Part 85

Father Labelle to-day can look back on thirty years of feverish and unceasing activity; thirty years of courageous and plodding energy; his career has been stormy rather than peaceful, and has already borne more abundant fruit than many ordinary existences. His physical health is good, but requires a rest which the will instinctively refuses on account of this fever of labor and activity which unceasingly devours and consumes. The mind is ever vigorous and keenly perceptive, while the intellect and judgment have ripened under the influence of work and time, and to-day the results are most abundant and precious. The nature of our good _curé_ is so full of vigor and exuberance that in his fiftieth year he spreads movement, activity and life everywhere around him; his character is so essentially expansive that his ideas, his projects, his hopes, so clearly elucidated, pervade those who come in contact with him. He carries so much conviction that one must needs yield to him. Is it astonishing that he should have wielded, in all spheres, an influence often dominating and decisive? The grandeur of conception, the vigor displayed in the execution of the most difficult enterprises, his proverbial disinterestedness, his sound judgment constantly seconded by deep and varied studies, an astonishing memory, a character bending itself to the most dissimilar circumstances, unassailable honesty of purpose, an openness of heart which has always proved to him the best of policies, are certainly, among others, enough qualities to make him, perhaps, the most popular and most enlightened man of our country. His influence has been felt everywhere. His counsels have ever been wise and cautious. His practical mind was never embarrassed by the most difficult problems of theology or social and political economy. His courage has ever been undaunted, either before obstacles or adversaries, and his honesty has never flinched or given way to the wiles of a corrupt world. The holy robes he wears have never been soiled, and at the present time they are as immaculate as on the day the young Levite donned them to devote himself to the service of the Divine Master. As the drop of water, slowly and patiently wending its way through the obstacles which men and accidents may throw on its passage; as the impetuous torrent upsetting all obstacles in its mad race, Father Labelle has succeeded in all his enterprises; but then these enterprises were great, they were national, they were undertaken in the interest of religion and for the welfare of the country, and only those who were traitors to their religion and their country were opposed to their execution. Is it to be wondered at, under such conditions, that he was enabled to occupy the most difficult positions and master fortresses, until his advent thought impregnable? He was never known, however, to soil his hands with the booty of the vanquished, to take a share of the spoils of the victor, or impose hard and unjust conditions under the assumption that might is right. He never exalted his victories over the weakness of those he disarmed. He always looked forward to the triumph of truth and justice and the greatness of our country; not to the humiliation of men and the abasement of character. Richelieu once said: ‘I never undertake anything without mature reflection; but my resolution once taken, I go straight to the end I have in view; I break all obstacles and I cover the whole with my purple robe.’ In his case the prince of the church gave way to the statesman. In the latter respect, it was not Richelieu who was the model of Father Labelle. But let us change the scene; we will transport ourselves to a more genial climate, far from the tainted atmosphere of the court of Louis XIII., far from the bloody fields of battle, of murder and assassination, where Richelieu had to play his rôle of statesman, and we will find, from the Canadian standpoint, a great similarity of character and works between the great French minister and the humble Canadian priest who, in the course of a few years, will change the face of a considerable portion of this province. The former contributed in large measure to the foundation of the colony; the latter, when his colonization scheme will be realized in all the grandeur of its conception, will have doubled the value, the wealth, the power of our province; both will have had the same energy and the same courage; on a different theatre, they will have obtained wonderful success. Let me add that the life of Father Labelle is an illustrious example to those who aim at being true patriots: to serve God and country. He is one of the most accomplished types of that hardy Franco-Canadian race which is called upon to accomplish grand and noble deeds, provided its descendants remember the history of its origin, its struggles and its triumphs; and rise to the height of the mission assigned them by Providence. To attain that end they must set aside the cruel broils of politics, the rancour of partyism we witness to-day, and they must work together for the common good of our common country, and, following the example of the beloved pastor, take as a motto: ‘Energy, faith in God, and hope in the future.’ The true Franco-Canadian race, the French-Catholic race, has become incarnate in the large heart of Father Labelle, and even to-day a monument might be raised to him bearing the inscription dedicated to the heroes of all times and all climes: ‘To Father Labelle, a tribute of love from a grateful country.’

Father Labelle’s winning affability is proverbial, and in the midst of his enormous labors he always finds a moment to speak on any subject that might be of interest to his listeners. Ever ready to help the humblest of his parishioners, his generosity often oversteps the limit of his means, for he has not the leisure to figure up his fortune. The following incident is an example of his charity, which we publish at the risk of raising his ire: During a very severe winter the price of cordwood had risen in the city of Montreal to the fabulous figure of $20 a cord, owing to a “combine” of men who would have been insulted had anyone dared to assert that they were not honest. Father Labelle called on his parishioners, in the name of charity, to help the poor of Montreal in their sore need of fuel, and the result was that an immense procession of sleds loaded with cordwood, the good _curé_ leading, was seen wending its way from St. Jerome to Montreal (a distance of thirty-three miles), and there distributed to the most needy and deserving poor of the city. This generous action was repeated the following winter. Besides his railroad undertakings, Father Labelle has been the means of a college being built in St. Jerome; a three-story brick building, having a frontage of eighty feet, with a lateral chapel, where the youth of the surrounding district receive a commercial, agricultural, and religious education under the direction of the Rev. Fathers of the Holy Cross. As soon as the railroad was completed to St. Jerome, Father Labelle undertook to supply the necessary traffic. He is convinced that the Laurentian range contains considerable mineral wealth, and geological reports prove his assertions. With the view of working and developing these mines, he immediately applied at every door to raise the necessary capital. His parishioners subscribed a few thousand dollars; but the resources are so slender, and the expenses so heavy to start on a solid basis, that he must receive more substantial help. It may be said, by the way, that minerals being one of the greatest sources of wealth of a country, there is no reason why the government should not give grants to the energetic men who undertake to search for those treasures in a practical manner. His many and varied occupations do not interfere with the exemplary regularity of the exercise of his holy ministry. His sermons are always remarkable for their characteristic clearness and practical common sense. Thoroughly orthodox, he never deviates from the strict doctrines of his church, which he believes accords with progress; as a result, in his parish, church and state go hand-in-hand, to the satisfaction of all parties. Far from feeling any pride in his successes, he makes them subservient to the glory of God, the primary cause and author of all greatness. The theological lore of Father Labelle is very profound, and he has had many occasions to elucidate very intricate questions. His lordship, Bishop Duhamel, honored him with his confidence, and delegated to him a part of his power for the purpose of erecting canonical parishes in the southern part of his diocese. Right Rev. Mgr. Conroy, delegated by the Holy See to adjust certain differences which had arisen in Canada in connection with the establishment of the branch of Laval University, at Montreal, wrote the following letter to Father Labelle, on the 19th March, 1877: “I reckon on your great and well-deserved influence. I shall always be glad to see you, and I shall do my best to meet your wishes as far as I possibly can do so.” After the decision of the Holy See in favor of Laval, Father Labelle was one of the most energetic workers, and did no small amount of work in connection with the establishment of the branch university in Montreal. The late Bishop Bourget was ably seconded by Father Labelle in the erection, for civil purposes, of the new parishes of Montreal. After the Guibord case had been settled, a bill was passed to prevent the recurrence of such difficulties and to meet the views of her Majesty, Queen Victoria, as intimated by her to Lord Dufferin; Father Labelle was entrusted with the drawing up of the bill. He was also instrumental, and did more than his share of the work, both here and at Rome, to obtain the division of the ecclesiastical provinces of Montreal and Ottawa. Since 1883, he has been sent to France by the Federal government for the purpose of making our country better known in Europe and promoting more extended commercial relations. At the present time (1887), he is engaged on the extension of the Montreal and Western Railway to Lake Temiscamingue, and there are already seventy miles under contract. He is also interested in a new cattle ranch at Wood Mountain, near Regina, N.W.T., etc. We cannot conclude this imperfect sketch without mentioning the charming _bonhomie_ which in Father Labelle’s case, takes the place of the most refined courteousness. When his wine cellar is empty, his smoking-room is abundantly supplied, and in either case he receives the most illustrious men of the country with the greatest ease. Let us add that his venerable mother, who presides over the internal administration of his household, contributes, by her politeness and kind attentions, to make the presbytery of St. Jerome the most popular resort of the surrounding parishes. The priests of the neighborhood and the notable men of the province frequently visit the worthy pastor when in need of information, or in quest of rest and relaxation from their onerous duties.

* * * * *

=Hale, Frederick Harding=, Lumber Merchant, Woodstock, M.P. for Carleton, New Brunswick, was born at Northampton, in the county of Carleton, N.B., on the 8th December, 1844. His father, Martin Hale, was born in Ireland, and came to Canada, when a child, with his parents. His mother was Hulda Dickinson, daughter of Harding Dickinson, a U. E. loyalist. Mr. Hale received his education in the schools in Carleton county; and afterwards turned his attention to mercantile pursuits, and for the last twenty-five years has been heavily engaged in the manufacture and sale of all kinds of lumber at Northampton and Woodstock. A few years ago he entered the political arena, and at the general election held in the spring of 1887 was elected to represent the county of Carleton in the Dominion parliament at Ottawa. Mr. Hale is a director of the St. John Valley Railway. He takes an interest in Masonry, and is a member of the Woodstock lodge; and also a member of the Woodstock Royal Arch Chapter. In politics he is a Liberal; and in religion an adherent of the Free Baptist church. Mr. Hale has been twice married. On the 20th June, 1869, to Rhoda, daughter of the late George McGee; she died on the 16th June, 1870. And on the 17th June, 1873, to Emma E., daughter of Moses Boyer.

* * * * *

=Nelles, Samuel Sobieski=, D.D., LL.D., who died at Cobourg, on the 17th October, 1887, on his sixty-fourth birthday, was born of worthy Methodist parents at Mount Pleasant, near Brantford, Ontario, on 17th October, 1823. He attended the Lewiston Academy, New York, during 1839 and 1840, under the tutorship of the poet, J. G. Saxe, whose peculiarly pungent wit the doctor often rivalled in after life. The year following he entered the Genesee Wesleyan Seminary, where he was converted and where he connected himself with the Methodist church. Two years later he became one of the two first matriculating students at Victoria University, Cobourg, the institution that was afterwards to achieve prosperity under his guidance, then presided over by Rev. Egerton Ryerson, D.D. During the two subsequent years spent at Victoria College he obtained a local preacher’s license, and distinguished himself, the venerable Dr. Carroll says, for “intellect and eloquence.” Seeking his degree at an older institution, he graduated at the Wesleyan University, Middleton, Conn., in 1846, and spent the next year as head master of the Newburgh Academy, whence he was recommended to the ministry by the Napanee Quarterly Official Board. In 1847 he was received on trial at Port Hope, and preached during 1848 and 1849 at Toronto East, in the old Adelaide street church, which has since been replaced by the Metropolitan, when he was received into full connection, ordained and sent to London as colleague of Rev. John Carroll, D.D., for the first quarter of 1850. It was then that the church wanted a man to take the presidency of their connexional university at Cobourg, an institution that had been founded in 1837 as an academy, had been created a university in 1841, and was then fighting a hard battle for a precarious existence. Samuel S. Nelles, M.A., was the man unanimously chosen, and taken, sorely against his will, from the London charge early in 1850 and installed as successor to the Rev. Alex. McNabb, D.D., in the president’s chair of Victoria University. From this time forward the career of Dr. Nelles is very closely identified with that of the college to which he fully devoted his best energies, his keen intellect, his marvellous power of management and his ripe culture. Finding the institution financially feeble, he travelled the country with persistent energy, appealing, and seldom in vain, to Methodists to support their college, and its rapid growth and success in keeping abreast with the times are largely due to his untiring labors. Together with the late Rev. Dr. Punshon, he undertook to raise an endowment of $100,000 for the college, and the best comment upon their faithful efforts is that they succeeded in swelling that amount to $150,000. Some ten years ago this indefatigable worker persuaded the people of Cobourg to erect a magnificent science building, known as Faraday Hall. In 1861 he received the honorary degree of D.D. from Queen’s University, which was followed in 1872 by the degree of LL.D. He was elected General Conference representative to the conference of the Methodist Episcopal church, United States, in 1864; and associate representative to the Eastern British American Conference in 1868; to the English Wesleyan Conference with Rev. Dr. Dewart in 1873, and to the British Conference, held in Newcastle, in 1883. The deceased was professor of moral and mental philosophy, as well as president at Victoria College, since his first connection with that institution; and in the University Act, passed at the time of Methodist union, he was created chancellor of the university. The doctor was one of the original framers of the University Federation scheme, and gave it vigorous advocacy by platform and press, but as the face of the scheme was changed, largely because of the defection of other colleges, he withdrew his support. He was married early in life to the eldest daughter of Rev. Dr. Wood, of Davenport, who survives him. Four children have blessed the union, all of whom are living. The only son is now practising law with Cameron & Co., at Tilbury Centre; the eldest daughter is the widow of the late Kenneth Dingwall, an eminent barrister of Hamilton, while the two youngest are still unmarried.

* * * * *

=Drolet, Jacques Francois Gaspard=, Quebec, Auditor of the Province of Quebec, was born at Quebec on the 23rd January, 1828. His parents were Gaspard Drolet, advocate; and Marie Antoinette LeBlond, daughter of Jacques LeBlond, advocate. He received a full and complete course of classics at the Quebec Seminary. He entered the public service in 1862 in the department of Public Works of Canada; and was appointed auditor of the province of Quebec in 1867, under section 20 of the Treasury Department Act, 31 Vict., cap. 9, province of Quebec; 46 Vict., cap. 4, section 3, 1883, which enacts “that the provincial auditor shall hold office during good behavior, but be removable by the lieutenant-governor upon an address of the Legislative Council and the Legislative Assembly.” He was president of the Institut Canadien in 1859-60. In 1869, he, along with J. W. Dunscomb, collector of her Majesty’s Customs at the port of Quebec, and François Vézina, cashier of La Banque Nationale, were appointed a Board of Commissioners to enquire into and report upon the civil service of the province. In 1875 he was on a commission with J. G. Bossé, Q.C., and James Dunbar, Q.C., to enquire into the settlement of the Quebec Fire Loan; and in 1883 he was appointed a commissioner along with L. Tellier and Lieut.-Colonel A. A. Stevenson, on an enquiry on the public service. He has taken an active interest in the Volunteer movement; and during the _Trent_ difficulty held the rank of captain in the 7th battalion of Chasseurs. Mr. Drolet is a member of the Roman Catholic church, and holds the position of church warden. He was married at Montreal, in August, 1850, to Marie Louise Eugénie, daughter of the Hon. Jean Casimir Bruneau, judge of the Superior Court, and niece of the Hon. F. P. Bruneau, one of the Legislative councillors appointed by Lord Sydenham in 1841, and of Dr. Bruneau, for a number of years professor and lecturer of McGill College, Montreal. The living issue of this marriage is three sons and three daughters. The eldest son is Joseph Eugène, advocate; Jean Casimir, Roman Catholic priest; third son, Joseph Charles Gaspard, captain in the 9th battalion Quebec Rifles. Captain Joseph C. G. Drolet went through the North-West campaign with his regiment, and is now adjutant of the Royal School of Mounted Infantry at Winnipeg, Manitoba.

* * * * *

=Whitney, Henry A.=, Moncton, New Brunswick, Mechanical Superintendent of the Intercolonial Railway, was born at St. Stephen, New Brunswick, on the 11th February, 1834. His parents were Beriah Whitney and Lucy Hall, and both were descended from very early settlers in America. The first of the Whitney family emigrated from Wales, England, about the year 1640, and settled in the state of Connecticut. Of the mother’s progenitors, the Howland branch came over with the Pilgrim Fathers in 1620; and the Hall branch emigrated from Hull, England, about 1650, and made their home on Long Island. Henry A. Whitney received a common school education at St. Stephen, New Brunswick, and at Calais, Maine. As early as 1852 he began his connection with railways, and with the exception of a short interval in the years 1853-4, has been in the railway service ever since. During these thirty years he has occupied various positions on government railways, such as foreman, engine driver, shop hand, locomotive foreman, and is now mechanical superintendent of the Intercolonial Railway. He has been obliged to change his residence several times since he began his useful career, having removed from St. Stephen to Moncton in 1857; to St. John in 1858; to Shediac in 1861; and lastly to Moncton in 1872, where he has since resided. In politics Mr. Whitney takes little interest; but in religion he may be classed among the Universalists, having held, from youth up, that our Heavenly Father will finally bring all his erring children home to his house of many mansions. He was married on the 13th of December, 1861, to Margaret J. Lindsay, of St. John, New Brunswick. This lady died on the 22nd May, 1872. On the 5th of May, 1874, he was married to his second wife, Henrietta Elliott, of Moncton, New Brunswick.

* * * * *

=Fitch, Edson=, Manufacturer, Quebec, Grand First Principal of Royal Arch Masonry in the province of Quebec, is a native of Glen’s Falls, New York state, having been born there in 1838. He is a direct descendant of Governor Thomas Fitch, who was governor of the colony of Connecticut, in 1756, under the reign of George II. The family is one of the oldest in the United States. They were originally from Eltham, county of Kent, England, and came to America, landing in Boston, Mass., in 1634. The homestead of the governor, in Norwalk, Conn., is still in possession of the family, being owned by the subject of this sketch and his sister. Mr. Fitch received his educational training in his native parish. In 1861 he entered the American army as a lieutenant, and was at once sent to the front on active service. During the winter of 1862-3 he received a commission as captain, and was present with General McClellan during the peninsular campaign, and took part in all the principal engagements until the first day’s fight in the battle of the Wilderness, 5th May, 1864, when he was severely wounded, having been shot through the body. This confined him to the rear for about three months, at the end of which time he returned to his post, where he remained till the close of 1864, when, his time having expired, he was mustered out of the service. He was on staff duty most of the time, having been in twenty-seven engagements, fighting under Generals McClellan, Burnside, Hooker, Meade and Grant. When he returned from the service he held the position of acting assistant inspector-general and chief of staff of the first brigade of the second division of the Second Army Corps. On that occasion he received the following flattering letter:—

HEAD-QUARTERS 1ST BRIGADE 2nd Div. 2nd Army Corps, Army of the Potomac, near Petersburg, Va. Nov. 3, 1864. Capt. Edson Fitch, Brig. In. 2nd Brig. 2nd Div., 2nd A.C.,