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 49

Chapter 493,881 wordsPublic domain

=Machado, Jose Antonio, B.A.=, is Vice-President of the American Bank Note Company, and Chief Executive Officer of its Canadian Branch, with headquarters at 208-228 Wellington Street, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada; and is also a Director of the American Bank Note Company, New York. Mr. Machado is a son of the late Juan Francisco Machado, gentleman (A.B. University of Havana), and Elizabeth Frances Jones, and was born at Camaguey, Cuba, January 20, 1862. He was educated in Salem, Mass., U.S.A., and at Harvard University, and graduated as Bachelor of Arts in 1883. After graduation, Mr. Machado took a special course in mechanical engineering, and later acquired his business training in New York City, and during that period travelled somewhat extensively in Europe, the West Indies, and Mexico. On May 16, 1893, Mr. Machado was married to Eleanor Esmond Whitman, daughter of the late Alfred Whitman, merchant, of New York City, and a native of Annapolis Royal, N.S. There are four daughters and two sons, viz., Eleanor Whitman (now Mrs. Lawrence M. Mead), Jose Antonio, Jr., John Zaldivar, Angela Andrews, Salome Cecilia, and Theodora. Both sons have been in active service overseas during the great war. In January, 1902, Mr. Machado came to Ottawa and took charge of the American Bank Note Company’s Canadian plant and business, which includes the preparation of the Dominion of Canada bank notes, postage stamps, and inland revenue stamps, as well as the larger part of the bank notes for the chartered banks of Canada. The company also prepares engraved bonds, stock certificates and other securities for various Canadian corporations. The business has kept pace with the general development of the business of the Dominion, so that additional buildings have been erected from time to time, until the plant now comprises a large group of modern fire-proof buildings. The plant is a model one in every respect, and no expense or thought has been spared for the comfort and well-being of the employees of the company. Mr. Machado is a member of the Finance Board of the Presbyterian Church in Canada; President of the Canadian Association for the Prevention of Tuberculosis; a member of the International Committee of the Y.M.C.A. New York; a member of the Canadian National Council of the Y.M.C.A., and of the Military Committee of same, which has dealt with the Y.M.C.A. work of Canadian soldiers at home and overseas; a Vice-President of the International Daily Vacation Bible School Association (U.S. and Canada). As regards Ottawa activities, Mr. Machado has been for many years interested in and President of the Ottawa Anti-Tuberculosis Association, which secured the building of the Royal Ottawa Sanatorium for the treatment of pulmonary consumption, and is a member of the Board of Governors of this institution. He is Hon. President of the Ottawa Y.M.C.A.; President of the Ottawa Welfare Bureau, and vice-chairman of the Ottawa Symphony Orchestra. Recently, Mr. Machado was appointed a member of the Ottawa Housing Commission, formed to take advantage of the new legislation of the Province of Ontario for improvement in housing conditions. Mr. Machado is a member of the following clubs: Harvard (New York), Rideau, Royal Ottawa Golf, Rideau Curling, Lake Bernard Fishing Club, and is a Fellow of the Royal Colonial Institute, London, England. His favorite recreations are golf, fishing, and curling. Several years ago Mr. Machado became a Canadian citizen and a British subject. In religion he is a Presbyterian, and attends St. Andrews Church, and his place of residence is 169 Daly Avenue, Ottawa, Ont.

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=Levy, Gabriel Herman, B.A., LL.B.=, Barrister, member of the firm of Gibson, Levy and Gibson, Bank of Commerce Chambers, 4 Hughson Street South, Hamilton, Ont., was born in Hamilton, August 12, 1874, the son of Herman Levy, President of Levy Bros. Co., Limited, wholesale jewellers, Hamilton, and Camilla Levy, his wife. He was educated at the Central School and Collegiate Institute, Hamilton, Toronto University, and Osgoode Hall, taking his degree of B.A. at the unusual age of under twenty, and that of LL.B. two years later. In the year of his graduation he was elected Vice-President of Varsity Literary Society at the last of the “old style” contests, which will never be forgotten by those who participated therein. He also engaged in post-graduate studies in Europe. He studied law with Sir John Gibson, and entered into practice in 1898 with the firm of Gibson, Martin & Osborne, and has retained his connection with Sir John Gibson under various firm names up to the present of Gibson, Levy and Gibson. He is largely engaged in corporation practice, the firm being counsel for, among other corporations, The Dominion Power & Transmission Co., Limited, Hamilton Street Railway, Hamilton Radial Electric Company, Canadian Westinghouse Co., Limited, National Steel Car Co., Limited, Landed Banking and Loan Company and The F. F. Dalley Corporations, Limited. Mr. Levy is interested in numerous enterprises, and is Vice-President of McKittrick Properties, Limited, a director of Canada Crushed Stone Corporation, Hamilton Hotel Company, Limited, and is Vice-President of Levy Bros. Co., Limited, the oldest and one of the most extensive wholesale and manufacturing jewellery firms in the Dominion. His reputation as a lawyer and a man is high with those who know him; “but,” as an intimate friend facetiously remarked, “it’s in bridge whist that he really shines.” And he was in charge of a team who held the Canadian Whist Championship for a number of years, and was a member of a team of the New York Bridge Whist Club that won the Atlantic Whist Trophy, one of the most important contests in America. His other recreations are golf, chess and fishing. He married on March 29, 1909, Blanche Ruth Shire, daughter of Adolph Shire, of Chicago, Ill., and has a daughter, Marion Louise, born in 1912, a son, Gabriel Herman, in 1915, and a son, John Gibson, in 1919, and enjoys life with them at his pleasant home, 193 James Street South. His clubs are Hamilton Club, Hamilton Golf and Country Club, Caledon Mountain Trout Club, Buffalo Club, Buffalo, N.Y., University Club, Toronto, New York Bridge Whist Club. He is a member of A.F. & A.M., Murton Lodge of Perfection, Moore Consistory, was T.P.G.M. of Murton Lodge of Perfection for years 1908-9. He is independent in politics.

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=Blondin, Hon. Pierre Edouard=, Senator and Postmaster-General, was born at Saint François du Lac, County of Yamaska, Quebec, December 14, 1874, and is the son of Louis M. and Elodie (Barnard) Blondin. He was educated in the Seminarie de Nicolet and Laval University. In 1900, Mr. Blondin was admitted to the practice of the notarial profession, and was appointed Clerk of the Circuit Court of County of Champlain. For two terms he was alderman in the Grand Mere Municipal Council. Having distinguished himself in law and municipal activities, he was nominated and elected to the House of Commons in 1908; was re-elected in 1911, and became Deputy-Speaker of the House. October 20, 1914, Mr. Blondin was appointed a member of the Privy Council of Canada, and was sworn in as Minister of Inland Revenue. October 6, 1915, he was appointed Secretary of State, and Postmaster-General January 8, 1917. Realizing that the serious turn the great world war had taken called for Canada’s best efforts to be evident in the firing line, and satisfying himself in the decision that all who could should give the best mental and manual assistance they possessed to the Entente forces, on March 21, 1917, Mr. Blondin resigned his portfolio as Postmaster-General, raised the 258th Battalion, of which he became Lt.-Colonel, and with his regiment started overseas, where he remained until July, 1918, when he returned to Canada. Landing at Halifax, July 8, 1918, Mr. Blondin was accorded a cordial reception and hearty congratulations in recognition of the valiant services he had rendered while on military duty in France and Italy. Having been defeated in his candidature for re-election to the House of Commons at the general election in 1917, notwithstanding that he had resigned his office as Postmaster-General and had voluntarily donned the King’s uniform to serve abroad in the cause and defence of Canada and the Empire, on July 21, 1918, on his return to Ottawa, Mr. Blondin was requested by Sir Robert Borden to assume his duties as Postmaster-General, and to accept a Senatorship in succession to the late Senator Sheyn. July 2, 1902, Senator Blondin married Marie Rose Buisson, daughter of Louis L. F. T. Buisson, of Saint François du Lac, Quebec, and has one daughter. Clubs: Canadian Club of New York, Rideau Club, Ottawa. Commander of the Legion of Honor. A Roman Catholic in religion and a Unionist in politics, his home address is Ottawa, Ont., and his official address as Postmaster-General, Ottawa, Ontario.

=Pedley, Frank, B.A.=, ex-Superintendent of Immigration and Deputy Superintendent-General of Indian Affairs, entered the Civil Service as Superintendent of Immigration in 1897, and in 1902 was promoted to the position of Deputy Superintendent-General of Indian Affairs, which position he held to the end of the Laurier administration and for some years after the Borden Government had come into power in 1911, when he resigned to resume his practice as a barrister, etc. During Mr. Pedley’s terms of office in the public service, Canada and Canada’s great natural resources and opportunities, the fertility of the soil, and the millions of acres awaiting the attention of the husbandman, and the open door to success and happiness that was in store for all who came to Canada to help in her development, were made known throughout the world by advertising and specially appointed agents and exhibition displays in a manner that was never before anticipated, and with the result that the peoples from all quarters of the globe, including hundreds of thousands from Great Britain and the United States, left to make Canada their future home. Mr. Pedley is the son of Rev. Charles and Sarah (Stowell) Pedley, of Hanley, Staffordshire, England, and was born at St. John’s, Newfoundland, June 25, 1858. He was educated at private schools in St. John’s, the public and high schools in Ontario, and at McGill University, Montreal, where he graduated in 1886 a B.A., with first class honors. He practised law at Toronto until 1897, when, at the invitation of Sir Clifford Sifton, he entered the Civil Service. On Aug. 28, 1895, Mr. Pedley married Helen Louise Hobart, daughter of Sidney and Mary Ann Hobart of Cobourg, Ontario. Mr. Pedley is a member of St. George’s Society. In politics he is a Liberal. He resides at 483 Maclaren Street, and his office is at 46 Elgin Street, Ottawa, Ontario.

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=Miller, Frederick Robert= (Western University, London, Ont.), son of A. F. Miller and Elizabeth Crean. Was born at Toronto. Educated at Jarvis Street Collegiate Institute, Toronto, and at the University of Toronto, graduating in 1907, holding degrees of M.A., M.B. Was Assistant in Physiology in Cornell University for two years. Demonstrator of Physiology in the University of Toronto 1907-10. Studied in Munich 1910-1911, where he obtained the degree of M.D. from the University of Munich. Took a post-graduate course in the University of Strasbourg, and afterwards spent some time attending clinics in Paris, France. Afterwards studied for a year at the University of Liverpool with Prof C. S. Sherrington. Was Lecturer on Physiology, McGill University, 1912-1914. Studied in University of Oxford during summer of 1914. Appointed Professor of Physiology at Western University, London, Ont., 1914, which position he still fills with distinction. Dr. Miller is an Anglican in religion, and holds a commission as Captain in the Canadian Army Medical Corps. He has contributed a number of articles to British and American journals on physiological subjects. He has travelled extensively, visiting the most important educational centres both in Europe and America.

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=Jenkins, Lieut.-Col. Stephen Rice Jenkins, M.D., F.A.C.S., M.P.P.=, of Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, during the late war, proved himself one of the ablest members of the Canadian Army Medical Corps. He was born at Charlottetown on November 12, 1858, the son of John T. and Jessie Esther (Rice) Jenkins. His paternal grandfather was Rev L. C. Jenkins, and his maternal one, Captain the Hon. Stephen Rice. His father John T. Jenkins, M.D., M.R.C.S. (Eng.), was a member of the Canadian House of Commons from 1884 to 1887. The subject of this sketch was educated at King’s College, Windsor, N.S., and at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, U.S.A., from which he graduated with the degree of M.D. in 1884. Returning to Charlottetown, he entered on the practice of his profession, and became one of the best known physicians in the Maritime Provinces. He is a member of the Dominion Medical Council. In 1912, he was elected to the Legislature of Prince Edward Island as Liberal-Conservative member for Charlottetown, and was re-elected at the general elections in 1915. In September of the latter year, he also became a member of the provincial cabinet, without portfolio. He was on active service in connection with the late war from March, 1915, until his discharge in April, 1919, holding the rank of Lieut.-Col. in the Canadian Army Medical Service, and had charge of the Military Hospital at Rockhead, Halifax, N.S., in 1915. He was a Roman Catholic in religion, a Conservative-Unionist in politics, and a member of the Q.G.D., and the Charlottetown Club. In October, 1886, he married Ellen J., daughter of Patrick Sweeney, merchant, of Charlottetown, and has nine children. His eldest son, Lieut.-Col. John S. Jenkins, D.S.O., had a distinguished career overseas during the late war; also his second son, Henry G., served overseas with the 3rd Bn. C.E., 1st Division, as Capt.; and his other children are, Mary E., Helen J., Nora I., Margaret L., Hilda, Louis C., and M. Stephanie Jenkins.

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=Farris, Hon. John Wallace de Beque, M.P.P.=, Attorney-General and Minister of Labor for British Columbia, has for some years been recognized as one of the leading lawyers on the Pacific Coast. He is, however, a native of New Brunswick, and was born at White’s Cove in that province on December 3, 1878. His father, Hon. L. P. Farris, was formerly Minister of Agriculture for New Brunswick. The subject of this sketch was educated at St. Martin’s Seminary and Acadia University, N.B., graduating with the degree of B.A. in 1899. Subsequently, he took a course at the University of Pennsylvania, graduating with the legal degree of LL.B. in 1902. In connection with both degrees he took honors. In the same year he went to Vancouver, British Columbia, and, having been called to the bar of the province, commenced the practice of law in that city. Within two years he was appointed City Prosecuting Attorney, a post he filled from 1904 to 1906. At the same time he became prominent in politics, and served as President of the Vancouver Liberal Association. In the political upheaval of 1916 he fought strongly for a change of government, and himself stood as one of the Liberal candidates for the Legislature in Vancouver city. He was elected, and proved one of the ablest of the new members that the contest brought into the House. In 1917, the Hon. Mr. Brewster, then Prime Minister, asked Mr. Farris to take the portfolio of Attorney-General and that of Minister of Labor as well, and the latter accepted. Though young in parliamentary experience, Mr. Farris is looked upon as one of the coming men in Canadian politics. In religion he is a Baptist; and is a member of the Terminal City Club, Vancouver, and of the Union Club, Victoria, B.C. He married, in 1905, Evelyn F., daughter of Prof. E. M. Keirstead, D.D., of McMaster University, Toronto, and has four children, Katherine H., Donald F., Ralph K., and John L. Farris. Mr. and Mrs. Farris, until 1918, made their home in Vancouver, but now reside in Victoria, B.C.

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=Smith, Hon. Ernest Albert, M.P.P.=, Minister of Lands and Mines for the Province of New Brunswick, resides at Shediac, N.B., where he is also engaged in lumbering and general mercantile business. He was born at Shediac on June 20, 1864, the son of Edward J. and Amelia E. Smith. His father was formerly a prominent member of the New Brunswick Legislature, to which he was elected in 1884, and founded the commercial business now carried on by the subject of this sketch. Sir Albert J. Smith, Minister of Marine and Fisheries for Canada in the government of Hon. Alexander Mackenzie from 1874 to 1878, was an uncle. Hon. E. A. Smith was educated in the High School and also at a private school in Charlottetown, P.E.I., and originally adopted the profession of dentistry, graduating with the degree of D.D.S. in 1887. On leaving college he went to British Columbia, where he practised for two years, and subsequently practised for a year in New Brunswick. He entered his father’s business in 1891, and since 1912 has conducted it under his own name. In 1916, he was induced to follow the family tradition and enter politics, and was elected to the Legislature as Liberal for Westmorland County, defeating Hon. P. J. Mahony, Minister of Public Works. At the general elections of 1917, he was again elected, and was selected as a member of the Foster government, taking over the portfolio of Lands and Mines, for which his business experience amply qualified him. He has since given an effective business administration to the department which was sorely needed, and by his policies has materially added to the public revenues. Sat in Town Council, Shediac, for several years as Alderman, and elected Mayor for 1906 and 1907, by acclamation; President of Liberal Association for County of Westmorland from 1894 to 1911; President of Provincial Liberal Association several years, which position is still held. He is an Anglican in religion, and a Past Master, A.F. & A.M. His recreations are salmon and trout fishing and shooting of small and big game. On September 30, 1896, he married Euphemia, daughter of Mr. Colin Russell, of the Customs Department, Ottawa, and has four children: Gladys, born 1897; Russell, born 1899; Donald, born 1902; and John, born 1911. Though Mr. Smith’s official duties compel his presence in Fredericton, N.B., for the greater part of his time, he still makes his home at Shediac.

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=Turgeon, Hon. William Ferdinand Alphonse, K.C., M.P.P.=, Attorney-General of the Province of Saskatchewan, is one of the best known leaders of the legal profession in the Canadian West. He was born at Bathurst, New Brunswick, on June 3, 1877, the son of Onesiphore Turgeon, a French-Canadian journalist, and his wife Margaret Eulalia Baldwin, a lady of English descent. Politics comes naturally to him, for his father is a member of the House of Commons for Gloucester County, New Brunswick, and has long been a prominent figure in the public life of that province, while his brother, J. G. Turgeon, M.P.P., is a member of the Alberta Legislature. The subject of this sketch was educated in New York City, and later at Laval University, Quebec, graduating in Arts in 1899 with the degree of B.A., and in law in 1902. Shortly afterwards he went to the West, and was called to the bar of Saskatchewan. He also became prominent as a leader in the Liberal party, and at a by-election on October 12, 1907, was elected to the legislature for Prince Albert. At the general elections of August, 1908, he contested two ridings in behalf of his party—Prince Albert and Duck Lake. He was defeated in the former, but elected to the latter. At the general elections of 1912, he stood for the riding of Humboldt, and was successful, and has ever since represented that riding. Hon. Mr. Turgeon joined the Ministry of Hon. Walter Scott as Attorney-General on September 23, 1907, shortly before his first political contest in Prince Albert. He has ever since continued to hold that portfolio, and for some years filled that of Provincial Secretary as well. His oratorical powers are exceptional, and he speaks with equal facility both in French and English. He is a Roman Catholic in religion; and on February 18, 1901, married Gertrude, daughter of Gerome Boudreau, Petit Rocher, New Brunswick. He has five children: Alice, born May 13, 1902; Cecile, February 19, 1907; Wilfrid, August 20, 1910; Eveline, November 16, 1913; and Frances Regis, July 12, 1918. He resides at 2320 Angus Street, Regina, Sask.

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=Pritchard, Henry Thomas=, who was born in London, England, February 26, 1852, came to Canada, locating in Ottawa in 1875, and started in business as an engraver. Three years later, in 1878, he formed a partnership with J. E. Andrews, under the firm name of Pritchard and Andrews. Being exceptionally clever engravers, their business so increased that in 1897 a joint stock company was formed, and is now established and known as “The Pritchard-Andrews Company of Ottawa, Limited,” with J. A. Seybold as President and Henry Thomas Pritchard as Secretary-Treasurer and Manager, with their head office at 264 Sparks Street, Ottawa. Mr. Pritchard is the son of William Pritchard, cabinet manufacturer, of Bishopgate Street, London, England, and Elizabeth Ann (Thompson) Pritchard, and received his education in a boarding school in London. Having served his time to engraving in England, he crossed the Atlantic Ocean, and, arriving in Ottawa, Ontario, has made that city his home ever since. In 1887, Mr. Pritchard married Margaret Ramsay Black, daughter of John Black, of Hamilton, Ontario. Four sons and four daughters have blessed the union—Walter, Elizabeth Ann, Harold, Ernest, John, Margaret, Emily and Edith. Mr. Pritchard is an Anglican in religion and a Unionist in politics. He resides at Eastview.

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=Arsenault, Hon. Aubin E.= (Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island), son of Hon. Joseph O. Arsenault, Senator, and Gertrude Arsenault, his wife. Born at Egmont Bay, P.E.I., on July 28, 1870. Educated at St. Dunstan’s College, Charlottetown, and St. Joseph’s University, Memramcook, N.B. Studied law with McLeod, Morson & McQuarrie, barristers, Charlottetown, and with the Hon. (now Sir) Chas. Russell, London, England. Called to the bar in 1899, and has successfully practised his profession at Charlottetown and Summerside, P.E.I. Was first elected to the Legislature of the province of P.E.I. in 1908. On the accession of Liberal-Conservative Government in 1911 appointed a member of the Government. Re-elected in 1912 and 1915. On elevation of the leader of the Government, Hon. J. A. Mathieson, to the Supreme Court Bench of the Province, was called on by the Lieutenant-Governor to form a Government, which he did, and became President-in-Council and Attorney-General. Re-elected in 1917. The subject of this sketch was married on November 5, 1907, to Bertha R., daughter of Captain Frank Gallant, of Tignish, P.E.I., and is the father of six children. He is a Roman Catholic in religion, and a member of the Conservation Commission of Canada.

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