Part 146

=Curry, Matthew Allison=, M.D., of Halifax, N.S., is a native of Windsor, Hants Co., N.S., where he was born about thirty years ago. The Curry family are of Irish extraction, but have been long settled in this province, where they are principally engaged in farming and manufacturing. It is now nearly forty years since five brothers, William, Mark, Levi, Elisha and Edward started what is known as Curry’s Factory at Curry’s Corner, a point on the junction of the Halifax and Chester roads about a mile from Water street, Windsor. They were all young men and first-rate mechanics. They manufactured sashes, doors and all kinds of work in connection with house-building, carriages, railway cars, and had a machine and carriage shop. William the oldest brother, was at the head of the concern. Mark was a house joiner, Levi managed the blacksmith shop, Elisha was a painter, and Edward looked after the carriage factory. They employed nearly thirty hands, had plenty of work, but were relentlessly pursued by fire. About the year 1855 their works were completely destroyed by a fire which broke out in the night. Again in 1860 fire consumed all their property, among other valuable goods, being a number of railway cars which Edward had contracted to build for the Nova Scotia Railway. About the year 1870 Mark and Elisha started the furniture factory in Windsor, which has always done a very large business, its goods being sold all over the Maritime provinces. It is now managed by A. P. Shand. Previous to this time, however, Mark Curry had, in conjunction with A. P. Shand, carried on an extensive grocery, lumber and flour business in Windsor, under the firm of Curry and Shand. Elisha and Levi Curry died a few years ago. Mark Curry has charge of the government savings bank in Windsor, and Edward Curry is sheriff of Hants county. William Curry, the father of the subject of this sketch, has stuck to the original business at the corner, which still retains nearly its former dimensions. The last fire occurred about five years ago, when the premises were again totally consumed. William Curry, being a man of iron will and unbroken courage and perseverance, went at once to work and rebuilt his factory, which, in conjunction with his second son James, he continues to conduct. Dr. Curry is the eldest son of the above William Curry, his mother being Martha, daughter of the late Matthew Allison, of Windsor, in his lifetime a farmer and shipowner. He received his classical education at the Grammar School at Curry’s Corner, afterwards at the school conducted by the late Thomas Curren, and at the Collegiate School at Windsor, where he carried off the first prize. He entered King’s College, Windsor, in October, 1877, and graduated in June, 1881. During his course he won one of the General Williams prizes and also one of the Stevenson scholarships. After leaving college he studied two years at the Medical College, in Halifa,. N.S., subsequently spent a session at the University of New York, and graduated from the medical department of that institution in 1883. Not content with such experience in his profession as he had already obtained, he decided to cross the Atlantic, and accordingly, spent the year 1884 principally in attending the medical course in Trinity College, Dublin. He made a specialty of midwifery and the study of the treatment of the diseases peculiar to women. After completing his post-graduate studies, he availed himself of the opportunity to make a trip through Scotland and England, previous to returning home. He visited Edinburgh, Liverpool and London, and took note of the famous educational endowments and the professional resorts of those cities. After returning to this province he was in some doubt as to whether to begin practice in one of the country shire towns such as Yarmouth, or to commence in Halifax. He finally decided that, upon the whole, the chances of advancement in the metropolis were the best. The expenses of a beginner in one of the learned professions in a city are greater at first than those of a country practitioner, but in the long run a man of brains and tact will not regret the incidental outlay, in consideration of the many advantages of counsel with brother-workers, and the other opportunities open to competition in the city. Dr. Curry opened an office in Hollis street, Halifax, in the spring of 1885, and has since worked up a very prosperous practice in the south end of the city. Many young men begin among the poorer classes and gradually work into a wealthier _clientèle_ but Dr. Curry was fortunate enough to secure rich patrons at the start. When the Medical School was established on a new basis two years ago, Dr. Curry was offered a position as lecturer, which offer, however, he declined, having some scruples about accepting an office which might seem to place him in opposition to some of the older members of the profession. In religion he is a Presbyterian, and is connected with St. Andrew’s Church in John street. He is unmarried. Being a man of great sociability and geniality of manners he is a great favorite in any society in which he happens to find himself. These traits are very helpful to a physician whose practice lies among all classes of the community, and who must freely give and take in the rough and tumble of professional work and class competition.

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=Price, Evan John=, Quebec, is the present head of the great lumber manufacturing and exporting house of Price Bros. & Co., of that city, and of the Saguenay, the oldest and probably the best known to the trade, not only throughout the Dominion, but all over the continent of America and in Europe. It was founded nearly three quarters of a century ago, by our subject’s father, the late William Price, of Wolfesfield, Quebec, who died in 1867, and who was frequently styled in his day the “King of the Saguenay,” from the controlling interest he exercised over that section of the province of Quebec, through the employment afforded by his extensive lumber limits and numerous saw mills to its local population. Indeed, the Saguenay country, and it may be added, much of the region on both shores of the St. Lawrence, below Quebec, owe their development in a large measure, if not wholly, to the enterprise of the Price family. Their agents explored the whole country, and upon every stream, where prospects warranted it, a saw mill was erected with the usual result. Hundreds flocked to the place, and soon made comfortable homes for themselves. Villages sprang up, mills were erected, churches built, and localities which but a few years before, were a barren waste, rapidly blossomed into thriving communities. The present prosperous town of Chicoutimi and the outlying settlements around Lake St. John had their origin in this way, and if is not surprising that the name of Price should be venerated by their populations as few other old country names have been venerated by the French Canadian element of Lower Canada. In fact, it is no exaggeration to say that the Price family have made the Saguenay region what it is to-day in point of material progress. To their enterprise, their fostering care and their unstinted generosity, the _habitants_ of that region are indebted for the assistance which enabled them to tide over the hardships and difficulties always incidental to the early life of the pioneers of settlements at points remote from the centre of civilized life. Mr. Price was born some forty years ago, at his late father’s beautiful country residence of Wolfesfield, on the outskirts of Quebec, and in the immediate vicinity opposite the spot where Wolfe died victorious, at the battle of the Plains of Abraham. He was educated at a private school in England, and entered his father’s office, while still young, to learn the business to a share of which he was in due course admitted, his elder brothers, Hon. David E. Price, afterwards a senator of the Dominion, and William E. Price, afterwards M.P. and M.P.P., for the united counties of Chicoutimi and Saguenay, both now deceased, being already members of the firm. On the death of the venerable founder of the house in 1867, its extensive business was continued by the brothers, under the old name, which is still retained, notwithstanding the deaths of the elder brothers. The surviving partner, Evan John Price, is now the head of the house, which still holds its prominence in the trade, shipping annually a large amount of lumber of its own manufacture, both from Quebec and the Saguenay to the European market. The Price family is of Welsh descent, and their home, “Scipwick,” was at Elstree, in Hertfordshire, up to the time of his father’s death. Mr. Price’s father was born at Hornsey, near London, England, but his grand parents were both natives of South Wales, the one of Glamorganshire, and the other of Cardiganshire. On the maternal side, Mr. Price has good old Scottish blood in his veins. His mother was a Stewart, his father having married Jane, third daughter of the late Charles G. Stewart, in his lifetime comptroller of the imperial customs at Quebec. In religion Mr. Price is a member of the Church of England, and in politics, a Conservative, like all his family before him. He is unmarried.

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=Larue, Jules Ernest=, Q.C., Quebec, Puisné Judge for the province of Quebec.—Jules Ernest Larue was born at Quebec on the 7th July, 1844. He is the son of the late W. Larue, N.P., and Louise B. Panet, daughter of the late Hon. Louis Panet, senator and M.L.C. Mr. Larue followed a classical course of studies at the Seminary of Quebec, and having taken his degrees at Laval University, was admitted to the bar of Quebec on the 6th February, 1866. He then became a member of the important firm of Larue, Angers and Casgrain, of Quebec. He was for ten years editor of the Quebec “Law Reports.” In recognition of his legal attainments he was made a Q.C. in 1882, and was appointed a puisné judge of the Superior Court for the province of Quebec on the 10th of April, 1886. He married on the 22nd September, 1880, Marie Louise, whose parents were the late François Angers, Q.C., and Marie Louise Panet, a daughter of the late Charles Panet, Q.C.

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=Elliott, George=, Guelph, Ontario, formerly one of the leading merchants of that city, and largely identified with its municipal history, is a native of Rochester, county of Kent, England, having been born there on the 27th May, 1819. His father, George Elliott, a country gentleman, was descendent from an ancient Scottish family, and his mother, Elizabeth Moulden, from an old Kentish family. Mr. Elliott, the subject of our sketch, who received a good education, including mathematics and classics, came to Canada with the family in the autumn of 1832. He was in business in Toronto and Cincinnati, Ohio, for several years, and coming to Guelph in 1850, carried on business as a general merchant until 1865, when he retired, having been very successful in his business operations. His father died in Guelph a few years ago, in his ninety-fifth year, much lamented by many friends. Mr. Elliott served in the town, city and county councils at various times, for over twenty years, and held the positions of town councilman, deputy reeve, reeve, warden and mayor. He has performed a great deal of valuable work in the interests of Guelph and the county of Wellington, and was chairman of the building committee when the town hall and other public buildings were erected. He was chairman of the old Board of Public Instruction, and for six years was a member of the High School Board of Trustees. He took great pleasure in aiding in the elevation of the standard of public instruction, and found many earnest and efficient co-operators in this noble work in the town. When in the council he was almost constantly chairman of the finance committee, having fine business talents, and thoroughly trustworthy. He was arbitrator on behalf of the town, upon the adjustment of the indebtedness between it and the county, when Guelph was raised to the dignity of a city. Is a justice of the peace. When the Guelph General Hospital was organized and opened in 1875, he was made chairman of the board of directors, which position he still holds. Mr. Elliott is a Reformer, and quite an influential member of that party, having been for some time, president of the Reform Association for the South Riding of Wellington. He is also president of the St. George’s Society, Guelph. In religion, he is a member of the Church of England, was warden of St. George’s Church, Guelph, for several years, and is a continuous lay delegate to the Diocese of Niagara, and also to the Provincial Synod which meets at Montreal. He is a prominent member of these bodies, and takes a very active part in the proceedings and discussions. Mr. Elliott is an efficient and able speaker on public matters, and a clear writer on questions of a financial and public interest. He was a member of the building committee, and treasurer, when the St. George’s magnificent house of worship was erected, and continues to be indefatigable in church and other work. The poor find a warm friend in Mr. Elliott, and his equally benevolent wife, and his sister, who resides with him. His residence, “Vinehurst,” on the Paisley street hill, is one of the most sightly and pleasant homes in the young and beautiful city of Guelph.

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=Ives, Hubert Root=, Montreal, was born in the town of Farmington, Hartford county, state of Connecticut, United States, on the 15th September, 1833. His father was at one time a prominent farmer and breeder of full-blooded stock. In the same county also for a number of years he held the responsible position of judge of probate in the town of Farmington, and on resigning the office he removed to New Haven, Connecticut, when he entered into the manufacture of hardware, and became after a short time one of the most successful manufacturers of that busy city. Mr. Ives received his early education at the Hopkins Grammer School, New Haven, Conn., where he received a full classical course, after which, unlike most young men, he took a full and complete commercial training, which fitted him in after life for the large and various experiences that he passed through as a manufacturer. After leaving school, young Ives was sent on a lengthy tour through the United States and Canada, with the object of selecting a suitable place wherein he could build up for himself a name worthy to be looked upon with respect and admiration by those who were to follow after him. In 1856 Mr. Ives also travelled extensively over the continent of Europe, visiting all the capital cities of renown. In 1859 he settled in Montreal, and became the founder of the large business now carried on by the firm of H. R. Ives & Co., one of the largest in Canada. The firm, then known as Ives & Allen, was the first to establish a foundry and hardware manufactory in Canada, in which was manufactured small hardware, and the obstacles to be overcome, in order to find a market in a young country for their productions were very great, but eventually the perseverance which has ever characterized Mr. Ives, soon prevailed, and the new venture proved a great success. In the year 1868 he still further enlarged the firm’s operations by the manufacture of stoves, and this branch is now a leading feature of their business. The quality of the work turned out by the firm speaks as a sample of the firm’s work. We need only point to the fine wrought iron gates and railings which surround the parliament buildings at Ottawa, which for graceful form and beauty of design are not surpassed on this continent. When the firm received the contract from the Grand Trunk Railway for making the locomotive and car castings, and which necessitated the enlargement of their already extensive works, the municipality of Longueuil immediately offered them a bonus of $10,000 and exemption from taxes for ten years, if they would establish a branch of their foundry in the village of Longueuil. They at once availed themselves of this offer, and buildings being promptly erected, the new establishment was soon ready for business. The new foundry is well worthy of a visit. Its capacity is such that $200,000 worth of castings can be made in a year, and a great number of hands are constantly employed in the works. Mr. Ives has been for a long time a member of the Board of Trade of Montreal; and for many years sat in its council. Mr. Ives holds the position of honorary secretary to the Egypt Exploration Fund for the Dominion of Canada. This society conducts systematic and scientific explorations and excavations in Egypt, on sites of Biblical and classical interest, under special powers delegated by the Egyptian government. The officers of this society are persons of the highest scientific and social standing in Britain, and most important discoveries have already been made. In early youth he was an adherent of the Presbyterian church, but is now a member of the Church of England. He was first married in 1858, to a daughter of the Rev. Dr. Chester, of Buffalo. This lady died in 1884. In June, 1887, he was again united in marriage to a daughter of the late Judge Daniell, judge of the united counties of Prescott and Russell.

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=Macdonald, Duncan=, St. John’s, province of Quebec, was born in Kingston, Ont., on the 24th June, 1815. His father, Major William Macdonald, was a native of Inverness, Scotland, a captain in the celebrated “Black Watch,” or 42nd Highlanders, and came to Canada at the critical period in the history of our country when the war of 1812 was just beginning. He was attached to the 104th regiment, commanded by Colonel Drummond, and took a most active part in the campaign which followed. On his arrival at Halifax, he was ordered at once to the front, and with his regiment marched from Halifax to Quebec. This was in the depth of winter, and during the thirty-one days of the march he did not enter a house but slept in snow banks or such sheltered spots as could be found. His first battle in this country was at the Windmill Point, Prescott, and he afterwards participated in the battles of Lundy’s Lane and Sackett’s Harbor. The Macdonalds came of an old military family, the captain’s father having been killed at the battle of Bunker’s Hill, Boston, while fighting with his regiment, which like his son’s, was the “Black Watch.” The subject of this sketch was educated at Montreal and Laprairie, taking a commercial course. He then engaged in the drug business in Montreal for seven years, and afterwards removed to St. John’s, Que., where, in conjunction with his brother Edward, in 1837, he started a general store. They dealt largely in grain, and were soon known as the most extensive shippers of grain in the province. As the years went on they saw the lack of banking facilities in the neighborhood, and in 1858, decided to supply this want and started as private bankers. In 1873, the partnership was dissolved, Edward retiring therefrom; and then Duncan entered into the manufacture of stone chinaware, and the business has steadily increased until it has developed into the now well-known St. John’s Chinaware Factory, which is to-day the largest of the kind in the Dominion. Under the able management of Alexander, the son of Duncan Macdonald, the products of the factory have been brought to great perfection, and have been placed on exhibition and taken gold medals at Philadelphia, Toronto, Antwerp, Belgium, and London, England. A recent large addition to the already extensive works, now enables the firm to give employment to about four hundred people. Mr. Macdonald has visited Europe twice, and has travelled extensively in Canada and the United States. He is a justice of the peace, and mayor of St. John’s, Que. In politics he is a Conservative, and in religion a Roman Catholic. He was married in 1845, to Miss De Lisle, daughter of Benjamin De Lisle, Montreal, and has had issue three children, only one of whom is now living.

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=Beaubien, Hon. Louis=, Montreal, born in the city of Montreal, on 27th July, 1837, is son of Dr. Pierre Beaubien, of the University of Paris. He is descended from Trottier de Beaubien, who came from St. Martin d’Ige, in the province of Perche, in France, and settled in Canada near Three Rivers, in 1650. His father was a professor in the Victoria Medical School, Montreal, and its president for many years, attending surgeon to the Montreal gaol and reformatories; and had been elected to parliament twice, for Montreal in 1841, and for Chambly in 1848. His mother, Dame Justine Casgrain, was a daughter of Pierre Casgrain, seigneur of Rivière Ouelle. She had been married first to Dr. A. Maguire, a surgeon in the British navy. Hon. Louis Beaubien was educated at the St. Sulpice College, Montreal, and after a successful course of studies, devoted himself to agriculture and stock-breeding. He entered political life in 1867, when he was elected for Hochelaga to the Quebec legislature. He succeeded in defeating successively such opponents as Mr. Dorion (now Sir A. A. Dorion, chief justice, Queen’s Bench), Victor Hudon, and others. Mr. Beaubien was elected to the Dominion parliament in 1872, and held both seats until the year 1874, when he resigned his seat in the House of Commons on account of the dual representation being abolished, but retained his seat in the local house. He was elected speaker of the Legislative Assembly of Quebec, 11th November, 1876, which position he held until April, 1878. He was re-elected for the same county in 1878 and again in 1882. But at the last general election in 1886 he declined re-election on account of ill health. Besides his agricultural pursuits, the Hon. Mr. Beaubien was an active promoter of the Northern Colonization Railway, which developed into the Quebec, Montreal, Ottawa and Occidental Railway, now the eastern division of the Canadian Pacific Railway. He was opposed to the sale of the eastern branch of the Quebec, Montreal, Ottawa and Occidental Railway, and on that account, along with the Hon. Dr. Ross, Hon. Mr. de Boucherville, and other well-known Conservatives, withdrew his confidence from the Chapleau government. He has taken a great interest in the improvement of Canadian agriculture. After retiring from politics, he went to France for his health, and to get an operation performed on the eye of his eldest son. Being successful in this he came back to Canada, but was taken again with his former disease which for a time laid him very low. He has, we are glad to say, now recovered completely, and is as active as ever working for the establishment of an elevated railway in Montreal. Hon. Mr. Beaubien is a member of the Provincial Council of Agriculture of the Ayrshire Breeders’ Association, of the Montreal Horticultural Society, etc. He married in 1864, Susanna Lauretta, daughter of Sir Andrew Stuart, chief justice of the Superior Court, Quebec, and for some time administrator of the province.

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