Latin and Greek, attended the Brantford Grammar School for several sessions, and in 1860 entered the Congregational College of B.N.A. in Toronto, which was then under the principalship of Adam Lillie, D.D. While pursuing theological studies here, he attended classes in Logic, Hebrew, Latin and Greek in University College; mathematics, metaphysics and other subjects being taken up by special masters appointed by the board of the Congregational College. In 1864 the college being removed to Montreal, he attended the McGill College, studying zoology, botany and geology under Sir William Dawson, LL.D.; Hebrew under Dr. De Sola, and logic, English literature and moral philosophy under Canon Leach. He graduated in 1865, and was called to the Congregational Church in London, Ontario, where he remained for six years. While here he edited for three years _The Gospel Message_, a monthly, published in Montreal. He published “Working for Jesus,” which is now and has been for the past thirteen years, issued by the American Tract Society of New York, and the Religious Tract Society of London. Also a 32-page tract, “Saved or Not?” and “Counsels for Young Converts.” In June, 1867, he married Isabella E., eldest daughter of Walter Fairbairn of London, Ontario. In 1871 he was called to the Northern Church, Toronto. Here he remained about eight years, till he changed his ecclesiastical relations, returning to the church of his fathers. While in Toronto he was honored with the highest position in the gift of the Congregational churches, being elected Chairman of the Congregational Union, of Ontario and Quebec in 1877. Here he began to write for the “Sunday School Times,” “Sunday School World,” and “Canada Presbyterian,” to which he has been a frequent contributor. He published “Immediately,” “The Rest of Faith,” “Christian Culture,” “A Good Minister of Jesus Christ,” tracts which have had an extensive circulation. He was chosen secretary of the Upper Canada Tract Society in 1874, which he held until 1879. On resigning his charge in Toronto, he visited for five months the branch societies of the Upper Canada Tract Society. He filled Dr. Cochrane’s pulpit in Brantford for three months, while the Doctor was in Britain in 1879. While here he was called to Galt, and settled there on October 13, 1879. Since his settlement in Galt he has published “Expository Bible Readings,” “Working for the Children,” and a tract entitled “A Word in Season.” On the regulations being issued for the conferring of the degree of Bachelor of Divinity, Mr. Dickson went to Montreal Presbyterian College, and passing the examinations proper to the degree, took it in March, 1883. The congregation of Galt built for him in 1881 one of the handsomest ecclesiastical structures in Canada. It is mentioned in “Picturesque Canada.” In 1887 the Religious Tract Society of London, England, published a little volume of Mr. Dickson’s entitled “How We Are Saved.” In 1891 Mr. Dickson had conferred upon him the degree of Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.), by Wooster University, Ohio, one of the great schools of learning belonging to the Presbyterian Church in the United States. He attained the degree by a stated course of special study in Political Economy and Social Science, and by examinations therein. He prepared also a paper to lay before the faculty on “Conscience the Living Source of Human Law.” In 1896 the Religious Tract Society of New York published a volume by Dr. Dickson, entitled “The Truth that Saves and How to Present It.” In 1904 Dr. Dickson wrote and published “The History of the Central Presbyterian Church, Galt,” bringing the story of the church’s life up to that time.

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=Choquette, Philippe Auguste, LL.B.= (Quebec, Que.), Advocate, Senator and Judge of the Sessions, Quebec, was born on the 6th of January, 1854, at Beloeil, County of Vercheres. His ancestors came from Amiens, Picardie, France, in 1643, and settled in Varennes, in the county where the subject of our sketch was born. His parents were Joseph Choquette, farmer, and Marie Thais Audet. He received his education at St. Hyacinthe College, and at Laval University, Quebec, and graduated B.C.L., from the latter institution in 1880, having previously taken the silver medal given by the then Governor-General, Lord Lorne, receiving, in 1899, the degree of LL.D. While he was prosecuting his studies at Laval, he acted as private secretary to the late Hon. Honore Mercier, then solicitor-general in the Joly administration, and later on Premier of Quebec Province. He held for about three years and a half the position of commercial traveller in a wholesale boot and shoe establishment in St. Hyacinthe, before he began to study law. He moved to Quebec in 1887, and entered the office of the Hon. François Langelier, then a Member of Parliament and Mayor of Quebec (who died in 1915 as Lieutenant-Governor), to study law. After being admitted to the bar of Lower Canada, in 1880, he removed to Montmagny, where he successfully practised his profession. Since 1877 he has been a contributor to “L’Union,” of St. Hyacinthe, director of “Le Soleil” in 1905-06, having before, in 1883, founded “Le Sentinelle,” of Montmagny, still existing under the name of “Le Courier de Montmagny.” In 1878 he began to take an active part in politics and in 1882 he ran for a seat in the House of Commons against A. C. P. R. Landry, now Senator, the then Conservative candidate, but was defeated by a majority of 120 votes. At the general election held in 1887, he again presented himself in opposition to Mr. Landry, and this time carried his election by a majority of 195 votes, and was re-elected in 1911-1916 by large majorities. Mr. Choquette has travelled through the principal parts of the United States and Europe. He has been Secretary of the Reform Club of the County of Montmagny. In politics he is a strong Liberal, a free trader, and in favor of commercial union. In 1898, was appointed a Judge of the Superior Court; resigned in 1904 and was called to the Senate. In 1915 was by the local Government named Judge of the Sessions of the Peace for Quebec District. He is an adherent of the Roman Catholic Church, but objects to the clergy interfering and mixing in political contests. On the 29th of August, 1883, he was married to Marie, daughter of A. Bender, prothonotary of the Superior Court, and granddaughter of the late Sir E. P. Tache, baronet, A.D.C. to her late Majesty the Queen, and one of the promoters of Confederation. As recreations he favors music and sports, and has been President of the Quebec Hockey Club from 1913 to the present time (1917). He resides at 56 Conroy St., Ottawa.

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=Choquette, Ernest= (St. Hilaire, Quebec), son of Joseph Choquette and his wife, Thais Lapointe. Born at Beloeil, Vercheres County, Quebec, November 18, 1862. Educated at St. Hyacinthe’s College and Medical Faculty of Laval University, Montreal, from which he graduated with the degrees of M.B. and M.D. Married, October 16, 1889, to Eva Perrault, daughter of Dr. Perrault of Beloeil. He has been a frequent contributor to various journals and reviews and is the author of several books, his chief works being: “Les Ribaud,” “Claude Payson,” “Les Carabinades,” “La Terre,” and “Madeline Rabaud.” He has successfully practised his profession for many years at St. Hilaire and has been Mayor of his parish for a considerable time. First entered the Legislative Council for the Province of Quebec as a Liberal on March 14, 1910, as the representative of the Constituency of Rougemont. Is a Roman Catholic in religion and is the father of the following children: Fernande, Claude, Lucas, Yves, and Girard.

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=Cave, James G.= James Gilbert Cave is one of those sterling Canadian business men who are the backbone of this country. Mr. Cave was born in Weston, Ontario, his parents’ names being Martin Cave and Nancy Morrison, and graduated from the Weston Grammar School, after which he entered the wholesale lumber business. He married Margaret B., daughter of Andrew Henderson, and has ten children: James M., Donald A., William, Charles, Gordon G., Margaret, Annie, Nora, Nellie and Lillian, three of whom, James, Charles and William, are serving overseas with the Canadian forces. Mr. Cave is a Protestant, a Liberal and a Mason, and has been a member of the Royal Grenadiers and the 48th Highlanders, serving in the North-West Rebellion of 1885. His present address is 97 Delaware Avenue, Toronto.

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=Tytler, William, B.A.=, Inspector of Public Schools, Guelph, Ont., was born on Jan. 5, 1842, in the Township of Nichol, near Elora, Wellington County, Ontario. His father was William Tytler, and his mother, Jane Inglis Forbes, aunt of Archibald Forbes, the celebrated special war correspondent. Mr. Tytler pursued his educational studies in the town of Elora, attending the Grammar school of that place, after he had passed the primary departments. A university course was planned, and he matriculated at the University of Toronto. His course here was characterized by industry, and he was especially distinguished in science and classics. He graduated in 1862, taking the gold medal for natural sciences. Mr. Tytler has likewise something of a military record. He has been a private in the Queen’s Own, Toronto University Company, and has been a member of volunteer companies at Carleton Place and at Smith’s Falls, Lanark County. The City of Guelph was the first to take advantage of the free libraries act; and in 1862, a library was established there, Mr. Tytler being secretary and chief worker in connection with that institution. He married on the 23rd July, 1879, Martha C. Harrison, younger daughter of Milner Harrison, of St. Mary’s. He is a member of the Presbyterian Church. We may say that Mr. Tytler at once turned his attention to the work of teaching upon graduation; and his record has been a very creditable one since he was head master of the Carleton Place Grammar School, during 1863 and 1864; of the Smith’s Falls Grammar School from 1865 to 1868; of the St. Mary’s High School from 1869 to 1874; and was appointed head master of the Guelph Collegiate Institute, in February, 1875. Mr. Tytler, it can be said without any exaggeration, stands in the front rank of the Canadian teaching profession. He is a sound scholar; and he brings both industry and enthusiasm into his work. In 1892, owing to ill health, he resigned his position, and was soon afterwards appointed Inspector of Public Schools for the city of Guelph, a position which he still holds.

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=Commeford, James W.= (Toronto, Ont.), was born in Toronto, April 6, 1877, and was educated in the public and high schools. Having decided to follow life as an electrical engineer and contractor he gave considerable of his time in educating himself along those lines and when satisfied as to his ability he branched out into business for himself on College Street, where he is located at the present time. He has been very successful and has to his credit to-day one of the largest electrical businesses in the city, carrying a large staff of employees the year round. Mr. Commeford was induced to offer himself as a candidate for alderman in Ward Four, many citizens believing that his expert knowledge as an electrician would be beneficial to the city at large, and was defeated by a very small margin, meaning a great loss from a city standpoint, owing to the installation of the Hydro-Electric System, when his services would have been invaluable. However, youth is on his side, and Mr. Commeford will not only be elected alderman, but will fill higher offices should he desire the honor. He is widely known in yachting circles and acquatic sports, being a member of the Queen City Yacht Club, National Yacht and Skiff Club, Alexandra Yacht Club and Rochester Yacht Club. He is honorary president of the Lake Sailing Skiff Association and President of the Canadian Power Boat Association. He has donated the Motor Cycle Championship Cup, and the Long Distance Endurance Cup of the Canadian Power Boat Association. Mr. Commeford has saved thirty-three lives from drowning in Lake Ontario and received four medals from the Humane Society for his brave and timely acts. In politics he is a Conservative and an active party man.

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=Conant, Gordon Daniel= (Oshawa, Ont.), Barrister, was deputy Reeve of Oshawa, 1914, and Mayor, 1916-1917; Secretary South Ontario Reform Association, 1915-1916. He is genial in manner, quick and easy in expression, goes straight to the point of things and is likely to be heard of in a wider field in the not distant future. Mr. Conant is the only son of Margaret and the late Thomas Conant, farmer and journalist, Oshawa, who was an extensive traveller and writer, contributing articles on travel, history and general subjects to the Toronto “Globe” for years. The subject of this sketch was born in Oshawa, January 11, 1885, and was educated at the High School of that place, afterwards graduating from the University of Toronto in 1905, with the degrees of B.A. and LL.B. and from Osgoode Hall in 1912, as Barrister-at-Law. He married Verna Rowena, daughter of Senator the Hon. E. D. Smith, manufacturer, Winona, Ont., June 25, 1915. He has one son, Douglas Smith, born in 1914, and one daughter, Verna Genevieve, born in 1916. He is a Methodist in religion and a Liberal in politics. Mr. Conant is a member of The Thirty and Golf Clubs, Oshawa, Ontario and Royal Canadian Yacht Club, Toronto, and of the Masonic Order.

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=Perry, Nathaniel Irwin= (St. Catharines, Ont.), Rector of St. Thomas Church, and Archdeacon of Lincoln and Welland since 1911. Spent fifteen months in the British Isles, travelling and studying, where he also represented the Colonial and Continental Church Society and the Church Missionary Society in different places. He is the President of St. Catharines Ministerial Association and Lincoln County Clerical Patriotic Association. Until 1913 he was Chaplain of the 2nd Dragoons. His parents are Martha and William Perry, farmer, in the Township of King, where he was born on February 10, 1867. The Rev. Mr. Perry received his education at the Newmarket High School, University of Toronto, and Wycliffe College, graduating in Arts as M.A., 1891, and in Theology, 1893. Was for some time Joint Editor of Church Record Sunday School Publications and wrote both for the “Empire Magazine,” London, England, and the “Cambridge Magazine.” On October 12, 1897, he married Jennie B., daughter of Dr. J. H. Harris, Yarmouth, N.S., by whom he has two sons, Karl Raymond, born 1900, and Ronald Harris, born 1902. Mr. Perry is a clergyman of the Church of England, a member of the Canadian Club, St. Catharines, and also of the Masonic, Oddfellows, and Orange Societies.

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=Hill, Hamnett Pinhey=, is a member of the legal firm of Greene, Hill & Hill, solicitors for the Bank of Ottawa, the Bank of British North America, and other large financial and commercial corporations, and has established for himself in the legal profession and in other spheres of life in Ottawa, a valuable reputation. Both the Dominion and the Ontario Governments recognizing Mr. Hill’s ability as a lawyer, and his reliability as such, in 1915 sought his services, respectively, as a Royal Commissioner and Official Arbitrator. In that year, owing to the charge of the Auditor-General that improprieties had arisen in the purchase of coal for the dredges fleet in British Columbia, the Dominion Government appointed Mr. Hill a Royal Commissioner to investigate and hear evidence _re_ the charge. He performed his duties, on that occasion, with marked ability. And in the same year, owing to the many disputes that had arisen in the city of Ottawa between the city and the owners of land, the Ontario Government appointed Mr. Hill as Official Arbitrator and in that capacity he is now employed. He has also, on several occasions, been called upon to act as Chairman of Conciliation Boards appointed to settle disputes between employers and employees. In 1918 Mr. Hill was appointed a Special Returning Officer under the Military Voters Act with headquarters in Paris. Mr. Hamnett Pinhey Hill was born in Ottawa on December 18, 1877, and is the son of the late Hamnett Pinhey and Margaret (Christie) Hill. He was educated in the Public and High Schools in Ottawa, and the Toronto University (B.A., 1898). He read law with McDonald, Shepley, Middleton & Donald, Toronto, and was called to the Bar in 1902, when he became a partner in the legal firm of Christie & Green, which is now, owing to the death of Mr. Christie, known as Green, Hill & Hill. Mr. Hill was President of the Canadian Club, Ottawa, during 1907-1908; President of the Liberal-Conservative Association, 1912-1914; is a member of the Executive of the Board of Trade, and was Honorary Secretary of the St. John’s Ambulance Association of Canada for the year 1917. He holds the commission of Lieutenant in the Army Service Corps. In 1917 he was elected President of the University Club of Ottawa. On September 21, 1907, Mr. Hill married Beatrice Sarah Lindsay, daughter of the late Arthur Lindsay. One son and two daughters have blessed the union. Mr. Hill is a member of the Rideau and Royal Ottawa Golf Clubs, and of the Sons of England and Orange Societies. His recreation is golf, his politics Conservative and his religion Anglican. His residence is 253 Bronson Avenue, Ottawa, Ontario.

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=Street, Lieut.-Col. Douglas Richmond=, one of the leading figures both in the business and military life of the Canadian capital, is a native of New Brunswick. He was born at Fredericton, N.B., on June 10, 1864, the son of C. F. Street, M.A., formerly of the Finance Department, Ottawa, and Lucy Audubon (Kendall) Street. His grandfather was the late Hon. J. A. Street, K.C., one of the prominent public men of New Brunswick, and for some years Attorney-General of the Province. Col. Street’s education was received in the Separate Schools of Ottawa and at Ottawa University. On graduation he decided to adopt a business career in which he proved very successful; and he is now Secretary-Treasurer of the Ottawa Electric Company, Secretary-Treasurer of the Ottawa Gas Company, and Secretary-Treasurer of the Consolidated Light, Heat and Power Company of Ottawa. Despite his business duties he has long taken an active interest in the Canadian Militia. As early as 1893 he was gazetted a second lieutenant in the Governor-General’s Foot Guards, the crack infantry regiment of Ottawa and became its commanding officer, with the rank of Lieut.-Col. in 1908. In that capacity he commanded his regiment at the Quebec Tercentenary celebration of 1908, when a large body of Canadian troops was assembled to do honor to the Prince of Wales, now His Majesty King George the Fifth, and at which Lord Roberts, General Pole-Carew and many other distinguished soldiers were present. He also commanded his regiment at the Tercentenary Celebration of the Discovery of Lake Champlain in Plattsburg, N.Y., and Burlington, Vt., in 1909. When the late war broke out Col. Street was one of those who placed his services at the disposal of the Empire. He organized, trained and became Commanding Officer of the 77th Overseas Battalion, which he took to England in June, 1916. In the various engagements which followed the battalion of Col. Street’s creation rendered most distinguished service. Col. Street now commands the 8th Infantry Brigade M.D. No. 3. Col. Street is a member of the Rideau Club, the Ottawa Golf, and the Ottawa Hunt Club. He is a Roman Catholic in religion and is married to Elizabeth Bauld, daughter of John H. Christie, Bras D’Or, Cape Breton, N.S. He resides at 12 Range Road, Ottawa.

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