and Minnie (Falk) Davis, the former the founder of the firm of
Samuel Davis & Sons, manufacturers and importers of cigars at
Montreal. Mortimer B. Davis completed his education in the high
school of his native city and early became associated with his
father in business, receiving thorough training that acquainted
him with every phase of the trade. He went upon the road as a
traveling salesman and eventually was advanced to the position
of manager after the firm had acquired the D. Ritchie Tobacco
factory. He controlled the business most systematically and,
finally, when it had been absorbed by the formation of the
American Tobacco Company of Canada in 1895, he became president
of the company and so continues. Later he gave to the country
a great national industry in the Empire Tobacco Company, which
is a branch of the Imperial Tobacco Company of Canada. He was
largely instrumental in establishing a permanent market for
Canada leaf tobacco and promoting trade interests in his line
between this and other lands. Something of the volume of business
under his control is indicated in the fact that there are now
three thousand workmen in his factories. No undertaking in
connection with the tobacco trade seems too difficult or its
scope too broad for him to successfully manage and control. Every
effort which he puts forth seems to count for the utmost and
obstacles and difficulties in his path seem but an impetus for
renewed concentration and direction. His opinions carry weight
in the management of other important financial, commercial and
agricultural interests.
On the 12th of June, 1898, Mr. Davis was married to Miss
Henrietta Myers, and they have one son. Mr. Davis belongs to the
Royal Montreal Golf Club, and also holds membership in the Mount
Royal, St. James, Montreal Hunt and Montreal Jockey Clubs, the
Auto Club of Canada and the Forest and Stream Club, associations
which indicate something of the nature of his interests and
activities and which have brought about a well rounded character,
justifying the expression of the Gazette, which termed him “a man
of strength, vigor, capacity and wisdom.”
RENE ALPHONSE JOSEPH PIGEON.
René Alphonse Joseph Pigeon, patent solicitor of Montreal,
member of the firm of Pigeon, Pigeon & Davis, was born at
Billingsbridge, near Ottawa, on the 11th of July, 1890. The
ancestral line can be traced back to Pierre Pigeon, who was
born in 1636 and was married in Montreal to Jeanne Godart, who
was born in 1638. Their marriage occurred in 1662, twenty years
after the foundation of Montreal. Representatives of succeeding
generations have lived in or near Montreal, some going to
Laprairie and others to Verchères. The father, Hormisdas Honoré
Pigeon, was born at Verchères, in Verchères county, P. Q., and
after having lived for some years in the United States removed to
Ottawa, where he has now been engaged in business for more than
thirty years. He married Marie Tremblay who was born at Baie St.
Paul, Charlevoix county, and was married in 1889. The Tremblays
were among the earliest settlers of that section.
[Illustration: RENE A. J. PIGEON]
René Alphonse J. Pigeon was a student in the University
of Ottawa, completing his studies there in 1907. He
afterward studied mechanics and electricity and entered
upon his professional career as draftsman in the office of
Fetherstonhaugh, Dennison & Blackmore, patent solicitors at
Ottawa. After a year he was promoted to the position of manager
of their Ottawa office and was in the employ of that firm
for four years. In 1912 he left them to establish himself in
business in Montreal as a member of the present firm of Pigeon,
Pigeon & Davis. Previous experience and thorough collegiate
and professional training have well qualified him for the
responsibilities, activities and duties of the profession. He
is a typical young man of the age, alert, enterprising and
progressive and is now at the head of a large, growing and
successful business.
REV. JOSEPH N. O. DUPUIS, D. D., D. C. L.
In the life of the Catholic church of Canada Rev. Joseph Nazaire
Odilon Dupuis occupies a foremost position as inspector and
visitor of a number of parish schools which are attended by over
thirty thousand children. He was chosen to this important office
in 1913 by twenty-seven school commissions in Montreal which
are formed into an association, and has done fruitful work in
promoting education in the city.
Rev. Dupuis was born at Montreal on the 16th of December, 1871,
and is a son of Nazaire Dupuis, founder of the commercial house
of Dupuis Frères, and of Alphonsine (St. Onge) Dupuis. He pursued
his classical studies at the College of Montreal and in June,
1890, entered ecclesiastical orders. He was ordained priest
by Monseigneur Fabre on August 30, 1896. From 1896 to 1899 he
studied at the Canadian College of Rome, Italy, returning from
there with the degree of Doctor of Theology, bestowed by the
propaganda in 1898, and the degree of Doctor of Canon Law,
bestowed in 1899 by Apollinaire College. From 1899 to 1900 he
studied at the Catholic Institute of Paris and at the Sorbonne.
In the latter year he returned to Canada, becoming vicar of the
Church of St. Jacques at Montreal, where he remained until 1902,
when he was attached to the congregation St. Louis de France,
remaining until 1904. He was appointed almoner of the Convent of
the Sisters of the Sacred Heart of the Sault au Récollet, where
he remained for about nine years. At the same time he acted as
chaplain at the Crèche of the Sisters of Miséricorde. In 1913
he was chosen by twenty-seven school commissions of Montreal,
formed into an association, as a visitor and inspector of all
the schools under the control of these commissions, having under
his jurisdiction thirty thousand children divided over forty
different parishes and eighty-two schools. Rev. Dupuis was one of
the founders of Lafontaine Council of the Knights of Columbus. He
is life governor of Notre Dame Hospital and is professor at Laval
University and the author of several lecture papers. He has been
heard as a preacher in nearly all of the churches of Montreal.
Rev. Dupuis is a great lover of fine arts and literature and
spent his last holidays in Italy and Spain, paying especial
attention to the masterpieces of those countries.
HARRY HAYWARD HENSHAW.
Harry Hayward Henshaw, whose name was well known in electrical
circles died in Montreal, his native city, May 15, 1908. He was
born in 1865, a son of Joshua Henshaw, who for many years was
paymaster with the Grand Trunk Railway. His mother bore the
maiden name of Jane Fayrer and in the family were two sons and a
daughter: Charles G., now living in Vancouver; Harry Hayward; and
Lady Williams Taylor.
After pursuing his education in Montreal schools, Harry Hayward
Henshaw obtained a position with the Grand Trunk Railway
and afterward spent twenty years with the Royal Electric
Company, gaining intimate and comprehensive knowledge of the
various phases of the business, during the two decades of his
identification therewith. When the Royal Electric Company became
a part of the amalgamation forming the Montreal Light, Heat
& Power Company he became secretary and treasurer of the new
company, remaining thus for many years, on the expiration of
which period he became manager of the Allis-Chalmers Company,
manufacturers of electric machinery. He had been with them
for only a few months when ill health forced him to resign.
Throughout almost the entire period of his business career he
was connected with electrical interests and came to be a leading
figure in electrical circles.
In Montreal in 1895 Mr. Henshaw was married to Florence Thompson
Christie, a daughter of Peter M. and Margaret (Thompson)
Christie, the latter being a daughter of Edward Thompson, a
prominent citizen of Montreal serving as alderman from the Centre
ward and rendering the city much valuable service. He was mainly
instrumental in the widening of Notre Dame Street during his term
of office, and in recognition of his efforts for this work he was
publicly presented with a handsome silver service on Christmas
Day, 1859. The paternal grandfather of Mrs. Henshaw, William
Christie, came to this city at an early day and was active in the
soap manufacturing business until late in life when he retired.
He was a prominent church man, being for forty years an elder in
St. Paul’s church. To Mr. and Mrs. Henshaw was born a daughter,
Margaret Fayrer. Mr. Henshaw was a member of St. James Club,
Forest and Stream Club, and the Royal St. Lawrence Yacht Club. He
belonged to the English Cathedral church and was interested in
all that pertained to the city’s development and progress, along
material, social and moral lines. His life measured up to high
standards of manhood and citizenship and commanded for him the
respect, confidence and good-will of those who knew him.
GEORGE CREAK.
George Creak, senior member of the firm of Creak, Cushing
& Hodgson, chartered accountants, was born and educated in
London, England. His parents were George and Maria Creak, of
Clapham, London. For many years he was secretary and treasurer
of the Merchants Cotton Company, began practice as a chartered
accountant in 1895 and is now at the head of the above firm.
Mr. Creak is a member of the Association of Accountants of
Montreal and is a fellow of the Dominion Association of Chartered
Accountants. He is a Freeman of the city of London and is a
member of the Goldsmiths’ Company, as were his father and
grandfather before him. Mr. Creak belongs to the Anglican church
and is a member of the Mount Royal Club, the Canada Club, the Art
Association of Montreal, the Montreal Hunt Club, and the Board of
Trade.
WILLIAM ERNEST FINDLAY.
Since entering business life William Ernest Findlay has devoted
his attention uninterruptedly to the insurance profession, and
his success is due to his close application, indefatigable
energy and thorough understanding of every phase of the business
in which he has so long been engaged. Montreal claims him as a
native citizen, his birth having here occurred April 26, 1867,
his parents being Captain Jonathan D. G. Findlay, R. N. and
Mary (Forbes) Findlay, both now deceased. The son acquired his
education in the model and private schools and, as previously
stated, became connected with the insurance profession upon his
entrance into business life. He was manager and inspector of
the Northern Life Insurance Company and in 1906 was advanced
to the position of general secretary, which he later resigned
to devote his entire attention to his other interests. In his
connection with the Northern Life he did much to shape the
policy of the company and direct its activities, and its success
is attributable in considerable measure to his efforts, sound
judgment and ready understanding of the different phases of the
business. He is now chief agent for Canada of the Niagara Fire
Insurance Company of New York, and also for the province of
Quebec for the Springfield Fire and Marine Insurance Company and
is an authority on fire prevention and underwriting.
On the 8th of February, 1897, Mr. Findlay was married to Laura
Brockwill Grier, a daughter of William Grier, of Montreal,
in which city they have since resided. Mr. Findlay has an
interesting military chapter in his life record, having in 1891
been appointed second lieutenant of the Sixth Regiment Fusiliers.
The following year brought him advancement to the rank of captain
and in 1904 he became a member of the Corps Reserve. He holds a
first class certificate from the Royal School of Infantry. He is
a justice of the peace and commissioner of the superior court.
He is a life member of Royal Victoria Lodge, No. 57, A. F. & A.
M., and a director of the Montreal Amateur Athletic Association.
He is honorary secretary-treasurer of the Canadian branch of the
Royal Caledonian Curling Club and has always been much interested
in athletic affairs.
WALTER NORTON EVANS.
Church activities vied with business interests in claiming the
attention and energies of Walter Norton Evans, who died on the
23d of October, 1896. He was born at Wolverhampton, England, in
1837, and after pursuing his education there, came as a young
man to Canada. His father, Samuel Norton Evans, also a native of
England, crossed the Atlantic to the American continent and spent
the last years of his life in retirement in Guelph, Ontario. In
business circles Walter N. Evans made for himself a creditable
place. He became cashier of the firm of Frothingham & Workman,
and was one of the executives of the Thomas Workman building.
His identification with the above interests covered a period
of nearly a third of a century. His name became a synonym for
reliability as well as energy in business circles. Men came to
know that they could depend upon him, that what he promised he
would do and that he would improve his opportunities not only for
his own benefit but for the welfare of those things in which he
was concerned.
In 1864 Mr. Evans was married in Montreal to Miss Nora Hunter,
a daughter of the Rev. Stephenson Hunter, a minister of the
Unitarian church of England. They became parents of five
children: Nevil Norton Evans, professor of chemistry in McGill
University; Mabel Norton, who is Mrs. George. C. Wright, of
Ottawa; Dr. Percy Norton Evans, professor of chemistry in Purdue
University, at Lafayette, Indiana; Lillian Norton, the wife of
Professor Henry Martyn MacKay, head of the civil engineering
department at McGill University; and Miss Gladys Norton Evans, at
home.
Mr. Evans was deeply interested in affairs of public moment,
kept well informed concerning the claims of vital interest and
gave his indorsement to many measures that are a matter of
civic virtue and civic pride. For many years he was prominently
and actively connected with the Unitarian church and for a long
period served as superintendent of its Sunday school. High were
the ideals which his life activities embodied and the name which
he left to posterity is an honored one.
HON. LAURENT OLIVIER DAVID.
Hon. Laurent Olivier David, senator and journalist, possesses
a statesmanlike grasp of affairs that has enabled him to
handle important public questions in a manner that has largely
influenced public opinion. Prominent and active, however, as he
has been in the field of journalism and in politics, literature
is perhaps his real life work and his writings will endure for
years to come, especially the important historical volumes of
which he is the author. A native of Sault au Récollet, Quebec, he
was born March 24, 1840, a son of Major Stanislas and Elizabeth
(Tremblay) David. He pursued his education in St. Therese College
and after thorough preparation for law practice was called to
the bar in 1864. While yet a law student he entered the field
of newspaper publication in the founding of Le Colonisateur,
to which he was a contributor. He would undoubtedly have won
prominence in the practice of law had he continued in that
field, but the trend of his mind was rather for the discussion
of public questions of vital significance and far-reaching
importance. He was particularly interested in the question of
the impending confederation which so altered the destiny of the
Dominion. It was during the period of his early manhood that he
became associated with Sir Wilfrid Laurier, and the friendship
then formed between them has since existed. There was little
indication at that period to show that Laurier, the young lawyer,
who was forced to practice the most rigid economy, would in
future years, as prime minister, guide the destinies of his
country. Long after he had risen to prominence Mr. David became
his biographer, his history of the eminent liberal leader being
marked by delicate sympathy, inner knowledge and keen and subtle
appreciation of character.
Continuing his activity in the journalistic field, Mr. David,
in 1870, established and became chief editor of an illustrated
weekly called L’Opinion Publique, which he left because he
objected to the paper’s supporting the government on the question
of the Pacific scandal. He made in that circumstance an important
sacrifice of his personal interest. In this enterprise he was
associated with Messrs. Mousseau and Desbarats. In 1874, in
association with the late C. Beausoleil, M. P., he established Le
Bien Public, which he discontinued when the Mackenzie government
refused to raise the tariff more than a relatively small per
cent, which Mr. David thought insufficient in view of the
financial crisis then prevailing. His newspaper career as well
as his natural interest brought him into close connection with
the important political and other significant questions of the
day, and his discussion thereof through the columns of the press
did not a little in formulating public policy. His presentation
of any subject was always clear and cogent. There was a piquant
and compelling force in his style, and the development of his
native powers and talents in the field of literature has made
him one of Canada’s foremost representatives in authorship.
During the brief interval between two epochs in his newspaper
publication he acted as translator and assistant clerk of the
votes and deliberations of the house of commons during the
Mackenzie regime. This was the initial step of his activity in
public office. He resigned the position in 1878 and afterward
successfully practiced his profession in Montreal. In May, 1892,
Mr. David was called to the office of city clerk of Montreal and
was one of the revisers who drafted a new charter for the city in
1898.
[Illustration: HON. LAURENT O. DAVID]
In the meantime he was taking an active part in the discussion of
many questions relative to the provincial and national welfare.
Originally a supporter of the conservative party, he withdrew
therefrom to join L’Union Nationale, an organization of young
men pledged to oppose the confederacy of the provinces. Later
he joined the liberal party under Dorion, Holton and Laflamme
and was in full accord with their policy on all questions save
that of protection to native industries, which he had always
favored. For many years he has been an unswerving supporter
of Sir Wilfrid Laurier, enjoying his personal friendship and
political confidence in a supreme degree. In 1867 and 1875
he unsuccessfully contested Hochelaga (local) at the general
election, and in 1878 contested Hochelaga for the house of
commons, while in 1891 he contested Montreal East for the house
of commons. He sat for Montreal East in the legislature from 1886
until 1890, when he retired because he was not entirely in accord
with the policy of Mr. Mercier, his local leader. On the 19th of
June, 1903, he was called to the senate by Lord Minto and has
since taken an active part in shaping the legislative history
of the country along the lines of progressive statesmanship.
He moved the address in reply to the speech from the throne in
1905, and his speech was highly appreciated by the whole Canadian
press. He has since moved on the subject of senate reform and on
the subject of concerted measures for the restriction in Canada
of indecent and immoral literature, and other subjects of vital
interest to the general public. He declined appointment to the
lieutenant governorship of the Northwest and it is said that he
would have been appointed judge if he had been willing to accept
the charge. He was also offered a judgeship in Montreal and
refused.
It would be difficult to determine which has been the most
important feature in the life record of the Hon. Laurent O.
David. Much of his time has been devoted to authorship, in which
field he has had marked influence aside from that which he has
exerted in journalism. From his pen have come various important
historical works, the titles and dates of publication being as
follows: Biographies et Portraits (1876); Le Heros de Chateauguay
(1883); Les Patriotes de 1837-8 (1884); Mes Contemporains (1894);
Les Deux Papineau (1896), Le Clergé Canadien (do.), condemned
at Rome and placed on the Index because of the strong position
which he took against the intervention of the priest in political
matters; L’Union de Deux Canadas 1841-67 (1898); Le Drapeau de
Carillon, a drama (1901); Laurier et son Temps (1905); Histoire
du Canada depuis la Confédération; and Souvenirs et Biographies
(1910). He has also lately published biographies of Charles Le
Moyne and of his illustrious sons, d’Iberville, de Bienville,
etc. These biographies first appeared in La Presse but will later
be issued in book form. He has frequently addressed the public
from the platform on such important subjects as National Unity,
A Page of Canadian History, etc., and is recognized as one of
Canada’s most graceful and instructive writers as well as a much
admired public speaker. The Toronto Club has characterized him as
“a man of fine literary attainments and high views of national
life” and the Toronto News wrote of him, “a man of sincere and
enlightened views, excellent abilities and thoroughly informed
upon public questions.”
Mr. David was married in 1868 to Mlle. Albina Chenet, who died
in July, 1887. In 1892 he wedded Mlle. Ludivine Garceau. His
children numbered one son and nine daughters. Next to his home,
he holds dear the public interests and is prominently identified
with the Society for the Protection of Women and Children of
the province of Quebec. He is deeply and helpfully interested
in all measures which seek the betterment of the community, and
endeavors to shape the public welfare according to the highest
ideals. He is a fellow of the Royal Society of Canada and a
knight of the Legion of Honor of France, having been appointed
in 1911. He has deep attachment for the institutions of his
native land, and it has been said of him that “next to his love
of Canada is his love for the flag which protects him and his
race in all that they hold dear and precious.” He often gives
expression to his admiration for the English constitution and
does not cease to repeat that it is the most perfect political
system of government made by man. He has membership in the
Canadian Club and in the Roman Catholic church. From early
life he has been deeply interested in the conservation of the
French language and customs, especially since the opening of
the Northwest, which event seemed to threaten the extinction
of the French-Canadians by foreign populations. Accordingly he
associated himself with St. Jean Baptiste and other national
societies, and it was as president of St. Jean Baptiste Society
that he labored to erect the Monument National. Although
considered a sincere patriot by his countrymen his patriotism
is not narrow, and he is always ready to admire what is done by
other people for the advancement and honor of their nationality.
He often repeats that the existence of different nationalities
in a country is an element of progress and civilization and that
Canada cannot but benefit by the work along different lines of
the representatives of two of the greatest nations of the world;
that the maintenance of French nationality does not conflict with
the keeping of British institutions. In his present position
as city clerk of Montreal he has displayed admirable fitness
resulting from habits of precision and wide knowledge of the
civic situation, combined with the courtesy, urbanity and quiet
dignity which have ever been among his marked characteristics. He
has enjoyed widespread confidence in this position, discharging
his duties without regard to partisanship, and the most
malevolent have never dared to assail the integrity and honor of
his course. His utterances may stir to public thought and action
and then, having accomplished their purpose, are in a measure
forgotten. His position as an author, however, is established
for all time, and in this connection the Montreal Standard has
written:
“As a writer he has gained the highest distinction. Like
Keats, he has an instinct for fine words. As Goldwin Smith is
in English, so Mr. David, among French-Canadians, is the most
exquisite writer of his generation. Perhaps the chief charm of
his prose lies in its exceeding clarity, and clearness is the
first quality in a French writer. There is no man in Canada today
who can better propound a synthesis; that also is a luminous
feature of his style. But for elegance and clearness he has among
his compatriots achieved a position of unique pre-eminence.”
ADRIEN LAFONTAINE.