Part 113

=Fournier, Hon. Telesphore=, Ottawa, Judge of the Supreme Court of Canada, was born in St. François, Riviére du Sud, Montmagny county, P.Q., in the year 1823. He received his education at Nicolet College, and was called to the bar of Lower Canada in 1846. He practised his profession with success, having remarkable gifts, not only as a speaker, but in the mental grasp necessary to understand the bearings of the law upon any case brought to his attention. He held the honorable position of _Bâtonnier_ of the Quebec bar, an office which has been an object of ambition with some of the greatest men the province has produced, and afterwards was made president of the general council of the bar of the province of Quebec. In 1863 he was made Queen’s counsel. Judge Fournier, like so many of the politicians of Quebec, had the training, not only of a legal practice, but also of editorial experience. From 1856 to 1858 inclusive, he was one of the editors of _Le National_ newspaper, of Quebec, his writing attracting wide attention, because of its clear, original thought and vigorous method. In 1857, Mr. Fournier was married, his bride being Miss Deniers, of Quebec. He entered the arena of Dominion politics in August, 1870, when he was nominated as the Liberal candidate for Bellechasse, on M. Casault, the sitting member, being appointed a judge of the Superior Court of Quebec. No other nominations were made, and Mr. Fournier was returned by acclamation. He continued to represent the same constituency as long as he remained in the House of Commons. Beginning his parliamentary career before dual representation was abolished, Mr. Fournier held a seat in the Legislative Assembly of his native province while still a member of the Dominion parliament. In 1871 he was elected to the Assembly for Montmagny, and held that position until 7th November, 1873, when he resigned. His resignation was made necessary by his being called to the Privy Council of the Dominion as a member of the Hon. Mr. Mackenzie’s cabinet. He took first, the portfolio of inland revenue, but on 8th July, 1874, was given a place of greater usefulness, to succeed the Hon. (now Sir) A. A. Dorion on the appointment of that gentleman to be chief justice of Quebec. As minister of justice, he introduced and conducted through Parliament the bill establishing the Supreme Court. This was no light task, for the measure was attacked, not only as being undesirable, but as being unconstitutional. In his defence of the measure, Mr. Fournier exhibited remarkable breadth of knowledge as well as great power as a debater. The Insolvent Act of 1875, one of the ablest efforts ever made to settle the vexed and complicated question of dealing with insolvent debtors, was also conducted through parliament by him. In May, 1875, he became postmaster general, but resigned that office in October following to take a judgeship in the Supreme Court. Judge Fournier is recognised by his colleagues and the public as one of the ablest men on the bench. His wide and accurate knowledge of the law of his native province, makes him a particularly valuable addition to the Supreme Court bench. He does not feel the trammels of legal traditions so much as to cause him to regard these rather than the ends of justice which they are intended to serve. At the same time, his fine legal insight enables him to decide upon broad grounds of principles or long-established practice points which minds less fully trained could only deal with by slavish following of precedent.

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=McHenry, Donald C.=, M.A., Principal of the Cobourg Collegiate Institute, Cobourg, Ont., was born in Napanee, Ont., in 1840. He is son of Alexander McHenry (from county Antrim, Ireland), and Ellen Campbell, daughter of Archibald Campbell, Adolphustown, county of Lennox, a descendant of the Campbells of Argyleshire. Mr. McHenry, senr., was for some years engaged in the timber business on the Ottawa, but subsequently he was in the dry-goods business in connection with his brother-in-law, Alexander Campbell, Napanee. He died in 1847, leaving a widow and three children, the eldest, the subject of this sketch; a daughter, now Mrs. Alexander Henry, Napanee, and Miss Nellie, still living with her mother in their native town. The father, about the time of his marriage, united with the Wesleyan Methodist church, of which he remained a faithful member until his death. Upon Mrs. McHenry devolved the arduous task of bringing up her three children; and any success they have attained, they are proud to say, they largely owe to their devoted Christian mother. D. C. McHenry received his early education in Napanee. When thirteen years of age he went to learn the printing business, soon became fairly acquainted with its details, and rose to the position of foreman in the office of the _Standard_. The printing office proved, indeed, a second school to him, and his spare hours were given to reading and study. He longed for a higher education, and when about nineteen years of age, he closed the door of the printing office to open that of the academy, as an eager student, under R. Phillips, head master, a man beloved by all who have ever been under his instruction. After remaining here a year or two, he was induced to undertake the management of a new paper started in Napanee by the McMullen Bros., of Picton. At the end of one year the paper was removed to Newburgh, seven miles distant, but after eight months Mr. McHenry returned to Napanee. A vacancy having occurred in the second position in the Grammar school, he was advised to apply for the appointment. He did so, and was soon an occupant of a teacher’s chair, in the school where he had lately been a pupil. The work of teaching proved congenial, and he was soon fixed in this as his probable life-work. His ambition led him to desire a university course, and with this in view he devoted himself assiduously to the study of classics, being aided in Latin, but getting up his Greek with very limited assistance. After six years of very successful work in this position, he resigned, in 1869, and left for Victoria College, from which he graduated in 1873. His course was one of close application and uniform success—first-class honours in classics and moderns—receiving the second Prince of Wales’ medal for general proficiency, and the scholarship for excellence in moderns. Five months prior to graduation he was offered, and accepted the classical mastership of Cobourg Collegiate Institute—a substitute being accepted in the meantime. After one year he was promoted to the principalship, which position he has filled for the past thirteen years. It was at this time (1874), that he was united in marriage to Alice, daughter of John Grange, of Napanee. His school was, for many years, about the only one that prepared students for Victoria, and notwithstanding the multiplication of institutes (from four to eighteen), it has held its own, and sent up for arts alone about two hundred and fifty during Mr. McHenry’s thirteen years, besides a large number for teachers’ examinations, for law, medicine, theology, etc. In regard to Mr. McHenry’s personal and professional qualities, we quote from testimonials of well-known educationists:—

(1.) REV. CHANCELLOR NELLES.—“He is an accurate scholar, a good disciplinarian, and a most successful teacher, and, indeed, has few if any equals in the general management of High school work.”

(2.) REV. DR. BURWASH.—“It is not too much to say that in the teaching profession he has few equals in this province. Both as an editor of classical literature and as a writer on the science of teaching, he has proved himself a master in his work; while in the instruction of a class and in the organization and government of a large school he stands in the foremost rank of teachers. As a Christian gentleman, his life and personal character are a model for young men; while his quiet, dignified independence and energy commend universal respect.”

(3.) DR. HAANEL.—“His advice and counsel as a member of our senate has always been highly appreciated as sound, and calculated to advance real scholarship. Energetic and zealous in every good cause, Mr. McHenry has long been an important factor in educational and social circles here.”

(4.) DR. BURNS, HAMILTON.—“One of the most successful educators of our country. His scholarship is broad and reliable. Although a comparatively young man, he has secured a status among educators that he may well be proud of. His record is an exceedingly honourable one, both for talent, success, and personal character. Socially, he would be an acquisition to any circle.”

Mr. McHenry’s is one of those cases where a boy or young man has had the advantages arising from being early thrown upon his own resources. What he has accomplished or attained is evidently the result of personal energy and self-reliance.

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=Allard, Joseph Victor=, Berthierville, Quebec, was born at St. Cuthbert, county of Berthier, 1st February, 1860. His father, Prosper Allard, was a most successful agriculturist, who cultivated his farm until 1884, when he sold his rural belongings and removed to Berthierville. His wife (the honored and beloved mother of the subject of our sketch), Genevievre Aurez Laferriere, died in 1881, when he married a second time—12th September, 1887,—the lady of his choice this time being a most estimable lady, the widow of Captain Romuald Fauteux, who himself had been a merchant at Berthier. Young Allard was educated at L’Assomption College, receiving an excellent classical training. From there he entered Laval University, Quebec, and in the years 1878-9 passed his examination successfully and took the degree of bachelor of arts. In 1881 he entered on the study of law at Sherbrooke and was called to the Quebec bar in 1884. Mr. Allard is one of the rising young men and a lawyer of repute in the town of Berthierville. In religion he is a devout Roman Catholic; in politics he is a consistent Liberal-Conservative, and there is but little doubt that in the future he will be found advocating the cause of his party in the local legislature or on the floor of the Dominion parliament. He is the legal representative of the Legal and Commercial Exchange of Canada for the county of Berthier. On 21st January, 1885, Mr. Allard was married to Blanche Doval, daughter of Alexandre Damase Doval and Amilié Lengendre. Mr. Doval in his life-time was a well-known advocate, as well as inspector of schools for the counties of L’Assomption, Berthier and Joliette. Mrs. Allard is niece of our celebrated French-Canadian writer, Napoleon Lengendre, F.R.S.C.

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=Dessaulles, George Casimir=, St. Hyacinthe, Quebec, President of the Bank of St. Hyacinthe and of the St. Hyacinthe Manufacturing Company, and an enterprising citizen, was born in St. Hyacinthe, on the 29th of September, 1827. His father was Jean Dessaulles, seigneur of St. Hyacinthe, one of the founders of the place, a member of the Lower Canada parliament for years, and at the time of his death, in 1835, a member of the Legislative Council of the province of Quebec. The father of Jean Dessaulles was from Switzerland, coming to Lower Canada in the latter part of the last century. The mother of our subject was Rosalie Papineau, sister of the Hon. Louis J. Papineau. She died in 1867. Mr. Dessaulles was educated at the College of St. Hyacinthe, taking a complete classical course, and studied law, but never engaged in its practice. His time has been largely employed in looking after his seignorial estate and other property, and attending to the various municipal and other offices which he has held, or still holds. He was councilman for twelve years, mayor of the city for ten years, making twenty-two consecutive years’ service in the municipality, and then declined the chief magistracy against the wishes of the people; was a school commissioner at one period; a justice of the peace, and the second president of the bank of St. Hyacinthe, taking that position in 1878. The manufacturing company, of which he is president, is a large institution, and doing a variety of business—carding wool, manufacturing flannels and cloths, flour for custom market, etc. It is such enterprises as this that have helped to build up the city of St. Hyacinthe; and in efforts made in that direction no man has done more than the subject of this sketch, whose energies and business tact and talent are thoroughly devoted to the interests of his native city. He is connected with the Catholic church, and was at one time president of the St. Jean Baptiste Society. His moral character is unblemished. Mr. Dessaulles was first married, in 1857, to Emma Mondelet, third daughter of the Hon. Dominic Mondelet, of Three Rivers, she dying in 1864, leaving one son and two daughters; and the second time, in 1869, to Frances Louise Leman, daughter of Dr. Dennis S. Leman, an English physician, and by her has two daughters and two sons.

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=La Roque, Gedeon=, M.D., Quebec. Sergeant-at-Arms of the Legislative Assembly of the Province of Quebec, is not only a conspicuous contemporary figure in that province, but a gentleman who has taken an active part in its politics, and contributed in no slight degree to the development of its resources and material prosperity. He was born at Chambly, in the province of Quebec, on the 22nd December, 1831. He springs from a stock as remarkable for its fruitfulness and attachment to the soil, as for the eminent positions to which some of its members have attained. Originally from France, in the early days of the colony, and mostly farmers, his ancestors were among the pioneers of settlement and civilization in Chambly county, P.Q., locating along the banks of the little river “Montreal,” about a mile from Chambly basin, tilling the soil, raising large families, and laying the foundations of what is to-day one of the most populous and thriving agricultural communities in Lower Canada. The family of Dr. La Roque’s paternal grandfather, composed of eleven brothers and three sisters, nearly all occupied adjoining farms in the parish of Chambly. His uncle, the late Monseigneur Joseph La Roque, formerly Roman Catholic coadjutor bishop of Montreal, and afterwards bishop of the diocese of St. Hyacinthe, who died in November, 1887, was the last survivor of a family also composed of fourteen members. Another deceased bishop of St. Hyacinthe, Monseigneur Charles La Roque, previously for many years parish priest of St. John’s, P.Q., was also a near relative of the subject of this sketch. Both these prelates were in their day men of high standing, great learning and marked ability, and their names are still venerated as among the most illustrious in the Lower Canadian hierarchy. Dr. La Roque began his classical education at Chambly College, so ably presided over at the time by its zealous founder, Rev. P. Mignault, parish priest of Chambly. Subsequently young La Roque was entered at the St. Hyacinthe College, where he continued and completed his studies under the immediate eye of his uncle, Rev. Joseph La Roque, the superior of the institution, and afterwards bishop of St. Hyacinthe. On leaving college he decided to study medicine, and was accordingly indentured for the purpose to another of his uncles, Dr. Luc Eusebe La Roque, of St. Jerome, Terrebonne, P.Q., now the parish of Father Labelle, the great apostle of colonization in the province of Quebec. It was while pursuing his medical studies that young La Roque first became interested in the cause of colonization, to the advancement of which he has so patriotically devoted so much of his subsequent career. His uncle, Dr. L. E. La Roque, who had then but lately returned from the gold fields of California, and who was one of the few survivors who had crossed (both ways) the deadly swamps of the Isthmus of Panama, had become largely interested in the settlement of the wild lands in the upper part of the River du Nord, in the county of Terrebonne, and in the fall of 1851 young Gedeon La Roque was despatched by him, in charge of a squad of men, to open up a settlement at _Lac à la Truite_, some forty miles from St. Jerome. The youthful pioneer and his companions only succeeded in reaching their destination, after enduring the greatest hardships and suffering. It took them two days to accomplish the last twelve miles of their fearful journey through the wilderness, but the result must be regarded as a fitting reward of the heroism displayed on the occasion. To-day the beautiful and populous parish of St. Agathe des Monts, in the county of Terrebonne, surrounds the spot where young La Roque and his men felled the first trees, and erected the first log hut on the western shore of _Lac à la Truite_. To the late Hon. A. N. Morin, then provincial secretary for Lower Canada, under the newly formed cabinet of Hincks-Morin, and Dr. Luc Eusebe La Roque, undoubtedly belonged the honor of being the instigators of the first great movement of colonization in that section of the country, but the credit of actually opening up the first settlement in the township of Abercrombie (Terrebonne) must be awarded to Gedeon La Roque, who, after this incident, resumed and completed his medical studies at the School of Medicine and Surgery at Montreal, finally passing as a licentiate in medicine on the 9th October, 1855, before the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Lower Canada, of which the late Dr. Fremont was then president, Drs. Landry and Pelletier, secretaries, and Dr. Jones, _actorum custos_. After his admission, Dr. Gedeon La Roque settled down to practise his profession at Longueuil, opposite Montreal, where he met with early and gratifying success. By 1863 he had so grown in the confidence and esteem of his fellow citizens, that in that year he was elected mayor of Longueuil, after a hard contest with Mr. F. X. Valade, N.P., and was subsequently re-elected three times to the same office without opposition. He also filled the responsible position of warden of the county Chambly during four years. At the time of confederation, in 1867, Dr. La Roque was pressed by his many friends to accept the candidature of the county for the Quebec Legislative Assembly, in the interests of the Conservative party, but, though he declined the honor for himself, he worked and secured the election, for the party, of Mr. J. B. Jodoin, against Mr. F. David, who was not only supported by the Liberal party, but by his brother-in-law, Mr. L. Betournay, a man of great influence in the county, and a member of the same legal firm as the late Sir George E. Cartier (Cartier, Pominville & Betournay). At the general elections of 1871, Dr. La Roque, being again solicited by his friends to stand for the county for the Local House, decided to come forward, and was put in nomination against Mr. P. B. Benoit, M.P. This was before the abolition of dual representation. Dr. La Roque was supported both by Conservatives and Liberals, and elected by a large majority, his opponent resigning after the close of the first day’s polling. His parliamentary career was marked by much independence of thought and action, especially during the Chauveau and Ouimet Administrations, when he spoke and voted against the Government on the questions of the lease of Beauport asylum, dual representation, and some matters concerning teachers and education. After the so-called Tanneries’ scandal, and the resignation of the Ouimet ministry, the member for Chambly, believing that a vigorous railway policy was essential to the opening up and development of the province, gave an unhesitating support to the railway programme of their successors the De Boucherville cabinet, and was invited by the premier, Mr. De Boucherville, to move the address in reply to the speech from the throne, on which occasion he was very ably sustained by the member for Huntingdon, Dr. Cameron, as seconder of the resolution. As a friend of colonization, Dr. Larocque was an ardent advocate of railway building, and as such the proposals of the De Boucherville government in the house regarding the construction of the Northern Colonization (so called at the time) and the North Shore Railroads, not only met with his warm approval and active support, but during 1874 and 1875 he even gave his services as agent to the contractors of the Northern Colonization road, Messrs. McDonald & Abbott, in order to purchase the right of way from River des Prairies to Aylmer. On the 15th June, 1875, a vacancy having occurred in the position of Sergeant-at-Arms of the Legislative Assembly, he was appointed to fill it, and this important and responsible appointment he still continues to hold with general acceptance, enjoying not only the confidence and regard of succeeding ministers and parliaments, but the respect of the public as well, for his tact and firmness in the discharge of the regular duties of his office, as for the energy, ability and taste with which he has at different times supervised and carried out works that had to be executed at short notice, including the fitting up and decorating of both Houses of the Legislature on such occasions of mark as the receptions of the Marquis of Lorne and H.R.H. the Princess Louise, in 1878, of the lieutenant-governors of the province, of the speakers of the Legislative Assembly, and last, but not least, of Madame Mercier, wife of the premier of the province, on the occasion of the Interprovincial Conference, in October, 1887, and in honor of the delegates to that important congress, of which Dr. La Roque was also named accountant. Another distinctive feature of his life-work, and one which does infinite honor to his intelligence and patriotism, is the ardor which he has ever shown in endeavouring to ameliorate the system of agriculture pursued in his native province. In and out of the legislature, no man has done more to advance that important cause in Lower Canada, both by preaching and personal example. His published treatises on agriculture and horticulture have become handbooks among his fellow countrymen, and his valuable little work on “The Culture of Tobacco,” has contributed largely to the promotion and improvement of that industry in the province of Quebec. He also owns a large farm at Beaumont, below the city of Quebec, which is actually under the management of his son, and is deservedly regarded as a model establishment of its kind. Dr. La Roque was married three times—firstly, on the 30th June, 1856, to Miss Marie Felicity Thibault, a sister of the late Rev. Messrs. George and Amable Thibault, parish priests respectively of Longueuil and Chambly, in the diocese of Montreal; secondly, in May, 1870, to Miss Rosalie Brauneis, of Montreal; and lastly, in January, 1874, to Miss Marie Asilda Davignon, daughter of Simon Davignon, N.P., of Belœil, P.Q. By these three marriages he has had eighteen children, of whom ten are still living.

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