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A Cyclopaedia of Canadian Biography: Being Chiefly Men of the Time by Rose

1829. The family came to Canada in 1834, and settled in the city of

2042 words  |  Chapter 125

Quebec, where Mr. Tims, sr., died in 1836 and his widow in 1862. An elder brother of the subject of this sketch, Thomas D. Tims, now occupies the important position of Financial Inspector of the Dominion of Canada, at Ottawa, and their sister, the Reverend Mother St. Catherine, who entered the Monastery of the Ursulines at Quebec many years ago, is still living, after having occupied for two consecutive terms, the longest period permitted by the regulations, the high position of Lady Superior. Our subject was educated at the Seminary of Quebec and the Quebec High School, and subsequently studied law with Charles Alleyn, Q.C., subsequently Provincial Secretary of Canada, and now sheriff of Quebec. Seized with the “gold fever” in 1849, he gave up the study of the law, and on the 12th November, 1849, sailed on the barque _Rory O’Moore_, the first vessel leaving Canada bound for California, by the way of Cape Horn, finally reaching San Francisco after a five and a half months’ voyage. He remained in California, engaged principally in mining, until the fall of 1851, when he started on his homeward journey down the Pacific coast, stopping at San Juan del Sur and Lake Nicaragua for some weeks and then proceeding to Panama, where he crossed the isthmus and took steamer to New York from Chagres in January, 1852. He reached Quebec in February of the same year, and on the 23rd October following, was married at Sherbrooke, to Caroline Dudley, youngest daughter of the late Captain John Fraser, of H.M. 76th regiment, formerly town mayor of Quebec. He next removed to Upper Canada, where he was principally engaged in mercantile pursuits down to 1857, when he went to Illinois, entered the lumber business for some time, and while there in 1859, was licensed to practice as an attorney and counsellor-at-law in that state. Returning to Canada in 1861, he entered the employ of the late Hon. Jas. Skead, senator, then one of the largest lumber producers of the Ottawa district, where he remained in charge of the business until January, 1868, when he was appointed to the Audit branch of the Treasury department of the province of Quebec, and promoted to the office of Deputy Provincial Auditor in 1884, which he still holds. In religion, Mr. Tims is a Roman Catholic. In 1856, he held a commission as lieutenant and adjutant in the Waterloo (Ont.) Militia. He is a past president of the St. Patrick’s Society of Quebec, and has taken a prominent interest in the progress of the Geographical Society of Quebec, of which he has been the secretary for several years. In this last capacity, he was one of the principal promoters of the government exploring expedition, which was sent out within the last few years to endeavor to solve the mystery surrounding Great Lake Mistassini, in north eastern Canada. By his marriage, he has had issue thirteen children, seven of whom are living, four sons and three daughters. Of the former, three are actually settled in the Canadian North-West, at Swift Current and Beaver Lake, near Edmonton, where they are largely engaged in commercial pursuits. One of them, F. F. Tims, had the honor to be the first to erect a building at Regina, the present capital of the province of Assiniboia. During the late rebellion this son rendered valuable public service in freighting for the troops and in provisioning the Battleford contingent and Mounted Police. * * * * * =Ostigny, Joseph Henry=, Manager of the Bank of Hochelaga, at Joliette, Quebec, was born at St. Hilaire, county Rouville, Quebec, on the 5th of January, 1849. His father, Zephirin Ostigny, was an agriculturist, and lived for more than thirty years in the parish of l’Ange Gardien, county Rouville. His mother’s name was Sophie Montplaisir. The subject of this sketch, when fifteen years of age, told his father of his wish to give up farming, and get his livelihood in some other way. For that he required more education, and through the kindness of a father, who sacrificed his own personal interests to promote those of his children, he was sent to school at St. Césaire from 1863 to 1866, and from 1867 to 1869 at the Jacques Cartier Normal School, at Montreal. In the year 1870, he took the course at the Montreal Business College, and was for nearly two years a professor of that institution. When the Bank of Hochelaga commenced operations, April 6th, 1874, he entered it, and since then has worked up to be manager, which position he has held since January 25th, 1885. In religion he is a Roman Catholic. He was married on February 9th, 1886, to Maria Georgiana Athala Piché, daughter of Urgel Piché, broker, of Joliette. * * * * * =Ratcliffe, John=, was born in Lanarkshire, Scotland, on the 9th September, 1813. His father, Daniel Graham Ratcliffe, was a native of Cumberland, England, but removed to Scotland in early manhood, married Elizabeth Latham, a native of Hamilton parish, Lanarkshire, and spent the remainder of his days mostly in Avondale parish. The father was suddenly cut off in the prime of life, leaving a heavy burden to rest upon the shoulders of his son John, the eldest of the family. Before he had completed his twentieth year, in the spring of 1833, he sought the shores of Canada, in the hope of securing a better home and portion for the family. The township of Whitby, county of Ontario, was the part of Upper Canada to which he was directed. He purchased from the government the north half of lot 6, concession 6, where he settled. The following year the family removed to Canada, where they found a home ready for them. On October 31st, 1836, Mr. Ratcliffe married Margaret Hepburn, eldest daughter of John Hepburn, a native of Lanarkshire, who also came to Canada in 1833. To them were born seven sons and three daughters, all of whom are still alive. The subject of this sketch was a man of more than ordinary ability. Not having educational opportunities beyond a few months in the parish school, his pathway was made more difficult, but this loss was largely compensated for by extensive and careful reading. Time for reading was not abundant in the life of a pioneer, but moments were utilised, and to such good advantage that, having the misfortune to break his leg, he was, during the time of enforced rest from work, chosen to teach a school opened in the neighbourhood. When municipal affairs began to demand attention, he was alive to every question that agitated the public, and occupied a seat at the council board for many years, presiding as reeve over its affairs during the greater portion of the time. In the year 1863 he occupied the warden’s chair, thereafter retiring from public municipal life. For many years he was an active justice of the peace, and in the discharge of the magisterial functions won the respect and confidence of the whole community. During the years that East Whitby was without a township hall, his house was the court-room in which most of the petty trials of the township had a hearing. He always counselled a harmonious settlement of difficulties; and many a quarrel was satisfactorily disposed of, without “going to law,” by having the parties meet and talk over the trouble with him. In politics he was a consistent and pronounced Liberal, and for many years held the honorable and responsible position of president of the South Ontario Reform Association. His name was frequently mentioned when a candidate was to be selected, but he always declined the honor. In religion he was a loyal Presbyterian. With all his interest in public affairs, his relation to the church of Christ, and his responsibility to its Head were never allowed to be interfered with. In the year 1856 he was ordained to the eldership of the United Presbyterian church, which office he adorned until called higher. Only ill-health or absence from home ever kept him from his accustomed place in the house of God, or from his class in the Sabbath school. He was a most successful teacher, personally interested in every member of his class, and many were by his instrumentality led to decide for Christ. In his home he was tender and affectionate, yet firm, and his children remember with gratitude his kindly, wise counsel, and, above all, his Christian instruction and personal example. Suddenly, on March 9th, 1878, he was called to his rest and reward. * * * * * =Torrington, Frederic Herbert=, Organist of the Metropolitan Methodist Church, Toronto, Conductor of the Toronto Philharmonic Society and of the great Toronto Musical Festival, 1886, and without doubt the most prominent executive musician in Canada, was born at Dudley, Worcestershire, England, October 20th, 1837. He commenced playing the violin at the early age of seven years, and as he even then showed marked ability, he was placed under competent musical instructors at Birmingham, and articled, after the good old English fashion, to James Fitzgerald, then organist and choirmaster of St. George’s and Mary’s Churches, Kidderminster. At the age of sixteen he became organist and choirmaster of St. Anne’s Church, Bewdley. In 1857 he left England for Montreal, where he was, immediately on his arrival, appointed organist of Great St. James street Methodist Church, a post which he occupied for twelve years. During this period he founded several vocal societies and the Montreal Amateur Musical Union Orchestra, and was for two years bandmaster of the 25th regiment (regulars). Visiting Boston in September, 1868, he gave a performance on the Great Music Hall organ, which was warmly noticed in _Dwight’s Journal of Music_ and the Boston daily press. Shortly after, at the invitation of P. S. Gilmore, he formed the Canadian orchestral contingent for the first great Boston jubilee. A few weeks after the close of the festival, Mr. Torrington accepted the position of organist at King’s Chapel, Boston, and held it for four years. During this period he was one of the regular solo organists at the Music Hall, one of the first violins in the Harvard Symphony Orchestra, a teacher of the piano at the New England Conservatory of Music, and conductor of six vocal societies. On several occasions he was solo organist at the concerts in Henry Ward Beecher’s church, Brooklyn. In 1873 he came to Toronto, and was appointed organist and choirmaster of the Metropolitan Church, and conductor of the Philharmonic Society. This society was, at this time, in its infancy, and in a languishing condition, but Mr. Torrington’s energy and the enthusiastic music-lovers with whom he was able to surround himself enabled him to develop it into the greatest factor in the musical world of Canada, and into one of the greatest societies on the American continent, as will be shown by a glance at the society’s performances in fourteen years:—“Messiah” (4), “Elijah” (5), “Creation” (3), “Lay of the Bell” (2), “Fridolin” (2), “St. Paul” (2), “Stabat Mater” (2), “May Queen” (3), “Hymn of Praise” (2), “Walpurgis Night,” “Naaman” (2), “Spring’s Message,” “Bride of Dunkerron,” “Judas Maccabæus” (2), “Gypsy Life,” “The Last Judgment,” “Acis and Galatea,” “Preciosa,” “Redemption” (2), “Rose Maiden,” march and chorus (Tannhæuser), “March Cortege” (Reine de Saba), “Crusaders,” “Fair Ellen,” “Rose of Sharon,” “Mors et Vita,” “Spectre’s Bride,” “Golden Legend.” To this imposing list of choral works must be added numerous unaccompanied part songs, and the following orchestral works:—Larghetto, Second Symphony (Beethoven), Larghetto, Jupiter Symphony (Mozart), Surprise Symphony (Haydn), Hymn of Praise Symphony (Mendelssohn), the Maritana, Martha, Oberon and Preciosa overtures, Andante, First Symphony (Beethoven), G minor Concerto (Mendelssohn), Beethoven’s Piano Concerto, Beethoven’s Emperor Concerto, Arditi’s L’Ingenue Gavotte, and Delibes’ Valse lente e pizzicati, many of these works being heard for the first time in Canada, and some for the first time on this side of the Atlantic. The influence of the Philharmonic Society is most strikingly reflected in the immense improvement in the condition of church choirs throughout the city, and in the establishment of other flourishing vocal societies. But Mr. Torrington’s greatest work in the cause of music was undoubtedly the initiation and successful performances of the great musical festival of
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1. Chapter 1 2. introduction of many other distinguished families in every department of 3. 1647. There were three brothers, Petrus, Balthazer and Nicholas; one 4. 1874. His diaconate he spent in Massachusetts, preaching in several 5. 1873. The doctor has taken an interest in various companies, and is at 6. 1834. His father, Matthew MacFarlane, was born in the parish of Dramore, 7. 1. Moved by Henry Stuart, seconded by Gédéon Ouimet, M.P.P., 8. 2. Moved by Andrew Robertson, seconded by C. A. Leblanc, That as 9. 3. Moved by the Honourable T. J. J. Loranger, seconded by J. C. 10. 1. Moved by J. H. Filion, seconded by Mr. Boisseau, that Mr. 11. 2. Moved by Mr. Wilfrid Prévost, seconded by J. A. H. Mackay, 12. 3. Moved by J. A. H. Mackay, seconded by J. H. Filion, That the 13. 1853. Judge Berthelot was appointed in 1875, as above mentioned. In 14. 1878. The 18th being nomination day in Manitoba, and the news reaching 15. 1840. On the 4th of January, 1839, Mr. Allison addressed a letter to the 16. 1873. Judge Senkler was educated by his father, and commenced life in 17. 1874. In the same year he was articled to W. A. Ross, then barrister in 18. 1885. Mr. Falconbridge is a pronounced and steadfast Conservative in 19. 1886. Judge Kelly is a Roman Catholic, and was married, first, in 20. 1884. Dr. Reddy held many offices of the highest trust and honour in 21. 1837. He is the third son of Michael Spurr Harris and Sarah Ann Troop. 22. 1882. He is a member of the New Brunswick Medical Society and of the 23. 1880. He still continues his membership in, and is physician to, each of 24. Introduction to the Talmud,” displayed a deep and broad acquaintance 25. 1841. His father, John Alward, a successful agriculturist, was the son 26. 1839. He is son of Thomas Harrison, by his wife Elizabeth Coburn, and 27. 1840. After a three years’ course at the Grand Seminary he was, on the 28. 1732. He was a staunch and persistent friend and advocate of political 29. 1827. In 1831, he was ordained a minister of the Presbyterian church, 30. 1834. His father, John Palmer, grandson of Gideon Palmer, a U. E. 31. 1825. By descent Dr. MacCallum is a pure Celt, being the son of John 32. 1863. The capitular degrees were received in the New Brunswick Royal 33. introduction of the English Medical Registration Act in 1860. He has 34. 1681. Since then the family has multiplied considerably, and is now 35. 1878. In 1882, Mr. Church was elected a member of the Nova Scotia 36. 1844. He is the fourth son of Charles G. Buller, of Campbellford, 37. 1840. His mother, Sarah Ann Williams, was born at Port Dover, Lake Erie 38. 1856. His father, Alexander Robb, the founder of the works he manages, 39. 1874. In 1859 Mr. Ross entered politics as a Liberal, and was returned, 40. 1812. His mother, Elizabeth Coulson, was a native of Stockton, near 41. 1772. His father, John Macdonald, of Allisary, and his mother, Ellen 42. 1851. He studied law in the office of Thomas Kirkpatrick, Q.C., of 43. 1874. Upon his removal to Orillia, he set to work to erect the handsome 44. 1837. His parents, William and Mary Smith, are both alive, and residing 45. 1875. Mrs. Archibald was re-appointed chief preceptress of Mount Allison 46. 1844. In the same year he was offered and declined the office of 47. 1855. His mother, Ann Evans, was a native of Shrewsbury, Shropshire, 48. 1881. He was married again on 29th November to Miss Nealis, daughter of 49. 1876. He has travelled a good deal in Britain and on the continent of 50. 1876. Messrs. Angers and de Boucherville worked harmoniously together, 51. 1873. And Laval again, in 1878, presented him with the degree of LL.D. 52. 1872. The entrance of Mr. Mathieu into political life dates from that 53. 1870. By his first marriage he has three children, one son and two 54. introduction of denominational colleges, and their partial endowment by 55. 1880. His wife, the mother of the subject of this sketch, whom he 56. 1750. His son, Pierre, was lord of the Seigniories of Rivière Ouelle and 57. 1883. He represented the Crown in Quebec with the late Judge Alleyn, at 58. introduction to Professor Pillans, who treated him very kindly and 59. 1873. He took first prizes throughout his course for Latin, Greek, 60. 1858. His brother, John W. Kerr, who was appointed county attorney and 61. 1887. In 1885, Mr. Shakespeare was elected to the presidency of the 62. 1866. In the Limestone City he found employment as a teacher, and for 63. 1846. The family, on the paternal side, came originally from the county 64. 1877. This work has been exhaustively and very favorably reviewed by Dr. 65. 1878. This enumeration does not include various papers published in the 66. 1884. He was chairman of the Western Judicial District Board of 67. 1814. He is a son of William Nyren Silver, of Port Lee, Hampshire, of 68. 1838. He went early into business, and only of late years relaxed his 69. 1886. He is also a member of the Board of Management of the Church 70. 1877. Mr. Kennedy was made a freeman of the city of St. John in 1839, 71. 1841. He is son of Robert Hopper, whose father came from Hamilton, 72. 1883. In 1879 he was appointed agent of the Commercial Union Assurance 73. 1833. He is the fourth son of Hon. Joseph Masson, a member of the 74. 1833. He is the second son of Michael Spurr Harris, who came to Moncton 75. 1882. He is representative in Quebec of the Grand Lodge of California 76. 1846. His father, John McConnell, served under Mr. Howard, of High Park, 77. 1880. He has been for some time a member of the Board of Education of 78. 1887. He leaves four sons. He was for many years the leading member of 79. 1841. About the time of Dr. Strachan’s appointment as councillor, began 80. 1856. In 1858 he was elected to the parliament of Canada, subsequently 81. 1878. His attention to the duties of his office won general approbation. 82. 1665. His grandfather, Stephen Jones, a graduate of Harvard College, was 83. 1865. Second, to Emma, daughter of Edward Albrough, of Halifax. 84. 1836. His parents were Robert McKnight and Eliza Gray. He received a 85. 1887. He was a son of John Torrance, in his lifetime one of the leading 86. 1845. His parents were Thomas E. Oulton and Elizabeth Carter, both 87. 1870. In 1880 he was appointed judge of probate for Hants county; and in 88. 1859. In the latter year he successfully contested the county of 89. 1810. Being poor working people, they were only able to give their son a 90. 1834. Mr. Moffat, the subject of our sketch, is the eldest son of this 91. introduction of responsible government, was reappointed to the Executive 92. 1835. The Synod appointed Dr. John Rae, principal of the Grammar school 93. 1879. He was elected leader of the government by the unanimous vote of 94. 1870. He took an active part in agitating for the construction of the 95. 1885. He is now a director of the Coaticook Cotton Company; of the 96. 1789. He was of Norman and Saxon descent, claiming kindred with Michael 97. 1739. His father and his father’s brothers were gentlemen of 98. 1882. His politics are Conservative, and though younger than the 99. 1865. Haliburton first became known as an author in 1829, when he 100. 1840. He was educated at Fredericton. Mr. Peck is the youngest son of 101. 1878. He sold his life insurance policy, some real estate, and, in fact, 102. 1844. He is of an old English family, his grandfather, whose name he 103. 1814. He was the only son of John Jennings, manufacturer, of that city. 104. 1873. After Confederation this office was merged in that of postmaster 105. 1884. Mr. Bowser is a member of the Masonic fraternity, was Chaplain of 106. 1881. He became a member of the Orange society in 1863, and continued a 107. 1760. Mr. Tourangeau’s great grandfather emigrated from La Touraine, 108. 1878. The manufacturing company, of which he is president, is a large 109. 1832. The case created great interest throughout England, and was 110. 1870. In the year 1881 Mr. Stevenson retired from the force with the 111. 1841. He is a member of a family for many generations resident at 112. 1826. His father was John Emmerson, who at an early age came from 113. 1881. He is also the author of a paper entitled, “Vinland,” an account 114. 1837. He is also a nephew of the late William Walker, advocate, of 115. 1843. His father was the late Major Pope, who was for many years 116. 1796. He was formally thanked by parliament. A succession of honors 117. 1837. The second had been a student in the office of this young lawyer, 118. 1850. His father, Richard Clarke, was a general merchant and flax buyer, 119. 1843. His father, William G. Archibald, was a native of the same county, 120. 1719. John is the fourth child, in a family of five, and was educated in 121. 1869. In 1870 he married Marie Malvina, third daughter of Francis 122. 1843. He received the honorary degree of M.A., in 1855, and of D.C.L., 123. 1860. On the 23rd May, 1862, he joined the British army as ensign, 124. 1818. Her mother, Mary Magdalen McKay, was born at St. Cuthbert, Quebec, 125. 1829. The family came to Canada in 1834, and settled in the city of 126. 1886. In this a monster chorus of over nine hundred voices, accompanied 127. 1884. Immediately thereafter steps were taken, by the same trustees, to 128. 1866. He held the office of master of Poyntz lodge, at Hantsport, from 129. 1842. His father was Alexander Shields, a farmer from Fifeshire, 130. 1880. He then entered the law office of his brother, Ernest Pacaud, well 131. 1819. His parents were James Kelly and Margaret Crosby, both natives of 132. 1766. The Lovitts have always been identified with the best interests of 133. 1857. Mr. Cartier was the only Lower Canadian minister who belonged to 134. introduction into New Brunswick, and for the past twenty years has been 135. 1862. In 1866 he married Helen E., daughter of Thomas Barlow, a member 136. 1862. The honorary degree of D.D. was conferred upon him by Victoria 137. 1888. Dr. Courtney is tall, erect, and well formed. He has greyish blue 138. 1841. His ancestors came from France, and settled in the county of 139. 1869. Towards the close of the year 1869 he went to Switzerland, where, 140. 1820. His parents had come from Scotland several years before, and, if 141. 1885. In September, 1883, he went to Europe, and in the course of his 142. 1884. He was the son of J. B. Proulx and Magdalen Hébert. His great 143. 1872. His mother, Rosalind E. Bernard, was born in Montreal, educated at 144. 1838. The subject of this sketch was educated at St. Mary’s College, 145. 1873. Promoted brevet lieutenant-colonel in June, 1874, and appointed to 146. 1840. His ancestors emigrated from France, and were among the early 147. 1877. He has occupied a distinguished position at the bar; was elected 148. 1843. On his return he began the practice of his profession, and soon 149. 1886. At the close of 1887 he was appointed by the Imperial government 150. 1868. Being too young for ordination, he remained in the school, 151. 1872. In 1872 he received the degree of hon. M.A. from Trinity College, 152. 1878. He is a Roman Catholic in religion. He was married on the 12th 153. 1702. The bishop’s nephew, James Molony, of Kiltanon, the first 154. 1815. He is a son of John Haythorne, a wool merchant of Bristol, and who 155. 1873. The following autumn Mr. Haythorne was summoned to the Senate, and 156. 1875. Immediately upon entering into business, he obtained a large 157. 1877. The point was raised by J. Norman Ritchie, now one of the judges 158. introduction of responsible government into Canada for any length of 159. 1841. This gentleman took an active part in the troubles of 1837-’38, 160. 1854. Mr. Unsworth left four sons, one of whom, Joseph, is 161. 1875. He was also surgeon of police from 1863 to 1875. Besides these 162. 1873. He brought with him a stock of ready-made clothing, and shortly 163. 1822. His father was Robert Boak, of Shields, in the county of Durham, 164. 1809. He received his education at the Seminary of St. Hyacinthe, where, 165. 1826. From 1826 to 1830 he was director of St. James Grand Seminary at 166. 1866. In September of that year he retired with the rank of captain, and 167. 1823. In Nova Scotia, since confederation, the legal affairs of the 168. 1860. His career as a school trustee will not soon be forgotten, as it 169. 1600. His mother, Anne Whiteway, is descended from a Devonshire family 170. 1856. In 1857 he removed to Toronto, Ontario, being employed by Paterson 171. 1859. His parents were Theophile Chênevert and Mathilde Filteau. His 172. 1871. He spent the years 1872 and 1873 at Edinburgh, Scotland, and 173. 1829. His parents were Neil Sinclair and Mary McDougall, first of 174. 1832. He received part of his education in that town and also pursued 175. 1854. In 1856-7 he was provincial secretary, and became premier of the 176. 1878. He was inspector of the post offices of the Dominion of Canada in 177. 1846. He went through the elementary schools of his parish, then was 178. 1873. He then commenced business by opening a general store, which he 179. 2816. The result was similar throughout the province. Mr. Payzant took 180. 1850. He is a descendant of one of the oldest and most honorable 181. 1876. He was for some time a valued and progressive member of the city 182. 1775. The following verses, contributed by “E. L. M.,” a 183. 1878. Since then he has successfully practised his profession in 184. 1856. Complete withdrawal from mercantile cares for a year having 185. 1882. He has been prominently connected with various other societies and 186. 1857. In 1859 he went to the Red River settlement, where he remained 187. 1887. (See sketch of his life on page 40.)

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