A Cyclopaedia of Canadian Biography: Being Chiefly Men of the Time by Rose

families in the province, his ancestors having settled in what was then New France, in 1680. Having the advantage of a good education, and with natural abilities to enable him to make good use of the knowledge he had gained, he was singled out by those who knew him, even in early life, as one of the coming men of Lower Canada. He graduated from the Jesuits’ College, in Montreal, and was called to the bar in 1873, receiving the degree of B.C.L. the same year from McGill College. He made a brilliant success in the practice of law, and is now partner in one of Montreal’s best known legal firms. Like so many young lawyers, he early devoted a great deal of attention to politics, and became known not only as an exceedingly active worker in the various campaigns, but as a speaker of unusual power in influencing the people. In the Quebec general election of 1875 he was nominated as the Liberal candidate for Chambly, and carried the county in spite of the fiercest opposition. He had apparently entered upon a career of great credit and usefulness in the local house, when he was relegated to private life, being defeated in the general election of 1878. The check was only temporary, however, for the successful candidate was unseated and Mr. Prefontaine was re-elected in June, 1879. But he was again unsuccessful in 1881 when the Conservative government swept everything before them. During his membership in the house he was elected mayor of Hochelaga, and was re-elected in successive years, until 1884. He became an alderman of Montreal a year later, his legal practice being in that city. The eyes of the Dominion were turned to him in the memorable contest in Hochelaga in 1886, during the Nationalist agitation succeeding the execution of Louis Riel, the government having opened this constituency apparently to test its strength. The contest was one of the most fiercely fought that have ever been known in Canada. Mr. Prefontaine succeeded in carrying the county against all opposition, and the rejoicing of the Nationalists on the occasion was great. At the general election in 1887, the struggle was almost again as great, but he succeeded in retaining the seat. In the house he shows himself full of vigor. He speaks in trenchant style, and his manner is affable and pleasant, and he ranks high among the popular members of the house. He is a Liberal and a Nationalist. He was married on the 20th June, 1876, to Hermine, daughter of the late Senator J. B. Rolland, of Montreal. * * * * * =Piché, Eugene Urgel=, Barrister, Berthierville, Quebec province, was born 13th July, 1824, at St. Sulpice, county of L’Assomption, and was the son of Bonaventure Piché, an old and highly respected merchant, and Emilie Lefèbre. He received his classical education at the College of L’Assomption, and was admitted to the bar of Montreal, 13th March, 1846. He was chief magistrate, and then member for the county of Berthier, in the Provincial Parliament of Canada for four years, from January, 1858. He was made a Queen’s counsel, 28th June, 1867, with precedence immediately after the Hon. G. Ouimet, ex-premier of Quebec. Deputy of the attorney-general, Sir George Cartier, and the Hon. G. Ouimet, and representative of the crown before the court of Queen’s Bench from 1864 to 1871, in five districts, Montreal, Joliette, Beauharnois, Terrebonne and Arthabaska. In 1869, he was appointed a school trustee by the Council of Public Instruction of the province of Quebec; and in 1871, one of the twelve commissioners for the taking of the census. In March, 1873, he was made clerk-assistant of the House of Commons; and on the 7th of March, 1874, appointed a special commissioner by the governor-general to swear in the members of parliament, and swore in Louis Riel as a member for Manitoba. Some time after, on receiving a pension, he retired from the House of Commons, and returned to the practice of his profession in Montreal, and afterwards in the district of Richelieu, where he resided the first fourteen years of his career, and where he is still practising. In September, 1872, he was admitted a member of the bar of Manitoba. October, 1886, he was a candidate as “National Independent Conservative” against Robillard, Conservative, and Sylvester, Liberal, at the provincial election for Quebec, the Liberal carrying the election. Space will not permit us to enumerate the many important cases Mr. Piché has conducted successfully: the most celebrated, however, being that of the ladies Dambourgés, daughters of the brave and gallant Col. Dambourgés, who gallantly defended Quebec against the invasion of the _Bastonnais_ in 1775. The legal contention was with one of the most opulent families of the country, having at its head the eminent Chief Justice Sir L. H. Lafontaine. The contest lasted for twelve years, several lesser cases growing out of the original, and occupied the attention of the whole jurisdiction of the province, especially of Montreal and Quebec. Mr. Piché defended the case alone against twelve able lawyers employed by his adversaries, and vanquished them successively, until finally they appealed to the Privy Council of England; but were again defeated by the subject of our sketch, who wrote a clever letter to the clerk of the Privy Council, which proved so convincing, that without any unnecessary delay, the case was decided in favor of his clients. The justly deserved praise and admiration of the public was lavishly bestowed upon Mr. Piché, as well as the private recognition of the highest legal authorities of the Dominion, among the latter being the then minister of justice, Sir John A. Macdonald. As a member of parliament, our subject has been equally distinguished, and in 1858, at Toronto, having defeated the Macdonald government on the amendment against Ottawa becoming the capital of Canada. The encomiums of the press have fully testified and endorsed Mr. Piché’s remarkable ability and talent, as well as sound practical judgment, in whatever public position he has occupied. He was married October 18th, 1846, to Marie Nina Marion, daughter of Captain Louis G. Marion. There is scarcely any position, political or legal, that Mr. Piché’s remarkable talents do not fit him for. * * * * * =Guevrement, Hon. Jean Baptiste=, Sorel, Senator of the Dominion of Canada, was born at La Visitation, Isle du Pads, P.Q., on the 4th September, 1826. He is a farmer, and has always taken an active part in the politics of the country. In 1854 he was elected to represent Richelieu in the Canadian Assembly, which he did till 1857, when he was defeated at the general election that year. In 1858 he was chosen to represent Sorel in the Legislative Council of Canada, which position he filled till confederation. In 1867 he was a candidate for Richelieu in the Quebec Legislature, but was defeated. In the same year he was called to the Senate of Canada by royal proclamation. The Hon. Mr. Guevrement is a Conservative in politics. On May 2nd, 1848, he married Marie Anne Parelhus. * * * * * =Allan, Hon. George William=, D.C.L., Toronto, Speaker of the Senate of Canada, Chancellor of the University of Trinity College, Toronto, was born at Little York, now Toronto, on the 9th of January, 1822. His father, the late Hon. William Allan, was a pioneer settler who took up his abode in York, during Governor Simcoe’s term of office, and resided in Toronto till his death in 1853. This gentleman, in his day, held a very prominent place in public esteem, and being possessed of more than ordinary ability and a good education, he enjoyed advantages not so common in those early days as now. He was the first postmaster for York, and the first custom collector for the port. During the war of 1812-15 he served in the militia as lieutenant-colonel, and his son has still in his possession the flags of his old regiment. He figured prominently, too, in commercial life, and was the first president of the Bank of Upper Canada. He also held a seat in the Legislative Council of old Canada for several years, and a seat in the Executive during the administrations of Sir Francis Bond Head and Sir George Arthur. Our subject’s mother was Leah Tyreer, whose father was Dr. John Gamble, who belonged to a U. E. Loyalist family, and was a surgeon in the Queen’s rangers. His corps was raised in Upper Canada after the arrival of Lieutenant-Governor Simcoe. George William was educated by private tuition during his earlier years, and was afterwards sent by his father to Upper Canada College. When the rebellion, headed by William Lyon Mackenzie, broke out in 1837, young Allan, then in his sixteenth year, left U. C. College, and entered as a private “the Bank Rifle Corps,” of which the present Chief Justice Hagarty, Judge Galt, and some others still living were also members. He returned to the college at the end of the following year, and remained there until he went up for his examination as a law student which he passed in the “senior class,” in Easter term, 1839. He was articled to and began his studies in the office of Gamble & Boulton, and was subsequently called to the bar of Upper Canada, in Hilary term, 1846. Before entering upon the active practice of the law, young Allan was sent by his father to travel abroad, and in addition to a very extended tour throughout Europe, he visited many countries which, in those days, were not quite as accessible as they are now. He went up the Nile to the borders of Nubia, and afterwards travelled through Syria and the Holy Land, Asia Minor, Turkey and Greece, meeting with not a few exciting adventures, arising more particularly from the lawless and unsettled condition, at that time, of many parts of Syria and Asia Minor. He was elected, not long afterwards, a fellow of the Royal Geographical Society of England. Mr. Allan early took a part in municipal affairs, his name appearing as one of the aldermen for St. David’s Ward in 1849. In 1865 he was elected mayor of the city and served in that capacity throughout the year. In May, 1856, before again leaving Canada for a lengthened tour abroad, he was presented by his fellow-citizens with a very complimentary address. It was done up in neat book form, and is now a most interesting document, as it contains the signatures of men of all ranks, parties and creeds, a large proportion of whom have now passed away. Mr. Allan, in the autumn of 1858, in response to a requisition from the electors of the York division, for which he was returned by a very large majority, took his seat for that division in the Legislative Council of old Canada, which he retained until confederation. Mr. Allan took a prominent part in the business of the Legislative Council, and filled the office of chairman of the Private Bills Committee in that body for many years. In May, 1867, he was called to the Senate by Royal proclamation, and has ever since taken an active share in its deliberations, as well as in the business of the Committee of the House, having been chairman, first of the Private Bills Committee, and subsequently of the Standing Committee on Banking and Commerce, which he has now filled for many years. In politics he is a Conservative. Mr. Allan has always taken a deep interest in the promotion of literature and science in his native country. He was one of the original members of the Royal Canadian Institute, and has filled the chair as president, besides being a contributor to the Journal of the Institute. He has always been a warm friend to the cause of higher education, and has been closely connected with Trinity College University (of which he is now the Chancellor, and from which he received his degree of D.C.L.), ever since the founding of that Institution in 1852. In all matters connected with Canadian art Mr. Allan has ever evinced a lively interest. He is the president of the Ontario Society of Artists, and chairman of the Art Union of Canada, and is the possessor of a large and valuable collection of paintings by a Canadian artist, the late Paul Kane, illustrating Indian life and customs, and the scenery of the great North-West. Attached to horticultural pursuits himself, Mr. Allan has labored as president of the Horticultural Society of Toronto, for more than twenty-five years, to foster a taste for the study and cultivation of flowers and fruits among his fellow-citizens, and it was with that object that he presented to the Society, in 1857, the five acres of land which, with the subsequent addition made fifteen, now forming the Society’s Gardens. As we have already mentioned, Mr. Allan performed his first military duty at a very early age. He has always taken a warm interest in all matters connected with the Volunteers and Militia, and is himself Lieut.-Colonel of the Regimental Division of East Toronto, and an honorary member of the Queen’s Own Rifles. A member of the Church of England, Mr. Allan has for many years borne an active part in the Synod and other assemblies of his church. He has also filled the chair as president of the Upper Canada Bible Society for more than twenty years. In business affairs Mr. Allan fills more than one post of considerable responsibility and importance. He has been for many years chief commissioner of the Canada Company as well as president of one of our largest and most successful loan companies, the Western Canada Loan and Savings Company. In 1888, on the death of the Hon. Josiah B. Plumb, Speaker of the Senate, the Hon. Mr. Allan was elected to the office. While in his twenty-fourth year he married Louisa Maud, third daughter of the late Honourable Sir John Robinson, Bart., C.B., chief Justice of Upper Canada, and she died while sojourning at Rome, in 1852. He married again, in 1857, Adelaide Harriet, third daughter of the Rev. T. Schreiber, formerly of Bradwell Lodge, Essex, England, and has a family of six children, three sons and three daughters. * * * * * =Futvoye, Isaac Booth=, Railway Superintendent Northern Division Central Vermont, and Waterloo and Magog Railway, St. John’s, Quebec province, was born in London, England, on the 28th November, 1832. His father was Lieutenant-Colonel George Futvoye, who was for many years deputy minister of militia, and a resident of Ottawa. The subject of our sketch, Isaac Booth Futvoye, received his education at the High School of Quebec, and entered the railway service 1st May, 1857. From that time until 1st May, 1859, he served in the capacity of roadman (Engineer corps), on the Stanstead, Shefford and Chambly Railway, when he was appointed station agent at St. John’s, P.Q. From February, 1865, to May, 1876, in conjunction with this office, he also acted as agent for the Montreal and Vermont Junction Railway, at the same place. From 24th May, 1876, to the present, he has acted as superintendent of the Stanstead, Shefford and Chambly and the Montreal and Vermont Junction Railways. These two railroads are now operated as the northern division of the Central Vermont Railroad. On the 1st January, 1878, he also became superintendent of the Waterloo and Magog Railroad. Mr. Futvoye is considered one of our best authorities in his particular sphere, and is respected and esteemed by all for his sound, practical judgment in matters pertaining to railways. In religion, he is a Protestant, belonging to the Episcopal church. He married, October 20th, 1860, Mary Anne Doyou, of Granby, P.Q. * * * * * =Leblanc, Pierre Evariste=, Montreal, M.P.P. for Laval, was born at St. Martin’s, in the county of Laval, 10th August, 1853. His ancestors came to L’Isle Jesus from Acadia in 1757, after the conquest and dispersion of its inhabitants by the British army. His father was Joseph Leblanc, and his mother Adéle Belanger. The subject of our sketch commenced his education at the Academy of St. Martin’s, leaving it to enter the Jacques Cartier Normal School, from which he went to McGill University. He entered into the study of law, deciding to make it his profession, and was called to the bar of the province of Quebec 11th July, 1879. Mr. Leblanc has always taken an active part in the politics of his country; and in 1882, when the Hon. L. O. Loranger was elevated to the bench, he was elected in his place to represent the county of Laval in the Quebec legislature. The election being protested, he was unseated on petition, but was re-elected, and was again elected at the last general election. In politics he is a Conservative, and is held in high esteem by his many friends. On the 12th January, 1886, he married Hermine, daughter of the late Theodore Beaudry, of Montreal, and Catharine Valée. * * * * * =Davis, Donald Watson=, Merchant, Macleod, district of Alberta, M.P. for Alberta, North-West Territory, was born in the town of Londonderry, state of Vermont, United States, in 1849. His father and mother were both natives of the state, but of English and Scotch descent. He received his education in his native town. He came to Canada, and settled in Macleod about 1870, where he conducts business as a merchant and general stock dealer. He was elected to the House of Commons as representative for Alberta at the last general election, and is a supporter of the Conservative party. In 1887 he was married to Lillie, daughter, of James Grier, J.P. * * * * * =Motton, Robert=, Q.C., Barrister, Stipendiary Magistrate and Judge of Civil Court of the city of Halifax, N.S., is of English extraction, and is a son of the late Robert Motton, also of Halifax, who did business there for many years. Mr. Motton was born in Halifax about the year 1831, and received his early education at the Grammar School in that city. Having mastered the classics, he decided to adopt the profession of the law, for which the keenness of his mind, his witty and eloquent tongue, and his knowledge of human nature eminently fitted him. He studied in the office of Peter Lynch, Q.C., and after pursuing his studies with diligence was called to the bar of Nova Scotia, on 7th December, 1856. He began to practise in Halifax, and speedily built up a large business, especially in criminal cases. He had great weight with juries, being a polished and eloquent pleader. As a cross-examiner he excelled. For years he was retained in the most important civil and criminal cases, and it was admitted that his presence in any of the courts of the province was an intimation that some important case was going on, and he was looked upon as a natural adjunct to either one or the other side. In politics he was for many years connected with the Conservative party, and rendered them yeoman service in many hard-fought battles. On the stump he was simply immense, his general humor, power of word-painting, and acquaintance with the ins and outs of the situation making him a complete master of his audience. In 1874 he opposed Captain John Taylor, who offered as candidate of the Liberal party, the Conservatives agreeing not to oppose, for one of the seats for Halifax rendered vacant by the death of that brilliant orator and lawyer, Hon. William Garvie. Mr. Motton represented the Young Halifax party, and being opposed by the whole weight of the Liberal local government and the Conservative vote, was defeated, but made, nevertheless, a gallant fight. He afterwards claimed the seat on the ground of his opponent’s disqualification, which he established before a committee of the House of Assembly composed of a majority of Liberals, but who refused him the seat because they were determined he should not enter the house to oppose the government. Mr. Motton may have thought that he did not receive that measure of support from his own party to which his services entitled him; but however, after this his affection for the Conservatives cooled, and he gradually became attached to the Liberal party, among whom he was warmly welcomed, they having a proper appreciation of his abilities. He was frequently employed in crown cases by the local government. He was always ready to help any good cause with the might of his tongue, and especially as an advocate of temperance. He distinguished himself when the late D. Banks McKenzie started the blue ribbon movement and the reform club in Halifax, in the summer of 1877. Mr. Motton came to his assistance, and at the mass meeting held in the rink addressed by such orators as Hon. P. C. Hill, provincial secretary and premier, Rev. Dr. George W. Hill, of St. Paul’s and others Mr. Motton made one of the happy efforts of the evening. He is a very popular lecturer on Reminiscences of the Bar, and other popular subjects, always drawing crowded houses attracted by his versatility, solid diction, relieved by fresh and racy incidents, creating roars of merriment and applause. In the Dominion campaign of February, 1878, when Hon. A. G. Jones defeated M. H. Richey in the Halifax bye-election, Mr. Motton was one of the ablest canvassers and hardest workers on the Liberal side. His name at this time was freely spoken of as a Liberal candidate for the local house. He resided at this time in Dartmouth, of which municipality he was stipendiary magistrate and recorder. He subsequently in 1879 resigned the position, as his increasing practice in Halifax rendered the step advisable. The acceptance of his resignation was followed by a most flattering and complimentary resolution, regretting his withdrawal. Upon the resignation of Dr. Henry Pryor, as stipendiary magistrate of Halifax city, a post which he had filled for many years, Mr. Motton was tendered by the provincial government and accepted the position, all parties agreeing the place could find no worthier incumbent. His appointment as stipendiary and judge of City Civil Court is the only one made by the government in Nova Scotia. It is for life, and removable in the same way as other judges. The secular and religious press, without any exception, endorsed the selection. On the occasion of his first presiding in the City Civil Court, the members of the bar present conveyed to him the gratification with which his legal brethren viewed his elevation, and tendering him their most hearty congratulations and best wishes. He has administered the laws of the city with good judgment, forbearance, and impartiality, and at the same time has made himself a terror to evil doers. He has exerted a powerful influence towards suppressing vice in its many forms. In religion he and his family, consisting of his wife and two sons, are Methodists. He was appointed Queen’s counsel by the local government in