yet he has, perhaps, an even wider acquaintance through his
Masonic associations. Indeed, few Canadian Masons are better
known throughout the Masonic world. He was initiated in Prince
Consort Lodge, No. 52, and was installed worshipful master in
December, 1876. He was elected to a number of important offices
in the grand lodge and became grand secretary of the grand lodge
of Quebec in January, 1902. He has passed through the various
branches of Royal Arch Masonry and was grand first principal
Z. of the grand chapter of Quebec, holding the office for the
years 1888-9. He has held the office of grand scribe E. from
1893. He received the Cryptic degrees and has been illustrious
grand master of the grand council of the maritime provinces.
He was knighted as a Knight Templar in 1882 and was supreme
grand master in 1895 and 1896 of the sovereign great priory of
Canada and has been grand chancellor since 1897. He was the
second Knight Templar to be elected an honorary member of the
grand encampment, K. T., of the United States at the triennial
conclave in Chicago in 1910. He is a member of the Ancient Arabic
Order of the Mystic Shrine and of the Royal Order of Scotland.
The many important offices he has held, as well as his reviews
and historical sketches have brought him very prominently before
the Masonic craft for many years.
In former years Mr. Whyte was an active athlete and supporter
of amateur athletics. He was one of the founders and is the
historian of the Montreal Amateur Athletic Association. He has
also served as one of its directors. He was likewise president
of the Montreal Lacrosse Club in 1885-6; was vice president and
secretary for six years of the Montreal Snowshoe Club; is one
of the oldest members of the Dominion Commercial Travelers’
Association; is a life member of the Caledonian Society; a member
of St. Andrew’s Society; and of the Board of Trade of Montreal.
On the 3d of January, 1882, Mr. Whyte married Almeda Garratt, a
daughter of the late Captain Robert Nelson Garratt of Kingston,
Ontario, a representative of one of the families longest
connected with the history of the city of Kingston. They are
members of the American Presbyterian church, and they delight
in dispensing the hospitality of their home at No. 4290 Western
Avenue, Westmount.
JAMES PATON.
James Paton, a well known citizen of Montreal, died November 17,
1905. He was born in this city in 1853, a son of Laird Paton, a
distinguished citizen of Montreal, who was at the head of the
firm of Laird Paton & Sons, contractors.
It was to that business that James Paton turned his attention,
when his school days were over, joining his father and acquainting
himself with every phase of the business in which he was destined
to win substantial success. The firm of Laird Paton & Sons
took high rank among the contractors of the city and erected
many of Montreal’s best buildings. James Paton was capable of
watching and directing the slightest detail as well as the most
important features of his business and could turn with equal
energy and enthusiasm to sporting events. In a word, he had the
power of concentrating his entire energy upon the interest of
the moment and it was this that gained him prominence along each
line. Whenever the name of James Paton was seen in connection
with any sport, it was a guarantee that it was clean and honest
and he rendered great service to the city in the promotion of
amateur sports. He belonged to the Montreal Amateur Athletic
Association and was one of the moving spirits in the development
of that organization and in the efforts which eventually
lead to the securing of the present handsome quarters of the
organization on Peel Street. He was also instrumental in securing
the establishment of its swimming-pool and he belonged to the
Montreal and Caledonian Curling Clubs, was always ready to take
an active part in the water carnivals, and was a favorite of
the membership in the different organizations with which he was
identified. He found pleasure and manifested marked proficiency
in ice-boating and tobogganing. He loved sailing and seemed a
born sailor, displaying great ability in managing his craft and
taking part in many sailing contests of note.
[Illustration: JAMES PATON]
Mr. Paton married Miss Annie M. Thompson of Ottawa and they had
four children. He was but fifty-two years of age at the time
of his death. He possessed in a large measure the quality of
camaraderie and his friends were legion so that his death was
deeply regretted outside the immediate family circle.
RICHEMONT LE MOYNE DE MARTIGNY.
Richemont Le Moyne de Martigny, for many years engaged in the
real-estate business in Montreal, was born at Varennes, Quebec,
September 25, 1852, and is descended from a distinguished French
family that was founded in Canada in 1654. Of the three brothers
who first crossed the Atlantic to the new world Charles became
governor of Montreal, Jacques established himself at Varennes and
was a farmer and active participant in the early Indian wars,
while Pierre proceeded westward to what is now Detroit.
Prime de Martigny, father of Richemont Le Moyne de Martigny, was
a farmer at Varennes, well known in both military and official
connections, serving as colonel of the militia and mayor of
Varennes. He married Charlotte Perreault, of Quebec, and their
sons were: Prime, a physician of Omaha, Nebraska; Richemont
Le Moyne; and Alexander, chief engineer of the Ottawa River
Navigation Company.
The second son was educated at L’Assomption College and studied
law with La Coste & Globesky, of Montreal. In 1881 he was
admitted to the bar and practiced his profession until 1885, when
he devoted himself to the real-estate business, in which he has
since been successfully engaged. It is generally conceded that
he is one of the best informed men on real estate in the entire
province. He is an expert valuator of property, and his knowledge
of the real-estate market embraces every important piece of
property that is offered for sale. A spirit of enterprise
characterizes all of his business dealings and, guiding his
activities, has brought him to a position of distinction and
success.
In 1880 Mr. de Martigny was married, in L’Assomption, to Marie
Louise Levesque, and they have one daughter, Jacqueline. Mr. de
Martigny is a conservative in politics and in religious faith is
a Roman Catholic. He has ever been fond of outdoor life, is an
enthusiastic fisherman and spends much of his leisure in engaging
in that sport.
HON. NAPOLEON CHARBONNEAU, K. C.
Hon. Napoleon Charbonneau, K. C., and a puisne judge of the
superior court of the province of Quebec since 1903, was
admitted to the bar in 1879 and in the intervening period has
made continuous progress in his profession until he is today one
of the leaders of the provincial bar. He was born at Cote des
Neiges, Quebec, on the 12th of February, 1853, his parents being
Augustin and Julienne (Dufort) Charbonneau. In the acquirement
of his education he attended Montreal College and after thorough
preparation for the bar was admitted to practice in 1879 and
entered upon the active work of the profession in Montreal. At
one time he was a partner of the late Senator Trudel and of
the Hon. L. O. Taillon. He has successfully pleaded before the
judicial committee of the privy council, and on the 11th of
March, 1903, he was made a puisne judge, remaining continuously
upon the bench to the present time. The Montreal Standard speaks
of him as “a judge of uncommon perspicacity, thoroughly sound in
his law and swift in his perception of relevant facts and issues;
there are not two opinions as to his ability.”
Judge Charbonneau’s public activity aside from his service on the
bench has been partially in connection with political affairs.
He unsuccessfully contested Jacques Cartier for the house of
commons in the liberal interest at the general election in 1887
and in 1895 was elected at the by-election. He was appointed a
royal commissioner for the province to inquire into the charges
against the Hon. A. Turgeon in 1907. His attention, however, has
largely been confined to his professional duties, and he has
gained eminence in a calling where advancement depends entirely
upon individual merit. Endowed by nature with strong intellectual
power, he has so directed his reading and his activities as to
have won place among the eminent judges of the province.
The present wife of Judge Charbonneau was Mlle. Lemieux. His
religious belief is that of the Roman Catholic church. He
maintains his residence in Montreal at No. 36 Simpson Street.
His summer outing affords him opportunity for cruising, and he
and his family are enthusiastic over this form of recreation.
His launch, the Mouette, is much enjoyed. His circle of friends
is select rather than large, and he is often found in those
gatherings where intelligent men are met in the discussion of
vital and significant themes and problems.
GEORGES ALPHONSE MONETTE.
Foremost in his profession in Montreal is Georges Alphonse
Monette, architect, whose skill finds tangible expression in
some of the most beautiful and substantial structures of the
city. A native of Montreal, he is a son of Georges and Domithilde
(Beauchamp) Monette. The father, now deceased, was a contractor.
The mother is still a resident of this city.
G. A. Monette acquired his early education in the Christian
Brothers school and began the study of architecture in the
office of A. F. Dunlop, a well known architect, with whom he
remained for five years. He received a diploma from the Associate
Architects of the Province of Quebec in 1892 and soon afterward
went to Boston, Massachusetts, where he studied in the offices of
a number of the leading architects of that city. He then returned
to Montreal and entered the office of Perrault & Mesnard,
architects, subsequently engaging in business for himself about
a score of years ago. While he has a large general practice, he
specializes in public buildings work and substantial evidence
of his ability may be seen in the La Patrie building, the large
block of H. P. Labelle & Company, Ltd., the dental department
building of Laval University, the St. Leo Catholic church of
Westmount and a number of school and convent buildings. That he
ranks notably high in his profession is indicated by the fact
that he has been admitted to membership in various important
organizations, including the Province of Quebec Association of
Architects and the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada, while
of the Architectural League of New York he is an associate member.
Mr. Monette was married in Montreal to Maria Versailles, a
daughter of Nazaire Versailles of Montreal, and they have the
following children: Antonio, Cecile, Gertrude, Marcal, Adrienne,
Eugene and Hector. Mr. Monette is a member of the Club St.
Denis and has attractive social qualities, which have won
him popularity and prominence in a friendship circle that is
extensive. His interests, however, have been concentrated upon
his profession with the result that his position is now one of
recognized leadership.
MAXIME DAOUST.
There is probably no other line of business that is a factor in a
city’s growth and development equal to the real-estate business,
when conducted by men who are reliable and who aim to develop
only properties of merit and value. Included among such men
is Maxime Daoust, president and founder of the Daoust Realty,
Limited.
Mr. Daoust was born in St. Clet, P. Q., November 10, 1873, son of
Leon and Olive Daoust. When he was six years of age his parents
removed to Labelle county and there Mr. Daoust received his
education. In 1893 he went to the United States and was employed
in various places in New England until February, 1898, when he
enlisted as a volunteer in the United States marines for service
in the Spanish-American war, which then seemed imminent.
He was among the first troops landed on Cuban soil at Guantanamo,
June 10, 1898, participating in the fight at that place. He
remained in Cuba until August, when he was detailed as one of the
guard to accompany the Spanish prisoners, survivors of Cervera’s
fleet, to Portsmouth, New Hampshire.
Mr. Daoust remained in the United States service until the
expiration of his enlistment, after which he returned to Canada
in 1900 and for some time was employed at the trade of brass
molder in Montreal. He then entered the fire and life insurance
field as an agent, at which he achieved success so that in
1904 he had accumulated capital sufficient to engage in the
real-estate business in a small way. He formed a partnership with
the late Joseph Charrau under firm name of Charrau & Daoust,
and the first subdivision handled by them was Frontenac Park,
owned by the estate of Henry Hogan, the land being then an open
field. This tract comprised twenty-five hundred lots, and today
this property is populated by over five hundred families and its
location is now the geographical center of Montreal. The firm
quickly won a reputation for straight and honorable dealings
so that when their subsequent subdivisions, Estate Viau and
Christian Brothers, were placed on the market, it was not the
merits of the properties alone that made them in demand.
Mr. Daoust later purchased the interest of Mr. Charrau and in
1908 the Daoust Realty, Limited, was formed with a capital of
one hundred thousand dollars, Mr. Daoust becoming president and
manager. Up to that time he had financed his own properties,
but he realized that to carry out his huge land schemes he
would require more capital, hence his company. Since then the
Daoust Realty, Limited, has done some of the largest real-estate
business in the city. In June, 1913, the capital of the company
was increased to two hundred and fifty thousand dollars.
They are sole agents for Mount Lasalle Park, Mount Lasalle Annex
Park and Champlain Park in Rosemount ward; Bernard Terrace,
Bernard Plateau and Alliance Park in Longue-Pointe ward; St.
Helen’s Park and Coteau Rouge Park, near town of Montreal
South; St. Lambert Heights, near town of St. Lambert; Chambly
Basin Park, Chambly, P. Q.; and Montreal East Extension,
Pointe-aux-Trembles, these properties representing a carrying
value of over three million dollars. Mr. Daoust is vice president
of the Mackay Realty, Limited, a member of the Board of Trade and
the Chambre de Commerce.
In politics he is a liberal and in religion a Roman Catholic.
He is fond of athletic sports and is president of the National
Sporting Club, Limited. Mr. Daoust was one of the first men in
Canada to become interested in aviation and has spent thousands
for furthering that science. He has built four machines, the
designing and building being done in this district. The first
two were failures, but notwithstanding the large expense he
persevered until his courage and enthusiasm were rewarded by his
machines making successful flights.
On June 20, 1905, Mr. Daoust was married to Amelia Clement,
daughter of Samuel Clement of Pointe Claire, Quebec, and they
have two children, Farnand and Jule-Berthe.
Mr. Daoust is a self-made man in the fullest sense of that term.
He possesses many admirable qualities and a character of sterling
worth. He is devoted to his home and family, is faithful in
friendship and loyal to every interest to which he gives his
support. He possesses marked business enterprise with ability to
recognize opportunities that others pass heedlessly by and early
grasped the eternal truth that industry wins, making industry
the beacon light of his life, and has thereby entered into most
important business relations. He has accomplished important and
far-reaching results and has contributed in no small degree to
the expansion and material growth of the community.
FRANCOIS GEORGE CREPEAU.
François George Crépeau, a representative of the notarial
profession in active practice in Montreal since 1890, was born
at St. Henri de Mascouche, Quebec, on the 25th of May, 1865, a
son of Charles and Mathilde (Magnan) Crépeau. The ancestry of
the family can be traced back to Paul Crépeau of Laverdure. The
next in the line of descendants was T. Maurice Crépeau, major of
militia, who married Marie Andet of St. Jean, isle of Orleans.
Their son, Charles Crépeau, wedded Agnes Chartrand and their son,
Charles Crépeau was married in 1765 to Françoise Gravel near
Quebec. They were the parents of Joseph Crépeau, grandfather
of François George Crépeau. He married Madeleine Allard, and
they were parents of Charles Crépeau, father of our subject. The
family were largely agriculturists and the old homestead which
has been occupied by the family for over one hundred and fifty
years, is now owned by Octave Crépeau, a brother of François
George Crépeau. The father’s family numbered fifteen children,
four of whom passed away, while six sons and five daughters are
yet living and all are well and strong.
[Illustration: FRANCOIS G. CREPEAU]
After the ordinary school training François George Crépeau
attended an academy and followed his academical course by study
in l’Assomption College. He won his degree at the College of
Montreal and Laval University, being graduated LL. B. in 1890.
Having studied law and prepared for the notarial profession, he
entered upon active practice, in which he has since continued,
his ability bringing him to his present position as a prominent
representative of his chosen calling. His practice is very
extensive and in addition he has other business investments,
being a director of the Funeral Expense Society and of La Cie
Mutuelle d’Immeubles, Ltee.
On the 25th of May, 1891, Mr. Crépeau was married to Miss Marie
Louise Lecours, a daughter of Théophile and Marie (Prefontaine)
Lecours, representatives of one of the old French families of
the province. The children of this marriage are: George Henry,
a photographer, who married Juliette Robillard; Joseph Roumald;
M. Jeanne; M. Juliette; M. Emérentienne; and J. C. Bernard. The
religious faith of the family is that of the Roman Catholic
church. Mr. Crépeau holds membership with the Canadian Order
of Foresters, and the Independent Order of Foresters. He also
belongs to the Société Des Artisans, to the Knights of Columbus,
to l’Union St. Pierre and l’Alliance Nationale.
ARSENE S. BROSSEAU, D. D. S.
Comprehensive knowledge of the science of dentistry, skill in its
mechanical phases and close adherence at all times to the highest
standards of the profession has made Dr. Arsene S. Brosseau one
of the leading and best known dentists of Montreal. Moreover, he
is one of the oldest, if not the oldest, in length of practice in
the city. He was born January 22, 1861, in L’Acadie, P. Q., a son
of Jacques and Catherine (Demerce) Brosseau. The parents were for
many years highly esteemed residents of Montreal, but both are
now deceased.
Dr. Brosseau acquired his early education in the Christian
Brothers school in Montreal and then took up the study of
dentistry at Laval University, being graduated in 1883. He began
practice in the office of Dr. John C. Nichols, with whom he
remained for five years, and later he spent three years in the
office of Dr. Edmund Mathieu. Later he began practice on his
own account and has since continued alone. He has continuously
promoted his knowledge through broad reading and investigation,
keeping in touch with the advanced thought of the profession. His
practice comes to him from the best class of Montreal citizens
and is very extensive. Splendidly equipped is his office, showing
all the latest appliances known to modern dentistry, and back
of all his success is the sound judgment which enables him to
understand the specific needs of each case and to apply the
necessary corrective. Reputation has placed him in a foremost
position in the ranks of the dental fraternity in this city.
Dr. Brosseau was married in Montreal, in 1883, to Miss Fannie
Robert, a daughter of Julien Robert, and they had two children:
Lotta, who died in early life; and Leo. In club circles Dr.
Brosseau is known as a popular member of the Club St. Denis and
Club Canadien. He belongs to the Roman Catholic church and is
a liberal in politics. In matters of moment to the individual
and to the community he maintains the same spirit of progress
which characterizes him in his professional activity, yet he has
always made his profession his chief interest and has obtained
a splendid practice. He has ever attended strictly to the
duties incumbent upon him in that connection, being possessed
of excellent business qualifications and a most attractive
personality, which has been a large asset in his success. His is
a splendid type of manhood and citizenship, and his record is a
credit to the profession.
JOSEPH AUGUSTIN ODILON LA BADIE.
Joseph Augustin Odilon La Badie, one of the best known notaries
of Montreal, was born May 12, 1852, at the family home on St.
James Street, between Roy Street and David Lane. His grandfather,
Joseph Augustin La Badie, also a native of Montreal, studied with
Jean Marie Cadieux, a notary, and for many years had his office
and also his home in the building which stood at the corner of
St. Lambert Hill and St. James Street, now the corner of St.
Laurence boulevard and St. James Street. He was devoted to his
profession, spending the hours from 9 a. m. to 6 p. m. in his
office. He was asked to become mayor of Montreal but declined
the honor. He served as colonel of a volunteer regiment and was
a warden of Notre Dame Cathedral. He married Louise Grenier,
who was also of an old Montreal family, and to them were born
eighteen children. Joseph A. La Badie passed away in 1885, at the
advanced age of eighty years.
Joseph Evariste Odilon La Badie, father of J. A. O. La Badie
of this review, was born in the old home at the corner of
St. Lambert Hill and St. James Street. He attended Montreal
College and in his father’s office prepared for the practice of
the notarial profession. In the home in which he was born he
continued to practice with his father until 1864, when the old
building was razed and a new one erected on the same site. In the
latter he continued to practice his profession until his death,
which occurred in August, 1908, when he was eighty years of age.
He was chief warden of Notre Dame Cathedral and was a prominent
and influential citizen. He married Sophie Jeannotte, a native of
Montreal, and they lived to celebrate their golden wedding. Mrs.
La Badie passed away April 13, 1906. They had a family of seven
children: Joseph Augustin Odilon; Adolphe, a notary of Montreal;
Felix, a practicing physician of Montreal; Joseph Esdras, a real
estate dealer of New York city; Flora, who died in childhood;
Sophie, the deceased wife of Louis Belanger, a lawyer; and
Alphonse, a broker, who died in Montreal in 1908.
Joseph Augustin Odilon La Badie pursued his education in the
normal school and in the Jesuit College, from which he was
graduated. In 1874 he won the degree of B. C. L. from McGill
University and on the 8th of May, of that year, he was made a
notary at Laval University in Quebec. He then began practice with
his father and grandfather and has ever maintained high standing
in his profession.
Mr. La Badie has been an extensive traveler. As a young man he
engaged in ranching in Colorado and during his sojourn in the
west learned much of that section of the United States. He has
also made many trips abroad. He is a great lover of nature and a
student of botany. The library which he has collected contains
more than six thousand volumes, many of which are rare editions.
This is an indication of his cultured taste and wide interest in
literary matters. His summer home for the past twenty-one years
has been at Upper St. Lambert, where he has two fine farms and
makes a specialty of cheese making. Mr. La Badie is very fond of
hunting, a recreation in which he indulges every year.
Though over three score years of age, Mr. La Badie is of
magnificent physique, his muscles as hard as iron, and he has
the appearance of a man twenty years his junior. In his office
is a long table, four feet wide, over which he can jump without
touching it with his hands and he can lift a weight of one
hundred and eighty-seven pounds with one hand. His interests have
largely covered those things which are essential and valuable
elements in life. He has been a student of many questions
of public moment and has filled some offices, being now a
commissioner of the superior court and a justice of the peace.
For one hundred and ten years the La Badies of four generations
have been notaries at the present location. The great-grandfather
of Joseph A. O. La Badie died at the home where Joseph E. O. La
Badie was born. The family is, indeed, one of the oldest and most
prominent in Montreal.
Mr. La Badie is not a club man. His interest centers in his home
and his family, which he prefers to club life. On the 7th of
October, 1877, he married Aurelia de Lompré, of an old Montreal
family, and to them have been born seventeen children: Raoul, a
civic employe; Odilon, who is in his father’s office; Paul, a
notary; Florida, deceased; Jeanne; Germaine; Marie Antoinette;
Camile; Alice; Leo; Amanda; Adolphe; Alice; Emile; Pauline;
Gabriel; and Cecile.
ARTHUR GIBEAULT, B. A., LL. L.