Part 50
=Foster, James Gilbert=, Q.C., Barrister, Halifax, was born on the 13th of June, 1839, at Aylesford, Kings county, Nova Scotia. His father, Rufus Foster, was descended from a family of the United Empire loyalists, who took refuge in Nova Scotia at the time of the American revolution; and his mother, Christina Foster, was of Scotch descent, having come when about seven years of age with her parents from Scotland, and the family settled in the same province. James Foster received a common school education, and studied law with the Hon. Alexander James. On the 10th of May, 1864, Mr. Foster was admitted an attorney-at-law and barrister, of her Majesty’s Supreme Court of Judicature; and the 20th of May, 1865, he became a partner with Mr. James in his legal business, and this partnership continued until Mr. James was elevated, in January, 1877, to the Supreme Court of Nova Scotia, as judge in Equity, when a dissolution took place. Mr. Foster then took his brother, William R. Foster, into partnership with him, and now the old business is carried on by the new firm. On the 23rd February, 1867, he was appointed a notary public; and on the 9th of October, 1878, he was made a Queen’s counsel by the Nova Scotia government. In September, 1863, Mr. Foster was appointed first lieutenant of the 6th regiment, Halifax county militia; and on the 19th of June, 1865, was promoted to the captaincy of the 5th company of the same corps. He attended the Military School of Instruction at Halifax, and passed an examination, taking a second-class certificate for candidates for commissions in the active militia, November 12th, 1869. In August, 1883, he was appointed major in the reserve militia, of the Nova Scotia regimental division of the county of Halifax, from No. 7 company division. From May, 1879 to May 1882, he held the office of recorder and stipendiary magistrate of Dartmouth; and on the 29th of May, 1879, was appointed justice of the peace for the county of Halifax. On the 6th of July, 1884, he was made a commissioner for arranging and preparing for the press, and indexing the fifth series of the Revised Statutes of Nova Scotia; and in August, 1886, was appointed registrar of the Court of Probate for the county of Halifax. From June, 1877, to March, 1886, Mr. Foster held the position of vice-consul for the Netherlands, at Halifax. During the years 1880 and 1881, he negotiated with several railway syndicates, for the purpose of carrying out the scheme for the amalgamation and completion of the Nova Scotia railways, proposed by the Local government of the time; and in 1881, he was authorized by Cyrus W. Field and associates, who were large owners of the Pictou coal mines, to negotiate proposals for that purpose with the Local government and the late Sir Hugh Allan, then owner of the Eastern Extension Railway in Nova Scotia—one of the railways in question. The government was, however, pledged to what was known as the Plunkett syndicate, which, finally fell through, and the government was defeated in the general elections of the following year, 1882. The policy of the succeeding government being averse to the scheme for railway amalgamation, and railway interests becoming in the meantime much depressed, Mr. Field and his friends did not care to renew their proposals. Mr. Foster was brought up and has always been a member of the Church of England. He has represented the parish of Dartmouth, as a lay delegate in the Synod of the Diocese of Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island, since April 13th, 1874; and on the 23rd of April, 1879, was made one of the executive committee of the Synod. During the years 1877, 1883, and 1886, he represented the same diocese, as one of its delegates in the Provincial Synod of Canada. Mr. Foster is a Liberal in politics; and at the general election in 1882, was a candidate for the House of Assembly of Nova Scotia, but failed to secure his election, having been defeated by a trifling majority.
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=Barker, Frederic Eustace=, M.A., D.C.L., Q.C., M.P., St. John, New Brunswick. F. E. Barker is a native of Sheffield, in the county of Sunbury, in the province of New Brunswick, where he was born on the 27th December, 1838. His father, the late Enoch Barker, has been dead for some years. The family settled in Sheffield at the time of the American revolution, having before that resided in Massachusetts. Mr. Barker, jr., was educated at the Sunbury Grammar School, principally under the tuition of the Rev. George S. Milligan, M.A., now superintendent of Education in Newfoundland. He matriculated at King’s College, Fredericton (now the University of New Brunswick), in June, 1853, and graduated as B.A. in June, 1856. At his degree examination the examiners voluntarily recommended him for honours, which the College Council accordingly granted. He was admitted to the degree of M.A. in June, 1858; B.C.L. in December, 1861; and D.C.L. in June, 1866. He took all these degrees in regular course from the University of New Brunswick, an institution in which he has always taken an active interest. Mr. Barker was principally instrumental in the formation of “The Associated Alumni of the University of N.B.,” was for some time president of that body, and one of its representatives in the University Senate. He is also one of the Civil Law Examiners for this University. In June, 1856, Mr. Barker was entered as a law student with the late Justice Fisher, then a practising barrister at Fredericton. In June, 1860, he was admitted an attorney of the Supreme Court, and a year later he was called to the bar; and in April, 1873, he was appointed a Q.C. by the Dominion government. Mr. Barker commenced practice at Grand Falls, in New Brunswick, but only remained there a few months, when he removed to the city of St. John, where he has since resided and practised. In 1863, he formed a partnership with the present Justice Wetmore (then one of the leaders of the N.B. bar), which continued until that gentleman went on the bench in 1870. In 1875, Mr. Barker was appointed by the Provincial government one of the commissioners for consolidating the Statutes of New Brunswick. Mr. Barker at one time took an active interest in militia matters. In May, 1864, he was gazetted ensign; in August of the same year lieutenant; in February, 1865, captain, and in July, 1868, major in the St. John city Light Infantry. He has been for many years one of the benchers and a member of the council of the Barristers’ Society of N.B., and a member of the council of the St. John Law Society. He is now vice-president of the Barristers’ Society; president of the St. John Bridge and Railway Extension Company, and one of the directors of the St. John Gas Company. Mr. Barker has always belonged to what is now known as the Liberal-Conservative party in politics. When the retirement of Sir Leonard Tilley, in October, 1885, caused a vacancy in the representation for the city of St. John in the House of Commons, Mr. Barker was almost unanimously elected as the Liberal-Conservative candidate by a large and influential committee nominated to choose a candidate; and at the election which took place on 24th November, 1885, he was elected to the House of Commons by a majority of 112, about the same as that usually obtained by Sir Leonard, his predecessor. Mr. Barker is a member of the Church of England. He has at times visited the chief cities in Great Britain, United States and Canada. He was married (first) at St. John, in October, 1865, to Elizabeth Julia, daughter of the late Edward Lloyd, of the R. E. civil staff, who died in January, 1874; and (second) to Mary Ann, daughter of the late B. E. Black, of Halifax, and niece and adopted daughter of the late Justice Wilmot, who was the first lieutenant-governor of New Brunswick after confederation. By the first marriage Mr. Barker has one son and two daughters, and by the latter two daughters.
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=Murphy, Owen=, Quebec, M.P.P. for Quebec West, was born at Stoneham, in the province of Quebec, on 9th December, 1829. He is descended from a long line of illustrious ancestors, as may be seen on referring to the “Chronicles of Leinster.” This authority says; “The O’Murphys, the O’Murchoes, or Murphy, are descended from Henry Feling, chieftain of the Murroes, now called Macamores, in the Barony of Ballaghkeen, in the county of Wexford. They were in possession of it before the English invasion. This Feling was son of Cuma-Kinsellagh, King of Leinster, in the fifth century. The head of the family, in 1634, lived in Tubberlimmach. He was Connell O’Murchoe, gentleman, the eldest son of Donnell More, ‘The O’Murchoe,’ son of Art, son of Tiege. This Connell died in 1634, and was buried in Castle Ellis [the burial-place of Mr. Murphy’s family in the county of Wexford.—ED.]. He left five sons: Tiege was the eldest, he remained in Wexford; also James, who possessed an estate in Killincoolly, taken from him by Cromwell. Art went to county Louth in 1641; his descendants remained in the north. Another, named Laughlin, lived in Ballyoughna.” The Murphys of Ballainonlart House, in Wexford, have been known for generations as one of the most popular families in that district, and we believe we are correct in affirming that Owen Murphy’s father was the only member of the family who settled in this country, which he did in the early part of the present century. Many people still living in the city of Quebec remember well the generous and liberal spirit that at all times actuated him, and this, combined with his peculiarly rich attainments and cultivated mind, rendered him a highly popular citizen, and when death came, caused him to be greatly regretted. None the less eminent were his three brothers, all of whom attained for themselves very high ecclesiastical honors and dignity, one of whom being for many years bishop of Ferns, in Ireland. Owen Murphy was educated under Robert H. Scott, of Edinburgh, a gentleman of high culture, with a reputation far above ordinary as a tutor. His commercial training was received in the offices of Ross, Shuter & Co., and H. J. Noad & Co., two of the most important lumber, ship-owning, produce and milling firms then in the city or province of Quebec. Mr. Murphy’s aptitude and zeal in his profession gained for him the commendation of his employers, and the result was that he soon became not only a favourite with them, but with the public generally. He was elected to serve in the city council, as representative for St. Paul’s ward, the most important business section of the city, and for several years faithfully served the citizens in that capacity. In 1874, as a mark of the high esteem in which he was held, he was chosen mayor of the ancient capital; and as a further mark of esteem he was again, in 1876, elected for another term of two years. During the period he occupied the position of chief magistrate he exhibited such zeal for the city’s welfare that on his retirement from office he carried with him the esteem and best wishes of his fellow citizens. And here we may say that the improvements suggested by Lord Dufferin, when he was governor-general of Canada, and which have made Quebec one of the most beautiful places for the tourist in which to spend a few days, were suggested when Mr. Murphy was mayor, and through combined efforts they were carried out to a successful conclusion. In August, 1875, while Mr. Murphy was mayor of Quebec, he paid a visit to Britain, and of course to the land of his forefathers. The Wexford _Independent_ thus kindly alludes to the event:
THE MAYOR OF QUEBEC AT WEXFORD.—This respected functionary, accompanied by the mayoress of Quebec, arrived here on Saturday last from Dublin. His worship is staying at the West Gate Hotel, and is a nephew of the late Right Rev. Dr. Murphy, the estimable and lamented bishop of the diocese, the truly apostolic divine, the scholar, and in every sense the well-bred Irish gentleman. He is also a nephew of the _ci-devant_ pastor of Castlecomer, in the diocese of Ossary, the late Very Reverend Lawrence Murphy, and of the late Rev. Michael Murphy, for many years the zealous collaborateur of Father Corrin in the pastoral charge of Wexford. Although born on a foreign soil, Mr. Murphy ardently loves the land of his ancestors—not with wild and misdirected enthusiasm, but like his estimable uncles, with judgment, discretion and sincerity; and in saying that he has inherited many of their distinguished characteristics, we pay him the highest compliment in our power to bestow. At the great international banquet given by the corporation of London (England) lately to the great municipal chiefs of the whole civilized world, the mayor of Quebec was chosen to return thanks, not only for the Dominion of Canada, but for the municipalities of the United States, and the other rising nations of the western world.
Mr. Murphy is a justice of the peace for the city and district of Quebec; a director of the Quebec Central Railroad; has been president of the St. Patrick’s Society; president of St. Patrick’s Literary Society; for four years president of the Quebec Turf Club, and was one of the committee of management of St. Patrick’s Church, prior to the change being made in the temporal administration of that church. In 1880 he was elected president of the Quebec Board of Trade, and the following year was again unanimously elected for another term. At the general election held in 1866 he was elected to represent Quebec West in the local legislature. In politics he is a Liberal, but is in favour of the national policy. In religion he is an adherent of the Roman Catholic church. He was married in 1857 to Elizabeth, daughter of the late James Loughry.
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=Smith, Rev. H. Percy W.=, Rector of St. Paul’s Church, Dunnville, Ontario, was born at Islington, London, England, on the 13th September, 1837. His parents, William and Mary Smith, are both alive, and residing in Canada. Rev. Mr. Smith received his early education at private schools in his birthplace, and when thirteen years of age entered a wholesale drapery establishment, where he continued for about seven years. This business not being entirely in accordance with his taste, he abandoned it, and entered St. Augustin’s College, Canterbury, to study for the ministry. In February, 1864, he bade farewell to England, and set sail on the _Bohemian_ steamship for Canada. When eighteen days out the _Bohemian_ struck the rocks near Portland, and became a total wreck, and through this mishap he unfortunately lost his library and outfit. Shortly after reaching Canada, in 1864, he was ordained deacon by the Bishop of Ontario, and two years afterwards, priest by the Bishop of Montreal. For the past ten years he has been rector of St. Paul’s Church, at Dunnville, and is very much respected by his parishioners. He was married in 1866 to Lizzie, third daughter of the late Colonel Edwards, of March, Ontario.
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=Mackay, Alexander Howard=, B.A., B.Sc., F.S.Sc. (Lond.), Pictou, Nova Scotia. Alexander Mackay, the paternal grandfather of the subject of this sketch, and the progenitor of a numerous family, many of whom are favourably known in Canada as members of the learned professions, was born in Sutherlandshire, Scotland, in 1762. He emigrated to Mount Dalhousie, in the county of Pictou, Nova Scotia, in 1822, took up several hundred acres of land for farming, and in 1847 died, loved and revered by a large community who looked up to him as a patriarchal chief. His second son, John Mackay, was born in Sutherlandshire, in 1810, and emigrated with his father and the rest of the family in 1822. In 1836 he travelled through a portion of the United States of America, and Ontario, in Canada, where he took up some land; but finally settled down on the old homestead. In 1847 he married Barbara Maclean, who was born at Roger’s Hill, in the county of Pictou, in 1823. Her father, John Maclean, was born in the west of Scotland, about 1758, and died at Roger’s Hill in 1848. From this marriage came a family of seven boys and three girls. The eldest, Alexander Howard Mackay, was born on the 19th May, 1848. His father was a man of remarkable probity of character, of very superior intellectual powers, and enthusiastically patriotic. In addition to the farm, a mechanic’s shop, with a turner’s and cabinetmaker’s tools and machinery, supplied the ways and means. There was no luxury, however. Hard manual work, alternated with study, was used in developing the various and versatile powers of the whole man. The play of mechanical ingenuity, original constructive effort, and acute investigation, filled the hours of recreation. This family discipline was a perfect success. The father, John Mackay, died February 22nd, 1879. The mother is living in good health at the date of writing, August, 1887. Young Alexander could read and write before he went to the public school, which was two miles distant. The farm and the school divided his time; but the leisure hour found him constructing a sextant, theodolite, or transit instrument, which he never previously saw, and with which he made remarkably accurate measurements; or making some apparatus to demonstrate a law in physics or chemistry; or exploring the natural history of the picturesque glen running through the homestead. In 1865 the trustees of the school section pressed him to take charge of their school. Although he had no license, never having thought of becoming a teacher, he accepted the position. In 1866 he graduated at the head of his class from the Provincial Normal School at Truro. In 1867 he attended the Pictou Academy, and at the provincial examination of teachers following, won the first place. In the fall of 1869 he matriculated in Dalhousie College, and for four years was a leading prizeman in his classes. He graduated a B.A. in April, 1873, with special honours in mathematics and physics. He was also the valedictorian of his class, and was for the last three years of his undergraduate course an editor of the college paper, _The Dalhousie Gazette_. He also took classes in the School of Science in the Provincial Museum, under the provincial geologist, Dr. Honeyman; and in the Medical College, then affiliated with Dalhousie. After graduation he was appointed principal of the County Academy at Annapolis Royal, and a few months later received the unsolicited appointment to the principalship of the Pictou Academy and public schools of Pictou, which position he holds at present. He assumed charge of the Pictou Academy, November 1st, 1873, since which time the staff and attendance of the institution have been more than doubled. In 1874 he was elected president of the Education Convention of Nova Scotia, a position to which he was re-elected. From this time he has taken a very active and forward part in promoting educational reform through the press and otherwise. In 1876 he spent a portion of the year in studying the educational appliances in the leading cities of the eastern United States. His efforts culminated in 1881, in the erection of the present Pictou Academy, one of the finest and best equipped academic buildings in Canada. Its facilities for scientific teaching are greater than are those of many colleges. In 1880 he graduated a B.Sc. from the University of Halifax, with first class honours in biology. In addition to his educational work, he has also found time to engage in original scientific investigation. His papers or work may be found in the “Proceedings” of several scientific societies. His popular scientific writings have been numerous and widely diffused. In 1884 he was elected a member of committee of the Biological section of the British Association meeting in Montreal. In 1886 he was elected a fellow of the Society of Science, Letters and Art, London. And the same year he was elected president of the Alumni of Dalhousie College and University; and also, president of the Nova Scotia Summer School of Science. He knows no rest, for at the same time he is a member of a multitude of local societies, and in every sense an active citizen. He is a member of the Kirk Session of St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church in Pictou; but also contributes to other denominations. He believes in a catholic union of all Christian effort, and a scientific expansion of religious philosophy. In local politics he independently supports educational reform. In Dominion politics he avows a preference for the policy of the Liberal-Conservative party. He is a Britisher, first, against the whole world; and a Canadian all the time, and will fight. He has just started the “Educational Review” (of which he is Nova Scotian editor), in company with G. U. Hay, Ph.B., of St. John, New Brunswick, and Principal Anderson, of the Prince of Wales College, Prince Edward Island. In 1882 he married Maude Augusta Johnstone, only daughter of Dr. George Moir Johnstone, M.R.C.S., London, and his wife, _née_ Sarah Mortimer Smith, of Pictou town.
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