A Cyclopaedia of Canadian Biography: Being Chiefly Men of the Time by Rose
1719. John is the fourth child, in a family of five, and was educated in
2970 words | Chapter 120
part in the Presbyterian Seminary, Truro. In 1864 he came to Montreal,
and took the arts course in McGill University; graduated B.A. in 1867,
and won the Prince of Wales’ gold medal for standing in mental and moral
philosophy. He then studied law in the office of the late John A.
Perkins, taking in the meanwhile the law course at McGill, graduating
B.C.L. in 1870, and receiving the Elizabeth Torrance gold medal for
highest general standing in his class. On the 18th of January, 1871, he
was admitted to the bar, and since that time has steadily pursued the
practice of his profession in Montreal, at first alone and subsequently
as a member of the firm of Archibald & McCormick, until the present
autumn (1887), when he dissolved his partnership, and formed a firm with
the Hon. W. W. Lynch, Q.C., for many years solicitor-general of the
province of Quebec, and George G. Foster, B.C.L., under the name of
Archibald, Lynch & Foster. It is unnecessary to say that this new firm
ranks among the leading law firms practising in Montreal. In the autumn
of 1871, Mr. Archibald was appointed lecturer on criminal law in McGill
University, and in 1880 he was made professor of criminal and
constitutional law in the same institution, a position which he has
filled with credit to himself and the college. He prepares himself with
great care for his arduous duties, and is a great favourite with the
students. In the spring of 1887 he received from his _alma mater_ the
degree of Doctor of Civil Law, and, almost concurrently, the distinction
of Queen’s counsel from the government of Canada. In 1884 Mr. Archibald
was elected alderman for St. Antoine ward, one of the largest and most
influential wards in the city of Montreal, which position he still
holds, having been re-elected in 1887 by acclamation. In 1885 he was
appointed revising officer, under the Franchise Act, for the electoral
division of Montreal West, which office he still holds. Mr. Archibald is
a member of the Presbyterian church, and in politics a Conservative. On
the 13th July, 1871, he was married to Ellen Hutchinson, of Bluevale,
Ontario, and has a family of five children.
* * * * *
=Haanel, Eugene Emil=, F.R., Ph.D., Professor of Chemistry and Physics,
Victoria College, Cobourg, Ontario, is a native of Breslau, Silesia,
Europe, and was born on the 24th May, 1841. He is a son of Franz Haanel
and Ann Herde. His father is a government officer, and occupies the
position of secretary of the council in Breslau. The Haanels were
originally from Sweden, the great grandfather of Franz Haanel having
been forced to leave his native country on account of his politics.
Eugene, the subject of this sketch, commenced his studies at four years
of age, and graduated at the Gymnasium in his native city in 1858. Soon
afterwards he left for the United States, and being in Baltimore when
the civil war began between the Northern and Southern states in 1861, he
joined the Northern army, and spent three years as a hospital steward,
and one year as first lieutenant Co. K., Second Regiment Maryland
Veteran Infantry, leaving the army at the close of the war in 1865. He
then became a student at the Michigan State University, Ann Arbor, and
in 1866 was appointed assistant professor of natural science at Adrian
(Michigan) College. The next year he held the same position in Hillsdale
College, Michigan; and in 1868 was master professor of the same
department in Albion College, Michigan, and occupied the chair for four
years. In 1872 Professor Haanel returned to Germany, and on the 7th of
June, 1873, took the degree of Doctor of Philosophy at the Royal
University, Breslau. He then left for Canada, to occupy the chair of
chemistry and physics in Victoria College, Cobourg. His coming to
Cobourg caused the erection of Faraday Hall, in 1876, a brick building,
50 by 100 feet, admirably arranged for the purpose it is intended, and
equipped with apparatus selected by the professor himself in the cities
of London, Paris, Bonn, Leipzig, Dresden and Berlin. While at the
University of Breslau in 1873, for the purpose of graduating, Professor
Haanel took for his thesis “The galvanometric method for the
determination of the earth’s magnetism and its oscillations,” for which
he constructed, in accordance with his original designs, “the galvanic
bifilar magnetometer,” which at this day constitutes the principal
instrument for observation at the magnetic observatory connected with
the University of Breslau. A few years ago it occurred to him that he
might remove the difficulty experienced by students in distinguishing
the oxyd coating on charcoal of bismuth from the similar one of lead, by
converting these coatings into iodides, and his experiments turned out
very satisfactory. (See paper read by him “On the application of
hydriodic acid as a blowpipe re-agent,” before the Royal Society of
Canada, May 25, 1883.) The method adopted then was to touch the coatings
with a drop of strong hydriodic acid, and direct the blowpipe flame upon
the charcoal just in front of the moistened spot. The heat of the
blowpipe flame volatilized the respective iodides, which were deposited
again upon the cooler parts of the charcoal, at a greater distance from
the assay. The iodide of lead gave a magnificent canary-yellow coating,
the bismuth a chocolate brown; cadmium and antimony, when treated in a
similar manner, a white and brick-red coating respectively. In the
extension of this method to other substances he found that other iodides
of very characteristic colours were formed. Many of these were, however,
altogether too volatile to be deposited satisfactorily on the charcoal,
charcoal being too poor a conductor of heat to lower the temperature of
the vapours of the iodides in question sufficiently to permit of their
condensation and consequent deposition as coatings. In order to utilise
to the fullest extent the value of hydriodic acid as a blowpipe
re-agent, it became necessary to adopt a support which, on account of
its better conductivity, would condense the various volatile iodides on
its surface as coatings. The choice of the kind of support best suited
was farther restricted by the following characteristics which a support,
to prove entirely practical and satisfactory, should possess. 1. It must
be cheap and easily made; 2. The surface of the support must be smooth
and white, to bring out the colours of the coatings, uninfluenced by
peculiarities of surface or admixture of tint of the support; 3. It must
resist the heat of the blowpipe flame; 4. It must be of sufficiently
porous texture to absorb the hydriodic acid, and supply it to the assay
gradually and constantly during the progress of the operation. After
some reflection and experimentation, he finally adopted plaster of Paris
casts in the form of narrow thin tablets as the support, and found that
it possessed the above-mentioned characteristics in an eminent degree.
Though a German, Professor Haanel speaks the English language with
eloquence and fluency; he is clear and concise as well as accurate in
his enunciation; an attractive lecturer, a successful experimenter, and
a laborious and untiring enthusiast at his work. He was married on the
5th of November, 1866, to Julia F. Darling, of Lake Ridge, Michigan,
United States, a graduate of Albion College, and they have a family of
five children.
* * * * *
=Kelly, Thomas Eugene=, Joliette, Province of Quebec, was born at
Joliette, in 1861. He is a son of Francis Kelly and Mary Collins, his
wife. The subject of this sketch was educated at Bryant & Stratton’s
Business College, at Montreal, taking the commercial course. He
afterwards travelled extensively through the Western States. He is a
Roman Catholic in religion, and is unmarried. He is engaged in the
manufacturing and wholesale lumber business, being a member of the firm
of Kelly Bros., Joliette, Quebec.
* * * * *
=Weir, W.=, Banker, Montreal.—There are few better known faces on the
streets of Montreal than that of the above named gentleman, head of the
banking firm of W. Weir & Sons, and president of the Banque Ville Marie.
Mr. Weir was born at Greenden, near Brechin, Scotland, on the 28th
October, 1823, and came to Canada in 1842, Like a good many successful
Canadians, he began life as a teacher, having taken charge of a public
school before he was twenty years of age. After two years engaged in
this honorable but ill remunerated occupation, during which time he
devoted himself to the study of the French language, and having further
improved his knowledge of that language by a short course at St. Thérèse
College, Mr. Weir accepted a bookkeeper’s situation in Montreal,
commencing business on his own account in 1849. In 1856 he removed to
Toronto, where he remained till 1859, when he returned to Montreal.
During his stay in Toronto he published and edited the _Canadian
Merchants’ Magazine_, a monthly periodical, the vigorous style of its
editorials soon bringing their author into notice. In 1858 he took the
prize of the Upper Canadian Board of Arts for the best essay on the
manufactures of Canada, and contributed many articles to the local press
on financial and commercial subjects. Among the early promoters of what
has since become known as the National Policy, Mr. Weir was a leading
spirit. At his suggestion, and largely through his exertions, the great
convention of manufacturers was convened at Toronto in 1858. At this
convention Mr. Weir was the secretary, and he held the same position in
the “Association for the promotion of Canadian Industry” then formed.
This society embraced among its members many prominent members of
Parliament, and its exertions and influence secured the changes in the
tariff of 1858 which gave the first great impulse to Canada’s
manufacturing industries. To the present generation, Mr. Weir is best
remembered for his successful efforts to effect the removal of the
“silver nuisance.” The suspension of specie payments in the United
States, in 1862, caused a large influx into Canada of American silver
coin, which, passing current in retail transactions and in payment of
wages, but not being bankable, caused great loss and inconvenience to
the public, who had daily to carry nearly all their receipts to the
brokers’ offices, to be sold at a discount for bankable funds. For
several years Mr. Weir urged upon the Government the importance of
removing the evil, and at his suggestion one million dollars was
exported at the public expense, he himself exporting a similar amount by
contract with the leading commercial houses. In 1869, he attempted to
export two millions more, but the attempt fell through owing to
inadequate support. Early in 1870 (the late Hon. Sir Francis Hincks
having become finance minister), Mr. Weir succeeded in obtaining the aid
of the Government to remove the whole depreciated coin from circulation.
He contracted with the Government to effect its removal, and carried
through that great work with complete success. Five million dollars were
exported between March and July, 1870, at a cost to the Dominion
exchequer of $118,000, the Government being recouped by assuming the one
and two dollar note circulation, a measure suggested by Mr. Weir to meet
the objection on the score of expense. Seventy banks and bank agencies
assisted in the work, the shipments being made from every place of
importance between Quebec and Sarnia. The coin was purchased at five,
five and half, and six per cent discount, for half and quarter dollar
pieces, the smaller coins, to extent of $500,000, being exported by Mr.
Weir at his own expense, making the total amount exported by him over
seven million dollars, or over two hundred waggon loads. Since 1870, Mr.
Weir has taken an active part in discussing the leading financial
questions of the hour. He assisted in reorganizing the Jacques Cartier
Bank, of which he was vice-president when offered the presidency of the
Banque Ville Marie, a position he has held for the last six years,
during which period the bank has trebled its business and strengthened
its position. To the people of Cote St. Antoine and west end of
Montreal, he is best known for his services and public spirit in
securing the opening up of Western Avenue, destined to be the great
western entrance into the city. Mr. Weir married, in 1849, a daughter of
the late John Somerville, of Chatham, P.Q., and has five sons living,
and one son and one daughter deceased. Three sons are in business; the
two youngest are graduates of McGill University, Arthur the youngest
being already well known as a talented writer both in prose and verse.
* * * * *
=Madill, Frank=, M.A., M.P. for North Ontario, Barrister, etc.,
Beaverton, Ontario, was born in the township of Scott, in the county of
Ontario, province of Ontario, November 23rd, 1852. He is youngest son of
Henry and Eliza Madill, who came to Canada from Monaghan, Ireland, in
1837, and eventually settled in the township of Scott. Henry Madill is
one of the old pioneers, and was for many years a prominent member of
the council of that municipality, until his removal to the village of
Vroomanton, in same county, a few years ago, where he and his good lady
still reside, amidst a large circle of children, grandchildren and
friends, universally respected. The subject of this sketch was educated
at Uxbridge and Whitby high schools, and the University of Toronto,
where he graduated B.A., in 1873, and M.A. in 1876; studied law in the
office of the late Hon. John Hilliard Cameron, Q.C., M.P., and was
called to the bar of Ontario, Michaelmas Term, 1877, and still practises
his profession at Beaverton. During his university course he was one of
the university athletes, and held the championship of the university. He
was also a prominent member of the university football team,—the
champions of the Dominion for four years. He was lieutenant of No. 4
company, 34th battalion, V.M.I., and is now paymaster of the same
battalion, with rank of captain. He was first returned to the
Legislative Assembly of Ontario, 4th June, 1881, and sat until the
general election, 1883, at which he was defeated by twenty votes. At the
last general election for the House of Commons he was elected for the
same riding by a majority of 158, over A. P. Cockburn, ex-M.P. He is a
Liberal-Conservative, and Supporter of the government of Right Hon. Sir
John A. Macdonald. He was a member of the Grand Lodge of Royal Black
Knights, and was at one time D.M. of King Solomon Preceptory, 292, at
Toronto. He is a member of the executive committee of the
Liberal-Conservative Union of Ontario; is a Freemason, and is an
ex-warden of Murray lodge, Beaverton. He has taken an active part in all
political contests in the Midland District, but has never taken any
active part in municipal matters. He is commodore of the Beaverton Yacht
Club, vice-president of the Beaverton Gun Club, and president of the
Chicker Lacrosse Club. His travels have been confined to the United
States and Canada. He has always belonged to the Presbyterian church of
Canada, in connection with the Church of Scotland, known as the “old
Kirk,” of which his father is an elder. He was married on the 5th day of
May, 1886, to Florrie, eldest daughter of Charles T. Young, of
Beaverton, one of the village fathers.
* * * * *
=Welton, Daniel Morse=, D.D., Professor of Hebrew, Baptist College,
Toronto, Ont., was born in Aylesford, Nova Scotia, July 20th, 1831. His
father was Sydney Welton, and his mother, Isabel Morse. His ancestors on
both the father and mother’s side came from New England at the time of
the Revolutionary war. He prepared for college in Horton Collegiate
Academy, Nova Scotia; entered Acadia College, Nova Scotia, in 1850, and
graduated therefrom in 1855. After occupying the place of tutor in
Acadia College for twelve months (1856), he went to Newton Theological
Institution, Mass., where he remained a year. In September, 1857, he was
ordained to the pastorate of the Windsor Baptist Church, Nova Scotia,
which position he filled till October, 1874, when he was called to the
chair of Hebrew and Systematic Theology in the Theological Department of
Acadia College. He remained here till 1883, with the exception of two
years (1876 and 1877) which he spent in Leipzic, Germany, engaged
chiefly in Semitic studies under Professor Delitzsch. He received the
degree of Doctor of Philosophy from the University of Leipzic in 1878,
his dissertation for the same being “The History of Hebrew Learning in
England.” His Semitic studies in Leipzic chiefly embraced the Hebrew,
Chaldee, Syriac, Samaritan and Arabic. In 1883, he was appointed to the
chair of Hebrew and Old Testament Interpretation in Toronto Baptist
College, which he fills at the present time. In 1884 he received the
degree of D.D. from Acadia College, his _alma mater_. In the years 1876,
1877 and 1878 he also visited London, Paris, Berlin, Vienna, and the
principal cities of Italy. He was married to Sarah Eliza Messenger,
daughter of David and Catherine Messenger, September 23rd, 1857.
* * * * *
=Gagnon, Hon. Charles Antoine Ernest=, M.P.P., Kamouraska, was born at
Rivière Ouelle, Quebec, on the 4th of December, 1846. The family came
originally from Vendee, France, and settled in Canada in 1633, being
thus one of the oldest Canadian families, having representatives still
living. The subject of this sketch is the son of Antoine Gagnon,
merchant, of Rivière Ouelle, and a nephew of Senator Pelletier, C.M.G.
He was educated at St. Anne’s College, and was very successful in his
studies. Taking up the study of law, he was appointed notary public in
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