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Title: Montreal from 1535 to 1914
Biographical Volume III
Author: Anonymous
Release Date: March 13, 2015 [EBook #48480]
Language: English
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MONTREAL
From 1535 to 1914
BIOGRAPHICAL
VOLUME III
THE S. J. CLARKE PUBLISHING COMPANY
MONTREAL VANCOUVER CHICAGO
1914
[1]
[4]
RICHARD B. ANGUS
RICHARD B. ANGUS
BIOGRAPHICAL
RICHARD BLADWORTH ANGUS.
“No man in Montreal and very few in Canada have had a fuller, riper and more successful career than ‘the man of
peace,’ as he is known in business circles.” So writes the Toronto Globe of Richard Bladworth Angus, and there is little
to add that would describe the man more accurately. A purposeful man, a deep thinker, a man of the highest principles,
Mr. Angus is representative of the empire builders of Canada. Beginning his career in a humble station, he has climbed
the ladder of success rung by rung until he reached the ranks of men like the late Lord Strathcona, and the present Lord
Mount Stephen, with whom he labored in building the most important railroad lines in the Dominion and with whom he
stood for all that which has made Canada the great empire that it is today. Not only has Mr. Angus been prominent as a
builder and financier of great rail lines, but he has given of his time and means toward the establishment of great
institutions to care for the sick, to bring education to all those who may seek it, to promote and disseminate a thorough
understanding of art—in short, to promote the intellectual as well as the material welfare of that most enterprising of all
British peoples—the Canadian nation.
Richard B. Angus was born in Bathgate, Scotland, May 28, 1831, and educated there. While in his native country he
was employed by the Manchester & Liverpool Bank for some time and in 1857 entered the offices of the Bank of
Montreal in Canada. To the present generation the name of R. B. Angus has been rightly considered a synonym for the
financial activity instituted by the Bank of Montreal, for he has been connected with that institution since 1857, having
come out from Scotland to accept a position in the bank in which at a later date he was to be for many years the guiding
hand. His keen mind, his adaptability to new conditions, his shrewdness and his careful weighing of important questions
assured him of quick promotion and four years after he became connected with the institution he was placed in charge
of the Chicago agency, in 1861 and in 1863 was agent for the bank in New York.
During his sojourn in Chicago Mr. Angus became acquainted with the spirit of the great west and what it was hoped
might be accomplished there. He saw the states of Illinois and Iowa budding forth from prairie to splendidly developed
communities and reasoning by analogy he recognized what the future had in store for the Canadian west following the
construction of the Canadian Pacific Railway. The splendid financial standing of the Canadian Pacific Railway Company
today is also in a measure due to the wisdom of this man, whom no doubt Sir Thomas Shaughnessy considers one of his
wisest counsellors.
In 1864 Mr. Angus returned to Montreal to become second assistant manager of the Bank of Montreal, was later
appointed assistant manager and became manager in 1868. In 1869, or two years after the union of the British North
[5]
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American colonies, Mr. Angus was appointed general manager of the Bank of Montreal, a position which he held until
November 1, 1879. It is said that during these ten years his advice was sought many times by the different finance
ministers of the Dominion not only as regards federal loans but also concerning the general financial policy of the
country. Although a native of Scotland, where free trade exists, Mr. Angus looked with favor upon the protectionist
program, which triumphed in Canada on the 18th of September, 1878. He saw therein a means whereby the Dominion
could become a great manufacturing country, and he has lived long enough to see the splendid fruition of that policy.
After his ten years’ tenure of office as general manager of the Bank of Montreal Mr. Angus was called to another
sphere of usefulness. When several prominent men connected with the Bank of Montreal bought out the Dutch interests
in what was then called the St. Paul, Minneapolis & Manitoba Railway, those interested, realizing the ability of Mr.
Angus as a financier and organizer, asked him to leave the bank and become the representative of their interests in St.
Paul. Accepting the management of the railway, his great success during the two years of his residence in the American
northwest has become a part of the history not only of the American but also of the Canadian northwest. Mr. Angus
was one of the first promoters of the Canadian Pacific Railway. He was among the earliest to recognize the stupendous
success which would attend the project if there was carried out an enlightened policy of settlement and industrial
expansion. A syndicate was formed, with Mr. George Stephen, later Lord Mount Stephen, and Mr. Donald A. Smith,
later Lord Strathcona, as its leading spirits. Mr. Angus was one of the original body and he has remained in connection
with the incorporated company ever since as one of its directors. He advised upon the strategic points where the chief
entrenchments of the first transcontinental road should be laid out and he pointed out the spots where the Bank of
Montreal could most effectively plant its branches. This policy of his had a great deal to do with the expansion which
has brought the capitalization of the Bank of Montreal and the Canadian Pacific Railway up to the present colossal
figures.
As general manager of the Bank of Montreal Mr. Angus served under four presidents, namely, T. B. Anderson, E. H.
King, David Torrance and George Stephen, now Lord Mount Stephen, and he and the latter are the only ones of the
number yet living. He also sat as director with Lord Strathcona and Sir George A. Drummond, succeeding the latter to
the presidency of the bank July 22, 1910. All admit that no one of that galaxy of financiers who have year after year sat
at the historic round table ever rendered greater service to the institution than R. B. Angus.
At an age when most men throw off official cares and responsibilities to enjoy the leisure which prosperity has brought
them Mr. Angus in his octogenarian prime took up as cheerfully as would a man of forty the principal position in
Canada’s foremost financial institution. In November, 1913, on account of advancing years and a desire to be relieved
of all financial burdens of a public character, Mr. Angus resigned the presidency of the Bank of Montreal, but remains a
member of the board and continues to give the institution the benefit of his ripe, wide and valuable experience.
That worth hath its reward is evident in Mr. Angus’ career, who is rated today as one of the richest men in Montreal.
However, he seems to consider himself more in the light of a steward of his vast property interests, for he freely and
liberally has given of his means and made handsome contributions to numerous institutions. Among these is the Montreal
Art Association, of which he was formerly president and to which he gave money and several valuable paintings. He
also supported McGill University with a considerable sum and gave to the Alexandra Contagious Diseases Hospital of
Montreal, of which he is a governor and was a founder. He was president of the Royal Victoria Hospital, which
institution he also has liberally supported, and is a vice president of the Royal Victorian Order of Nurses. The Charity
Organization Society, of which he is a director, has also benefited in a material way and by his timely advice. Mr. Angus
was also a governor of the Montreal General Hospital. An honor to his race and one of the foremost representatives
among Scotchmen in Canada, he served several times as president of the St. Andrew’s Society of Montreal. Mr.
Angus was governor of the Fraser Institute Free Public Library and is an honorary member of the Antiquarian and
Numismatic Society of Montreal.
Among commercial and financial institutions with which he has been or is connected are the Canadian Pacific Railway
Company, the Laurentide Paper Company, the Dominion Coal Company, the Dominion Iron & Steel Company, the
Dominion Bridge Company, the Royal Trust Company, the Grand Falls Power Company, the Pacific Coal Company,
the Canadian Salt Company, the Northwest Land Company and the London & Lancashire Life Assurance Company.
Mr. Angus has always taken a deep interest in public institutions and was one of the chief promoters of the board of
control in Montreal, which was founded in 1909. He has ever placed his services at the disposal of such affairs as have
made for a greater and better Canada. In 1910 knighthood was offered to him, but he declined the honor.
Among the clubs of which Mr. Angus is a member are: the St. James, of which he was formerly chairman; the Mount
Royal, of which he was a founder and of which he has served as president; the Montreal Jockey; the Auto and Aero
Club; the Forest and Stream Club; and the Winter Club. He also is a member of the Rideau Club of Ottawa, the
Toronto Club, the York Club of Toronto and the Manitoba Club of Winnipeg.
On June 13, 1857, Angus was married to Miss Mary Anne Daniels, who died March 13, 1913. To them were born
three sons and six daughters, two of the latter being deceased.
In religious matters Mr. Angus adheres to the stern faith of his fathers, being a Presbyterian. It may be said of him that in
all fields in which he has exerted his activities he has excelled. Quiet in demeanor, he is purposeful and unconsciously
exerts an influence which makes for domination. That this domination is always used to good purpose and for the
benefit of his country and its people stands to his high credit. Sir Sandford Fleming paid him high compliment as a
banker in the words that he is a man who “in every way is a credit to the great institution over which he so worthily
[7]
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presides,” and the Montreal Star characterizes him as “one of Canada’s prominent and most highly respected
financiers.” Mr. Angus is a true Scotchman, a truer Canadian, but best of all—a man worthy of the name.
LEONIDAS VILLENEUVE.
From a comparatively humble position in business circles Leonidas Villeneuve advanced until he ranked with the
millionaire merchants of Montreal and throughout his entire career his record was such as any man might be proud to
possess, bringing to him the respect of colleagues and contemporaries. The record of his career, showing the steps in
his orderly progression, may serve as a source of inspiration and encouragement to others and in this biography finds its
chief motive and value.
Mr. Villeneuve was born in Terrebonne county, at Ste. Anne des Plaines, a son of Joachim Villeneuve, who was a
farmer there. His boyhood and youth were uneventfully passed, but when twenty years of age he determined to try his
fortune in the commercial field. He was attracted to the lumber business and, believing that he would find it congenial
and profitable, he established a small lumberyard north of Mount Royal Avenue, in the ownership and conduct of which
he was first associated with the late Senator J. O. Villeneuve. Gradually he advanced toward the goal of success, his
business growing with the development of the district. He remained at its head until his death, eventually conducting an
extensive business under the name of the L. Villeneuve Company. This brought him substantial returns and his fortune
also arose through his wise and judicious investments in real estate. From time to time he added to his holdings and,
when there was a real-estate boom in the district, he had extensive holdings, a portion of which he sold, realizing
therefrom a handsome fortune.
Mr. Villeneuve was a prominent figure in local circles in connection with the growth and progress of his section. When
the district north of Mount Royal Avenue gradually developed from a sparsely settled region into a fast growing town he
was one of the leading spirits in planning roadways, parks and public improvements. To him in great measure it is due
that, with its wide streets and well built homes, Laurier ward is among the most attractive in this city. He was for twenty
years associated with the municipal life of Ville St. Louis, first serving as alderman and afterward for three terms as
mayor.
In politics Mr. Villeneuve was a stalwart conservative, but while working actively in the party and doing everything in his
power to promote its growth and secure its success, he could never be tempted to try his fortune in either the federal or
provincial fields, although he was requested on many occasions to carry the party banner. He was universally respected
for his unswerving business honesty and uprightness, and upon these qualities as a foundation he builded his success,
which placed him among the leaders in his particular line in eastern Canada. His sound judgment enabled him to
correctly value those things which go to make up life’s contacts and experiences. His opinions were sound, his
enterprise unfaltering and his activities were of a character that contributed to the public welfare as well as to individual
success. Mr. Villeneuve was a member of the Roman Catholic church, and took a great deal of interest in church
affairs.
LEONIDAS VILLENEUVE
LEONIDAS VILLENEUVE
[11]
Mr. Villeneuve was married twice. His first wife was Malvina Joyal, a sister of Dr. Joyal, of Montreal, and to them was
born a son, J. Arthur, who was educated in Montreal and traveled extensively with his father in Europe. He married
Miss Yvonne Lariviere, of Montreal, and has a son, Jean Leonidas, born July 11, 1913. J. Arthur Villeneuve is vice
president of the L. Villeneuve Company and of the Eagle Lumber Company and is a worthy successor of his father in
connection with the lumber industry of the country. For his second wife Leonidas Villeneuve chose Dame Exilda
Bergeron, who also survives. His life of intense and intelligently directed activity brought him success and, moreover, he
always followed constructive methods in his business career, so that his path was never strewn with the wreck of other
men’s fortunes.
HENRY R. GRAY.
Tangible evidence of the public spirit of Henry R. Gray is found in his service as chairman of the board of health and the
radical and effective measures which he took in preventing the spread of a small-pox epidemic. He did equally efficient
work in promoting sanitary conditions in Montreal along various lines and at the same time he occupied a prominent
position as a representative of the pharmaceutical profession. He was born December 30, 1838, in Boston,
Lincolnshire, England, and pursued his education at Standard Hill, Nottingham, the head master of the school being
William Goodacre, the well known author of several standard educational works. He was afterward articled for five
years to William March, chemist and apothecary, at Newark, England, and subsequently pursued a course of lectures
on chemistry under the celebrated Roscoe in Manchester.
Coming to Canada when twenty-one years of age, Mr. Gray established his business in Montreal in 1859 and for
several years devoted his attention to the study of sanitary science and particularly to the question of the sanitation of
cities. He was connected with every movement to improve the sanitary condition of Montreal and his labors were of
far-reaching benefit. He became one of the originators of the Pharmaceutical Association of the province, of which he
was elected secretary and later treasurer and vice president. He was next called to the presidency, serving for three
consecutive years and also as a member of the board of examiners. He became one of the charter members of the
Montreal College of Pharmacy and for two years was its president.
In 1884 he was elected alderman of the St. Lawrence ward and soon afterward was unanimously chosen by the city
council as chairman of the local board of health, serving in that difficult position during the whole of the disastrous
epidemic of small-pox which devastated the city and province in 1885 and 1886. When the disease broke out and the
death rate amounted to twenty-five per day, there was little civic organization to prevent the spread of disease or further
the promotion of sanitary conditions. Vaccination was opposed, but Mr. Gray organized a vigorous campaign to stamp
out the disease and obtained the passage of by-laws insisting on free and compulsory vaccination. He also organized a
civic hospital and insisted on all the small-pox patients being sent to the isolation hospital. Through this and other
emergency methods he allayed the general fear and stamped out the disease. It was in that year that he succeeded in
getting a by-law through the city council requiring all household refuse to be cremated, and shortly afterward
crematories were erected and a contract for five years’ collection and cremation given out.
After having served a three years’ term as alderman Mr. Gray declined reelection. He was appointed by the
government a justice of the peace and a member of the council of public instruction for the province of Quebec and was
elected to represent it on the corporation of the polytechnic school of this city. He was likewise a life governor of the
Montreal General Hospital and the Notre Dame Hospital. When the public health act passed the legislature, shortly
after the small-pox epidemic, Mr. Gray, who in addition to his aldermanic duties had been a member of the old central
board of health for the province, was appointed a member of the new provincial board of health then created and
remained a member until his death. In 1885 he was elected membre honoraire de la Société d’Hygiène Française of
Paris, France. After his retirement from the city council he was requested by a number of leading citizens of all parties
and creeds to accept the nomination of mayor, but owing to business reasons he was obliged to decline.
Mr. Gray married Miss Catherine Margaret McGale, the youngest daughter of the late Dr. Bernard McGale, who was
a member of the army medical staff. Mr. Gray died February 18, 1908, and is survived by his wife, three daughters and
a son, Dr. H. R. Dunstan Gray. The memory of his well spent life is cherished by all who were his contemporaries and
his colleagues, and the worth of his work is recognized by all who know aught of the history of Montreal.
JAMES JOHNSTON.
Throughout an active, commercial career James Johnston was engaged in importing and dealing in English and foreign
dry goods, in which connection he built up an enterprise of extensive and gratifying proportions, his becoming one of the
leading commercial houses of Montreal. He was born March 20, 1849, a son of James and Mary (Burns) Johnston,
both of whom were natives of Scotland, who, coming to the new world in early life, were married in Montreal. The
father, who was born in 1819, passed away in this city on the 27th of May, 1882.
Spending his youthful days under the parental roof, James Johnston pursued his education in the schools of Montreal
and Quebec and, entering business circles, he became connected with the firm of James Johnston & Company,
[12]
importers of and dealers in dry goods of English and foreign manufacture, of which his father was the head. After the
death of his father he became head of the business, devoting his entire attention to the development of a trade which
grew to large and gratifying proportions, making his one of the leading dry-goods establishments in the city. Since his
demise the store has been sold and is now conducted under the firm style of W. R. Brock Company, Ltd.
Mr. Johnston was married in Montreal, in 1876, to Miss Agnes Grant Robertson, a daughter of Andrew Robertson,
who was a prominent resident of this city. By this marriage there were eight children of whom seven are living. The
family circle was broken by the hand of death when on the 14th of July, 1899, James Johnston was called to his final
rest. His interests and activities, aside from business, are indicated by the fact that he held membership in the St. James
Club, the Metropolitan Club, the Hunt Club, the Forest and Stream Club, and St. Paul’s Presbyterian church. He was
always actuated by high and manly principles and worthy motives, and he left to his family the priceless heritage of an
untarnished name as well as the substantial reward of his business enterprise and sagacity.
MICHAEL JAMES WALSH.
Michael James Walsh is prominent along various lines of activity in Montreal, where he is widely known as a successful
insurance broker but has also actively participated in an important way in political and governmental affairs and is
moreover widely known in fraternal circles. Of good Irish stock, he has brought the sturdiness of his ancestors to the
task at hand and has attained a success which entitles him to consideration as one of the substantial men of his
community and a power for progress and improvement in the political field.
A native of Montreal, Michael James Walsh was born on the 2d of September, 1858, a son of Mark and Catherine
(Nolan) Walsh, both natives of County Wexford, Ireland. The father was prominent as a contractor and everywhere in
this city respected as a successful business man. Michael J. Walsh received his education at St. Ann’s parish, Christian
Brothers School, and upon discontinuing his lessons became connected with the Grand Trunk and Canadian Pacific
Railways, remaining for about ten years in their employ in their store departments. He then set out independently,
becoming an insurance broker, and by native shrewdness and ability to understand commercial conditions has
succeeded in building up a business which ranks him among the foremost men in his line in Montreal. When his private
affairs permitted him to devote some of his time to the public weal he entered politics with the same zest as he displayed
in his private business affairs and as a result was elected alderman of the St. Ann’s ward on February 1, 1902,
continuing in that office for four years or until February 1, 1906, and doing valuable work in promoting measures which
have been of far-reaching benefit to the city. On November 25, 1904, he was also elected a member of the Quebec
provincial legislature and on December 28, 1908, reelected to that office, continuing therein until May 15, 1912. His
legislative career has been one of success and his record has been so clear that his constituents may well be proud of
their representative. He has done much in supporting valuable bills, especially those undertaken in the interest of his
constituents, and has ever been active in committee rooms and on the floor of the house in sustaining or promoting
constructive legislation. His political position is that of a liberal, and he always has been a stanch supporter of that grand
man of the liberal party, Sir Wilfrid Laurier.
On October 9, 1882, at Montreal, in St. Henry parish church, Mr. Walsh was married to Mary Jane Barry, a daughter
of David Barry, mechanical superintendent of the Canada Sugar Refinery, and Mary O’Leary, both natives of County
Cork, Ireland. Mr. and Mrs. Walsh became the parents of two sons. Joseph Christopher Barry Walsh, B. A., B. C. L.,
is a well known notary public. The other son born to the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Walsh is David Robert Barry
Walsh, who graduated from Loyola College and is now successfully engaged in the insurance business, being inspector
for the Royal Exchange Association. Both sons are young men of excellent habits and qualifications.
As the years have passed Mr. Walsh has become connected with a number of outside interests and is now a director in
the People’s Mutual Building Society and for many years has been a member of the Montreal Board of Trade, doing in
that connection important work in promoting commercial expansion. Fraternally he is very prominent and has held high
offices in the Knights of Columbus, the Catholic Order of Foresters, the Catholic Mutual Benefit Association, the
Canadian Order of Foresters, the Royal Guardians, the Ancient Order of Hibernians and in St. Patrick’s Society. A
man of varied and important interests, Mr. Walsh has made an honorable record in business as well as in municipal and
provincial politics and enjoys the full confidence of the best classes of population. In him there is strongly developed the
quality of loyalty, and it is his devotion to a cause which has led him into the important relations with which he is now
connected. He may justly be classed with Montreal’s leading citizens, and the position which he has attained is the more
creditable as it has been brought about entirely by his own efforts.
JAMES BELL, M. D.
Notable service in the field of abdominal surgery won for Dr. James Bell an international reputation. His broad study
and research made him a scientist of renown and his opinions were largely accepted as authority by the profession
which recognized him not only as an eminent surgeon, but equally capable educator. He was born at North Gower,
Ontario, in 1852, and after acquiring his early education in local schools and by private tuition, he entered McGill
[13]
[14]
University and was graduated as Holmes’ gold medallist in 1877, a fact indicative of the excellent work which he had
done in his student days. He was immediately appointed house surgeon in the Montreal General Hospital, which
position he held until 1882, gaining that broad practical experience and knowledge which only hospital practice can
bring. In 1880 he became medical superintendent of the Montreal General Hospital and in 1885 was appointed to the
position of assistant surgeon, followed by appointment as surgeon a year later. He filled the position with distinction for
eight years and then became surgeon of the new Royal Victoria Hospital in 1894, remaining in that connection until his
demise. As the years passed his skill and ability constantly increased and developed and his reputation spread abroad
until he was acknowledged not only one of the eminent surgeons of Canada, but also, by reason of his specialty in
abdominal work, as one of the most distinguished representatives of the profession on the American continent. He
became just as widely known in connection with surgical work for the treatment of gall stones and kidney diseases. In
addition to his other hospital service he was consulting surgeon of the Children’s Hospital. After going to Victoria
Hospital he remained a consulting surgeon of the Montreal General Hospital and also acted in a similar capacity at the
Maternity Hospital.
DR. JAMES BELL
DR. JAMES BELL
His connection with McGill University was equally brilliant, for through many years he was one of its able educators in
the medical department. In 1888 he was appointed associate professor of clinical surgery. In 1890 he was made
assistant professor of surgery and clinical surgery; in 1895, professor of clinical surgery, and in 1907, professor of
surgery and clinical surgery. He held membership in the American Surgical Association and the Canadian Surgical
Association, and he served as surgeon major in charge of the field hospital corps in the Riel rebellion, receiving a medal
for his services, while between 1880 and 1888, he was surgeon to the Sixth Battalion of Fusiliers. He was the author of
various valuable papers, including one entitled Tubercular Family History, and his contributions to the press have ever
been eagerly received. He was the author of the chapter on Surgical Diseases and Wounds of the Kidneys and Ureters
in American Practice of Surgery as well as numerous valuable treatises on the kidneys. He was a member of the
Genito-Urinary branch of the American Medical Association in which he represented the Canadian Medical
Association. As a diagnostician he had few equals and he possessed a medical technique that was marvelous. One of
his strongest traits of character was his utter fearlessness. He spoke his own mind and was seldom misunderstood. He
never catered to cheaply acquired popularity or public opinion and always had the courage of his convictions. He spoke
what he thought to be the truth no matter who it opposed or offended. He thoroughly detested sham or deceit and was
self-contained, quiet and self-reliant in connection with all of his professional service.
Dr. Bell was married in June, 1889, to Miss Edith Mary Arnton, the eldest daughter of the late John J. Arnton, of
Montreal, and they had one son, James Stuart Ethelwyn Wallace, who was born February 15, 1899, and in
accordance with the wish of his father is preparing for the medical course at McGill. Dr. Bell was a member of a
number of the leading clubs, including St. James, the Montreal Jockey, the Mount Royal and the University Clubs. He
was for more than twenty years one of the enthusiastic members of the Montreal Hunt Club and for many years
followed the hounds. He greatly enjoyed outdoor life, much more than so-called society and said with Byron,
“I love not man the less but nature more.”
He was fond of hunting and fishing and it was his custom each year to hunt big game in New Brunswick where he was
[17]
often a guest at August Belmont’s private shooting preserve. Dr. Bell was also a member of the Chapleau Club in the
Laurentians where he went for his fishing. His country home, Saraguay, was his residence during four months in the year
for more than eighteen years. Here he maintained a fine breeding establishment of driving and saddle horses and was
able to gratify the great pleasure his excellent stock afforded him, for he was a lover of a good horse.
No man ever more fully, however, recognized the duties and obligations of the profession or more conscientiously met
them. The regard entertained for him by his professional brethren is indicated in the fact that Dr. C. E. Church termed
him “the ablest surgeon in America,” while Dr. T. G. Roddick said, “the death of Dr. James Bell is a distinct loss to the
medical and surgical profession. He was a man of marked ability, with conscientious devotion to his work, which
earned him the respect of his fellows, as well as success amongst his patients. And he was not only respected by the
profession throughout the country, but loved by his friends.” In comment upon his death the Montreal Gazette wrote,
“One of the men who have done much for the advancement of the medical profession in Canada passed away
yesterday when Dr. James Bell, in the ripe fullness of a useful career, was carried off by appendicitis. It was by a
curious irony of fate that Dr. Bell died most unexpectedly at the Royal Victoria Hospital, in whose wards still lay many
upon whom he had operated, and whose lives he had probably saved by his skill. For many years Dr. Bell had been
recognized as one of Canada’s leading surgeons, in fact one of the greatest surgeons in abdominal work on this
continent and his services were in great demand, not only in Montreal, but wherever the work of a skillful scientist
whose immediate judgment and power might be efficacious to save human life, was needed. Day by day he had been
working in the operating room of the Royal Victoria Hospital and the sick rooms of patients, in circumstances where a
single mistake might mean loss of life. The strain was much greater than ordinary people could have imagined. He was
one of those men who devoted themselves to their work so well and performed it so efficiently that there was no need
to fight for prominence. His work was such that it inevitably grew. As his ability became known his services became
more in demand and in a quiet and conscientious way he gradually became one of the recognized surgical authorities of
his time and one of the busiest. Not only in Montreal but in many parts of Canada he was called upon wherever there
was a stern fight against death, and frequently he was called to exercise his skill even farther afield in the United States.
Those who knew him as either surgeon or as friend will remember him as one who knew his work and did it well,
without thought of public recognition.”
Dr. Bell was actively engaged in professional duties almost to the closing hours of his life. On the last day he visited
Victoria Hospital he performed an operation in the forenoon. In the evening of the same day he was taken ill and the
end came a few days later. The board of governors of the Royal Victoria Hospital caused to be made a bronze bust of
Dr. Bell which was placed in the main hall of that hospital. The significance of this action is better understood when it is
known that but one other bust is there shown—that of Queen Victoria.
JOSEPH OVIDE GRAVEL.
Joseph Ovide Gravel, for many years manager and executor of the John Pratt estate in Montreal and prominently
connected with other important corporate and business interests of the city, was born here in 1839. He acquired his
education in the commercial schools of the city and in 1854 began a business career which brought him constantly
increasing prominence and prosperity. From that date until 1863 he was connected with the firm of Benning & Barsalou
and was then made secretary-treasurer of the Canadian Rubber Company, taking an active part in the affairs of that
concern until 1899. He was later a director in the Canadian Linseed Oil Mills, a trustee of the Guardian Assurance
Company, president of the Sincennes-McNaughton line and of the Dominion Oil Cloth Company. He became known
as a reliable, forceful and discriminating business man, one who always carried forward to successful completion
whatever he undertook, and he made his ability and insight the basis of a substantial and well deserved success. He
married Aurelie La Rocque. His son, C. E. Gravel, is now in charge of the Pratt estate and is ably carrying forward his
father’s work in its management.
JOSEPH LOUIS ARCHAMBAULT.
Joseph Louis Archambault, of Montreal, whose reputation as a distinguished and able lawyer has made him well known
throughout the province and who is now filling the position of city attorney, was born at Varennes, June 19, 1849, a son
of the late J. N. A. and Aurelie (Mongeau) Archambault. The father, who was “a patriot of 1837,” became president of
the provincial board of notaries in Quebec and was a distinguished representative of his profession. The son
supplemented his early education by study in the College of St. Hyacinthe and in broad literary training laid the
foundation upon which he has built the superstructure of professional knowledge. He pursued his law studies under the
direction of the late Sir George Cartier and at the same time followed the law course in McGill University, which
conferred upon him the B. C. L. degree in 1871. The same year he entered upon active practice as an advocate and
has since remained a member of the Montreal bar, although his growing powers and capabilities have won him place
among the leaders of the profession in the province. He was created a king’s counsel by the Marquis of Lansdowne in
1887 and became a member of the council of the bar in 1889. For some years he filled the position of crown
prosecutor for the district of Montreal and has frequently pleaded before the judicial committee of the privy council in
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England, having charge of important cases from Canada. He became city attorney of Montreal in 1898 and in the
discharge of his official duties has won high honors and encomiums. He has always enjoyed a large private practice and
in following his profession has been associated successively as law partner with Sir J. A. Chapleau, Q. C., the Hon. J.
A. Mousseau, Q. C. and the Hon. W. W. Linch, Q. C. He has written quite extensively on legal subjects for the
newspaper and magazine press and is the author of a number of published volumes, including: Jacques Cartier, an
Historical Drama (1879); Etude Legale sur l’Université Laval à Montreal (1880); Institutions Municipales (1887); Le
Barreau Canadien au Conseil Privé (1889); Généalogie de la Famille Archambault, 1620-1890 (1891); La Bourgeoisie
au Canada, Two Lectures (1894); The Criminal Forum in Canada (1895); and Etude de Moeurs Judiciares (1897).
His opinions upon involved legal questions are largely accepted as authority by the profession and the public. He served
as batonnier or president of the Montreal bar in 1912 and 1913. In addition to his law practice he is one of the
directors of the Rolland Paper Company.
Mr. Archambault was married in Montreal in June, 1873, to Miss Ernestine, the eldest daughter of the late Senator
Rolland, of Montreal. In religious faith Mr. and Mrs. Archambault are Catholics, and his political belief is that of the
conservative party. He belongs to the Canadian Club and those who meet him socially find him an entertaining, genial
and cultured gentleman whose ways are those of refinement and whose word no man can question. The Montreal Star
has said of him: “His career has been marked with continuous success and great devotion to the legal profession.” His
prominence is the logical outcome of well developed talents and powers and he is justly accounted today one of the
leaders of the provincial bar.
JOHN CLEMENT NEUFVILLE BADGLEY.
The Badgley family is one of the old and prominent families of Montreal, their connection with the city’s history dating
back to 1785.
Four generations of this family have been prominently identified with the city’s business and professional interests. John
C. N. Badgley, active in business circles for many years, remained a resident of this city from his birth on December 7,
1856, until his death on March 7, 1906.
He was a son of the Hon. William Badgley, D. C. L., one of the eminent representatives of the judiciary of the province,
and a nephew of Dr. Francis Badgley, one of the most prominent members of the medical profession of his day and an
early member of the McGill College faculty. Dr. Badgley died in England where he resided the latter years of his life.
Hon. William Badgley, whose entire life was spent in Montreal, was born in this city, March 27, 1801, his parents being
Francis and Elizabeth (Lilly) Badgley. The father, a representative of an old Derbyshire family, was born in London and
for years was a well known Montreal merchant. He was likewise a recognized leader in political circles and represented
his city in the provincial parliament from 1801 until 1805. The father of the Hon. William Badgley, Francis Badgley, was
one of the early settlers of Montreal, arriving in 1785. Francis Badgley became one of the prominent fur merchants in
Montreal and married Elizabeth Lilly, daughter of John Lilly.
William Badgley, after pursuing his more specifically literary education with the Rev. Alexander Skakel, studied law in
Montreal and was admitted to the bar in November, 1823. He entered at once upon active and successful practice,
was created queen’s counsellor in 1847 and received the honorary degree of Doctor of Civil Law from McGill
University in 1843. For about twenty years he practised his profession in Montreal and gained distinction as a barrister.
He was also the author of a work called Remarks on Registrar’s Office which was published in 1837. In 1840 he was
called to public life in his appointment as commissioner of bankrupts, in which capacity he served until 1844, when he
was appointed circuit judge. He was also secretary of the Constitutional Association which aided in the reunion of the
Canadas in 1841 and two or three years before that act was consummated he was one of the delegates sent to England
to further the movement. He continued upon the bench as circuit judge until 1847 and then resumed the private practice
of law. Judicial honors, however, were again conferred upon him when on the 27th of January, 1855, he was appointed
puisne judge of the superior court of Lower Canada, so continuing until the 1st of September, 1862, when he was
transferred to the court of queen’s bench as temporary assistant judge. Later he was appointed puisne judge of that
court on the 17th of August, 1866, and after presiding over its proceedings for eight years was retired on a pension in
June, 1874, because of partial deafness. Devotedly attached to his profession, systematic and methodical in habit, sober
and discreet in judgment, calm in temper, diligent in research, conscientious in the discharge of every duty, courteous
and kindly in demeanor and inflexibly just on all occasions, these qualities enabled his honor, William Badgley, to take
first rank among those who have held high judicial offices in the province. His reported opinions are monuments to his
profound legal learning and superior ability. They show a thorough mastery of the questions involved, a rare simplicity of
style and a remarkable terseness and clearness in the statement of the principles upon which the opinions rest. His name
is also interwoven with the history of legislation for he sat for Missisquoi in the Canadian assembly from 1844 until
1851, and for the city of Montreal from the latter date until the general election in 1854. He was a member of the
executive council and attorney general for Lower Canada from April 23, 1847, to March 10, 1848. He always gave
stanch allegiance to the conservative party, feeling that in its principles lay the strongest elements of good government.
His fraternal connections were with the Masons, and he was district and provincial grand master for England from
December, 1849, until his demise.
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With him passed away one of the links which have bound the bustling men of middle age today with a generation of
which the youth of today know but very little, of men more proud and precise in their manners than we are, and whose
courtesy and politeness was a part of their daily life. The loss of their influence and example is no small one.
In 1834, in London, England, Judge Badgley was married to Miss Elizabeth Taylor, the eldest daughter of Lieutenant
Colonel J. W. Taylor of the Twentieth Regiment B. N. T. Six children were born to this marriage; the wife and mother
passed away in 1874.
John C. N. Badgley, youngest son of the Hon. William Badgley, pursued his education in Montreal high school and
McGill University after spending some time as a student at Port Hope. When a young man he engaged in the coal
business and was connected with that department of commercial activity in Montreal throughout his entire life. He
became one of the active business men of this city, his energy and enterprise leading him into important, commercial
relations and winning for him a high standing as a business man and citizen.
He married Miss Mary E. Badgley, a daughter of Francis H. and Margaret (Drummond) Badgley of Ottawa.
John C. N. Badgley not only figured prominently in commercial circles but was also a well known member of the Board
of Trade, a past master of St. Paul’s Lodge of Masons and a member of the Christ Church cathedral. His death on
March 7, 1906, left a widow, son and daughter. The latter, Elizabeth Ruth, married October 10, 1913, John William
Shaw of Montreal, while the former, Clement Montagu, was born September 17, 1886, in Montreal and is the fourth
generation of the Badgley family that have been connected with Montreal’s business interests. He finished his education
in this city and after spending some time in travel abroad, concluded to enter upon a business, rather than a professional,
career. He was in the employ of the Liverpool & London & Globe Insurance Company for a time, after which he
became assistant head clerk for the Atlas Insurance Company. With the valuable experience thus gained, Mr. Badgley
entered the insurance and real-estate business on his own account, and at once secured a clientele that gave him a high
position among the best class of men in this line of business. He subsequently became associated with David A. Lewis,
as the firm of Lewis & Badgley, in real estate and insurance, with offices in the Merchants Bank building.
Mr. Badgley is a member of the Montreal Amateur Athletic Association, and the Canadian Club.
JAMES ROSS.
For almost a half century James Ross was intimately associated with the growth and development of Canada and was
an active factor in establishing, building and promoting many of the leading national and municipal railways of the
country. It was under him that Sir William Mackenzie started his career and subsequently he cooperated with him in
various enterprises throughout the world. He was also a long-time associate of Sir Sandford Fleming, Sir William Van
Horne, Sir Thomas Shaughnessy and Lord Strathcona, more particularly in the ’80s, in the building of the Canadian
Pacific Railway. He was also actively interested in the executive control of the Montreal and Toronto street railways
from 1892. The extent and importance of his business interests and investments made him therefore a most prominent
factor in the upbuilding and development of the country and his name is inseparably interwoven with the history of
Canada.
Mr. Ross was a son of the late Captain John Ross, merchant and ship owner, and Mary B. (McKedie) Ross, formerly
of Newcastle-on-Tyne, England. His birth occurred in the year 1848 at Cromarty, Scotland, and after attending
Inverness Academy in his native land he continued his studies in England. His initial step in the business world brought
him into connection with railway, harbor and water works in Great Britain. Following his arrival in America he was
appointed, in 1870, to the position of resident engineer of the Ulster & Delaware Railway, of which road he afterward
became chief engineer. In 1872 he acted as resident engineer of the Wisconsin Central Railway and subsequently held a
similar position with the Lake Ontario Shore road. It was not long before his efficiency as an engineer won him wide
recognition and he was offered the position of chief engineer of the Victoria Railway, of which he subsequently became
general manager. He was one of the most successful railway builders and owners in the Dominion, the construction of
the Canadian Pacific over the Rockies being due to his power of organization and engineering ability, and when Sir
Donald Smith, later Lord Strathcona, drove the last spike of the road, no one of that historic group held a higher place
in public regard in Canada than Mr. Ross.
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JAMES ROSS
JAMES ROSS
His active operations in the field of railway construction included the building of the Credit Valley Railway in 1878-79
and upon its completion he was appointed general manager of the road and also filled the position of consulting engineer
of the Ontario and Quebec Railway. In the spring of 1883 as general manager of construction, Mr. Ross began at Swift
Current the building of the Canadian Pacific Railway over the Rockies, the Selkirks and the Gold Range, and early in
November, 1885, this stretch of six hundred and twenty-three miles ending at Craig Ellachie, was completed more than
a year ahead of time, creating a record for fast railway building on this continent and evoking from Sir William Van
Horne the statement that such a record meant millions to the Canadian Pacific Railway. It was during the building of the
road over the mountains that Mr. Ross might be said to have discovered and subsequently came into close touch with
William Mackenzie, Donald Mann (both since knighted), Herbert S. Holt and several others who later on took a front
place among the railway magnates and financial leaders of Canada. In 1886 Mr. Ross brought about the settlement of
location of the Canadian Pacific east of Montreal and the legislative difficulties attending the entry of the road into the
state of Maine. Upon completing his arduous and complex task he took the contract for the construction of the
remaining portion of their line not already provided for. The extensions and improvements of the Canadian Pacific
created difficult tasks of civil engineering which were ably performed by Mr. Ross who at the same time considered the
question of railway construction in South America for which he had options. The railways of the southern continent
were to be built in Argentine and Chile and the options in those two republics alone amounted to over twenty million
dollars. Mr. Ross was also interested in important contracts in Chicago and elsewhere.
He established his home permanently in Montreal in 1888 and from this point supported his active professional interests,
contracting and building the Regina and Long Lake Railways some two hundred and fifty miles in length. In 1889 he
supervised the construction of the Calgary & Edmonton Railway, three hundred miles in length.
Having proven his capability in the field of steam railway construction Mr. Ross, in 1892, largely concentrated his
energies upon problems of street railway building and in connection with Sir William Mackenzie purchased the Toronto
Railway from the city of Toronto. He afterwa...
