Part 184

=Van Koughnet, S. J.=, Q.C., Toronto, Ontario.—The subject of this sketch, born in the year 1832, or 1833, was a younger, though now the oldest surviving, son of the late Hon. Colonel Van Koughnet, of Cornwall, for many years a member of both legislatures of old Canada, who had seen service in the war of 1812, and afterwards commanded a regiment at the battle of Prescott in 1837, as also at the Coteau, of which regiment, when put on an Imperial footing, he retained command until disbanded several years subsequently. The Van Koughnet family is probably one of the oldest in the country. Their native place was Colmar, Alsace, from which they emigrated in 1750, coming to the present United States of America, and settling in Massachusetts, on the site of the present city of Springfield—the Woolwich of that country, that city in fact being built upon their property. In the war of 1783 they maintained their allegiance to the British crown, and the grandfather of the subject of the present sketch was accordingly proscribed by the United States government, his property confiscated, and he obliged, with many others, to flee the country or take the consequences of a price having been set upon his head. He accordingly left with his wife and two infant children, taking an Indian for his guide, and crossed in the depth of winter to British territory, striking Cornwall, in the county of Stormount, then a wilderness, with the exception of a few Dutch settlers who had found their way thither. The original name was von Gochnat, which subsequently became corrupted into van Koughnet, the prefix of which, van, is Dutch, and the change was brought about by contact with the Dutch residents, who did not understand the German von, and was acquiesced in by the family, who seemed to have little anxiety for anything, in their straitened condition, than finding the ready means of subsistence for themselves. S. J. Van Koughnet was named after his uncle, the Rev. J. J. S. Mountain, brother of the late bishop of Quebec. Mr. Van Koughnet was in the first place educated in the same old school-house in Cornwall where the late Bishop Strachan had educated his father, the late Sir John Robinson, Sir James McCauley, Chief Justice McLean, Judge Hagerman, and many others of Canada’s noted men. Mr. Van Koughnet then matriculated at Trinity University, being one of its earliest students, having taken a scholarship as a result of his matriculation examination. There he was a very hard worker, taking, as shown by the university calendar, prize after prize, and graduating in first-class honors in classics in 1854, having been sent the Oxford degree examination papers for that year. He had also previously in that year taken the English essay prize which in England is the most coveted of all, and he was gold medallist as a result of his degree examination. Mr. Van Koughnet had been originally, like his late brother, the chancellor, intended for the church, and went through the usual divinity course with that view. He subsequently, however, like him changed his mind, chiefly it is said in consequence of a dread of the grave responsibility of the office. This it is also said he ever afterwards regretted, though some of his friends believed it was well he did, as his very advanced views were unsuited to this country, and his course in church politics it was thought, when party warfare ran high in the church in this diocese, fully justified this opinion. In these, at the time indicated, he might have said of himself, “_Magna pars fui_.” He was noted for his unswerving fidelity to his friends and loyalty to the church and her doctrines as he claimed to understand them. When those troublous times happily came to an end, on the election of the present bishop (Sweetman), whom he agreed loyally to support, though he humbly differed from him in his views on several cardinal points, Mr. Van Koughnet at once retired from church politics, and never afterwards appeared in the synod, where he had been for twenty years so well known, and where, though seldom taking a conspicuous part in debate, he was not the less attentively listened to when he did. On giving up the church Mr. Van Koughnet studied law, and was called to the bar in 1859, and entered into partnership with his late brother, M. R. Van Koughnet. On his first appearance in court he was congratulated by the late C. J. Draper on the eloquence of his address to the jury in opening a case for malicious prosecution, in which he obtained a verdict for his client. After a few years he dissolved his connection with his brother, and did a large business alone, then confining himself principally to equity, where he soon acquired a lucrative practice. He had not long been practising there before he was appointed by the late V. C. Esten guardian of infants in that court, and among the most perplexing cases of the kind he ever had to do with was that of the late Mrs. Ellis, daughter of the late highly respected Peter Paterson, whom, when only sixteen or seventeen years of age and then a ward of the court, the late Mr. Ellis, the well-known King street jeweller, married without the consent of the court. This had always been considered, and very properly, an offence, and contempt of court, and Mr. Van Koughnet, who was then acting for her, felt bound in the exercise of his official duty, however reluctantly, to bring the matter before the notice of the court and ask for direction as to the course to be pursued. The presiding judge on this occasion happened to be his own brother, the late chancellor, who heard the statement of facts and, with that kindness of heart so characteristic of him, having known both families for many years, came to the conclusion that the young lady would be properly cared for, and, her property being judiciously settled, that there was no occasion for rigidly enforcing the rule of the court, and so allowed the matter to drop. This appointment Mr. Van Koughnet held for some years, when he was deprived of it in some mysterious way he could never exactly discover, and the present guardian, J. Hoskin, succeeded him. He spoke to his brother the chancellor on this subject, but he from obvious motives, declined to interfere, though expressing himself strongly on the subject at the time. In 1864 Mr. Van Koughnet was appointed legal reporter to the Court of Common Pleas, and soon achieved a reputation for himself, not only for the ability with which he conducted his reports, but for the wonderful dispatch with which he issued them. Hitherto there had been great and it was thought inexcusable delay in the publication of the reports of this court, and Mr. Van Koughnet was determined that the reproach should be speedily removed, and so it was; and he has ever since been noted for the same characteristics in connection with the reports, both as reporter of that court and of the Court of Queen’s Bench, which he now holds, in succession to Christopher Robinson, Q.C., with whom as fellow reporter he worked for several years. Indeed, his present serious illness, which at the moment of writing we regret to learn is likely to become still more serious, is largely attributable, his medical attendants we understand state, to over-devotion to his work at Osgoode Hall, which it is said he should have abandoned long before he at last consented, when probably too late, so to do. It was thought by many of his friends that Mr. Van Koughnet was unwise to bury himself, as in their opinion he was doing, in the mere literary work of the profession, as that of a reporter is said to imply, and that he should have thrown himself more into the active work of the bar, for which his undoubted talents and his display of forensic ability on several occasions amply fitted him; but his inclinations were always of a literary tendency, and he has been heard to say that he could not condescend to many of the tricks and almost dishonesties which seemed inseparable from the successful career of a _nisi prius_ counsel in particular. These considerations, and the demands of a rapidly increasing family upon his purse decided him upon accepting the more quiet but congenial position of reporter to the courts; besides, as he used to say, he got rid of the _profanum vulgus_ in the shape of clients. In politics Mr. Van Koughnet was always a strong Conservative, but, though no family was ever better entitled to it, he neither sought, it is said, nor ever received government patronage of any kind, unless, indeed, having acted as secretary to the celebrated Royal commission in connection with the Pacific Railway investigation is to be looked upon as partaking of that character. For that position, however, he was designated by the late Hon. J. H. Cameron, and suddenly called to Ottawa by telegram, hardly knowing for what. The duties of the office in question he discharged with marked ability, though he had never before acted in a similar capacity, largely assisting in organising the whole work of the commission, advising on difficult questions of law as they arose, and drawing from the commissioners at the conclusion of his work a flattering testimonial, from which what is above written has been in fact taken. The report of that celebrated investigation was drawn by him, and was considered a highly able document, covering, as it did, many pages of an octavo pamphlet. Mr. Van Koughnet, we have heard, bitterly regretted having given up his original intention of taking orders; in fact it was said he considered many a disappointment in after life and many a sorrow but the consequence of his change of intention in that respect. Among the several distinctions he was honored with were those of M.A., D.C.L. (by examination), and Q.C., which he was created some five years ago. Most markedly belonging to the old school in social life, now fast dying out in Canada—shall we not say on many accounts to be regretted?—Mr. Van Koughnet for many years past has been little seen in society, which he seemed to avoid, though of a most genial nature and with a vein of humor not alien to the family. His bearing to all, whether high or low, was ever courteous and obliging; and at Osgoode Hall, where he was perhaps best known, he was a recognised favorite, particularly among the younger bar, with whom in his position as reporter he was necessarily much brought into contact, and to whom he always lent a ready and sympathetic ear. Mr. Van Koughnet married in early life, and whilst still a student, a daughter of the late Senator Seymour. Six children comprise his family, his eldest daughter being married to Albert Nordheimer, of Toronto, and two younger daughters to the only son of Sir John Macdonald and Rev. Canon Machray, of St. John’s College, Winnipeg, respectively. His fourth daughter is still unmarried, and two sons are engaged in banking business. It may be added that the learned gentleman’s children are noted for their almost phenomenal beauty.

[NOTE.—The above facts were with difficulty secured from Mr. Van Koughnet’s family, by whom access was given, after more than one application, to several old family documents, from which the particulars were obtained.]

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=Aikins, William T.=, M.D., LL.D., Dean of the Medical Faculty of Toronto University, was born in the county of Peel, Ontario, on the 4th of June, 1827. His father, James Aikins, emigrated from the county of Monaghan, Ireland, to Philadelphia, in the year 1816, and after a residence of four years there removed to Upper Canada with his family, and purchased a quantity of land in the first concession north of the Dundas road, in the township of Toronto, about thirteen miles from the town of York. This was over sixty-seven years ago, when that township, like nearly every other part of the province, was sparsely settled, and there was not a church or place of worship in the neighborhood; the itinerant Methodist preacher being the only exponent of the Gospel to the people. Mr. Aikins, like the greater part of the immigrants from the north of Ireland, had been brought up in the Presbyterian faith, but soon after settling in Peel he joined the Methodist body, and his house became a well known place of meeting for worship among the people of the settlement. Dr. Aikins received his education, like his brother, the Hon. James Cox Aikins, the lieutenant-governor of Manitoba, in the public schools of the neighborhood, and afterwards attended Victoria College, Cobourg. After passing through that university he removed to Toronto, where he took up the study of medicine, and was granted a license to practise in 1849. He, however, to better fit himself for his important calling went to Philadelphia and entered the Philadelphia College of Medicine, and graduated in 1850 with the degree of M.D. On his return to Toronto Dr. Aikins soon began to take a foremost position in the profession, especially in surgery, and is now one of the leading surgeons of the present day. He is one of the first members of the College of Physicians and Surgeons, and has been the treasurer of the same since its foundation. For about twenty-four years he was one of the medical staff of the Toronto General Hospital, and is now consulting surgeon of the same institution. He also holds the position of surgeon to the Central Prison, Toronto. But it is in his connection with the Toronto School of Medicine that Dr. Aikins has most signally distinguished himself. He has been one of its faculty from its inception, first as professor of anatomy, and subsequently on surgery, as well as dean of the faculty. For thirty-eight years Dr. Aikins has been engaged in assisting the young members of the profession to qualify themselves for the duties of life; and in order that he might be the better enabled to accomplish this, he took a trip to the principal seats of learning in Great Britain and the continent of Europe, so as to study the latest scientific methods of treatment and see experiments performed that would be of benefit to his pupils on his return. The question of organizing a medical faculty to the University of Toronto having become a public matter, Dr. Aikins and the faculty of the Toronto School of Medicine were invited by the senate to amalgamate their school and become part of our national university. This, after mature consideration, was acceded to, and in the fall of 1887 Toronto School of Medicine ceased to exist as a separate institution, and is now an integral part of Toronto University, Dr. Aikins being elected dean of the medical faculty and professor of surgery in the new medical branch of the university. In 1884 his _alma mater_, Victoria University, conferred upon him the honorary degree of LL.D. In religion he is a member of the Methodist church, and takes an active interest in everything that helps to advance her interests. In politics he is a Reformer.

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=Mackenzie, John Mills=, Mayor of Moncton, New Brunswick, was born at Moncton, county of Westmoreland, N.B., on the 27th April, 1825. He is, on the paternal side, of Scotch descent, his grandfather having come from Scotland many years ago, and settled in the maritime provinces. His father, William Mackenzie, was born in Halifax, Nova Scotia, and his mother, Charlotte Mills, of English descent, first saw the light in Moncton, having been the first child by English parents born in the locality in which her father and mother resided after coming from Poughkeepsie, state of New York, at the close of the American revolutionary war. Mr. Mackenzie was educated at Moncton, and received a sound English course. When quite a young man he started out in life and was engaged from 1842 to 1851 as a school teacher in his native county and the adjoining county of Albert; and afterwards he engaged in commercial pursuits for a period of nine years. He then became deputy-sheriff of Westmoreland county, and from 1861 to 1867 held this office, and became curator of the Westmoreland bank—having been appointed to that position by the Supreme Court of New Brunswick—and wound up its affairs. Subsequently he was appointed official assignee by the Dominion government under the then Insolvency Act. He was by the local government appointed to the office of justice of the peace and commissioner for taking special bail, and for taking affidavits to be read in the Supreme Court. Mr. Mackenzie took an active part in the purchase of the Moncton Tannery Company’s property, and assisted in the organization of a new company which was successfully operated until its property was destroyed by fire. The company immediately rebuilt its premises, but before the expiration of the second year the building was again destroyed by fire, when the company paid their liabilities in full and gave up business. After this he helped to organize the following companies, namely: The Moncton Gas-Light and Water Company, the Moncton Sugar Refining Company, and the Moncton Cotton manufacturing Company, all of which have since been successfully carried on. Mr. Mackenzie is connected with the Masonic brotherhood, and is a member of Keith Lodge, and also of the Botsford Royal Arch Chapter, both of which he helped to organize. He has occupied the position of town councillor for several terms; and was elected to the position of mayor of the town in March, 1887, and this honorable position he still occupies. He is one of Moncton’s most spirited citizens, and takes great interest in every movement that has for its object the moral and material interests of its inhabitants. In religion he belongs to the Baptist denomination. On the 3rd April, 1855, he was married to Sarah Caroline Cornwall, who is of English loyalist descent.

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=Gibbons, Robert=, Goderich, Sheriff of the County of Huron, belongs to an old Birmingham family (of England), where his father, William Gibbons, and his ancestors for several generations, were born, though he himself dates his birth to Glasgow, Scotland, December the 24th, 1811. His father was an ingenious machinist, and was engaged for years in turning, finishing and fitting up machinery. The maiden name of the Sheriff’s mother was Margaret M. McDonald, who was born in Scotland. In June, 1820, the family left the old world for Canada, landing at Quebec in August, and settled on land in the county of Lanark. About four hundred persons came out on the same vessel from Glasgow, and made their home in the same county, each head of the family having received 100 acres of land from the government, on condition that they would occupy and improve it. Robert aided his father in clearing a farm there. In 1827, he went with the family to Pottsdam, St. Lawrence county, New York, where he spent five years in cultivating the soil, and where he received most of his education. On leaving here on 16th May, 1832, he reached Goderich, walking all the way from Toronto, a distance of 135 miles. The place then contained about two hundred and fifty inhabitants, and he has seen it expand into a town of about six thousand people. When Mr. Gibbons reached this point he had but a few dollars left, but he had the wealth of a sound constitution, two hands already toil-hardened, and a disposition to use them to good advantage. After working a few months at farming, he opened a meat shop, and for sixteen years was a butcher and cattle buyer, in which he proved himself a very energetic business man. After a short time, he again turned his attention to farming and stock-raising, which he continued until a few years ago. When the rebellion broke out he went into the militia as a sergeant, and retired in March, 1838, a lieutenant. In 1867 Mr. Gibbons was elected to the Ontario legislature, to represent South Huron; lost his seat during the second session; was re-elected in 1871, serving two sessions, and in November, 1872, resigned, and accepted the shrievalty of the county, which position he still holds, and is an efficient and obliging officer. In politics he is a Reformer, and has spent much time and money for the benefit of the cause and in disseminating the principles of his party. Mr. Gibbons has done an unusual amount of work in the town and county municipalities. Commencing in the district council in 1848, he served as reeve nearly twenty years, and warden thirteen years in succession, first in the united counties of Huron and Bruce, then of Huron alone. He was elected mayor in 1853, 1854 and 1855, and his labors in the town and county have been of great value to the community. In 1868 he was elected a member of the Board of Agriculture and Arts Association of Ontario, and served in that position for nine years. He was vice-president in 1873, and president, in 1874, and his address the latter year was ordered to be printed in pamphlet form, and was widely distributed. He is an adherent of the Presbyterian church, is one of the most liberal supporters of the gospel in Goderich, and has assisted many houses of worship in the county as well as in the town. Although he has been always a hard-working man, and is now well up in years, yet he is well preserved; has a cheerful disposition, and a good share of _bonhomie_, which qualities shorten no one’s days. He has been twice married, first in November, 1835, to Jane Wilson, of Cumberland, England, who died in May, 1873, leaving five children, one of whom shortly afterwards died; another, the only son, dying in February, 1879. His second marriage took place in June, 1874, to Alice Roddy, also from England.

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