Part 174
=Robinson, D. A.=, M.D., Coaticook, Quebec, was born at West Charleston, Vermont, U.S.A., Feb. 29th, 1836. He was the eldest son of Dr. Elijah Robinson and Ann Eliza Smith, whose ancestry were of purely English origin and among the early settlers of the state of Connecticut. The great-grandfather on the father’s side was a colonel in the Revolutionary war of the American colonies against Great Britain, and the great-grandfather on the mother’s side, with several brothers, held positions of honor and trust in the Federal army. Dr. Robinson’s early education was confined mostly to the common schools. His classical course, preparatory to his entering upon the study of medicine, was through select schools and private teachers. His strictly medical course was commenced under the direction of his father, then a prominent and leading practitioner in the county in which he lived. His first course of medical lectures commenced at Dartmouth Medical College, Hanover, N.H., in the summer of 1858. He subsequently graduated among the first of his class at the Vermont University Medical College, Burlington, Vt., June, 1859, and commenced the practice of medicine at Milan, N.H., the following year. His successful career as a practitioner led to his appointment as surgeon in the United States army, and during the great American rebellion was with the Union army under Gen. Grant, and served with it till the surrender of the Confederate Gen. Lee and the close of the war. He recommenced civil practice at Island Pond, Vt., soon after his services ended as army surgeon in 1866, and conducted a successful practice in this town till the year 1874, when he moved to the prosperous and thriving town of Coaticook, P.Q. Two years subsequently he was made a member of the College of Physicians and Surgeons of the Province of Quebec, after having undergone a searching examination before the Provincial Medical Board in Montreal, by whom every applicant but himself was rejected, which reflected considerable honor on his ability and proficiency as a medical man. Aside from the position he now occupies in the medical profession of his adopted country, he is a member of the Vermont State Medical Society, and various other societies. Dr. Robinson is now in successful practice in Coaticook.
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=Foster, Hon. George Eulas=, B.A., D.C.L., Ottawa, Minister of Marine and Fisheries of the Dominion of Canada, M.P. for King’s, New Brunswick, was born in Carleton county, N.B., on the 3rd September, 1847. His father, John Foster, was a descendant of a United Empire loyalist who settled in New Brunswick in 1783. His mother, Margaret Haney, was descended on her father’s side from German stock. George, the future statesman, received his primary education in the common and superior schools of his native county, and in September, 1865, entered the University of New Brunswick, at the head of the matriculating class, and was the winner in strong competition, of the King’s county scholarship in the same university. He also took, during his first year, the Douglas gold medal for an English essay, in a competition open to all the classes, and won the compound achromatic microscope, as a first prize, for natural science. His strong points at college were mathematics and classics, with a strong liking for English literature and history. He graduated B.A., in 1868; taught the Grammar School at Grand Falls, N.B.; became superior of the school at Fredericton Junction, and in the Baptist Seminary at Fredericton, one year at each. He became principal of the Ladies’ High School at Fredericton in 1870, and was appointed professor of classics and history in the University of New Brunswick, in 1871. He spent the years 1872 and 1873 at Edinburgh, Scotland, and Heidelberg, Germany, prosecuting his studies, and took at Edinburgh the medal, one first, and three other prizes. Returning to New Brunswick, he assumed the duties of his chair in the university at the end of 1873, and occupied the same until 1st January, 1879, when he resigned. Acadia College, N.S., conferred upon him the title of D.C.L., in 1885. He was examiner in Grammar and English at the Provincial Normal schools, Fredericton, from 1874 to 1879. Early in life—in the thirteenth year of his age—Mr. Foster identified himself with the order of the Sons of Temperance and later with the British Templars, the United Temperance Association, the Dominion Alliance, and the International Temperance Association. He filled the office of Grand Worthy Patriarch in the Grand Division of the Sons of Temperance of New Brunswick; Most Worthy Grand Templar of the British Templars of Canada; National Chief of the United Temperance Association, vice-president and president of the Executive of the Dominion Alliance of Canada, and president, for four years, of the International Temperance Association. During Professor Foster’s occupancy of the university chair, he frequently delivered lectures and addresses upon temperance topics, and upon his resignation, engaged in an extensive lecturing tour, delivering addresses on the total abstinence and prohibition questions in all the provinces of Canada, and most of the eastern and western states of the United States. He likewise edited several temperance papers. He has been identified for many years with the Young Men’s Christian Association of Fredericton, and was a member of the executive of the International Sabbath School Committee. After a lecturing tour of remarkable success, Professor Foster resolved to try what fortune had in store for him in the political sphere, though considering how wide and how brilliant his achievements had been, we may be sure he had no misgivings in taking the contemplated step. In looking about him for a constituency, naturally that one nearest his heart, the county wherein he first drew breath, suggested itself, and to King’s he went, though it was represented by that stalwart politician, Major James Domville. The friends of Mr. Domville considered the act of Professor Foster as one that could be properly described only by the phrase “cheeky,” but what they thought made no difference to the young candidate—he proceeded with his canvass, addressing the people everywhere upon the leading topics of the day. Against such eloquence as Professor Foster brought into the field, Major Domville was powerless. But apart from his ability as a debater, the people of King’s had put the highest estimate upon the integrity and character of the young candidate, and they accordingly elected him in June, 1882, to represent them in the House of Commons at Ottawa. His election was voided; but he was again elected in November of the same year, and still continues to represent King’s county at Ottawa. On December 10th, 1885, he was sworn in a member of the Privy Council, and invested with the portfolio of marine and fisheries. Professor Foster has travelled in all the provinces of Canada, and through the greater portion of the United States, and has also visited England, Scotland, France, Germany and Switzerland. In religion he belongs to the Free Baptist denomination, and for many years has been, and is still, a prominent member of its conference. He was president of the Union Baptist Educational Society in 1884-5. The Hon. George Eulas Foster is a Liberal-Conservative in politics, and a full believer in the future greatness of Canada. He favors a civil service system which shall, so far as consistent with the peculiar circumstances of our country, conform to the system in operation in Great Britain, a moderate protective tariff, such as shall maintain our markets for our own manufactures, and at the same time not conduce to the formation of monopolies, a wise, tried economy in the administration of the finances of the country, and an enlightened, progressive and comprehensive policy. He is one of the foremost speakers in the country, if force and clearness of statement, fluency, and adherence to logic can entitle him to that place. He is a man of great energy, and of boundless nervous force. A literary grace pervades his style, but his speeches are never florid, or beyond the bounds of good taste in this respect. There is a singular earnestness in his manner, and nearly every speech that he delivers resolves itself into a series of propositions, one consequent upon the other. As we have said, he is a speaker of much force, and sometimes his eloquence rises to the height of passion.
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=Leclerc, Rev. Joseph Uldaric=, Montreal, was born at Isle Bazarre, August 7th, 1836. He is the son of Francis Leclerc, farmer, and Josephte Demers, his wife. While still a youth, his parents determined to dedicate their son to the service of the church, and with this object in view his education was properly attended to. He took, first, a classical course at Montreal College, after studying philosophy at St. Mary’s College, Montreal, and St. Michael’s College, Toronto. He next went to Sandwich College, as professor, in 1858, but soon resigned this position to enter on a course of study in theology, at the Grand Seminary at Montreal, being ordained priest in June, 1862. His first clerical charge was at Vaudreuil, where he was curate for two years. In 1865 he left Vaudreuil, having been appointed chaplain of the Reformatory Prison, at St. Vincent de Paul. In 1873 he was appointed chaplain to the great penitentiary there, and for the ten years following he filled that important post with great acceptability to the officers of the institution, who were deeply struck with the chaplain’s piety, and the zeal with which he ministered to the spiritual wants of the many unfortunate outcasts from society who were confined within its walls. In 1883 Father Leclerc was transferred to the important parish of St. Joseph’s, Richmond street, Montreal, where he has since ministered. He is also pastor of St. Anthony’s parish, for the English-speaking classes of St. Joseph’s and Cunegonde, by whom he is much beloved. About four years ago he visited Manitoba, and was much impressed with the richness of the country, and the immense resources of the Northwest territories. He has also twice visited the maritime provinces, and has thus a good knowledge of the topography of the Dominion from personal observation.
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=Sanford, Hon. William E.=, Hamilton, Ontario, Senator of the Dominion of Canada, is fairly entitled to be classed among the business men of Canada who have won distinction as successful merchants, and who have by personal industry and genuine business ability succeeded in establishing wide business relations and accumulating large fortunes. No name stands more prominently before the public, or is worthy of more honourable mention than he who is the subject of this sketch. His career has placed him in the front rank of the “merchant princes” of the country. Success is always a relative term, and is used appropriately only when employed to describe conditions in which effort, guided by intelligence and skill, to a definite end, accomplishes its aims. If this be true, then no man in Canada to-day has a stronger claim to this distinction than the Hon. Mr. Sanford. His business life has been simply a series of triumphs over difficulties that would have daunted weaker natures, and these victories have been won by tireless energy, unyielding perseverance, a keen foresight of events, a skilful adaptation to the tastes and necessities of the public, and the intelligent use of definite means to a well defined purpose. The magnificent “Sanford Block” in the city of Hamilton, consisting of offices, warerooms, stock, show and packing rooms; the extensive business connections established in every province in the Dominion, and extending from the Pacific to the Atlantic, giving employment to over two thousand hands, and employing a capital of about a million dollars, constitute a monument of which the most ambitious might be proud. Senator Sanford is a lineal descendant of Thomas de Sanford, who was knighted by William the Conqueror on the battlefield of Hastings (see Burke’s “Landed Gentry”). The American branch of the family settled in Redding, Connecticut, and one of its members, Ezekiel Sanford, engineer, built Fort Saybrook, Conn., in 1626. Born in the city of New York, in 1838, both his parents dying while he was a mere child, he was sent, ere he had reached his seventh year, to live with his uncle, the late Edward Jackson, of Hamilton, one of the pioneer merchants of that city, whose singular uprightness of life and large benefactions to religious, educational and charitable enterprises, gained for him a widespread confidence and respect. In the home of such a one, and surrounded by the most salutary influences, he was brought up, and to this formative period of his life may doubtless be traced many of those elements of character which have since distinguished his career. He received a liberal education in one of the academies of New York, and at the age of fifteen made his first venture in business, entering the then well-known publishing firm of Farmer, Brace & Co., of New York, in whose employ he continued until he reached his majority. The remarkable business ability displayed by him, even at this early period, won for him the esteem and confidence of the firm, and also an offer of a partnership in the business. The death of the senior partner, occurring about this time, caused certain changes which resulted in the disappointment of young Sanford’s hopes. The firm was re-organized, leaving him out. The value of his services was, however, recognized by a rival firm, from whom he received the offer of a salary of three thousand dollars per year. This offer he declined, determined in future to sink or swim as master of the ship he sailed. His own words were, “I am determined never to accept a position as clerk to any firm.” Mr. Sanford now returned to Canada, was united in marriage to Miss Jackson, only daughter of his friend, Edward Jackson, and then went to London, Ontario, and entered into a business partnership with Murray Anderson and Edward Jackson, and under the firm name of Anderson, Sanford & Co., carried on one of the largest foundries in western Canada. His wedded happiness was of short duration, for at the end of about eighteen months his accomplished wife died. Completely crushed and disheartened by the blow, he retired from the firm, and returned to Hamilton. His restless energies, however, refused to remain inactive, and with characteristic energy, he, with some New York dealers, went into the wool business. In less than a year, he was master of the situation, having obtained control of the wool market of the province, and was soon known among dealers as the “Wool King” of Canada. Not long after this, Senator Sanford entered upon the business which, under his skilful management, has grown into such large proportions, in which he has achieved his greatest success, and with which he is still identified. He formed a partnership with Alexander McInnes, for the manufacture of ready-made clothing. With that keen discernment of what the public needed that has ever characterised him, he determined, from the best goods to be found in the market, to manufacture for the public demand clothing that would combine cheapness with elegance and style of finish. Twenty thousand dollars capital was invested at the beginning. The most skilful labor to be found was employed, and samples to meet the requirements of the public produced. Mr. Sanford put the goods upon the market himself, while his partner attended to the office work. The goods were what the people needed, and from that day the trade in Canada was revolutionised; the character of the firm as “first class” established, and the foundation of future success laid. Various changes have taken place in the _personnel_ of the firm since its establishment in 1861. After ten years Mr. McInnes retired, and two of the employés were taken in as partners. These remained for a few years, and then also retired, leaving Senator Sanford sole proprietor, who now carries on the business under the title of W. E. Sanford & Co. Since the establishment of the firm, and through all its subsequent changes, Senator Sanford has been the moving and controlling spirit of the concern. He is complete master of all the details of the several departments, as well as director of the whole establishment. While he pioneers the great public contracts, he at the same time keenly observes and anticipates any change in the public taste, and invariably has the supply in advance of the demand. The requirements of each province or community is a separate study, and whether it be Prince Edward Island or Manitoba or the Pacific coast, each is suitably supplied from the endless variety produced at the central warerooms in Hamilton. While other firms are studying the problem and counting the cost, Senator Sanford is selling his goods and pocketing the profits. In social life Senator Sanford is most affable and attractive; in manners he is courteous and gentlemanly, and is always the soul of the company in which he is found. He can come from the most perplexing concerns of business, and plunge at once into all the mirth and merriment of the evening party, as though there was no such thing as care in the world. For a man whose mind is so deeply occupied with the various financial schemes with which he is identified, one would go far to find another who has the disposition, and finds the opportunity, to do so many acts of genuine kindness. A few flowers from his conservatory, or some rare relish to tempt the appetite, is his thoughtful and appropriate way of relieving the weariness of many a sick chamber. Hon. Mr. Sanford is a leading member of the Methodist church, a trustee and steward of the Centenary Church, Hamilton, and a liberal supporter of the missionary, educational and other connexional agencies of the church. To each of the recurring general conferences he has been invariably elected by the proper constituencies, and is treasurer of several of the most important church funds. As a citizen, he is public-spirited, and justly held in high esteem. He has been president of the Board of Trade, is vice-president of the Hamilton Provident Society, a Bank director, one of the Board of Regents of Victoria University, director of the _Empire_ newspaper, president of the Hamilton Ladies College, and one of the projectors and vice-president of the Manitoba and North-Western Railway Company. He is the owner of a tract of upwards of sixty thousand acres of land on the line of the above mentioned railway at a point commencing within a few miles of Portage la Prairie; and upon this he has established a large cattle and horse ranche. He has now about completed the organization of a company for the development of his immense marble deposit in the township of Barrie, which is claimed to be the largest in the world. In politics he is in sympathy with the protective policy of the present administration, and consequently gives his support to the Conservative party. A few such men make a city, and are indispensable to its prosperity and development. When shrewdness, ability, enterprise, and industry combine, and succeed in accumulating wealth, the benefit is not alone to the one who is thus gifted, but to the many to whom the means of livelihood is afforded, and to the city and country as well, on which they bestow the fruits of their talents and their toil. He was called to the Senate of Canada in March, 1887, and we have no doubt he will make his influence felt in that body for the benefit of the country of his adoption. In 1866 he was united in marriage to Sophia Vaux, youngest daughter of the late Thomas Vaux, accountant of the House of Commons, Ottawa, a lady of culture and dignity, whose genial and refined spirit makes the home delightful, and whose open hand of charity is a proverb in the city in which she lives.
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