College, and in further preparation for the profession which he
had determined to make his life work, he studied for two and
a half years in hospitals for children, in Paris, under the
direction of such eminent men as Parrot, Bouchert, Simon and
Descroizilles. Since entering upon active practice in Montreal
his advancement has not only been continuous but rapid, winning
speedy recognition for his ability. He has served as a director
of the town dispensary of the Sisters of Providence, Montreal, an
institution in which many thousands of children have been treated
each year. He has also been physician of the Orphelinat St.
Alexis at the corner of Mignonne and St. Denis Streets, Montreal.
On the 10th of October, 1883, Dr. Asselin was married to Miss
Albina Laurier, daughter of Dr. Louis Laurier, and their family
numbers five children. Dr. Asselin is a conservative in politics
and in religious faith a Roman Catholic. He holds membership with
the Independent Order of Foresters, but his chief interest is
that of his profession. He gives untiringly of his service for
the benefit of mankind and is highly esteemed not only by his
colleagues but by the community generally.
LOUIS THEOPHILE MARECHAL.
In a profession where advancement depends entirely upon
individual merit, talent and ability Louis Theophile Marechal has
attained distinguished rank. Firmly entrenched in the principles
of jurisprudence, he adds to his forensic knowledge and ability
the rare gift of eloquence, which has been an effective force
in winning for him a high position in his profession. He
represents one of the old and distinguished French families
in the Montreal district. His birth occurred at St. Henri, near
Montreal, on the 13th of March, 1864, and in the pursuit of his
education he spent some time as a student in Montreal College
and in St. Mary’s (Jesuit) College. He afterward entered Laval
University, where he pursued his law course until graduated with
the class of 1889. The same year he was called to the bar and has
since practiced as an advocate of Montreal. He was made a king’s
counsel in 1903 and was appointed a councillor of the Montreal
bar for the year 1908-9. His advancement in his profession has
been continuous. He accurately applies law principles, being
seldom, if ever, at fault in the citation of a fact or legal
precedent. He speaks French and English with equal fluency and
has been gifted with oratorical power that enables him to sway
his hearers with the force of his eloquence. Moreover, his
statements are convincing, and his legal utterances are always
based upon a thorough understanding of the legal principles
involved.
Mr. Marechal was united in marriage to Marie, the only daughter
of Hon. C. B. de Boucherville, but lost his wife in death
in 1902. His recognition of the duties and obligations of
citizenship is manifest in many tangible ways. In politics he
is a conservative of the pronounced type. He unsuccessfully
contested St. Mary’s (Montreal) for the house of commons in the
general election of 1904 and was again a candidate for the same
seat in 1908. It is a recognized fact that he is a leader in
party ranks and has done much to mold public thought and action.
His religious faith is that of the Roman Catholic church. The
spirit of progress dominates him in all things, especially in his
professional and public relations, and his position of leadership
is one to which his ability, public spirit and eloquence have
brought him.
L. GEORGES BADEAUX, M. D.
Specializing in the treatment of diseases of the eye, ear, nose
and throat, Dr. Badeaux has won a merited place in his particular
branch of the medical profession. A native of Three Rivers,
Quebec, he is descended from a very old and prominent family, the
ancestry being traced back to 1630, when Jacques Badeaux, who
was one of the first notaries in Canada, settled at Beauport.
In the direct line from Jacques Badeaux to the subject of this
review, there were four notaries. The great-great-grandfather,
Jean Baptiste Badeaux, who resided at Three Rivers, was also an
author and journalist and among his literary productions was
a journal relating to the American Invasion in 1775. His son,
Joseph Badeaux, also a notary, was a member of the legislature
from Three Rivers at Quebec during the Revolution of 1837.
Dr. Georges Badeaux, his son, and grandfather of Dr. L. Georges
Badeaux, was a widely known physician of Three Rivers, where he
engaged in practice for fifty-five years, or until the time of
his death. He was the father of two sons and several daughters.
One of his sons, Joseph Badeaux, was a physician at Three Rivers,
but is now deceased. His only son is Dr. Joseph M. Badeaux, now
engaged in the practice of medicine as successor to his father
and grandfather.
Louis Badeaux, father of Dr. Badeaux, of this review, has always
resided at Three Rivers, where for more than a quarter of a
century he was engaged in the wholesale dry-goods business. He is
now living retired.
Dr. L. Georges Badeaux was born March 21, 1886, in Three Rivers
and acquired his classical education in St. Joseph’s College in
his native place. In 1906 he began the study of medicine at Laval
University, Quebec, and after spending two years there he entered
Laval University at Montreal, from which he was graduated with
the degree of M. D. in 1910.
He then began to make special study of the eye, ear, nose and
throat at the Hotel Dieu, being assistant there in the treatment
of the diseases of those organs. For the past three years Dr.
Badeaux has been an assistant in practice to Dr. Albert Lassalle,
the noted eye and ear specialist. For two years Dr. Badeaux was
a professor in the demonstration of anatomy at Laval and he is a
member of La Société Médicale de Montreal.
On the 28th of April, 1913, Dr. Badeaux was married in Montreal
to Anita Fellay, a daughter of Ernest Fellay, of this city, and
they have one child, Louis Jacques.
JAMES CHALMERS CAMERON, M. D.
Dr. James Chalmers Cameron, medical practitioner and educator of
Montreal, was for thirty-eight years actively connected with the
profession in this city, enjoying not only the respect of all
with whom he came in contact but also the love and affectionate
regard of those to whom he ministered in his professional
capacity by reason of his ready sympathy and thorough
understanding as well as his medical and surgical skill. Kindness
and helpfulness might be termed the keynote of his character and
those qualities constantly found expression in all the relations
of his life. Ontario was proud to number him among her native
sons, for as he developed his latent powers and energies he
gained a wide reputation. He was born at Aultsville, Ontario,
January 18, 1852, being the eldest son of Rev. James Y. Cameron,
of the Presbyterian church, who after receiving his education in
Edinburgh, under Dr. Thomas Chalmers, was actively connected with
the ministry in Canada for a number of years, but later withdrew
from that field to devote his energies to teaching. He conducted
a private academy in Lundy’s Lane for several years and was
later in turn principal of the Drummondville (Ont.) high school,
the Williamstown (Ont.) high school and for a couple of years
lecturer in classics and mathematics at the Presbyterian College,
Montreal. Rev. J. Y. Cameron married Charlotte Ann Ault in 1851.
Both husband and wife were descended from United Empire Loyalist
families, who had sacrificed their homes in the American colonies
to remain true to the British flag and settled in Glengarry.
Dr. Cameron began studying in the old Upper Canada College,
Toronto, and by reason of his aptitude and close application
became head boy of the school in 1870. He next entered McGill,
where in four years he became first prize man in medicine,
graduating in 1874. The succeeding three years were spent
in connection with the General Hospital in Montreal, but in
1877 he severed his connection with that institution and in
April of the same year sailed for Dublin, Ireland. He pursued
post-graduate courses in medicine and surgery in Berlin, Paris
and Vienna and thus he added greatly to his knowledge through
acquaintance with the methods of practice of the most eminent
physicians and surgeons of the old world. The chair of obstetrics
at Bishop’s College was offered to Dr. Cameron when he returned
from his first post-graduate course at the Rotunda and was at
once accepted. He remained there until the chair at McGill was
offered him, thus giving him wider opportunities. He became
professor of obstetrics and infants’ diseases at his alma mater,
holding that chair for twenty-six years and contributing in large
measure to the success of the medical department. He believed
always in raising the standards of medical education because of
his clear recognition of the responsibilities devolving upon the
practitioner and his labors and teachings were an inspiration to
all who came under his instruction. While professor at McGill
Dr. Cameron became associated with the old University Lying-in
Hospital, which later became the Montreal Maternity Hospital, and
Dr. Cameron’s work in behalf of that institution resulted largely
in bringing it to its present standard of modern excellence. It
was not only as practitioner and educator that Dr. Cameron became
widely known but also as a contributor to various text-books on
medicine, this gaining him a wide reputation. His treatises were
written in English, French and German. He was well known in the
United States and was elected an honorary fellow of the American
Gynecological Society, besides being a member of many other
leading societies connected with the medical profession. He was
a member of the British Medical Association and the Edinburgh
Obstetrical Society. For many years he was chief medical examiner
for the Equitable Life Assurance Society in Montreal. He gained
eminence as a lecturer on subjects of literary interest, his
addresses on Robert Louis Stevenson and Robert Burns being
especially well received.
Dr. Cameron was married in 1880 to Miss Elizabeth Jane Dakers,
daughter of James Dakers, who was for thirty-five years secretary
and manager of the Montreal Telegraph Company. Mrs. Cameron
survives with one son, Dakers Cameron, of Montreal. Dr. Cameron
is also survived by his mother and two brothers, Dr. John W.
Cameron, of Buffalo, New York, and Wellington Ault Cameron,
barrister, of Toronto.
The remarkable energy of Dr. Cameron found expression along
other lines. He was for a time assistant surgeon of the Sixth
Fusiliers. His name was on the membership role of the St. James
and University Clubs and in 1874 he was initiated into Royal
Albert Lodge, A. F. & A. M. Subsequently he became the principal
mover in establishing the University Lodge, A. F. & A. M., which
has rapidly grown in influence and includes many university
graduates and students of McGill. He was the first worshipful
master of this lodge and also an officer of the grand lodge of
Quebec. In Masonry he attained the thirty-second degree. As
specially appointed medical examiner for the German army, Dr.
Cameron held a position unique in Canadian history, an honor
which he valued very highly. He was also a member of the Teutonia
Club. Dr. Cameron died suddenly on March 16, 1912. The funeral
services were conducted according to Masonic rites, the religious
ceremony taking place at St. Paul’s Presbyterian church, of which
he was a member. One of the local papers said: “His every patient
became his friend and his death is a loss to thousands.” The news
of his demise, indeed, carried a sense of personal bereavement
into many homes where his eminent skill and kindly ministrations
had made him loved and honored. In all of his professional
relations he approached the ideal because of his comprehensive
knowledge and still more because of his deep human interest and
sympathy. He regarded it as a sacred privilege and obligation to
discharge the duties of his profession and his life embodied the
thought of the philosopher who has said: “Not the good that comes
to us but the good that comes to the world through us is the
measure of our success.”
JOSEPH VENNE.
On the list of architects who have had to do with the building
of Montreal appears the name of Joseph Venne, senior member of
the well known firm of Venne & Labelle, and those who are to
any extent familiar with the building operations that have been
carried on here in the last third of a century know that he has
figured prominently as one whose work combines the indispensable
qualities of utility, comfort, convenience and adornment. He was
born in Montreal, June 14, 1859, was educated in the Christian
Brothers school of this city and, being a diligent student,
creditably passed his examinations.
[Illustration: JOSEPH VENNE]
After putting aside his text-books he entered the office of
Perrault & Mesnard, architects, and for many years was their
head clerk. The high regard entertained for him by his employers
is indicated in the advancement that came to him from time to
time and his eventual admission to the firm under the style
of Perrault, Mesnard & Venne, which partnership continued for
several years when it was dissolved. Since 1912 he has been
associated with Louis Labelle.
In 1882 Mr. Venne was united in marriage to Miss P. Boucher, a
daughter of S. Boucher, Esq., of Montreal. A Roman Catholic in
religious faith, he belongs to the St. Jean Baptiste Society
and has been president of the Sacred Heart section. In politics
he is a liberal. Along professional lines his connection is
with the provincial Association of Architects, and through his
identification with that organization he keeps in touch with the
advanced work and progressive ideas of representative men of the
profession and also contributes from his experience and wisdom to
its discussions and conferences.
NIEL H. ASSELIN.
The name of Niel H. Asselin has become a familiar one in
commercial circles in Montreal, where he occupies the important
and responsible position of general agent of the Singer Sewing
Machine Company for eastern Canada. He was born in 1845 at
St. Michel, Bellechase county, in the province of Quebec, and
supplemented his preliminary education by study in the St. Michel
Commercial College. He reached what may be termed his métier by
a somewhat circuitous course. He started with the Grand Trunk
Railway in the position of operator and stationmaster at Hadlow
in 1863 and left that position to accept one in the office
of the prothonotary for the Quebec district, in which capacity
he served for six years. He then resigned to travel in the boot
and shoe trade, and in 1874 came into active connection with the
sewing machine business as representative of the Howe Sewing
Machine Company. When this went into liquidation he made his way
to the United States and joined the sales force of the Wheeler &
Wilson & Domestic Sewing Machine Company.
Upon returning to Canada in 1884, Mr. Asselin entered the employ
of the White Sewing Machine Company as its representative in
Quebec, the maritime provinces and Newfoundland. In 1891 he
joined the Singer Sewing Machine Company at Quebec as its manager
for half of the province and a part of New Brunswick. In 1903 he
was advanced to the position of superintendent and in 1905 became
general agent for all eastern Canada, comprising Quebec, New
Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia and Newfoundland,
with headquarters in the Board of Trade building in Montreal.
Here with an office staff of fifteen under his control and
twenty-eight regular shops, thirty-two contract shops and four
hundred outside employes under his jurisdiction, he may well be
said to hold the blue ribbon position in sewing machine circles
in Canada.
Mr. Asselin has a fluent command of both English and French
and is a cultured, genial gentleman, whose popularity arises
from attractive social qualities as well as pronounced business
ability.
ROBERT T. MULLIN.
Robert T. Mullin, one of the able and successful advocates in
Montreal, is a representative of a well known Canadian family
whose members settled in the Dominion about 1810. He was born
in 1870 at Bryson, province of Quebec, and after completing his
preliminary education, entered McGill University at Montreal. He
was graduated from the law department in 1896, with first rank
honors, and he was also a gold medallist in Roman law in his
graduating year. While at McGill, Mr. Mullin was a member of the
Literary and Debating Society and was also editor in chief of the
“McGill Fortnightly.” He was called to the bar in 1900, beginning
the practice of his profession in this city in partnership with
Colonel J. P. Cooke, who later became registrar, the firm name
being Cooke & Mullin. This connection was productive of mutually
beneficial results and was maintained until 1910 when it was
dissolved. Mr. Mullin later was a member of the firm of De
Boucherville, Mullin & Mathieu, but since 1912 he has been alone
in practice. Mr. Mullin is at all times a strong and forceful
practitioner, well versed in underlying legal principles and
possessed of the insight, keenness of perception and powers of
deduction necessary to make his knowledge effective. He controls
a large and important clientage and is very successful in its
conduct, standing today in the front ranks of reliable and
competent advocates in Montreal.
At the inception of the Cobalt mining activities, Mr. Mullin
became interested in various mining properties, and he has had
considerable success along this line of industry and has played a
conspicuous part in the development of various mining properties.
His operations have been so successful that his judgment has been
profitably followed by others in the mining world.
Mr. Mullin is connected with the Masonic fraternity and with the
Benevolent Protective Order of Elks and is active in the affairs
of the local branches of both organizations. Mr. Mullin has done
valiant service in the ranks of the liberal party. He has always
been an enthusiastic supporter of Sir Wilfrid Laurier and ready
to respond to his party’s call at any time. In the city where
practically his entire active life has been passed his signal
ability has gained him the respect of his professional brethren,
while his constant courtesy and sterling qualities of character
command everywhere high honor and regard.
J. A. ST. JULIEN, K. C.
J. A. St. Julien, K. C., was a member of the prominent and well
known law firm of St. Julien & Theberge, having offices at No. 60
Notre Dame Street East. During the years of his connection with
the Montreal bar he attained an enviable place in the practice of
his profession.
Mr. St. Julien was a native son of Montreal, born in 1855.
Liberal educational opportunities qualified him for important
professional service. His early studies were supplemented by a
course in the Montreal College, Laval University and in McGill
University and from the last named institution he was graduated
with the degree of B. C. L. He entered upon the active practice
of his chosen profession in 1882 and was continuously before
the courts from that time until his death. His ability was
pronounced for he was ever a careful and discriminating student
of the principles of law and was accurate in the application
thereof. His devotion to his clients’ interests was proverbial,
yet he never forgot that he owed a still higher allegiance to
the majesty of the law, and neither the zeal of an advocate nor
the pleasure of success permitted him to disregard this. His
political allegiance was given to the liberal party, but he was
never an aspirant for office, preferring to concentrate his
energies upon his professional interests and perform his public
service as a private citizen. His death occurred May 4, 1914, and
was deeply regretted by all who knew him. In his demise Montreal
lost one of her foremost representatives of the legal profession
and a citizen who was always loyal to his city.
HON. CHARLES LAURENDEAU.
Hon. Charles Laurendeau, chief city attorney, the head of the
city’s legal department, is one of the able members of the legal
profession in Montreal. The Hon. Mr. Laurendeau belongs to one of
the oldest families in the province of Quebec. He was born at St.
Barthelemy, in 1865, and was educated at L’Assomption College and
Laval University. In the latter institution he pursued the study
of law and was graduated with the LL. B. degree in 1892.
In the same year he began practice as an advocate, and rapidly
won a foremost position among his colleagues until his ability
and power to successfully cope with the intricate and involved
problems of jurisprudence became widely known.
He was at one time associated in practice with Justice Fortin,
subsequently becoming the head of the law firm of Laurendeau,
Pelletier & Pelletier. He was created king’s counsel in 1906, and
on July 6, 1910, was honored with the appointment of puisne judge
of the superior court of the province of Quebec.
Advancement at the bar is proverbially slow and yet he has
progressed step by step, putting his knowledge to the practical
test in his application of legal principles to the points at
issue, in which connection he is seldom at fault.
Judge Laurendeau resigned his position on the bench, to accept
the far more arduous one of city attorney, to which he was
appointed October 26, 1913.
Judge Laurendeau is married to Miss Georgina Beaudet, the
eldest daughter of G. J. Beaudet, of Coteau-du-Lac, P. Q. Judge
and Mrs. Laurendeau hold membership in the Catholic church.
The hospitality of their attractive home is enjoyed by many
friends, and Judge Laurendeau is well known and honored among his
professional colleagues by reason of his strict conformity to the
highest ethics of the law.
WILL. H. WHYTE.
Will. H. Whyte, prominent and successful in the insurance
profession and an eminent representative of Masonry in Canada,
was born in Montreal, March 15, 1850, the eldest son of the late
James Whyte of “The Greenlaw,” Paisley, Scotland, and Annie Gray
(Shanks) Whyte, whose girlhood home was at Berwick on Tweed.
Will. H. Whyte became a student at the Montreal Collegiate school
and entered business circles in connection with the wholesale
dry-goods house of Ogilvy & Company. The steps in his orderly
progression are easily discernible and his course has been marked
by a continuous advance along lines of constantly broadening
activity and usefulness. For six years he was business manager
of the Montreal Herald when the Hon. Peter Mitchell was the
principal owner and president. Since 1897 his attention has been
given to the insurance business, and his constantly expanding
powers have brought him into prominent relations with the
profession. He is now secretary-treasurer and underwriter of the
Royal Marine Insurance Company of Montreal.