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

1856. Complete withdrawal from mercantile cares for a year having

1579 words  |  Chapter 184

restored him to something like his former self, he removed to Canada in 1857, and settled in Melbourne, one of the Eastern Townships. Here he filled the office of mayor for two terms with conspicuous ability. On both occasions he had been elected without a contest, and without having solicited a single vote from any one, his belief being that an office of this sort ought to be conferred by the unasked suffrage of the constituency. He declined to serve for a third term, although earnestly requested to do so. While mayor, he introduced various improvements in the mode of conducting municipal business. Like many other immigrants possessing capital, he found his means vanishing before the financial crisis of 1857. Mr. Brymner drifted into what seemed to be his natural calling—literature, for which his early training and continuous study well qualified him. On the acceptance by Dr. Snodgrass of the office of principal of Queen’s College, the post of editor of the _Presbyterian_, the official journal of the Church of Scotland in Canada, became vacant. It was offered to Mr. Brymner, his fitness for the position having been recognized by the leaders of the church, he having been an active member of the church courts as a representative elder, and his numerous contributions to the discussion of important religious topics being esteemed and valuable. Under his guidance, the editorials being written with a straightforward, independent spirit, the paper at once took a high place. Many of Mr. Brymner’s articles on ecclesiastical questions were in particular much admired, and leading religious journals often made lengthy quotations from them. About the same time he joined the staff of the Montreal _Herald_, where in a little he was appointed associate editor with the late Hon. Edward Goff Penny. Often, owing to the severe indisposition of Mr. Penny, Mr. Brymner had sole editorial charge of the _Herald_. He was noted as one of the most efficient and hard-working members of the Press Gallery at Ottawa, and in 1871, the presidency of the Press Association devolved upon him. A year later, in 1872, it having been resolved to establish a new branch of the Civil Service, namely, the collection of the historical records of the Dominion and its provinces, Mr. Brymner, with the approval of men of all political shades, received the appointment. Before leaving Montreal for Ottawa, an address, signed by leading men in the professions, in business, and of the different nationalities, was presented to Mr. Brymner, accompanied by a magnificent testimonial. No better selection could have been made for the office of archivist than that of Mr. Brymner. He had peculiar fitness for the task imposed on him. His extensive historical knowledge, unwearied industry, patience, and love for research, his power of organizing and arranging materials for reference, etc., were all admirable qualifications, and these he possessed to a remarkable degree. His reports are models, and present in clear and terse language the results of his labours. The story of the origin of the office, and the important part played in its construction by Mr. Brymner, will be found in the archivist’s report for 1883. In 1881, the Public Record Office (London) authorities republished the whole of Mr. Brymner’s report as part of their own, owing, as the keeper of records, Sir William Hardy, said, to the importance of the information it contained. Every year since then copious extracts have been made from Mr. Brymner’s reports. Perhaps it will not be out of place to insert here the following excerpt from the preface to the admirably annotated publication of “Hadden’s Journal and Orderly Books,” by General Horatio Rogers, who says:—“I cannot refrain from referring to the unwearied zeal and unfailing courtesy of Mr. Douglas Brymner, the archivist of the Dominion of Canada, in affording me the fullest and most satisfactory use of the Haldimand papers and the other manuscripts confided to his charge. Would that all public officials in custody of valuable manuscripts might take a lesson from him!” Mr. Brymner is an adherent of the Church of Scotland, to which he has always belonged, and he has been one of the most formidable opponents of union. His evidence before the Senate Committee, on the 24th and 26th of April, 1882, which is substantially the argument of the non-contents on the Union question, was presented with great power and skill. It can be found in a pamphlet of over forty pages, published by Hunter, Rose &. Co., Toronto, in 1883. The greater part of his literary work is anonymous. He possesses a fund of caustic humour, some of which found vent in his letters in Scotch, under the name of “Tummas Treddles,” an octogenarian Paisley weaver, originally contributions on curling to the Montreal _Herald_, but afterwards extended to other subjects in the _Scottish American Journal_. These have ceased for some years, doubtless from the pressure of other and more serious occupations. His translations of the Odes of Horace into Scotch verse were happy imitations. A favourable specimen, “The Charms of Country Life,” is in the _Canadian Monthly_ of 1879, the others having appeared in newspapers, and, so far as is known, have never been collected. He is another illustration of the fallacy of Sidney Smith’s statement, that it requires a surgical operation to get a joke into a Scotchman’s head. Mr. Brymner’s work is gaining, year by year, in reputation with scholars and students. Dr. Poole, chairman of the American Historical Association, says that the archives “under the care of Mr. Brymner forms the most valuable collection of manuscripts for historical purposes to be found on this continent.” (_Library Journal_ for 1877, p. 458.) Dr. George Stewart, jr., president of the Literary and Historical Society of Quebec, says in _Canadian Leaves_, “Mr. Douglas Brymner has really created the department of archives, and made it one of the most efficient in the public service of Canada.” Other historical writers express the highest opinion of the value of the work in progress, and the annual reports are now eagerly looked for. * * * * * =Cameron, Allan=, M.D., Owen Sound, on the 30th December, 1830. His father, Daniel Allan Cameron, was the only son of Allan Cameron, at one time lieutenant and adjutant of H. B. M. 1st regiment of foot. His mother, Margaret Fisher Buchan, was a niece of the late James Ewing, of Strathleven. He was educated in Glasgow, at the Collegiate Institute and High School. He afterwards entered as a medical student at the Glasgow University, graduating in the year 1853 as Doctor of Medicine. In the following year he obtained the diploma of the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow, and coming to Canada, in 1854, was granted the provincial license to practice his profession in the province of Ontario. In 1886 was registered as a member of the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario, and is also a member of the Ontario College of Pharmacy. In 1873, he was appointed coroner for the county of Grey. He has held various offices in the Masonic lodge, and in the chapter, and also in the lodges of Oddfellows and Foresters. He was married in June, 1857, to Elizabeth Hartley, of Keighley, Yorkshire, England. * * * * * =Robertson, Henry=, LL.B., Barrister, Collingwood, Ontario, was born in the township of Whitchurch, county of York, in the province of Ontario, on the 31st May, 1840. He is of Scottish descent, his father being John Robertson, a native of Edinburgh, and his mother, Catherine Smith. He was educated at the Central School, Hamilton, and the Grammar School at Barrie. He then entered the University of Toronto, where he distinguished himself as a close student of law, and graduated as LL.B., in June, 1861. On being called to the bar in August, 1861, he commenced the practice of his profession at Collingwood, and succeeded in building up a good law practice, which he still continues in that enterprising town. He joined the volunteer force in 1868, and served as second lieutenant in the Collingwood garrison battery of artillery until 1870. In municipal matters he has always taken a prominent part, and has been a member of the Collingwood town council for several years, and deputy reeve in 1881 and 1882. He has also taken a deep interest in the educational wants of Collingwood and vicinity, and has served as member of the High School Board for six years, being chairman in 1873 and 1874; and also chairman of the Public School Board in 1877 and 1878. But it is in the fraternal societies of our Dominion that Mr. Robertson’s name is most widely known. He has filled the highest offices in the gift of the various societies he has joined, and from his knowledge of law has safely directed them over many a knotty point. In 1861 he joined the Masonic craft; in 1870 he was elected grand junior warder of the Grand Lodge of Canada; in 1872 and 1873 he was district deputy grand master of the Toronto district; in 1884 and 1885 he was elected deputy grand master, and in 1886 grand master of the Grand Lodge of Canada, and this position he still holds. He is the author of a work on Masonic jurisprudence. In the Independent Order of Oddfellows he has likewise held responsible positions, having joined that order in 1869, he was grand warden in 1880; deputy grand master in 1881, and grand master in
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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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