A Cyclopaedia of Canadian Biography: Being Chiefly Men of the Time by Rose
1760. Mr. Tourangeau’s great grandfather emigrated from La Touraine,
5367 words | Chapter 107
France, to settle in Canada, after serving in the French navy. His
grandmother, on his father’s side, was a woman of superior intellect,
whose father, Bidégaré, had emigrated from Bayonne, France, and having
some means, built and opened a fancy leather factory (mégisserie) near
the place where Arogo street runs into St. Vallier street, Quebec. The
building being protected by the high cliff close behind, a body of
American troops took possession of it during the war of 1775, and
established their quarters there; but the constant firing and shelling
from the Palais batteries destroyed the building, and with it the
fortune of its proprietor. This attempt to manufacture leather may be
considered as the first serious one of the kind in Canada. The subject
of this sketch was educated at the Quebec seminary and Quebec High
School, studied law under the Hon. Louis Panet, and followed the law
course of Laval University from its opening to the time he was admitted
to the practice of the notarial profession, in 1855; was at different
times elected a member of the Board of Notaries for the province of
Quebec, and appointed notary for the corporation of Quebec by the vote
of the council. He executed the deed of transfer of the North Shore
railway, also the waterworks contract. He held this position until he
resigned, in 1883, to accept the postmastership of Quebec, offered to
him by the Dominion government. He is lieutenant-colonel of militia for
the electoral division of Quebec East, and a justice of the peace. Mr.
Tourangeau was elected mayor of the city of Quebec four times; first by
a very large majority of the council, and three times afterwards by the
people, twice unanimously, and the fourth time, in 1869, by a very large
majority. He was twice elected to represent Quebec East in the House of
Commons; first in 1870, after a spirited contest, and by acclamation at
the general elections of 1872. He was defeated by a small majority in
1864, when he was put in nomination, against his will, to represent the
Stadacona Division in the Legislative Council. He had been defeated by a
small majority in 1863, when put in nomination for the county of
Montmorency against the late Hon. Joseph Cauchon. He allowed himself to
be nominated for Quebec East in 1877 against the present leader of the
opposition at Ottawa, Hon. Wilfrid Laurier, then a minister in the
Mackenzie government, and was defeated by a small majority, after the
severest contest possible, wherein both political parties took a very
active part, it being considered as a test case between the two
political parties. He was a member of the Quebec Harbor Commission, and,
as such, did a great deal to improve the harbor, and later, when in
parliament, successfully recommended to the government, in a strong
business speech, the necessity of consolidating the debt and securing
the bonds, in order to raise more capital to proceed with the works,
without adding much to the interest that had then to be paid. He was a
director of the North Shore railway, and one of the few who attended the
first meeting held to revive the charter of that company; was a director
of the Gosford (afterwards the Lake St. John) railway; was a provisional
director of the Stadacona Bank, whose charter he had secured through
parliament. It was while Mr. Tourangeau was mayor, and with his
assistance, that the present steam ferry between Quebec and Levis was
established, by means of a contract, drafted by himself. During his
regime the street railway was first operated in Quebec, the contract
being drafted by himself, and the fire alarm telegraph was decided upon
after an inspection of the same in Montreal. All the acts concerning the
incorporation of the city of Quebec were consolidated and amended, the
city debt was consolidated, the fiscal year was made to agree with house
rents, and the finances of the city were placed on a sound basis. Other
important reforms were effected. Besides practising as a notary, Mr.
Tourangeau did business as a broker and insurance agent for some years
till he went back to politics, and having the advantage of being
favorably known, and of knowing personally the character and standing of
mostly every one in Quebec, met with great success. In 1865 and 1866 Mr.
Tourangeau went into the brewing business, under the name and firm of
Tourangeau, Lloyd & Co., but afterwards withdrew, owing to the sharp
competition, which brought ruin on those who persisted in it. Mr.
Tourangeau was married in 1861 to Victoria A. Jourdain, daughter of
Augustus Jourdain, who died in Quebec in 1840, after being for many
years the librarian of the then Executive Council of Lower Canada. Mr.
Tourangeau is a man with broad views, who always enjoyed the respect and
esteem of all classes, irrespective of creed or nationality. In politics
he gave his support to the Liberal party, either as a candidate or in
favor of Liberal candidates, until his fourth election as mayor, in
1869, when several of the Liberal leaders went with the Conservatives
against him, and from that date Mr. Tourangeau withdrew his confidence
in the Liberal party, and gave it to the Conservatives, but in an
independent way, voting against them when not in sympathy with his
principles. He was in favor of confederation at the time, and voted for
the admission of Manitoba, British Columbia, Prince Edward Island, and
the North-West Territories into the Union. A great event in the life of
Mr. Tourangeau and the history of Quebec was the besieging of the city
hall while he was mayor. Several unsuccessful attempts had been made to
substitute commissioners appointed by the government for the mayor and
council, elected by the people; but at the session of 1869 to 1870 the
adversaries of Mr. Tourangeau managed to get a majority of Parliament to
decide, notwithstanding the energetic protests of the citizens of
Quebec, that a new election must take place. The mayor and councillors,
who a few days before had been elected by the people, to be subject to a
new election, and the mayor to be elected by the councillors, who would
be the outcome of this new election. Acting upon the advice of the city
attorney, L. G. Baillairgé, Q.C., the Hon. G. O’Kill Stuart, Q.C., and
other prominent lawyers, Mr. Tourangeau kept possession of the city
hall, and allowed no one in, in order to prevent the new councillors
from entering the place and electing another mayor. An informal
election, however, took place outside, and for some time the city had
two mayors. A writ against Mr. Tourangeau did not succeed, and he
declared that he would rather be starved to death than give up his
rights. Thereupon the chief of police was ordered to break in the doors
and take possession of the city hall in the name of the new mayor and
councillors. The chief of police declared that he was legally advised
not to do this, but that he would obey if this order was given him in
writing. No one consenting to do this, twelve men belonging to the rowdy
element, were hired for the purpose, and did the work, to the great
disgust of the citizens, who had full confidence in Mr. Tourangeau, whom
they elected five weeks after to represent them in the House of Commons.
* * * * *
=Carswell, James=, Renfrew, President of the South Renfrew Agricultural
Society, was born in 1837, in the township of Pakenham, in the county of
Lanark, Ontario. His parents were Scotch, and emigrated from Glasgow,
settling in the above township many years ago. Mr. Carswell received his
education in the common school of his native place, and while still in
his teens started out in the lumbering business, first as foreman and
clerk to Jonathan Francis, whose rafts of square timber he frequently
accompanied to the port of Quebec. In 1866, he removed to Renfrew, and
embarked in business with Messrs. Thistle and Francis in the limits on
the Madawaska. This firm having sold out their business in this locality
to Jonathan Francis, purchased limits on the Petawawa, and there carried
on operations under the name of Thistle & Carswell. This arrangement was
continued for several years, when Mr. Francis became one of the
partnership, each of the partners being equally interested in the now
combined business on the Madawaska and the Petawawa. In 1884, J. H.
Francis purchased his father’s interest in the business, and then the
firm of Francis, Carswell & Co. built the fine saw-mill at Calabogie.
After two years, J. H. Francis sold out his interest to Edward Mackay,
of Renfrew, and the firm name was changed to Carswell, Thistle & Mackay,
and under this name operations are now carried on. Although thus busily
engaged in lumbering operations, Mr. Carswell has found time to devote
considerable attention, as a pastime, to the cultivation of the large
farm which lies around and below his handsome residence, which stands
prominently on the hill top, overlooking the village. The farm, by
purchase after purchase, has grown to large dimensions, and extends from
the residence right down to the banks of the Bonnechere. By careful and
judicious, though liberal, expenditure, Mr. Carswell has brought this
property into excellent producing condition; and by employing a number
of men and availing himself of all the improvements in machinery, is
able to enjoy the life of a “gentleman farmer,” with probably more
profit than usually falls to the fate of that class of agriculturists.
Mr. Carswell’s most active public duties have probably been in
connection with the Agricultural Society, to the advancement of the
interests of which he has devoted both his time and his money. And when
we state that he is ever ready to take vigorous hold of work in
connection with the institutions in which he holds either membership or
office, it will be readily understood why for the last eight years he
has been unanimously re-elected president. But he has also an open heart
for the general good in other ways. He gave to the Renfrew Lacrosse Club
at a nominal price five acres of valuable property adjoining the centre
of the village, on the condition that it was to be always and only used
for the purposes of healthful recreation by the young men of the
neighborhood. Mr. Carswell was for two years a member of the Renfrew
village council, but declined to act after that time, though hard
pressed to do so. He has been for years a valuable member of the
business committee of the Presbyterian church, and though offered he
declined the proffered position of elder in the same denominational
body. And in the matter of politics, if he has not taken any very
prominent part, it is certainly not the fault of his friends, who time
after time have pressed him to accept the nomination for both houses as
the candidate of the Conservative party. This honor, however, he has
steadily refused to accept, though his personal popularity would
undoubtedly have made him a very strong candidate. Altogether, Mr.
Carswell comes under the head of a “good citizen,” whose character and
heart have not been spoiled by the somewhat dangerous endowments of
riches and success in life. He was married, in 1865, to Jane White, of
Fitzroy, and the union has been blessed with nine children, six sons and
three daughters, six of whom, three boys and three girls, are living.
* * * * *
=Norquay, Hon. John=, Ex-President of the Council, Secretary of the
Railway Commissioners, and Ex-Premier of the province of Manitoba, was
born in St. Andrews, Manitoba, on the 8th of May, 1841. Mr. Norquay is
not only a native of Manitoba, but he has a strain of Indian blood in
his veins, and is all the more remarkable, therefore, as being not only
the greatest man the province ever produced, but as standing on a plane
in point of ability in public affairs high above that occupied by any
resident of the province up to this time. Mr. Norquay first came to the
front after the troublesome times of 1869-70 when the first Riel
rebellion set the whole country on fire with anxiety and excitement. His
peculiar position as one in whom both half-breeds and whites could have
confidence, together with a forcible way of stating sound and moderate
views made him the centre of the common ground upon which all soon
agreed to stand, and marked him out as a leader. He was made Minister of
Public Works in the first ministry after the settlement of the troubles
in 1871, and from that time until the present he has had an almost
uninterrupted career of ministerial successes. He stood for the Commons
in Marquette, in 1872, but was defeated. This contest, however, did not
affect his position as a provincial representative. In the Assembly, he
sat for High Bluff, from 1870 to 1874, but since then he continuously
represented St. Andrews, being three times elected by acclamation and
twice by large majorities. He resigned, with his colleagues, in 1874,
but became Provincial Secretary in the following year, in the Davis
administration, and resumed the office of Public Works in 1876. Two
years later he became Premier, being the head of what was known as the
Norquay-Royal Administration in which he held the portfolio of
treasurer. Mr. Royal, differing with his leader on a question of public
policy, resigned, as did also Mr. Delorme, Minister of Agriculture. Two
English-speaking members of the government were appointed, but after the
general election of 1879, in which he was sustained, Mr. Norquay was
able to fill the place with two French-speaking members. This
administration has held power since, though changes have been made in
its membership which leaves Mr. Norquay the only member who has held a
place in it from the first. Mr. Norquay has held several different
portfolios at different times, but always retained the lead, being
always the dominating power of the province. Under his rule Manitoba has
grown from a straggling settlement along the Red River to a province of
great size and marvellous industrial development. His vigorous and
far-sighted policy in relation to railways has caused the extension of
important lines to all parts of the province including the first forty
miles of the Hudson’s Bay road which Manitobans fondly believe some day
will give them access to their own sea coast on the “Mediterranean of
America,” the vast inland ocean of Hudson’s Bay. Within the last few
months the province has been in a ferment over the demand of a portion
of the people for the building of a line from Winnipeg southward to
connect at the American boundary with a branch of the Northern Pacific
Railway. Mr. Norquay, true to his record, championed this course and
sought, by every means in his power, to secure the construction of the
road. The Dominion government, with the general policy of which Mr.
Norquay is in accord, sought in every way to block this enterprise, and
the Canadian Pacific Railway Company, whose monopoly was threatened,
also opposed it. Notwithstanding Mr. Norquay’s utmost efforts, the
opposition he met from all sides prevented the sale on fair terms of the
provincial bonds, with the proceeds of which it was intended to
construct the road. The original contractors withdrew, but another firm
stood ready to assume the contract, on condition that a margin of cash
was placed in the hands of responsible parties. The citizens of Winnipeg
were appealed to for the necessary advance, and steps were taken to
raise the money, but owing to the intrigues of a faction, who adopted
this means to promote their own political ends, the negotiations were
rendered abortive, and the construction of the road is postponed, at
least until the summer of 1888. Mr. Norquay and Mr. Hamilton,
attorney-general, were the only delegates from Manitoba to the
Inter-Provincial conference, to whose deliberations he brought the
results of his long experience and great ability. Owing mainly to
complications arising out of the failure to build the railway within the
season, it was deemed inadvisable to attempt to carry on the government
as then constituted; Hon. Mr. Norquay and Hon. Mr. Lariviere therefore
resigned their places in the administration, which has since been
reorganized, with Hon. Mr. Harrison as Premier. Mr. Norquay announces
himself as a supporter of the ministry thus constituted. The ex-Premier
of Manitoba owes his long continuance in power to a combination of
talents, prominent among which are moderation, boldness tempered with
judgment, eloquence and the capacity for ceaseless work.
* * * * *
=Brock, Rev. Isaac=, M.A. (Oxford), D.D., Canon, of St. Luke’s
Cathedral, Halifax; President of King’s College, Nova Scotia, was born
near Winchester, Hants, England, in 1829. His father was the Rev.
William Brock, M.A., rector of Bishops Waltham, Hants, and a native of
the Isle of Guernsey; his mother belonged to the family of Gossett, and
was a native of the adjoining Island of Jersey. The father of
Major-General Sir Isaac Brock (the hero of Upper Canada), and father of
our subject’s grandfather (Rev. Thomas Brock, M.A., rector of St. Pierre
du Bois, Guernsey) were brothers, so that Sir Isaac Brock was first
cousin to our subject’s grandfather. Canon Brock was educated at Clifton
school, York, and Queen’s college, Oxford. He graduated, in 1851 with
first class honors in mathematics. He was ordained in the diocese of
Tuam, Ireland: deacon in 1852; priest in 1853; was missionary of the
Irish Church Missions in Connemara and Galway, 1852-1858. He was
secretary of the Islington Protestant Institute (London), 1858-1861;
incumbent of the Jews’ Episcopal Chapel, Palestine place, Bethnal Green,
1861-1866; rector of the Chapel of Ease, Lower Holloway, London N.,
1866-1868; principal of Huron College, London, Ontario, 1868-1872;
rector of Galt, Ontario, 1872-1873; assistant rector of Sherbrooke,
Quebec, 1873-1882; rector of Bishop’s College School, Lennoxville,
1882-1883; rector of Londonderry, N.S., 1883-1885. In August, 1885, our
subject was appointed by the Board of Governors of King’s College,
acting president of that institution and professor of divinity in the
same. May 1st, 1886, he was installed as canon of St. Luke’s Cathedral,
Halifax, N.S., by the late Bishop of Nova Scotia, the Right Rev. Hibbert
Binney, D.D., and on the 8th of June of the same year was made president
of King’s College, which position he now holds. Canon Brock is an
intensely loyal Churchman, and ever ready to defend and propagate the
principles of the English branch of the Holy Catholic church. He
married, in Dublin in 1855, Ruby Roberta, eldest daughter of Thomas
Crawford Butler, of Carlow, Ireland, and has issue living three sons and
three daughters. Canon Brock is known in the theologico-literary world
by a volume of sermons, published in England, on the Apostles’ Creed,
and which attracted considerable attention. Since his arrival in Canada
he has also published several detached sermons and addresses upon the
following, amongst other, subjects, viz.:—“The English Reformation,”
“The Two Records; or, Geology and Genesis,” “The Modern Doctrine of
Force and Belief in a Personal God,” “Apostolical Succession,” “The
Anglican Doctrine of Holy Baptism.” That Canon Brock possesses peculiar
fitness for the position he now so worthily fills may readily be
imagined, for, to profound scholarship he adds a ripe experience, gained
by contact with a variety of classes of his fellow beings in many
quarters of the British dominions. The University of King’s College, of
which he is president, is the oldest university of British origin in the
colonial empire of our Queen, being founded by the first Bishop of Nova
Scotia, the Right Rev. Charles Inglis, D.D., in A.D. 1788, the year
after the latter’s consecration to the episcopate. Canon Brock
apparently has yet many years of usefulness before him, being full of
vigor and gives promise of reaching a ripe old age.
* * * * *
=Fournier, Hon. Telesphore=, Ottawa, Judge of the Supreme Court of
Canada, was born in St. François, Riviére du Sud, Montmagny county,
P.Q., in the year 1823. He received his education at Nicolet College,
and was called to the bar of Lower Canada in 1846. He practised his
profession with success, having remarkable gifts, not only as a speaker,
but in the mental grasp necessary to understand the bearings of the law
upon any case brought to his attention. He held the honorable position
of _Bâtonnier_ of the Quebec bar, an office which has been an object of
ambition with some of the greatest men the province has produced, and
afterwards was made president of the general council of the bar of the
province of Quebec. In 1863 he was made Queen’s counsel. Judge Fournier,
like so many of the politicians of Quebec, had the training, not only of
a legal practice, but also of editorial experience. From 1856 to 1858
inclusive, he was one of the editors of _Le National_ newspaper, of
Quebec, his writing attracting wide attention, because of its clear,
original thought and vigorous method. In 1857, Mr. Fournier was married,
his bride being Miss Deniers, of Quebec. He entered the arena of
Dominion politics in August, 1870, when he was nominated as the Liberal
candidate for Bellechasse, on M. Casault, the sitting member, being
appointed a judge of the Superior Court of Quebec. No other nominations
were made, and Mr. Fournier was returned by acclamation. He continued to
represent the same constituency as long as he remained in the House of
Commons. Beginning his parliamentary career before dual representation
was abolished, Mr. Fournier held a seat in the Legislative Assembly of
his native province while still a member of the Dominion parliament. In
1871 he was elected to the Assembly for Montmagny, and held that
position until 7th November, 1873, when he resigned. His resignation was
made necessary by his being called to the Privy Council of the Dominion
as a member of the Hon. Mr. Mackenzie’s cabinet. He took first, the
portfolio of inland revenue, but on 8th July, 1874, was given a place of
greater usefulness, to succeed the Hon. (now Sir) A. A. Dorion on the
appointment of that gentleman to be chief justice of Quebec. As minister
of justice, he introduced and conducted through Parliament the bill
establishing the Supreme Court. This was no light task, for the measure
was attacked, not only as being undesirable, but as being
unconstitutional. In his defence of the measure, Mr. Fournier exhibited
remarkable breadth of knowledge as well as great power as a debater. The
Insolvent Act of 1875, one of the ablest efforts ever made to settle the
vexed and complicated question of dealing with insolvent debtors, was
also conducted through parliament by him. In May, 1875, he became
postmaster general, but resigned that office in October following to
take a judgeship in the Supreme Court. Judge Fournier is recognised by
his colleagues and the public as one of the ablest men on the bench. His
wide and accurate knowledge of the law of his native province, makes him
a particularly valuable addition to the Supreme Court bench. He does not
feel the trammels of legal traditions so much as to cause him to regard
these rather than the ends of justice which they are intended to serve.
At the same time, his fine legal insight enables him to decide upon
broad grounds of principles or long-established practice points which
minds less fully trained could only deal with by slavish following of
precedent.
* * * * *
=McHenry, Donald C.=, M.A., Principal of the Cobourg Collegiate
Institute, Cobourg, Ont., was born in Napanee, Ont., in 1840. He is son
of Alexander McHenry (from county Antrim, Ireland), and Ellen Campbell,
daughter of Archibald Campbell, Adolphustown, county of Lennox, a
descendant of the Campbells of Argyleshire. Mr. McHenry, senr., was for
some years engaged in the timber business on the Ottawa, but
subsequently he was in the dry-goods business in connection with his
brother-in-law, Alexander Campbell, Napanee. He died in 1847, leaving a
widow and three children, the eldest, the subject of this sketch; a
daughter, now Mrs. Alexander Henry, Napanee, and Miss Nellie, still
living with her mother in their native town. The father, about the time
of his marriage, united with the Wesleyan Methodist church, of which he
remained a faithful member until his death. Upon Mrs. McHenry devolved
the arduous task of bringing up her three children; and any success they
have attained, they are proud to say, they largely owe to their devoted
Christian mother. D. C. McHenry received his early education in Napanee.
When thirteen years of age he went to learn the printing business, soon
became fairly acquainted with its details, and rose to the position of
foreman in the office of the _Standard_. The printing office proved,
indeed, a second school to him, and his spare hours were given to
reading and study. He longed for a higher education, and when about
nineteen years of age, he closed the door of the printing office to open
that of the academy, as an eager student, under R. Phillips, head
master, a man beloved by all who have ever been under his instruction.
After remaining here a year or two, he was induced to undertake the
management of a new paper started in Napanee by the McMullen Bros., of
Picton. At the end of one year the paper was removed to Newburgh, seven
miles distant, but after eight months Mr. McHenry returned to Napanee. A
vacancy having occurred in the second position in the Grammar school, he
was advised to apply for the appointment. He did so, and was soon an
occupant of a teacher’s chair, in the school where he had lately been a
pupil. The work of teaching proved congenial, and he was soon fixed in
this as his probable life-work. His ambition led him to desire a
university course, and with this in view he devoted himself assiduously
to the study of classics, being aided in Latin, but getting up his Greek
with very limited assistance. After six years of very successful work in
this position, he resigned, in 1869, and left for Victoria College, from
which he graduated in 1873. His course was one of close application and
uniform success—first-class honours in classics and moderns—receiving
the second Prince of Wales’ medal for general proficiency, and the
scholarship for excellence in moderns. Five months prior to graduation
he was offered, and accepted the classical mastership of Cobourg
Collegiate Institute—a substitute being accepted in the meantime. After
one year he was promoted to the principalship, which position he has
filled for the past thirteen years. It was at this time (1874), that he
was united in marriage to Alice, daughter of John Grange, of Napanee.
His school was, for many years, about the only one that prepared
students for Victoria, and notwithstanding the multiplication of
institutes (from four to eighteen), it has held its own, and sent up for
arts alone about two hundred and fifty during Mr. McHenry’s thirteen
years, besides a large number for teachers’ examinations, for law,
medicine, theology, etc. In regard to Mr. McHenry’s personal and
professional qualities, we quote from testimonials of well-known
educationists:—
(1.) REV. CHANCELLOR NELLES.—“He is an accurate scholar, a good
disciplinarian, and a most successful teacher, and, indeed, has
few if any equals in the general management of High school
work.”
(2.) REV. DR. BURWASH.—“It is not too much to say that in the
teaching profession he has few equals in this province. Both as
an editor of classical literature and as a writer on the science
of teaching, he has proved himself a master in his work; while
in the instruction of a class and in the organization and
government of a large school he stands in the foremost rank of
teachers. As a Christian gentleman, his life and personal
character are a model for young men; while his quiet, dignified
independence and energy commend universal respect.”
(3.) DR. HAANEL.—“His advice and counsel as a member of our
senate has always been highly appreciated as sound, and
calculated to advance real scholarship. Energetic and zealous in
every good cause, Mr. McHenry has long been an important factor
in educational and social circles here.”
(4.) DR. BURNS, HAMILTON.—“One of the most successful educators
of our country. His scholarship is broad and reliable. Although
a comparatively young man, he has secured a status among
educators that he may well be proud of. His record is an
exceedingly honourable one, both for talent, success, and
personal character. Socially, he would be an acquisition to any
circle.”
Mr. McHenry’s is one of those cases where a boy or young man has had the
advantages arising from being early thrown upon his own resources. What
he has accomplished or attained is evidently the result of personal
energy and self-reliance.
* * * * *
=Allard, Joseph Victor=, Berthierville, Quebec, was born at St.
Cuthbert, county of Berthier, 1st February, 1860. His father, Prosper
Allard, was a most successful agriculturist, who cultivated his farm
until 1884, when he sold his rural belongings and removed to
Berthierville. His wife (the honored and beloved mother of the subject
of our sketch), Genevievre Aurez Laferriere, died in 1881, when he
married a second time—12th September, 1887,—the lady of his choice
this time being a most estimable lady, the widow of Captain Romuald
Fauteux, who himself had been a merchant at Berthier. Young Allard was
educated at L’Assomption College, receiving an excellent classical
training. From there he entered Laval University, Quebec, and in the
years 1878-9 passed his examination successfully and took the degree of
bachelor of arts. In 1881 he entered on the study of law at Sherbrooke
and was called to the Quebec bar in 1884. Mr. Allard is one of the
rising young men and a lawyer of repute in the town of Berthierville. In
religion he is a devout Roman Catholic; in politics he is a consistent
Liberal-Conservative, and there is but little doubt that in the future
he will be found advocating the cause of his party in the local
legislature or on the floor of the Dominion parliament. He is the legal
representative of the Legal and Commercial Exchange of Canada for the
county of Berthier. On 21st January, 1885, Mr. Allard was married to
Blanche Doval, daughter of Alexandre Damase Doval and Amilié Lengendre.
Mr. Doval in his life-time was a well-known advocate, as well as
inspector of schools for the counties of L’Assomption, Berthier and
Joliette. Mrs. Allard is niece of our celebrated French-Canadian writer,
Napoleon Lengendre, F.R.S.C.
* * * * *
=Dessaulles, George Casimir=, St. Hyacinthe, Quebec, President of the
Bank of St. Hyacinthe and of the St. Hyacinthe Manufacturing Company,
and an enterprising citizen, was born in St. Hyacinthe, on the 29th of
September, 1827. His father was Jean Dessaulles, seigneur of St.
Hyacinthe, one of the founders of the place, a member of the Lower
Canada parliament for years, and at the time of his death, in 1835, a
member of the Legislative Council of the province of Quebec. The father
of Jean Dessaulles was from Switzerland, coming to Lower Canada in the
latter part of the last century. The mother of our subject was Rosalie
Papineau, sister of the Hon. Louis J. Papineau. She died in 1867. Mr.
Dessaulles was educated at the College of St. Hyacinthe, taking a
complete classical course, and studied law, but never engaged in its
practice. His time has been largely employed in looking after his
seignorial estate and other property, and attending to the various
municipal and other offices which he has held, or still holds. He was
councilman for twelve years, mayor of the city for ten years, making
twenty-two consecutive years’ service in the municipality, and then
declined the chief magistracy against the wishes of the people; was a
school commissioner at one period; a justice of the peace, and the
second president of the bank of St. Hyacinthe, taking that position in
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