the council of public instruction for the province of Quebec
in 1895. The following year he was elected to the presidency
of the Young Men’s Christian Association of Montreal, and the
extent and importance of his work is further indicated in the
fact that he is a governor of the Montreal Dispensary and of the
Society for the Protection of Women and Children. He delivered
an address in London, England, before the chamber of commerce on
trade interchange in 1904, and was presented with a silver bowl
by the same body in acknowledgment of his personal services in
connection with the visit of that organization to Canada in 1904.
In 1909 he went as a delegate to the Imperial Commercial Congress
at Sidney, New South Wales, and as a member of that body moved
for the appointment of an advisory imperial council to consider
questions of imperial interest, especially those tending to
promote trade between the various parts of the empire.
Since the general election of 1904 he has sat for the St.
Antoine division of Montreal in the house of commons in the
conservative interests, and in March, 1909, succeeded in securing
the appointment of a committee for the revision of the assets
of the Dominion. He is a very active worker in support of
conservative measures and movements, and his life work indicates
his recognition of the fact that education along broad lines and
political activity are the sources of a country’s power and the
foundation upon which is builded its business. He was appointed
one of the representatives of the house of commons at the
coronation of King George in London in 1911.
In May, 1900, Mr. Ames was united in marriage to Miss Louise
Marion Kennedy, a daughter of John Kennedy, C. E. They occupy
an attractive home at No. 26 Ontario Avenue, Montreal. Their
religious faith is that of the Presbyterian church, and Mr. Ames
holds membership in a number of the leading clubs of the city,
including Lafontaine, University, Montreal, Royal St. Lawrence
Yacht and St. James Clubs. He is a man of indefatigable energy
and unquestionably a force to be reckoned with in the public life
of Canada. Even those opposed to him politically recognize that
he is a man to be trusted, that what he promises he will do. His
position is never an equivocal one and in his entire career there
is no esoteric phase.
ERNEST NICHOLSON BROWN.
Ernest Nicholson Brown was born in Lower Newcastle, New
Brunswick, on the 12th of July, 1867. His father, Robert Brown,
went from Dumfries, Scotland, to Pictou, Nova Scotia, in 1823,
and settled as a young man in Miramichi, New Brunswick, in 1835.
He married Ann Noble, of United Empire Loyalist descent. Her
grandfather fought on the British side at the battle of Bunker
Hill. James Nicholson, an uncle of Robert Brown fought at the
battle of Trafalgar and the medal awarded him for his services on
that occasion is now in possession of Mr. Brown.
After attending the high school at Chatham, New Brunswick, Ernest
N. Brown entered Dalhousie University at Halifax, from which he
was graduated in 1889 with the degree of Bachelor of Arts. He
followed that course with post-graduate study at Clark University
in Worcester, Massachusetts, after which he was engaged for some
years in teaching. In 1902 he won the degree of Bachelor of Civil
Law upon the completion of the regular course in law in McGill
University. He was admitted to the bar in the province of Quebec
in 1902 and for two years was in practice in the office of Duncan
McCormick, K. C., while subsequently he became a member of the
firm of Patterson & Brown, and in 1908 he became a member of the
firm of Brown & Staveley.
Mr. Brown is a liberal in politics, and his religious faith is
that of the Presbyterian church. In 1904, Mr. Brown married Miss
Elizabeth Malcolm Fraser, a daughter of the late John Fraser
of Lachine Rapids, author of “Canadian Pen and Ink Sketches”,
“Historic Canadian Ground” and various articles dealing with
points of interest in Canadian history, especially those
connected with the scenes of his boyhood in and about Lachine.
CHARLES BERNIER.
The name of Charles Bernier is a synonym for efficiency in
architecture in Montreal. A native of the province of Quebec, he
was born at St. Jean Port Joli, on the 17th of December, 1866.
His father, Francis Bernier, was a contractor and builder at St.
Jean Port Joli and there died. The mother bore the maiden name of
Virginie Deschene.
Charles Bernier was educated in the schools of his native town
and in the Christian Brothers school at L’Islet. When fifteen
years of age he went to Quebec, where he entered the office of
David Ouellet, a well known architect, with whom he remained
as a student for three and a half years. Through the ensuing
year and a half he was in the office of Ferdinand Peachy, a
noted architect of Quebec, and then, splendidly qualified for
the profession, he entered upon active practice, which he
successfully followed alone in Quebec until June 24, 1903, when
he came to Montreal. Here in connection with Charles Brodeur he
formed the partnership of Bernier & Brodeur, which connection
was maintained for seven years, and during that period their
offices were removed to 70 St. James Street. Through the three
succeeding years Albert Menard was associated with Mr. Bernier in
the firm of Bernier & Menard, and since Mr. Menard’s death Mr.
Bernier has continued alone. He is accorded a large clientage,
for his ability places him among those foremost in the ranks of
the profession. On all sides may be seen splendid evidences of
his handiwork as exemplified in some of the most beautiful and
substantial structures of Montreal.
[Illustration: CHARLES BERNIER]
Mr. Bernier was married in this city to Alma Dionne, daughter
of Octave Dionne, of Quebec, and they are parents of three
daughters, Adrienne, Alice and Anna. The religious belief of
the family is that of the Roman Catholic church. Mr. Bernier
belongs to Lafontaine Club and to the Royal Arcanum. He is a man
of refined, cultured tastes, quiet in manner and a deep student
of subjects relating to the profession, in which his standing is
among the highest.
HON. AMEDEE GEOFFRION.
Hon. Amedee Geoffrion, one of the recorders of Montreal, was born
at Varennes, in the province of Quebec, February 6, 1867, and was
educated at L’Assomption and Laval University. Liberal training
qualified him for the profession which he determined to make his
life work and in 1889 he was called to the bar. He began the
practice of law at the age of twenty-one and from the beginning
made continuous progress. He was made King’s Counsel in 1905.
His activity, too, has been largely manifested along other
lines. Not a little of the progress made on the south side of
the river in recent years is due to his efforts and public
spirit. A consistent supporter of the progressive policy of the
government of Sir Lomer Gouin he has, since elected for Vercheres
in 1908, been identified with many noteworthy public projects
that have assisted materially in the development and improvement
of the rural districts. The movement for the improvement of
existing highways in the county of Vercheres has found in him
a warm supporter. He has served the municipality of Longueuil
with efficiency and manifest approbation, first in the capacity
of recorder and afterward in that of mayor, holding the latter
position since 1908. He stands for all that works for civic
betterment and improvement and is a close student of the vital
problems affecting the welfare of city, province and nation.
During the years of his mayoralty he has been the head of a
highly progressive administration. It has been during this period
that the electric railway has been brought to the town and that
electricity has been installed for lighting purposes, while
cement sidewalks have been laid and the work of improvement has
been otherwise carried on along most progressive and beneficial
lines.
In September, 1912, Mr. Geoffrion was appointed by Quebec to the
position of recorder of the city of Montreal and is now filling
that office with the same capability and fidelity that he has
displayed in other positions. None question his public spirit
nor his knowledge of the law, and he stands today with those
whose success has been builded upon the foundation of ability and
laudable ambition.
LYON COHEN.
Lyon Cohen, merchant and contractor, of Montreal, Quebec, is a
member of L. Cohen & Son, coal merchants, and of W. R. Cuthbert
& Company, brass founders, and is proprietor of the Freedman
Company, wholesale clothiers, the Hibbard Company, Ltd., railway
contractors, and General Improvement & Contracting Company, Ltd.,
dredging contractors.
This has been termed the age of commercialism and it is the
old world’s belief that new world residents are engrossed in
money-making to the exclusion of almost everything else. There
are many examples, however, to the contrary, and the life record
of Lyon Cohen is one which proves that while successfully
conducting business affairs, time may also be found for active
cooperation in movements that tend to promote intellectual and
moral progress, or which relieve distress among the unfortunate
ones of the world, for he has done much philanthropic and
charitable work, while at the same time he has wisely and capably
managed important mercantile interests. He was born in Poland,
Russia, May 11, 1868, a son of Lazarus Cohen. In early childhood
he was brought to Canada and attended the McGill Model School and
also the Catholic Commercial Academy of Montreal. He became a
member of the firm of L. Cohen & Son in 1891, and from the time
when he put aside his text-books and entered business circles his
progress has been continuous.
Mr. Cohen has attained a prominence in Montreal social and
business circles that necessitates a mention of him in any
publication undertaking to represent the leading citizens of
the city. He has been prominently identified with almost every
movement looking to the betterment of Jewish conditions in this
country, and his labors have been effective forces in promoting
the welfare of those of his faith. He was one of the founders
of The Jewish Times of Montreal, and he was president for three
years, 1904-5-6, of Shaar Hashomayim congregation, the largest
and most prominent Jewish congregation in Canada. Interested
in the welfare of his people wherever they are found, he is
treasurer of the Canadian committee of The Jewish Colonization
Association of Paris, and was secretary of the Jewish rights
committee. He is a life governor of The Montreal General
Hospital and of The Western Hospital, and was elected president
of The Baron de Hirsch Institute of Montreal in 1908. He did
such splendid work in that connection, that he was four times
reelected, serving until the end of 1912. Upon his voluntary
retirement he was presented with an illuminated address and
handsome silver service. He is prominently identified with a
number of movements; is member of juvenile court committee;
member of executive of Child’s Welfare Association, and was
chairman of publicity of Child’s Welfare Exhibition, 1912;
member of executive of Montreal improvement committee; honorary
chairman of North End Synagogue; honorary president of Young
Men’s Hebrew Association; and chairman of Committee to Federate
Jewish Charities.
Mr. Cohen is a member of The Montefiore Club, of which he is a
past president; he is also an ex-president of The Montreal Reform
Club, being a liberal in politics. A love of progress actuates
him in all he does. He could not be content to move forward at
the pace which many men assume. He must all the time be up and
doing, for he is a man of action rather than theory, and at all
times the end accomplished indicates the wisdom of the methods he
has followed.
Mr. Cohen was married in February, 1891, to Miss Rachel Friedman,
a daughter of the late Noah Friedman. They have four children,
Nathan Bernard, Horace Rives, Lawrence Z. and Sylvia L. Mrs.
Cohen is also interested in charitable work and is the founder
and president of The Jewish Endeavor Sewing Society. The family
residence is at 25 Rosemount Avenue, Westmount, Quebec.
ZIGMOND FINEBERG.
Under the name of Zigmond Fineberg & Sons is conducted a growing
real-estate and brokerage business. Mr. Fineberg was born in
March, 1863, in Poland, Russia, his parents being Moses Nathan
and Agnes Fineberg, the former a merchant. Among his ancestors
were rabbis, physicians and lawyers and capable business men. He
pursued his education in Suvalk, Russia, and became a government
roads contractor of that country.
Attracted by the opportunities of the new world, and prompted
by laudable ambition to try his fortune on this side of the
Atlantic, Mr. Fineberg came to Canada, settling in Montreal,
where he embarked in business as a clothing merchant in 1887.
About seventeen years were devoted to that undertaking, years
which brought him a substantial measure of success and led to
his activities along still broader lines. It was in 1904 that
he turned his attention to real estate, becoming a real-estate
broker and finance agent, business being now conducted under the
firm style of Z. Fineberg & Sons at No. 62 St. James Street. He
is thoroughly informed concerning property values, knows the
real estate that is upon the market and has himself been a large
investor, not only in real estate, but in railway shares, so that
his stocks and property holdings make him one of the prosperous
citizens of Montreal. Moreover, in 1910, he founded the Montreal
Free Loan Association, of which he is the president. He belongs
to the Montreal Board of Trade and is connected with many
institutions of a public nature, being formerly a director of the
Baron de Hirsch Institute, a life governor of the Baron de Hirsch
Institute, a life governor of the Montreal General Hospital, of
the Hertzl Dispensary and of Mount Sinai Sanitarium. He likewise
belongs to the Montreal Citizens’ Association. He is an ex-member
and vice president of the Spanish and Portuguese synagogue, and
he now holds membership in the McGill College Avenue Synagogue.
In his native city of Prenn in 1885, Mr. Fineberg was married
to Miss Jennie Kirschberg, a daughter of the late Abraham
Kirschberg. The children of this marriage are: Joseph, Nathan
Samuel, Aaron Harry, Moe Newton, Agnes and Max. The second son
has won the degrees of Master of Arts and Bachelor of Common Laws
and is now engaged in the practice of the legal profession.
Mr. Fineberg has held the offices of justice of the peace and
commissioner of the superior courts since 1903. He belongs
to the Masonic fraternity, the Odd Fellows society and the
Canadian Order of Foresters, and exemplifies in his life the
beneficent spirit underlying those organizations, recognizing the
brotherhood of mankind and the obligations of mutual helpfulness
and kindliness.
MATTHEW A. SAMMETT.
Matthew A. Sammett, one of the most competent electrical
engineers in Canada, was born at Baku, Russia, on the 2d of
November, 1872. He was educated in a technical school in his
native land and in 1893, when a young man of twenty-one years,
came to the new world. He continued his education by attendance
at night schools for a time and afterward entered the University
of California, where he pursued a four years’ course, which he
completed by graduation with the Bachelor of Science degree in
1899. He immediately put his theoretical training to practical
test and joined the staff of the General Electrical Company of
Schenectady, New York, in which connection he obtained thorough
familiarity with modern electrical machinery and general
engineering practice. The ability which he displayed in that
connection won him promotion to the engineering department and
in that position he made a close study of the design of some of
the alternating current machinery now in universal use. Each step
in his career has been a forward one, and each change in his
business connections has marked an advance. In 1902 he joined the
engineering staff of the Lachine Rapids Hydraulic & Land Company
and after its amalgamation with the Montreal Light, Heat & Power
Company was given charge of the testing department of the new
organization, his work embracing the testing of the various kinds
of electrical apparatus used in the transformation, control and
measurement of electrical energy. He also designed a complete
line of highly efficient transformers for lighting and power
service.
During 1905 and 1906 Mr. Sammett conducted a popular course
in applied electricity at the Montreal Young Men’s Christian
Association.
In 1908 Mr. Sammett opened an office as consulting engineer
in Montreal and in this connection has gained a large and
distinctively representative clientage, including the Amalgamated
Asbestos Corporation, Ltd.; The Asbestos & Asbestic Company,
Ltd.; The St. Francis Hydraulic Company, Ltd.; The Brompton Pulp
& Paper Company; The Maritime Coal, Railway & Power Company,
Ltd.; The Dominion Marble Company, Ltd.; The Smart-Woods Company,
Ltd. He has also been retained in connection with municipal
electrical undertakings. The practice of his profession now makes
heavy demands upon his time and energies, and in addition
he is well known as a contributor to the technical press of
the United States and Canada. He has also prepared and read
many scientific papers before engineering bodies and is known
personally or by reputation to the entire electrical profession
on the American continent. He has formed many warm friendships
by keeping in close touch with the progress of his profession as
a member of the Canadian Electrical Association, the Canadian
Society of Civil Engineers and the American Institute of
Electrical Engineers.
[Illustration: MATTHEW A. SAMMETT]
Mr. Sammett married Miss Eleanor Horwitz, and their children
are four in number, Frank Edward, Hazel, Helene and Pearl. Mr.
Sammett is a member of the Canadian Club and possesses a genial
cordial nature that has made him popular, but he prefers to
concentrate his energies upon his business affairs, in which he
has attained notable success. He is a self-made man. Commendable
ambition pointed out to him the way to success. He followed the
path indicated and is today occupying an advanced position as an
electrical engineer.
HENRY MORGAN & COMPANY, LIMITED.
For nearly three-quarters of a century the name of Henry Morgan
has been inseparably interwoven with the mercantile progress
and advancement of Montreal and in more recent years, with the
branching out of the house he founded, it has taken a foremost
position, in its various lines, among the big mercantile and
industrial institutions of the Dominion.
The Henry Morgan & Company, Limited, of today, is the outgrowth
of a business established early in the year 1843, on Notre Dame
Street, a few doors east of McGill Street, by Henry Morgan and
David Smith, under the firm name of Smith & Morgan. From a small
dry-goods house carrying only a limited number of lines it has
developed into a great and powerful departmental store and
what might be justly termed one of the mercantile successes of
Montreal, whose capabilities are almost as varied as the city’s
needs.
Henry Morgan, the founder of this house, was born in Fifeshire,
Scotland, in 1819, and when a young man in his early twenties,
came to Montreal, where he entered into the dry-goods business,
as previously stated.
The original location of Smith & Morgan’s store was soon found
inadequate, and in 1854 the business was removed to McGill
Street, just south of St. Joseph, now Notre Dame, in a building
occupied by Latineer. In 1860 an addition was made extending to
Notre Dame Street and when the old American Presbyterian church,
corner of Victoria Square and St. James Street, was removed, the
business was transferred to that location in more commodious
quarters.
In 1852, Mr. Smith retired from the business, and that same year
the firm of Henry Morgan & Company was established, Mr. James
Morgan of Glasgow, Scotland, a brother, becoming a member at that
time. The latter, a native of Saline, Fifeshire, Scotland, had
entered the dry-goods business early in life and for a number of
years was a member of the firm of Muirhead & Morgan, of Glasgow.
The personnel of the firm practically remained unchanged until
1876, when James and Colin D. Morgan, nephews of Henry Morgan and
the former a son of James Morgan, became members, and upon whom
most of the burden of the business has fallen.
In 1891, this firm completed on St. Catherine Street, opposite
Phillips Square, one of the finest business blocks in America, to
which its mercantile business was transferred. This move became
necessary in order to meet the requirements of a constantly
growing business, and a shift in the retail section to that part
of the city.
Mr. Henry Morgan, the founder of the business, died December
12, 1893, at which time the Gazette said in part: “No Montreal
merchant and not many Canadian merchants could claim to be
better known than Mr. Henry Morgan, who passed to his rest
yesterday, after a busy, successful and well spent life of almost
seventy-five years. His character was marked by many of those
traits which have made men of Scottish birth so prominent a
factor in the upbuilding of Montreal’s commercial prosperity. Mr.
Morgan was of a somewhat retiring disposition. His store and his
farm home at Maisonneuve divided his time, and though he enjoyed
a very large share of public respect, he never sought to enter
public life. He was unmarried. His death was due to influenza,
the cause of so many deaths of prominent men lately, acting on a
constitution weakened somewhat by previous illness. The funeral
takes place today from St. Andrew’s church, of which he was an
esteemed elder.”
The death of Mr. James Morgan had preceded that of his brother
but a few months, and occurred on March 28, 1893, at which time
the Gazette said in part: “By the death of Mr. James Morgan,
Sr., Montreal has lost one of its oldest citizens and one who
for well nigh half a century was an intelligent sharer in its
commercial and industrial progress. The deceased gentleman was
in his eighty-sixth year. Mr. James Morgan was a man of strong
intellect, diligently cultivated, an assiduous but judicious
reader until his eyesight became impaired, and his opinion on
questions to which he had given thought was ever listened to with
attention. With few persons was it more profitable to converse,
especially on the higher themes of religion, philosophy and
science. His views were broad and so was his charity. Although
as a business man he had little spare time for writing, Mr.
Morgan could wield an able pen and has written not only prose
but poetry. He was long an esteemed member of the Church of the
Messiah. But though a man of strong convictions, as he was a
thorough Scotchman, neither in creed nor in nationality was he of
the narrow type.”
The business of Henry Morgan & Company from its very inception,
has never been at a standstill, success following the firm’s
every move. In 1906 it was incorporated as a limited liability
company under the present title of Henry Morgan & Company,
Limited, with Mr. James Morgan, as president. The development and
expansion of this firm’s interests have come to include several
large factories which it owns and operates, among these being
the foremost high class wood-working plant in the Dominion,
which places the company in a position to build homes as well
as to decorate and furnish them even to the smallest detail. In
this respect the firm has become widely known throughout Canada,
and its successful undertakings include decorative schemes and
interior furnishings of some of the finest homes in practically
every province in the Dominion.
Its business policy has always been one of absolute integrity and
business honesty, and this has exerted a strong influence upon
the life of a great city. The public who come in daily contact
with the various branches of this great organization readily feel
that spirit of industry and enterprise that has made possible
the accomplishing of great things and the building of a great
business dedicated to the best interests of the public whom it
serves.
HON. JAMES MCSHANE.
In the political history of Montreal during the past half
century no name has been more familiar to the people than that
of the Hon. James McShane, who in all of his public connections
displayed a masterful grasp of every problem presented for
solution combined with thorough understanding of human nature and
the springs of human conduct. A firm belief in the principles
which he advocated combined with the qualities of leadership
enabled him to become a directing force in public affairs.