INDEX. (continued 39)

Cooke, Right Rev. Thomas, late Bishop of Three Rivers, Quebec, was born at Pointe du Lac, the 9th February, 1792, and was the son of Thomas Cooke, miller, formerly of Lisle, Ireland, and Isabel Gray, of Pointe du Lac, Canada. He was ordained and entered holy orders September 11th, 1814, was vicar and secretary to Bishop Panet at Rivière Ouelle, and afterwards, in 1817, became curate of Caracquette. On 1st March, 1824, he became curate of St. Ambroise, and in 1835 was appointed to the curacy of Three Rivers, with the title of vicar-general. On 8th June, 1852, his Holiness Pope Pius IX. appointed him first bishop of the diocese of Three Rivers, and he took possession of his bishopric on the 18th October of the same year, the day of his consecration. He was a prelate of commendable piety, indefatigable zeal, and consummate prudence. In 1858 he had the good fortune to make the imposing and solemn consecration of his beautiful cathedral, and in 1860 he founded the College of Three Rivers, which he placed under the special patronage of St. Joseph, to whom he paid remarkable devotion. Bishop Cooke died on the 30th April, 1870, aged 78 years. The record of the late bishop is without blemish. His whole life was devoted to the advancement of his religion, the strengthening of his church, and he never became wearied in doing good to all, both rich and poor. His virtues and talents were of the first order, and place him for all time to come in an enviable light.

Prefontaine, Raymond Fournier, B.C.L., Barrister, Montreal, M.P. for Chambly, was born at Longueuil, province of Quebec, on 16th September, 1850. He is a descendant of one of the oldest and most honorable families in the province, his ancestors having settled in what was then New France, in 1680. Having the advantage of a good education, and with natural abilities to enable him to make good use of the knowledge he had gained, he was singled out by those who knew him, even in early life, as one of the coming men of Lower Canada. He graduated from the Jesuits’ College, in Montreal, and was called to the bar in 1873, receiving the degree of B.C.L. the same year from McGill College. He made a brilliant success in the practice of law, and is now partner in one of Montreal’s best known legal firms. Like so many young lawyers, he early devoted a great deal of attention to politics, and became known not only as an exceedingly active worker in the various campaigns, but as a speaker of unusual power in influencing the people. In the Quebec general election of 1875 he was nominated as the Liberal candidate for Chambly, and carried the county in spite of the fiercest opposition. He had apparently entered upon a career of great credit and usefulness in the local house, when he was relegated to private life, being defeated in the general election of 1878. The check was only temporary, however, for the successful candidate was unseated and Mr. Prefontaine was re-elected in June, 1879. But he was again unsuccessful in 1881 when the Conservative government swept everything before them. During his membership in the house he was elected mayor of Hochelaga, and was re-elected in successive years, until 1884. He became an alderman of Montreal a year later, his legal practice being in that city. The eyes of the Dominion were turned to him in the memorable contest in Hochelaga in 1886, during the Nationalist agitation succeeding the execution of Louis Riel, the government having opened this constituency apparently to test its strength. The contest was one of the most fiercely fought that have ever been known in Canada. Mr. Prefontaine succeeded in carrying the county against all opposition, and the rejoicing of the Nationalists on the occasion was great. At the general election in 1887, the struggle was almost again as great, but he succeeded in retaining the seat. In the house he shows himself full of vigor. He speaks in trenchant style, and his manner is affable and pleasant, and he ranks high among the popular members of the house. He is a Liberal and a Nationalist. He was married on the 20th June, 1876, to Hermine, daughter of the late Senator J. B. Rolland, of Montreal.

Piché, Eugene Urgel, Barrister, Berthierville, Quebec province, was born 13th July, 1824, at St. Sulpice, county of L’Assomption, and was the son of Bonaventure Piché, an old and highly respected merchant, and Emilie Lefèbre. He received his classical education at the College of L’Assomption, and was admitted to the bar of Montreal, 13th March, 1846. He was chief magistrate, and then member for the county of Berthier, in the Provincial Parliament of Canada for four years, from January, 1858. He was made a Queen’s counsel, 28th June, 1867, with precedence immediately after the Hon. G. Ouimet, ex-premier of Quebec. Deputy of the attorney-general, Sir George Cartier, and the Hon. G. Ouimet, and representative of the crown before the court of Queen’s Bench from 1864 to 1871, in five districts, Montreal, Joliette, Beauharnois, Terrebonne and Arthabaska. In 1869, he was appointed a school trustee by the Council of Public Instruction of the province of Quebec; and in 1871, one of the twelve commissioners for the taking of the census. In March, 1873, he was made clerk-assistant of the House of Commons; and on the 7th of March, 1874, appointed a special commissioner by the governor-general to swear in the members of parliament, and swore in Louis Riel as a member for Manitoba. Some time after, on receiving a pension, he retired from the House of Commons, and returned to the practice of his profession in Montreal, and afterwards in the district of Richelieu, where he resided the first fourteen years of his career, and where he is still practising. In September, 1872, he was admitted a member of the bar of Manitoba. October, 1886, he was a candidate as “National Independent Conservative” against Robillard, Conservative, and Sylvester, Liberal, at the provincial election for Quebec, the Liberal carrying the election. Space will not permit us to enumerate the many important cases Mr. Piché has conducted successfully: the most celebrated, however, being that of the ladies Dambourgés, daughters of the brave and gallant Col. Dambourgés, who gallantly defended Quebec against the invasion of the Bastonnais in 1775. The legal contention was with one of the most opulent families of the country, having at its head the eminent Chief Justice Sir L. H. Lafontaine. The contest lasted for twelve years, several lesser cases growing out of the original, and occupied the attention of the whole jurisdiction of the province, especially of Montreal and Quebec. Mr. Piché defended the case alone against twelve able lawyers employed by his adversaries, and vanquished them successively, until finally they appealed to the Privy Council of England; but were again defeated by the subject of our sketch, who wrote a clever letter to the clerk of the Privy Council, which proved so convincing, that without any unnecessary delay, the case was decided in favor of his clients. The justly deserved praise and admiration of the public was lavishly bestowed upon Mr. Piché, as well as the private recognition of the highest legal authorities of the Dominion, among the latter being the then minister of justice, Sir John A. Macdonald. As a member of parliament, our subject has been equally distinguished, and in 1858, at Toronto, having defeated the Macdonald government on the amendment against Ottawa becoming the capital of Canada. The encomiums of the press have fully testified and endorsed Mr. Piché’s remarkable ability and talent, as well as sound practical judgment, in whatever public position he has occupied. He was married October 18th, 1846, to Marie Nina Marion, daughter of Captain Louis G. Marion. There is scarcely any position, political or legal, that Mr. Piché’s remarkable talents do not fit him for.

Guevrement, Hon. Jean Baptiste, Sorel, Senator of the Dominion of Canada, was born at La Visitation, Isle du Pads, P.Q., on the 4th September, 1826. He is a farmer, and has always taken an active part in the politics of the country. In 1854 he was elected to represent Richelieu in the Canadian Assembly, which he did till 1857, when he was defeated at the general election that year. In 1858 he was chosen to represent Sorel in the Legislative Council of Canada, which position he filled till confederation. In 1867 he was a candidate for Richelieu in the Quebec Legislature, but was defeated. In the same year he was called to the Senate of Canada by royal proclamation. The Hon. Mr. Guevrement is a Conservative in politics. On May 2nd, 1848, he married Marie Anne Parelhus.

Allan, Hon. George William, D.C.L., Toronto, Speaker of the Senate of Canada, Chancellor of the University of Trinity College, Toronto, was born at Little York, now Toronto, on the 9th of January, 1822. His father, the late Hon. William Allan, was a pioneer settler who took up his abode in York, during Governor Simcoe’s term of office, and resided in Toronto till his death in 1853. This gentleman, in his day, held a very prominent place in public esteem, and being possessed of more than ordinary ability and a good education, he enjoyed advantages not so common in those early days as now. He was the first postmaster for York, and the first custom collector for the port. During the war of 1812-15 he served in the militia as lieutenant-colonel, and his son has still in his possession the flags of his old regiment. He figured prominently, too, in commercial life, and was the first president of the Bank of Upper Canada. He also held a seat in the Legislative Council of old Canada for several years, and a seat in the Executive during the administrations of Sir Francis Bond Head and Sir George Arthur. Our subject’s mother was Leah Tyreer, whose father was Dr. John Gamble, who belonged to a U. E. Loyalist family, and was a surgeon in the Queen’s rangers. His corps was raised in Upper Canada after the arrival of Lieutenant-Governor Simcoe. George William was educated by private tuition during his earlier years, and was afterwards sent by his father to Upper Canada College. When the rebellion, headed by William Lyon Mackenzie, broke out in 1837, young Allan, then in his sixteenth year, left U. C. College, and entered as a private “the Bank Rifle Corps,” of which the present Chief Justice Hagarty, Judge Galt, and some others still living were also members. He returned to the college at the end of the following year, and remained there until he went up for his examination as a law student which he passed in the “senior class,” in Easter term, 1839. He was articled to and began his studies in the office of Gamble & Boulton, and was subsequently called to the bar of Upper Canada, in Hilary term, 1846. Before entering upon the active practice of the law, young Allan was sent by his father to travel abroad, and in addition to a very extended tour throughout Europe, he visited many countries which, in those days, were not quite as accessible as they are now. He went up the Nile to the borders of Nubia, and afterwards travelled through Syria and the Holy Land, Asia Minor, Turkey and Greece, meeting with not a few exciting adventures, arising more particularly from the lawless and unsettled condition, at that time, of many parts of Syria and Asia Minor. He was elected, not long afterwards, a fellow of the Royal Geographical Society of England. Mr. Allan early took a part in municipal affairs, his name appearing as one of the aldermen for St. David’s Ward in 1849. In 1865 he was elected mayor of the city and served in that capacity throughout the year. In May, 1856, before again leaving Canada for a lengthened tour abroad, he was presented by his fellow-citizens with a very complimentary address. It was done up in neat book form, and is now a most interesting document, as it contains the signatures of men of all ranks, parties and creeds, a large proportion of whom have now passed away. Mr. Allan, in the autumn of 1858, in response to a requisition from the electors of the York division, for which he was returned by a very large majority, took his seat for that division in the Legislative Council of old Canada, which he retained until confederation. Mr. Allan took a prominent part in the business of the Legislative Council, and filled the office of chairman of the Private Bills Committee in that body for many years. In May, 1867, he was called to the Senate by Royal proclamation, and has ever since taken an active share in its deliberations, as well as in the business of the Committee of the House, having been chairman, first of the Private Bills Committee, and subsequently of the Standing Committee on Banking and Commerce, which he has now filled for many years. In politics he is a Conservative. Mr. Allan has always taken a deep interest in the promotion of literature and science in his native country. He was one of the original members of the Royal Canadian Institute, and has filled the chair as president, besides being a contributor to the Journal of the Institute. He has always been a warm friend to the cause of higher education, and has been closely connected with Trinity College University (of which he is now the Chancellor, and from which he received his degree of D.C.L.), ever since the founding of that Institution in 1852. In all matters connected with Canadian art Mr. Allan has ever evinced a lively interest. He is the president of the Ontario Society of Artists, and chairman of the Art Union of Canada, and is the possessor of a large and valuable collection of paintings by a Canadian artist, the late Paul Kane, illustrating Indian life and customs, and the scenery of the great North-West. Attached to horticultural pursuits himself, Mr. Allan has labored as president of the Horticultural Society of Toronto, for more than twenty-five years, to foster a taste for the study and cultivation of flowers and fruits among his fellow-citizens, and it was with that object that he presented to the Society, in 1857, the five acres of land which, with the subsequent addition made fifteen, now forming the Society’s Gardens. As we have already mentioned, Mr. Allan performed his first military duty at a very early age. He has always taken a warm interest in all matters connected with the Volunteers and Militia, and is himself Lieut.-Colonel of the Regimental Division of East Toronto, and an honorary member of the Queen’s Own Rifles. A member of the Church of England, Mr. Allan has for many years borne an active part in the Synod and other assemblies of his church. He has also filled the chair as president of the Upper Canada Bible Society for more than twenty years. In business affairs Mr. Allan fills more than one post of considerable responsibility and importance. He has been for many years chief commissioner of the Canada Company as well as president of one of our largest and most successful loan companies, the Western Canada Loan and Savings Company. In 1888, on the death of the Hon. Josiah B. Plumb, Speaker of the Senate, the Hon. Mr. Allan was elected to the office. While in his twenty-fourth year he married Louisa Maud, third daughter of the late Honourable Sir John Robinson, Bart., C.B., chief Justice of Upper Canada, and she died while sojourning at Rome, in 1852. He married again, in 1857, Adelaide Harriet, third daughter of the Rev. T. Schreiber, formerly of Bradwell Lodge, Essex, England, and has a family of six children, three sons and three daughters.

Futvoye, Isaac Booth, Railway Superintendent Northern Division Central Vermont, and Waterloo and Magog Railway, St. John’s, Quebec province, was born in London, England, on the 28th November, 1832. His father was Lieutenant-Colonel George Futvoye, who was for many years deputy minister of militia, and a resident of Ottawa. The subject of our sketch, Isaac Booth Futvoye, received his education at the High School of Quebec, and entered the railway service 1st May, 1857. From that time until 1st May, 1859, he served in the capacity of roadman (Engineer corps), on the Stanstead, Shefford and Chambly Railway, when he was appointed station agent at St. John’s, P.Q. From February, 1865, to May, 1876, in conjunction with this office, he also acted as agent for the Montreal and Vermont Junction Railway, at the same place. From 24th May, 1876, to the present, he has acted as superintendent of the Stanstead, Shefford and Chambly and the Montreal and Vermont Junction Railways. These two railroads are now operated as the northern division of the Central Vermont Railroad. On the 1st January, 1878, he also became superintendent of the Waterloo and Magog Railroad. Mr. Futvoye is considered one of our best authorities in his particular sphere, and is respected and esteemed by all for his sound, practical judgment in matters pertaining to railways. In religion, he is a Protestant, belonging to the Episcopal church. He married, October 20th, 1860, Mary Anne Doyou, of Granby, P.Q.

Leblanc, Pierre Evariste, Montreal, M.P.P. for Laval, was born at St. Martin’s, in the county of Laval, 10th August, 1853. His ancestors came to L’Isle Jesus from Acadia in 1757, after the conquest and dispersion of its inhabitants by the British army. His father was Joseph Leblanc, and his mother Adéle Belanger. The subject of our sketch commenced his education at the Academy of St. Martin’s, leaving it to enter the Jacques Cartier Normal School, from which he went to McGill University. He entered into the study of law, deciding to make it his profession, and was called to the bar of the province of Quebec 11th July, 1879. Mr. Leblanc has always taken an active part in the politics of his country; and in 1882, when the Hon. L. O. Loranger was elevated to the bench, he was elected in his place to represent the county of Laval in the Quebec legislature. The election being protested, he was unseated on petition, but was re-elected, and was again elected at the last general election. In politics he is a Conservative, and is held in high esteem by his many friends. On the 12th January, 1886, he married Hermine, daughter of the late Theodore Beaudry, of Montreal, and Catharine Valée.

Davis, Donald Watson, Merchant, Macleod, district of Alberta, M.P. for Alberta, North-West Territory, was born in the town of Londonderry, state of Vermont, United States, in 1849. His father and mother were both natives of the state, but of English and Scotch descent. He received his education in his native town. He came to Canada, and settled in Macleod about 1870, where he conducts business as a merchant and general stock dealer. He was elected to the House of Commons as representative for Alberta at the last general election, and is a supporter of the Conservative party. In 1887 he was married to Lillie, daughter, of James Grier, J.P.

Motton, Robert, Q.C., Barrister, Stipendiary Magistrate and Judge of Civil Court of the city of Halifax, N.S., is of English extraction, and is a son of the late Robert Motton, also of Halifax, who did business there for many years. Mr. Motton was born in Halifax about the year 1831, and received his early education at the Grammar School in that city. Having mastered the classics, he decided to adopt the profession of the law, for which the keenness of his mind, his witty and eloquent tongue, and his knowledge of human nature eminently fitted him. He studied in the office of Peter Lynch, Q.C., and after pursuing his studies with diligence was called to the bar of Nova Scotia, on 7th December, 1856. He began to practise in Halifax, and speedily built up a large business, especially in criminal cases. He had great weight with juries, being a polished and eloquent pleader. As a cross-examiner he excelled. For years he was retained in the most important civil and criminal cases, and it was admitted that his presence in any of the courts of the province was an intimation that some important case was going on, and he was looked upon as a natural adjunct to either one or the other side. In politics he was for many years connected with the Conservative party, and rendered them yeoman service in many hard-fought battles. On the stump he was simply immense, his general humor, power of word-painting, and acquaintance with the ins and outs of the situation making him a complete master of his audience. In 1874 he opposed Captain John Taylor, who offered as candidate of the Liberal party, the Conservatives agreeing not to oppose, for one of the seats for Halifax rendered vacant by the death of that brilliant orator and lawyer, Hon. William Garvie. Mr. Motton represented the Young Halifax party, and being opposed by the whole weight of the Liberal local government and the Conservative vote, was defeated, but made, nevertheless, a gallant fight. He afterwards claimed the seat on the ground of his opponent’s disqualification, which he established before a committee of the House of Assembly composed of a majority of Liberals, but who refused him the seat because they were determined he should not enter the house to oppose the government. Mr. Motton may have thought that he did not receive that measure of support from his own party to which his services entitled him; but however, after this his affection for the Conservatives cooled, and he gradually became attached to the Liberal party, among whom he was warmly welcomed, they having a proper appreciation of his abilities. He was frequently employed in crown cases by the local government. He was always ready to help any good cause with the might of his tongue, and especially as an advocate of temperance. He distinguished himself when the late D. Banks McKenzie started the blue ribbon movement and the reform club in Halifax, in the summer of 1877. Mr. Motton came to his assistance, and at the mass meeting held in the rink addressed by such orators as Hon. P. C. Hill, provincial secretary and premier, Rev. Dr. George W. Hill, of St. Paul’s and others Mr. Motton made one of the happy efforts of the evening. He is a very popular lecturer on Reminiscences of the Bar, and other popular subjects, always drawing crowded houses attracted by his versatility, solid diction, relieved by fresh and racy incidents, creating roars of merriment and applause. In the Dominion campaign of February, 1878, when Hon. A. G. Jones defeated M. H. Richey in the Halifax bye-election, Mr. Motton was one of the ablest canvassers and hardest workers on the Liberal side. His name at this time was freely spoken of as a Liberal candidate for the local house. He resided at this time in Dartmouth, of which municipality he was stipendiary magistrate and recorder. He subsequently in 1879 resigned the position, as his increasing practice in Halifax rendered the step advisable. The acceptance of his resignation was followed by a most flattering and complimentary resolution, regretting his withdrawal. Upon the resignation of Dr. Henry Pryor, as stipendiary magistrate of Halifax city, a post which he had filled for many years, Mr. Motton was tendered by the provincial government and accepted the position, all parties agreeing the place could find no worthier incumbent. His appointment as stipendiary and judge of City Civil Court is the only one made by the government in Nova Scotia. It is for life, and removable in the same way as other judges. The secular and religious press, without any exception, endorsed the selection. On the occasion of his first presiding in the City Civil Court, the members of the bar present conveyed to him the gratification with which his legal brethren viewed his elevation, and tendering him their most hearty congratulations and best wishes. He has administered the laws of the city with good judgment, forbearance, and impartiality, and at the same time has made himself a terror to evil doers. He has exerted a powerful influence towards suppressing vice in its many forms. In religion he and his family, consisting of his wife and two sons, are Methodists. He was appointed Queen’s counsel by the local government in 1876. He was for some time a valued and progressive member of the city council, a commissioner of the supreme court, a member of the quarter sessions, and has been prominently identified with every movement of political and social reform calculated to benefit humanity.

Mara, John Andrew, Merchant, Kamloops, British Columbia, M.P. for Yale, was born at Toronto, and is the eldest son of the late John Mara of that city. He was educated at Toronto, and settled in British Columbia in 1862, where he has followed the business of a merchant. He has always taken an active part in politics, and sat in the Legislative Assembly for Kootenay, from the general election in 1871, till 1875, when he was returned to represent Yale. He was re-elected in 1878, and sat until the general election, of 1886, when he did not again offer himself as a candidate. He was speaker of the Legislative Assembly from 25th January, 1883, until the dissolution of the house in 1886. In 1887 he was elected by acclamation to represent Yale in the House of Commons, at Ottawa. Mr. Mara, in politics, is a Conservative. He is married to Alice Telfer, the only daughter of F. J. Barnard, ex-M.P.

Strange, Thomas Bland, Kingston, Major-General, retired, Royal Artillery, has been so conspicuous a figure on the Canadian scene and filled so large and honorable a place in Canadian history for the last seventeen or eighteen years that a work of this kind would be incomplete without a memoir of his gallant and distinguished career in both hemispheres. Major-General Strange comes of a race that has done good service to the Empire. Said the Weekly Globe (Toronto), of 24th April, 1885:—“In ‘The Scot in British America’ is an allusion to Robert Strange, afterwards Sir Robert, the father of English engraving, an art which he developed while in exile in Italy following the broken fortunes of the house of Stuart.^[10] Having previously fought at the battle of Culloden, in the body-guard of the prince, he was attainted and sought refuge in the house of Miss Lumsden, his affianced bride. While with her, the ‘Seider Roy’ (red soldiers) appeared in the court yard, and the officer entered to seize the body of the ‘traitor Strange,’ as he was termed by proclamation. His fair fiancée, with womanly simplicity, lifted the enormous hoops which extended the dresses of the period, and placed her lover in safety beneath them, while she resumed her former occupation of playing loyal airs on the spinette. The direct descendants of Sir Robert Strange and Miss Lumsden have been gallant and distinguished sailors, soldiers, men of science and law, including Colonel Strange, Madras Cavalry, subsequently employed on the survey in India and inspector of scientific instruments; Admiral Strange, whose son, Lieutenant Vernon Strange, went down in the ill-fated Eurydice; Major Charles John Strange, R.A., distinguished in the Crimea, all sons and grandsons of Sir Thomas Strange (son of Sir Robert), judge in the Hon. East India Company’s service. This branch of the family remained in the mother country; but two collateral branches settled in Canada. Of one of these, the late Colonel M. W. Strange, who served in the Kingston Volunteer Rifles during the rebellion of 1837-38, and who was representative of that city in the Ontario parliament, police magistrate and district paymaster, as well as a brother-in-law of Sir A. Campbell, the present lieutenant-governor of Ontario, and Dr. O. S. Strange, ex-mayor, and now penitentiary surgeon, were the descendants. The last branch to settle in Canada has done so in the person of Major-General Strange. * * * * * He represents an old military family of Scotch origin, and, in the maternal line descent can be traced from Charles Martel and Charlemagne through a long line of warriors. * * * * Major-General Strange has in his possession an old Bible (1679) which contains the records of the birth of Sir R. Strange and of his father and others in the islands of Orkney. To this sketch, the following details of interest may be added respecting our subject and his family. Major-General Strange was born on the 15th September, 1831, in the cantonments of the 26th Cameronian regiment at Merut, East Indies. His father, the late Colonel Harry Francis Strange, served in the Cameronian regiment during the India and China wars, and subsequently commanded the 25th King’s Own Borderers. His mother, Maria Letitia Bland, was a daughter of Major Bland, of Lake View, Killarney, county Kerry, Ireland, and connected with the Herberts and other well known county Kerry families. His paternal grandfather, Captain Alexander Strange, served in the 13th Light Dragoons in India and at Waterloo, and his father’s brother, Captain Alexander Strange, 42nd Highlanders, carried the colors of the “Black Watch” through the battles of the Pyrenees, and died of wound, received at Toulouse; and Captain Thomas Strange served and died in the Royal Navy, leaving three sons, Captain Thomas Strange, who was killed in the Maori war in New Zealand, Colonel H. F. Strange, C.B., Knight of the French Legion of Honor, who served with distinction in the Crimea; and Captain Alexander Strange, of the Osmanli cavalry. Major-General Strange’s only brother, Major Alexander Strange, served in India in his father’s regiment, the King’s Own Borderers, and also with distinction during the war in New Zealand, but died on the homeward passage. Lastly, Major-General Strange’s own sons have been trained to the profession of arms. The eldest boy, Lieutenant Harry Bland Strange, is a graduate of the Royal Military College, Kingston, and after serving as aide-de-camp to his father during the campaign in the Canadian North-West, obtained a commission in the Royal Artillery. The second son, Alexander Wilmot Strange, a graduate of the Ontario Agricultural College, was in the North-West on the Military Colonization Ranche near Calgary with which his father is connected, when the rebellion broke out, and true to the loyal and military instincts of his race, and like a lad of spirit, at once enrolled himself in the Alberta Mounted Rifles, with a detachment of which he served until the revolt was suppressed. So that it may be said that for five generations every male of this family has served in the army or navy, and the majority of them have died in the service. Major-General Strange’s own military record has been as stirring and eventful as any in the history of the family. As an artillery officer, he takes rank among the ablest in that arm of the profession, and, as a soldier maintaining the honor of his country’s flag on the field of battle, his personal gallantry and skill were so conspicuous as to be mentioned four times in despatches. Indeed, few officers in the British service seem to have served their Sovereign with greater loyalty and ardor, or to have taken greater pains to perfect themselves in their profession. A real love for that profession appears to have been the mainspring of his whole action from the moment when, on the 17th December, 1851, as a young man of barely twenty years, he received his commission as a second lieutenant of the Royal Regiment of Artillery. Previous to this, he had been educated at the Edinburgh Academy and the Royal Military Academy at Woolwich—at the former classically, and at the latter in mathematical and military science. With his entry into the service, however, came no cessation of his studies. On the contrary, his life thenceforward for many years seems to have been one of unceasing application and downright hard work to perfect himself in all the details of his profession, and especially of that important branch of it with which he was more directly associated. Thus we find that between 1852 and 1865, when his opportunities from foreign or active service in the field permitted, he successfully passed through the following courses, for three of which he was specially recommended by the deputy adjutant-general, Royal Artillery, by the director of artillery studies, and by General F. C. Wilmot, commandant, and Colonel Fisher, R.A., chief instructor of the Shoeburyness School of Gunnery: Astronomical Observatory, Woolwich; Musketry Instruction, Department of Artillery Studies, Chemistry of War Stores, Royal Laboratory, Royal Gun Factories, Royal Carriage Department, Royal Waltham Powder Mills, Enfield Small Arms Factory, and Long Course School of Gunnery, Shoeburyness. The official record of his qualifications shows further that he carried off the prize at the Royal Military Academy for military topography and landscape painting; that he mastered the French, Spanish and Hindostani languages; and that he acquired the practice as well as the theory of his profession by serving as district adjutant and quartermaster at Sheerness from 1856 to 1857; as quartermaster to the artillery division on service, and as acting commissary of ordnance and acting adjutant and orderly officer in action from Benares to Lucknow during the Indian Mutiny, in 1857-8; as Hindostani interpreter at Moultan, from 1859 to 1860; and as superintendent and gunnery instructor of the Repository branch of the Woolwich School of Gunnery from 1866 to 1871. His record of foreign service covers two years and a half in garrison at Gibraltar, nearly two years in the West Indies, and about six and a half years in India, and a little over ten years in Canada, or a period of twenty-one years and eight months in all, making, with his home service of close upon ten years, a total of thirty-two years in the military employ of his Sovereign, during which his promotions took place as follows:—First lieutenant, 1853; second captain, 1858; first captain, 1866; lieutenant-colonel, inspector of Canadian artillery, with rank of deputy adjutant-general, 1871; major R.A., 1872; lieutenant-colonel in the army (local), 1875; lieutenant-colonel R.A., 1877; colonel, July, and major-general, retired, December, 1881. The breaking out of the terrible Sepoy rebellion in 1857 furnished to our subject his first experience of active service in the field, and though he was then only a lieutenant, his skill, daring and presence of mind were conspicuous. According to the “Army List,” he was present at the actions of Chanda, Sultanpore, Dhowrarah, and Moonshejunge, the siege and capture of Lucknow, under Sir Colin Campbell, the actions of Korsee, Nawab-gunge, Seraigunge, the affairs of the 22nd and 29th July, the passage of the Gumtee, Oude, including the engagements of the 25th, 26th, 27th and 28th August, and at Doudpoor on the 28th October. In all he served in thirteen engagements, was mentioned four times in despatches, and wears the medal and clasp for Lucknow. During the mutiny he also received his captaincy, and among the complimentary references to his gallant services in the field we note the following in official despatches:—“1st, at Moonshejunge, March 4th, 1858, Lieutenant Strange, R.A., assisted by Captain Middleton, 29th regiment, and other officers, enabled the commanding officer to carry off two captured guns under a heavy matchlock fire from the loopholes (vide despatch No. 3, as above). On the same day, after the engineer officer, Captain Innes, Bengal Engineers (now V.C.), was severely wounded in the attempt, Lieutenant Strange carried the powder-bag to the gate of the interior entrenchment, and with the assistance of Captain Middleton, 29th regiment, fired it. 2nd, on March 26th, 1858, at the capture of the Kaiser Bagh, Lucknow, Colonel Napier (now Lord Napier of Magdala), Bengal Engineers, being engineer directing the attack, Lieutenant Strange, with assistance, endeavored to empty a powder magazine in the great square while the adjacent buildings were on fire. An explosion left that officer the sole survivor (vide the death of Bombardier S. S. Lever, No. 3 company, 14th battalion, forwarded by General Dupuis, R.A., to adjutant-general, Horse Guards). 3rd, on 2nd October, 1858, at Doudpoor, Oude, while in command of right division Q field battery, R.A., and two guns R.H.A., under Lieutenant Lyon, Captain Strange captured two guns and sixteen horses, Brigadier-General Horsford commanding the force. Capture reported.”^[11] To these may be added the testimony, of Lieutenant-General Sir Hope Grant, K.C.B., who wrote;—“Lieutenant Strange (now captain) was under my command in Oude, in 1858, during the mutiny, and rendered very efficient service at the crossing of the Goomtee in driving the enemy back and covering the crossing of the force. His two guns, which I sent on in advance, had to be taken in pieces across on rafts, and the horses had to swim the river. His duty was performed to my entire satisfaction. He was also staff officer to the artillery division under Colonel Carleton, at the battle of Nawab-gunge, when he made himself very useful.” Proofs of the same kind might be multiplied, but these suffice to show that our subject is not only an officer of skill and experience, but that he distinguished himself as much by his gallantry in the field as by his decision and coolness in the hour of danger. The removal of the Imperial garrisons from Canada in 1871, and the desire of the Canadian Government, in pursuance of a plan for the defence of the Dominion, to raise some batteries of artillery and to organise a scheme of artillery instruction, introduced him to a new sphere of honorable usefulness. Endorsed by the highest military authorities in England, including H.R.H. the Duke of Cambridge, commander-in-chief; Sir Hugh Rose, commanding the forces in Ireland; General Sir Hope Grant; General Adye, director-general of artillery, and others too numerous to mention, he came to Canada in that year as lieutenant-colonel and inspector of Canadian artillery, with rank as deputy adjutant-general, and a commission to form and command the 1st garrison of Canadian artillery at Quebec. How successful he was in this task is well known to all acquainted with the soldierly qualities and discipline of those fine corps, A and B batteries,^[12] and especially to the people of the ancient capital, who had the best opportunity to witness the difficulties he had to contend with and overcome, and to appreciate, during his nine years’ residence in their midst as commandant of their historic citadel, his admirable qualities as a soldier and a gentleman. Referring to this phase of his Canadian career, the Toronto Globe of the 24th April, 1885, during the height of the rebellion in the Canadian North-West, remarked:—“He established upon enduring foundations the schools of gunnery in which so many have been trained for service in different capacities, and especially as artillerists, and the efficiency of the batteries now at the front is largely owing to the fact that the Government has adopted the more important recommendations which, as inspector of artillery, he has seen fit to make.^[13] He is a man of marked will-power, a disciplinarian, and yet one whose commands are not unkindly enforced. But once, while in command of B battery, was he called upon to act the soldier’s part in earnest, and that was during the labor and bread riots in Quebec, in 1878. He acted with a courage and coolness then which showed how well fitted he was for action in an emergency.” To this might be with justice added that on this occasion Colonel Strange also acted with an amount of self-control and humanity as honorable to him as a soldier as it was creditable to him as a man. To his firmness the ancient capital owed the prompt suppression of the trouble, and to his humanity that this stern but needful duty in the interests of law and order was discharged with the least possible effusion of blood. The local press, headed by the Quebec Morning Chronicle, were not slow to acknowledge this indebtedness in the handsomest terms, and the lieutenant-general commanding the Canadian militia, Sir Selby Smith, recognized it in flattering terms in his general order of 18th June, 1878. But it is pleasant to know that the citizens of Quebec have more agreeable recollections of Colonel Strange than those connected with him as the exponent of military force. During his residence of nine years amongst them, he and his officers and men intimately associated themselves with their daily life, and contributed largely to their entertainment and to the gaiety of the city.^[14] It would require more space than could be afforded within the scope of this work to do justice to this phase of Colonel Strange’s career in Quebec, but an idea of it can be gathered from the celebration of the Montgomery centennial in 1875, which will ever remain an enduring memory with the Quebecers. On that occasion Colonel Strange thought it his duty to cement Canadian patriotism by reminding Canadians of both nationalities of their forefathers’ struggle to repel invasion. For this purpose, in addition to the valuable historical paper which, as vice-president of the Quebec Literary and Historical Society, he read before the society (on the defence of Quebec in 1775 against the attempt made by the Americans, under Generals Montgomery and Arnold, to capture the fortress), at the fête in commemoration of the centenary of Montgomery’s defeat and death, held in the society’s rooms at the Morrin College, he organized one of the most unique balls imaginable, which came off with the greatest success at the citadel on the very centennial itself, the night of the 31st December, 1875. Of this fête the following graphic account was published at the time: —

The celebration of the centenary at the Literary and Historical Society was followed by a similar demonstration at the Institut Canadien of Quebec, on the 30th, which passed off with great éclat, and by a ball at the citadel on the 31st, given by the commandant, Colonel Strange, R.A., and Mrs. Strange, who entertained a large number of guests dressed in the costume of 1775. The following verses, contributed by “E. L. M.,” a Montreal lady, and dedicated to Colonel Strange, were made an appropriate introduction to the festivities: —

Hark! hark! the iron tongue of time

Clangs forth a hundred years,

And Stadacona on her heights

Sits shedding mournful tears!

Oh! spirits fled, oh! heroes dead,

Oh! ye were slain for me,

And I shall never cease to weep,

Ah! Wolfe, brave soul for thee.

Again the foe are made to know

The force of British steel;

Montgomery and his comrades brave

Fall ’neath the cannon’s peal.

Sudden she sprang upon her feet,

With wild dishevelled hair—

“What are those sounds I hear so sweet

Upon the trembling air?

“The frowning Citadel afar

Is all ablaze with light,

And martial notes, but not of war,

Awake the slumbering night.”

Then on she sped, with airy flight,

Across the historic Plains,

And there beheld a splendid sight—

Valor with beauty reigns.

Where fearless Carleton stood at bay

A hundred years ago,

Under the gallant Strange’s sway

They still defy the foe.

“My sons! my sons! I see ye now,

Filled with the ancient fires,

Your manly features flashing forth

The spirit of your sires!

“Yet here, surrounded by the flower

Of Canada’s fair dames,

Ye are as gentle in these bowers

As brave amidst war’s flames.

“Long may ye live to tell the tale

Transmitted to your mind,

And should again your country call

Like valor she will find.”

One hundred years have passed away, and again soldiers and civilians in the costume of 1775 move about in the old fortress, some in the identical uniforms worn by their ancestors at the time of the memorable repulse.

The Commandant, in the uniform of his corps in 1775, and the ladies in the costume of the same period, received their guests as they entered the ball-room—the approaches to which were tastefully decorated. Half-way between the dressing and receiving rooms is a noble double staircase, the sides of which are draped with Royal standards intermingled with the white and golden lilies of France, our Dominion ensign, and the stars and stripes of the neighboring republic. On either hand of the broad steps are stands of arms and warlike implements. Here, too, facing one when ascending the steps, is the trophy designed by Captain Larue of the B battery. The huge banners fell in graceful folds about the stacks of musketry piled on the right and left above the drums and trumpets; from the centre was a red and black pennant (the American colors of 1775), immediately underneath was the escutcheon of the United States, on which, heavily craped, was hung the hero’s sword—the weapon with which, one hundred years before this night, Montgomery had beckoned on his men. Underneath this kindly tribute to the memory of the dead general were the solemn prayerful initials of the Requiescat in Pace. At the foot of the trophy were two sets of old flint muskets, and accoutrements, piled, and in the centre a brass cannon captured from the Americans in 1775, which bears the lone star and figure of an Indian—the arms of the State of Massachusetts. On either side of this historical tableau, recalling as it did so vividly the troublous times of long ago, telling the lesson so speakingly of the patience and pluck, the sturdy manhood and bravery of a century gone by, were stationed as sentries two splendid specimens of the human race, stalwart giants, considerably over six feet in height, who belonged formerly to the famous Cent Garde of Napoleon III., but now in the ranks of B battery.^[15] The stern impassiveness of their faces and the immobility of their figures were quite in keeping with the solemn trust they had to guard.

Dancing commenced; dance succeeded dance, and the happy hours flew past till the midnight hour, which would add another year to our earthly existence. About that time there were mysterious signs and evidences that something unusual was going to happen. There was a hurrying to and fro of the cognoscenti to their respective places, but so noiselessly and carefully were the preparations made for a coup de théatre that the gay throng who perpetually circulated through the rooms took little heed, when all of a sudden the clear clarion notes of a trumpet sounding thrilled the hearts of all present. A panel in the wainscoting of the lower dancing room opened as if by magic, and out jumped a jaunty little trumpeter with the slashed and decorated jacket and busby of a Hussar. The blast he blew rang in tingling echoes far and wide, and a second later the weird piping and drumming, in a music now strange to us, was heard in a remote part of the barracks. Nearer and nearer every moment came the sharp shrill notes of the fifes and the quick detonation of the drum stick taps. A silence grew over the bright cortege, the notes of the band died away, the company clustered in picturesque groups around the stairs where was placed the thin steel blade whose hilt one century gone by was warmed by the hand of Montgomery. The rattle of the drums came closer and closer, two folding doors opened suddenly, and through them stalked in grim solemnity the “Phantom Guard,” led by the intrepid Sergeant Hugh McQuarters. Neither regarding the festive decorations nor the bright faces around them, the guard passed through the assemblage as if they were not, on through saloon and passage, past ball-room and conversation parlor, they glided with measured step, and halted in front of the Montgomery trophy, and paid military honors to the memento of a hero’s valiant, if unsuccessful, act. Upon their taking close order, the bombardier, Mr. Dunn, who impersonated the dead sergeant, and actually wore the sword and blood-stained belts of a man who was killed in action in 1775, addressed Col. Strange, who stood at the bottom of the staircase already mentioned, as follows: —

Commandant! we rise from our graves to-night,

On the Centennial of the glorious fight.

At midnight, just one hundred years ago,

We soldiers fought and beat the daring foe;

And kept our dear old flag aloft, unfurled,

Against the armies of the Western world.

Although our bodies now should be decayed,

At this, our visit, be not sore dismayed;

Glad are we to see our fortress still defended,

By Canadians, French and British blended,

But Colonel, now I’ll tell you, why we’ve risen,

From out of the bosom of the earth’s cold prison ——

We ask of you to pay us one tribute,

By firing from these heights, one last salute.

The grave, sonorous words of the martial request were hardly uttered ere through the darkness of the night, the great cannon boomed out a soldier’s welcome and a brave man’s requiem—causing women’s hearts to throb, and men’s to exult at the warlike sound. While the whole air was trembling with the sullen reverberation and the sky was illuminated with rockets and Roman candles, Colonel Strange responded to his ghostly visitant, in the following original composition: —

’Tis Hugh McQuarters, and his comrades brave,

To-night have risen from their glorious grave ——

To you we owe our standard still unfurled,

Yet flaunts aloft defiance to the world:

God grant in danger’s hour we prove as true,

In duty’s path, as nobly brave as you.

This night we pass, in revel, dance and song,

The weary hours you watched so well and long.

’Mid storm and tempest met the battle shock,

Beneath the shadow of the beetling rock;

When foemen found their winding sheet of snow,

Where broad St. Lawrence wintry waters flow.

Yes! once again those echoes shall awake,

In thunders, for our ancient comrades’ sake;

The midnight clouds by battle bolts be riven,

Response like Frontenac’s may yet be given

If foeman’s foot our sacred soil shall tread.

We seek not history’s bloody page to turn,

For us no boastful words aggressive burn,

Forgotten, few, but undismayed we stand,

The guardians of this young Canadian land.

Oh, blessed peace! thy gentle pinions spread,

Until all our battle flags be furl’d,

In the poet’s federation of the world.

For us will dawn no new centennial day ——

Our very memories will have passed away,

Our beating hearts be still, our bodies dust;

Our joys and sorrows o’er, our swords but rust.

Your gallant deeds will live in history’s page,

In fire side stories, told to youth by age;

But sacred writ still warns us yet again,

How soldier’s science and his valour’s vain

Unless the Lord of Hosts the city keep:

The mighty tremble and the watchmen sleep,

Return grim soldiers to your silent home

Where we, when duty’s done, will also come.

It will not be easy for any of those fortunate enough to have witnessed the impressive and natural way in which this coup de théatre was arranged ever to forget it. Taken either as a tableau vivant of a possible historic event, or as an example of truthful spirited eloquence, on both sides, it was a perfect success. At the suggestion of the resident American consul, Hon. W. C. Howells, the old house in St. Louis street, in which the body of General Montgomery was laid out on the 1st January, 1776, was decorated with the American flag, and brilliantly illuminated that night.

In June, 1880, Colonel Strange went to Kingston with his command on the transfer of the batteries; and, in December, 1881, having received his promotion to the rank of major-general, he not long afterwards retired from the service and became the chief factor in the organization of the Military Colonization Company, whose ranche is about thirty-five miles from Calgary, in the Canadian North-West. His two sons, already mentioned, accompanied him to enter upon pioneer life in the North-West and to help him to found the new home there, to which he has given the Indian name of “Namaka.” The breaking out of the Riel rebellion found them engaged in these peaceful pursuits; but the first note of alarm aroused the old warrior, and before the Canadian authorities had time to grasp all the danger that threatened from the Indians, or to take measures for the protection of the exposed settlements, he was heading his neighbors in an organization for defence and giving the country all the benefit of his great military experience and skill. Our space will not permit our following the history of this organization or of the campaign in which it played so important a part. It may, however, be stated that it became the nucleus of the field force of the Alberta district, which was placed under command of Major-General Strange, and that it not only distinguished itself in the actions at Loon Lake, Frenchman’s Butte and elsewhere, but contributed in no small degree to the suppression of the insurrection by driving Riel’s ally, Big Bear, to bay, and preventing a general and bloody uprising of the other Indian tribes and bands throughout the North-West. Of Major-General Strange’s rôle as its commander in that memorable campaign, it is enough to say that it was in keeping with his high reputation as an organizer, a leader and a soldier; and the Dominion owes him a deep debt of gratitude for the valuable and, it may be added, disinterested services he rendered on the occasion. Professional jealousy may seek to deprive him of his full share of credit in the connection, but an intelligent public will not be slow to apportion to him, as to all the other leading actors in the North-West campaign, his rightful merit. The following is a résumé of the operations of the Alberta field force, as it appeared at the time in the columns of the Calgary Tribune: —

The work done by the force under my command, and the results, may be briefly stated as follows:

The cattle districts in the heart of the Indian reserves were secured, the frontier patrolled, and Indian and Fenian incursions prevented, and telegraph communication established.

These results were mainly obtained by the raising of ranche cavalry and home guards, supplemented by the presence of companies of infantry at forts McLeod, Crowfoot, Gleichan and Calgary. These detachments secured the country against the rising of Blackfeet, Bloods, Peigans, Sarcees, etc., protected the railroad, and prevented its abandonment by the C. P. R. officials during the strike and alarm.

No doubt the feeling of alarm was much exaggerated, but could not be otherwise, owing to the utter absence of arms among the settlers, and the impossibility of getting any from the Government.

The transport and supply were extemporized without even the embryo of the establishments considered necessary in a civilized country, while our difficulties were increased by the complete absence of any supplies in the wilderness country through which we passed, and the want of road, telegraph, or even mail communication.

Nevertheless, the rapid march of the three successive columns of the Alberta Field Force stamped out the incipient seeds of active rebellion among the turbulent tribes who had already commenced depredations, more of whom would have joined the Eastern outbreak, but for the timely appearance and location of troops on their reserves; while a famine was prevented in the districts north of Edmonton by the convoys of provisions brought along the protected line of communication.

A flotilla was built at Edmonton, a further supply of provisions collected, and the hazardous and delicate operation of moving troops simultaneously by land and river, in open boats (touch being maintained throughout), and a final successful junction effected within striking distance of the enemy.

Not a day’s delay occurred from start to finish, though our base of supply was more than 500 miles from our objective. The excellence and carefulness of the scouting almost precluded any chance of disaster, and quickly discovered the position of Big Bear, who was immediately attacked, the result being that, although the numerical inferiority of our force prevented the capture of his position, his band was broken up and demoralized, the majority of the prisoners released, and the subsequent pursuit by the cavalry of this force, under major Steele, completed the surrender of the remainder of the prisoners, the total dispersion of his band, and his ultimate surrender. Not a shot was fired in connection with these results, except by the Alberta Field Force, with only a loss of six wounded. Plainly drawing attention to these results is a duty I conceive due to the officers and men I feel it an honor to have commanded. By their patient endurance, sense of duty and steadiness under fire, these results were produced. Your obedient servant,

(Signed) T. B. Strange,

Major-General, Late Com., Alberta Field Force.

On the suppression of the rebellion, he received the Saskatchewan medal and clasp, and once more, like a modern Cincinnatus, beat his sword into a ploughshare and resumed the cultivation of the arts of peace at his home at “Namaka,” near Calgary, where he continued to reside until a broken leg, by a kick from a horse, followed by a second fracture, obliged him to resign the active management of the Military Colonization Ranche. Before leaving the phase of his eventful career connected with the Canadian North-West, it should be stated that in January, 1887, he offered as an Independent candidate for the seat for Alberta in the Dominion parliament, but withdrew before going to the polls, the time having evidently not yet come for the election of representatives unpledged to either political party. He is a member of no society except temperance societies, of whose principles he has always been a warm and consistent advocate, though never a Prohibitionist. He has travelled over the greater part of Europe, visited North and South Africa, the United States, Canada from the Atlantic to the Pacific, the East and West Indies, and crossed the Himalaya mountains into Thibet and Central Asia. He has also been a prolific writer, especially on military questions. Besides editing the Canadian Military Review, he has published an “Artillery Retrospect of the last Great War, 1870-71,” “Military Aspect of Canada,” and a work on “Field Artillery,” besides his reports on militia matters, defence of British Columbia, etc., which have been printed in the Canadian Militia Reports, and for the most part acted upon. His wife, who has been a true helpmate to him and followed his fortunes with loving devotion from India to Canada, was a Miss Eleanor Taylor, daughter of Captain R. Taylor, of the East India Company’s service, and to her he was united at Simla, East Indies, in October, 1862. By her, he has had issue, seven children, five of whom, including the two sons already mentioned, survive.

Pipes, Hon. William Thomas, Barrister, Amherst, Nova Scotia, was born at Amherst on the 15th April, 1850. His paternal ancestors came from England, and his maternal ancestors were U. E. loyalists. The family has resided in Cumberland county, N.S., for over a hundred years, and have been chiefly engaged in farming and shipbuilding. His parents were Jonathan and Caroline Pipes. The subject of this sketch received his educational training in the Amherst Academy and Acadia College. He adopted law as a profession, and was called to the bar of Nova Scotia in 1878. Since then he has successfully practised his profession in Amherst. At the general election held in 1878, he unsuccessfully opposed Sir Charles Tupper, in Cumberland county, for a seat in the House of Commons at Ottawa, but shortly afterwards he was returned for the same county to the Legislative Assembly of his native province. On the 3rd of August, 1882, he became president of the executive council and premier of the government. He declined the office of attorney-general. On the 15th July, 1884, he retired from the ministry, and finally, two years afterwards, from political life. In politics Mr. Pipes is a Liberal, and in religion an adherent of the Church of England. He has travelled a good deal, and has visited England, Ireland, France, and the United States of America. On the 23rd November, 1876, he was married to Ruth Eliza, daughter of David McElmon. Mr. Pipes has spent an active and useful life, and is greatly respected by his friends and acquaintances.

Smith, George Byron, Wholesale Dry Goods Merchant, Toronto, M.P.P. for East York, is one of those whom nature has designed to become a leader of men. His paternal grandfather came from the state of Connecticut, United States, and settled near Cobourg, Ontario, many years ago. His maternal grandfather was a United Empire loyalist, and emigrated from Massachusetts to Canada shortly after the revolutionary war. George Byron Smith, the subject of our sketch, first saw the light on the 7th March, 1839, at Newtonville, Durham county, and received his education in the public schools of his native place. Having secured a good commercial education, he removed to St. Mary’s, and began business as a merchant in that then thriving town. Here he was very successful, and having accumulated considerable wealth, resolved to seek a larger field for his operations, and some years ago he removed to Toronto, where as a merchant he has been equally successful. While in St. Mary’s he served two years in the town council, and in Toronto he served as alderman for one year. Having aspirations of a higher order than that of alderman, he began to take an active interest in politics, and at the last general election for the Ontario legislature was returned to represent the East Riding of York in that body, defeating his opponent, H. P. Crosby, by 765 votes. In politics Mr. Smith is a staunch Reformer, and in religion he belongs to the Presbyterian church. He has already made his mark in the legislature, and we predict for him a brilliant future. He is married to Maria, daughter of William H. Allen, of the township of Hope, and has a family of two daughters, one of whom is married to a son of James Trow, M.P. for South Perth, Ontario.

Gould, George, Walkerton, Ontario, was born in Enniskillen, Ireland, on the 5th November, 1827, and came to Canada with his parents in 1829. His father, William Gould, was a lieutenant of the 86th regiment of the line. His grandfather, who died in India, was also in the Imperial service and was killed in one of the battles of the Mahratta war. Mr. Gould was an only son and was educated at Nashville, Tennessee, University, where he received a classical and engineering education. After his college course he entered the service of the United States government as chief clerk in the post office in Nashville, which position he occupied for four years. The insalubrity of the climate, however, compelled him to return to Canada in 1845, where he followed up his profession as a surveyor and engineer. Mr. Gould was one of the first settlers in the town of Arran, and facts connected with his active and energetic participation in the early development of that wealthy municipality are fully on record. Three townships of Bruce were originally surveyed by him, namely, Amabel, Albemarle and Arran, and in Grey county he also surveyed five townships. In 1860, Mr. Gould was appointed second provisional clerk of the provisional county of Bruce, and held the position until Bruce became an independent county, when he was appointed in 1867 the first county clerk, and has performed the duties of that office uninterruptedly ever since. He continued for a few years to follow his profession of engineering till the duties of his office became such as to require his whole time. In 1857, Mr. Gould was made a justice of the peace; he is also a notary public and a commissioner in the Queen’s Bench, and has held a number of other important official positions. In politics, Mr. Gould is a staunch Conservative, and in religion, an earnest member of the Methodist body. On the 19th of January, 1855, Mr. Gould became a benedict, marrying Elizabeth Snowden, of Owen Sound. He has had by this marriage six children, four sons and two daughters. Two of his sons, one a lawyer and the other a doctor, both died early in life. Had they been spared, they would, no doubt, have been an ornament and credit to their professions. His daughter, Minnie, married Dr. John Gardner, who, at one time, held the position of court physician to the king of the Fiji Islands. Mr. Gould is a courteous, talented and obliging man, thoroughly conversant with all the details of his business, while in private life he is one of the most popular and highly esteemed citizens of Walkerton.

Moore, Dennis, Hamilton. By the death of Mr. Moore, on the 20th November, 1887, the city of Hamilton lost one of its most prominent, staunch and active citizens. He was born at Grimsby, on the 20th of August, 1817, and hence was in his 71st year at the time of his demise. He came to Hamilton in 1831, and had resided here ever since. Not long after coming he was apprenticed to Edward Jackson, with whom he remained until he was promoted to a partnership in the business. On the retirement of Mr. Jackson, Mr. Moore became senior of the firm of D. Moore & Co., which position he held until his death. His thorough business habits and consequent success generally drew him into a number of other enterprises in addition to his own business. Although never very strong physically, he led a very active life. He was stockholder and director in several manufactories, banks and insurance companies, the principal ones being the Canada Life Assurance Company, the Hamilton Provident and Loan Society, the Bank of Hamilton, the Traders Bank, the Canada Landed Banking and Loan Company, the Ontario Cotton Company, the Hamilton Bridge and Tool Company and the Burn-Robinson Manufacturing Company. He was never neutral or silent on social, religious or educational questions, but always threw himself into movements that tended to the upbuilding of society. He was a member of the Centenary Methodist Church, a class-leader, trustee and treasurer, and it is no exaggeration to say that his death caused a greater blank there than could be made by the death of any other man since the days of Edward Jackson. The whole congregation was bereaved in his death, for every interest of the church had his hearty assistance and cordial sympathy. He became a member of the church in his boyhood; and it was one of the pleasantest recollections of his life, as well as an earnest [missing text] of what was to come, that the first sovereign he ever earned was given to a benevolent object. Many kind memories gather round his name, not simply because he was an honorable and successful business man, nor because of his numerous and liberal contributions to the various benevolent associations, nor because of his long continued official standing in his church, nor because of the prominent part that he took in the political welfare of Canada, but rather because that as a man he always showed a practical sympathy with every movement for the relief and elevation of his fellow-men. To secure his co-operation in any movement one had only to show him that it was likely to do good. He was eminently catholic in his religious convictions, and had a creed broad enough to take in all that loved the Saviour of the world. It is not claimed for him that he was a theologian, but such a life as his proclaims the gospel that this world needs most. He had a profound conviction of the truth of Christianity, and what it had proved to him he desired all others to share. Hence he was a very liberal contributor to missionary objects. To that cause he gave thousands, and his contributions were not of the spasmodic or fitful kind, but steady and on principle. It was so with educational matters also. When Canada had not a college for the education and graduation of young ladies, he united with others in the establishment of the Wesleyan Ladies’ College. He was one of its largest stockholders, and had been president of its board for several years. In his death, Victoria College lost one of its most liberal friends. For several years he supported the chair of Natural Science, and it is understood that he made permanent provision for that chair. He seems to have enjoyed the luxury of giving—hence his work will go on and continue to bless the generations yet to come. But, wiser than many successful men, he did not leave for his will his largest donations. For years he had been scattering his bounty, and he enjoyed the rare pleasure of seeing the results of his givings. Many a man much richer than he has passed away “unwept, unhonored and unsung.” But Dennis Moore, in the unselfish out-goings of his life, touched the city of his adoption in so many ways that he left a blank that few, very few, men could possibly fill. In politics Mr. Moore was a life-long Reformer. He was extensively engaged in manufactures, and at a time when many of his old political and business associates were leaving the fold with the hope of making money faster, pressure was put upon him to do likewise. But Dennis Moore never wavered. He did not think that a business man ought to look to the legislature for his profits. He let everybody know where he stood, and he worked harder and subscribed more liberally than ever to obtain Reform success. In 1882 he was a Reform candidate, along with Mr. Irving, for the House of Commons, but was defeated. Mr. Moore died in the bosom of his family. His wife and children were present. He had four daughters and one son: Mrs. W. A. Robinson, Mrs. Charles Black, Mrs. W. H. Glassco, Mary Moore, and Edward J. Moore.

Rolland, Hon. Jean Baptiste, Montreal, was born at Vercheres, Quebec, on the 2nd January, 1815. His grandfather came from France over a century ago, and his father, Pierre Rolland, was born at Vercheres, so that it can be seen that the family come of an old and honored ancestry. His mother, Euphrasine Donais, of the parish of Contrecœur, was also a member of an old French-Canadian family. The subject of this sketch was educated in the parish school of St. Hyacinthe, but when seventeen years of age he determined to seek his fortune elsewhere, and possessed of indomitable pluck and energy, and with only twenty-five cents ready cash in his pocket, he set out for Montreal. Although he was friendless and alone, he soon made some headway, entering the office of La Minerve as an apprentice to the printing trade, and afterwards worked for some years on the Courrier. In 1842, Mr. Rolland started in the book, paper and fancy goods trades, and the firm of J. B. Rolland & Fils, has for many years past been favorably known to the trade of the entire Dominion as extensive dealers in home manufactures, as well as large importers of French, German and English fancy goods, with a very large paper mill at St. Jerome. Leaving the active management of the mercantile business in the hands of his sons, Mr. Rolland entered extensively into the real estate business, buying valuable properties in the city of Montreal, besides acquiring extensive tracts of land in the adjoining village of Hochelaga. He built largely on his lands, both in Montreal and Hochelaga, acting as his own architect as well as contractor; and his success is an excellent illustration of the fact that money can always be made through judicious investments in real estate. In politics Mr. Rolland was always a pronounced Conservative, rendering valuable aid to his party, and his services in this respect were recognised by his being called to the Dominion Senate in 1887, in succession to the late Senator Senecal. In March of this year (1888), the honorable gentleman was taken suddenly ill at his residence in Montreal, and despite prompt and skilful medical attendance, died on the 22nd March, deeply regretted by a large circle of public and private friends. Mr. Rolland took an active interest in municipal affairs, having been alderman for East Montreal ward for nine years, and a magistrate since 1855. He was always prompt in identifying himself with any movement likely to build up the city of his adoption, and was at various times president of the Board of Trade and Manufactures, and of the St. Jean Baptiste Society; a director of the Citizens’ Insurance Company, and one of the harbor commissioners. Although himself a Roman Catholic, Mr. Rolland was one of these gentle, conciliatory spirits, who was on the most cordial terms with all classes—not only in politics, but in religion. He was married in 1839, to Esther Dufresne, of St. Laurent, and had issue twelve children, six sons and six daughters, four of each still living.

Drysdale, William, Bookseller, Montreal, was born in the city of Montreal on the 17th of April, 1847. His father, Adam Drysdale, was a native of Dunfermline, Scotland, settled in Canada many years ago, and for a long time held a position in the civil service of Canada, conferred upon him by the late Lord Elgin. His grandfather was one of the first persons to engage in the shipping trade between Scotland and Canada, especially to the port of Montreal. William Drysdale, the subject of our sketch, was educated at Montreal, in the school conducted by Mr. Hicks, who afterwards became the first principal of the Normal School in that city. Here he received a thorough commercial training, but owing to the serious illness of his father at the time, he was prevented from taking a classical course. After leaving school he entered the office of the late John Dougall, who was then publishing the Weekly Witness, and also carrying on a book business. Young Drysdale was given almost the entire charge of the book branch, which he conducted to the satisfaction of his employer. After a short time he entered the service of another bookseller, Mr. Grafton, with whom he remained for ten years, and was the confidential manager of the firm. In 1874 he commenced business on his own account, and owing to his early training and urbanity of manner soon acquired a business that is now second to none in the Dominion. His business relations extend from Gaspé to British Columbia. He has already published a number of important Canadian works that are of great value, in a historical sense, to the country at large. Mr. Drysdale, having strictly confined himself to business, has not had much time to devote to political affairs. He is in no sense a party man, but he takes a broad view of things generally. As a private citizen he, however, always takes an active part in whatever tends to improve his native city and help his fellow-citizens. He is on the executive of the following:—Society for the Protection of Women and Children, the Dominion Temperance Alliance, Boys’ Home (of which he is treasurer), Numismatic and Antiquarian Society, a life member of the Mechanics’ Institute, governor of the Montreal Dispensary, and is one of the most active promoters of the Protestant Hospital for the Insane. Mr. Drysdale is a member of the Presbyterian church, and is a superintendent of one of the Sunday schools. He was married in 1888 to Mary Mathie Wales, daughter of the late Charles Wales, merchant, of St. Andrews East. Duncan MacGregor Crerar, a New York poet, sums up Mr. Drysdale’s character in the following lines: —

Some are while careful of their own affairs,

And when successfully amassing wealth,

Who oft times will withdraw as if by stealth,

To render good to others unawares.

Well known to them the haunts of poverty,

Clothed are the naked, and the hungry fed,

Oft take they place beside the patient’s bed,

To cheer sad hours; to soothe keen agony.

These are earth’s salt—they labor with a mind,

Distress relieving, lessening human woe;

In all their actions earnest, gentle, kind,

Leaving sweet impress whereso’er they go.

Theirs Heaven’s reward; a crown upon each brow,

Warm hearted Drysdale! such a man art thou!

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.]

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.

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.

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.