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

published “An Historical and Statistical Account of Nova Scotia,” This work is said to be written with “clearness, spirit, accuracy, and impartiality,” and is at the present day regarded as a standard work. So much was thought of it that the House of Assembly in Nova Scotia tendered the author a vote of thanks, which he received when in his place in parliament. In 1834 he published “Kentucky,” a tale. In 1837 the first series of “The Clock Maker; or Sayings and Doings of Sam. Slick of Slickville,” came before the public, which was followed by the second and third series in 1838 and 1840. It was in order to preserve some anecdotes and stories, which were too good to be lost, and were in danger of passing into oblivion, that Haliburton wrote, anonymously, a series of articles for a paper, the _Nova Scotian_, speaking to the public through the medium of a Yankee pedlar. These papers were a great success, and appeared as a collection under the foregoing title, and as a work on common sense it is doubtful if it has its equal. It has been re-published in England and the United States, and translated into foreign languages. In 1839 he published “The Letter-Bag of the Great Western; or Life in a Steamer,” after which followed “The Bubbles of Canada”; “A Reply to the Report of Lord Dufferin”; “Traits of American Humor”; “Sam. Slick’s Wise Saws and Modern Instances”; “The Old Judge; or Life in a Colony”; “The Americans at Home”; “Rule and Misrule of the English in America”; “The Attaché; or Sam. Slick in England”; “Yankee Stories and Yankee Letters”; “The Sayings and Doings of Sam. Slick, Esq., with his Opinion on Matrimony”; “Sam. Slick in Search of a Wife”; “Nature and Human Nature.” Two of his speeches have also been published; one on “Resources and Prospects of British North America,” in 1857, and the other, “On the Repeal of the Differential Duties on Foreign and Colonial Wool.” Critics say, “although a man of mark in other departments of literature, Haliburton is best known as a humorist.” His “History of Nova Scotia” will bear comparison with any works of a similar kind that have appeared in America; but it is to Sam. Slick that he owes his fame. The revelations and remarks of the Yankee pedlar are valuable, no less for their shrewdness and sound sense, than for their raciness and humor, their sarcasms and laughable exaggerations. Haliburton is indeed more than a humorist; and his productions will be read with profit by others besides his countrymen. As a story-teller he is inimitable, and the quaint dialect in which his yarns are couched increases the comic effect of his utterances. Sam. Slick has an individuality that insures for him a place amongst the best known characters of fiction. It is needless to say anything more of one who has attained such world-wide celebrity as he who is familiarly known to Canadians as Judge Haliburton. * * * * * =Gervais, Marie Emery=, M.D., Three Rivers, a descendant of a French family who migrated from France in the beginning of the present century, and settled in the prosperous city of Three Rivers, was born in that city on the 13th of December, 1845, and is the son of Louis Emery Gervais, a merchant of good repute, and a highly esteemed citizen, who served his fellow-townsmen in the capacity of councillor for over twenty years; his mother was Julie Huart, of Point Levis. The doctor was educated at the college of Three Rivers, and on completing a full course of classical studies in that institution, removed to Montreal, and entered the Medical and Surgical School, to follow a course of medical studies, and in May, 1869, graduated M.D. at the University of Victoria College, Cobourg. He then returned to his native place, where he has practised ever since, enjoying the confidence and esteem of the entire community. His urbane manners and uniform courtesy and kindness, together with the careful attention he bestows on all who come under his care have made him hosts of friends. He served in the town council for several years, and in July, 1881, he was returned by acclamation for the ward he had previously represented. He is also a member of the Provincial Board of Health, to which office he was appointed for a term of three years in July, 1880. On the 6th of August, 1870, he married Marie Madeleine Etuchienne, daughter of the late Edouard Normand, of Three Rivers, by whom he has issue twelve children, five sons and seven daughters. The Normand family is well and favorably known in Three Rivers, where it has numerous representatives, and by his alliance with it, Dr. Gervais seems to have been endowed with the many estimable and philanthropic characteristics which are its inheritance. * * * * * =Turcotte, Hon. Arthur=, Q.C., Three Rivers, Quebec.—The distinguished subject of this sketch bears a name deservedly honored in Lower Canadian annals, and for over half a century intimately associated with the institutions, development and history of the city of Three Rivers. His father was one of the most remarkable of the eminent public men of Lower Canada during the last generation. The Hon. J. E. Turcotte was, during his lifetime, Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of United Canada and a member of the Macdonald-Cartier Cabinet, and played a leading part in the politics of his day, besides endowing Three Rivers with important public works of all kinds, which have handed down his fame to a grateful posterity. Among these lasting mementoes of his services to his constituents may be more specially mentioned the railway from Arthabaska to Doucet’s Landing, and the extensive wharves on the water front of the trifluvian city. The first charter of the Piles Railway was secured through his exertions, and, though he did not live to see that road built, the honor of its initiative still remains attached to his memory. He further earned the title of a public benefactor by his large and generous gifts to local institutions of charity, education and religion, which still sacredly cherish his name and lineaments, while his energy and eloquence continue to be household words throughout the province of Quebec. His son, the Hon. Henri René Arthur Turcotte, is the worthy representative of a distinguished father, whose life-work he has warmly taken up, and in whose footsteps he has faithfully walked; so that between the careers of the father and the son, there are many striking points of analogy. Both have played a controlling part in the general politics of the country, as well as in the affairs of Three Rivers as a city, fighting the same battles, and filling the same positions as ministers and speakers of the House. In both, too, are to be found united the same energy and industry, the same civic spirit, which have raised them to the pedestal of public benefactors in the eyes of their fellow-citizens. Hon. Arthur Turcotte is still in the full vigor of manhood. Born at Montreal, on the 19th January, 1845, he received a brilliant education at the Jesuits’ College, Montreal, and Stoneyhurst College, Lancashire, England. He early developed remarkable literary and artistic tastes, and the oratorical talent which he inherited from his father, one of the most eloquent men of his time. In 1867, Mr. Arthur Turcotte was admitted to the bar, where he soon won a prominent position. In 1879 he was appointed a Queen’s counsel. He took an active and important part in the municipal affairs of his native city, and represented his fellow citizens during a number of years successively as councillor, alderman and mayor. He was returned to the Quebec Legislature by the popular vote for the first time in March, 1876. Two years later, the electoral division of Three Rivers re-elected him by acclamation, and on the 4th June, 1878, the Legislative Assembly of Quebec raised him to the dignity of its speaker, which he continued to fill until the dissolution of the houses, in 1881. At the general elections of 1881, he was again a candidate for Three Rivers, but the close of the polls found him in a minority. The election of his successful competitor, Mr. Dumoulin, having been set aside, however, for corruption, a new election took place in March, 1884, and Hon. Mr. Turcotte was again returned to the legislature. At the general elections of the 14th October, 1886, superhuman efforts were made to defeat him, but he once more triumphed with a considerable majority of the popular vote. When Hon. H. Mercier was charged with the formation of a new cabinet for the Province of Quebec, in 1887, Hon. Mr. Turcotte was asked to enter it, and did so as a minister without portfolio. Some months later he was called to act as commissioner of crown lands, during the absence of the actual incumbent, the Hon. Mr. Garneau, who was in Europe, for the benefit of his health. In November, 1887, ill-health having forced Mr. Premier Mercier to take a rest for some time, Hon. Mr. Turcotte was charged by him to act as Premier, and preside over the cabinet councils during his absence. The acting prime minister of Quebec is generally admitted to be one of the most powerful and popular tribunes of his day. In the house, he never speaks without adding new and precious light to any question under debate, and his deliverances are always marked by much originality and independence of thought. He has ever been the friend of the masses, and to his exertions they are indebted for the Quebec Statute, exempting from attachment one-half of workmen’s wages. His industrious habits make him a valuable representative, and he has always taken an active part in public legislation. He has been the author of numerous amendments for the simplification of the civic code, and of the procedure before the Civil Courts. He has also done much for the city of Three Rivers, where, notwithstanding the bitterness of political contests, his name is exceedingly popular. Like his illustrious father, he has contributed largely to the improvement and extension of its railway facilities. The Three Rivers “loop line,” an important local accommodation, is due to his initiative and exertions, and he is actually engaged in promoting another great public enterprise, the Three Rivers and North-Western Railway, which promises most beneficial results. Hon. Mr. Turcotte is a director of the British Empire Life Assurance Company. On 16th January, 1873, he was wedded to Marie Eleanore Isabella, only daughter of Angus Macdonald, of Becancour. * * * * * =Fabre, Most Rev. Edward C.=, Roman Catholic Archbishop of Montreal, was born in the city in which he holds such a high and holy office, on the 28th February, 1827. His parents, Edward Raymond Fabre, and Lucy Perrault, were both born in Montreal. His father for many years carried on the business of bookselling, standing, during his lifetime, high in the estimation of his fellow citizens, and was mayor of the city in 1849-50. Archbishop Fabre is the eldest of a family of five children who survive their father. A younger brother, Hon. Louis R. Hector Fabre, occupied a seat in the senate of the Dominion for a number of years, for La Salle; and a sister, Hortense, was married to the late Sir George E. Cartier. The Most Rev. Archbishop Fabre was educated at St. Hyacinthe College, Quebec province, and at Issy, near Paris, in France. He received the tonsure at the hands of Archbishop Affre, of Paris, on the 17th May, 1845, and, returning to Canada, was ordained in Montreal on the 23rd February, 1850, by Bishop Prince. After remaining four years in Montreal, he was appointed curate of Sorel, where he proceeded and entered upon his duties on the 3rd of April, 1850. In 1852 he was promoted to the office of parish priest at Pointe Claire, on the St. Lawrence river, between Lachine and St. Anne. Here he remained until November, 1854, and then returned to the bishop’s palace, at Montreal. He was made a canon on the 25th December, 1855; on the 1st April, 1873, was appointed bishop of Gratianopolis, and was consecrated by Archbishop Taschereau, of Quebec, on the 1st of May following. In 1876, on the resignation of Bishop Bourget, he became bishop of Montreal, and entered upon the important duties of that office in September of that year, and was created Archbishop of the same See on the 8th of June, 1886, on which date the See was created an Archbishopric. Archbishop Fabre has a large territory under his control and superintendence, but he has not shrunk from his duties. He is beloved by his people, and works in the full consciousness that he is in the right path, and has been called of God to do His work on earth. * * * * * =Mackintosh, Charles H.=, Journalist, Ottawa, was born in London, Ontario, in 1843. He is a son of the late Captain William Mackintosh, county engineer of Middlesex, Ontario, who came to Canada as an attaché of the ordnance branch of the British army. Mr. Mackintosh has led an unusually active life, and has succeeded in making his way, unaided, from an humble position to one of honor and influence. He was educated at the Galt Grammar school and Caradoc Academy, two well-known institutions at that time. When almost yet a schoolboy he had strong impulses toward a literary life. When the Prince of Wales came to Canada, in 1860, an ode of welcome from the pen of Mr. Mackintosh, then a youth of seventeen, was read in his honor, and presented to His Royal Highness. Two years later, under the title of “Fat Contributor,” he wrote for the London _Free Press_ a series of bright articles which were characteristically named “Hurry-Graphs.” These attracted so wide attention, that the entrance of the young writer into journalism was a foregone conclusion. He gave up the study of law, upon which he had entered, and became first reporter, and soon afterwards city editor of the _Free Press_. His journalistic career was marked by rapid progress. In 1864 he was city editor of the Hamilton _Times_. A year later he founded the _Dispatch_, of Strathroy, which he conducted until 1874. In 1868 he married Gertrude Cooke, daughter of T. Cooke, J.P., of Strathroy. In 1871, he founded the Parkhill _Gazette_, which he controlled for some time, while still managing the _Dispatch_. In the same year he unsuccessfully contested North Middlesex as Conservative candidate for the local legislature. In 1871 he visited Chicago during the fire, and wrote a description of the terrible event; 60,000 copies were sold in two weeks. In 1873 he was elected a member of the town council of Strathroy, in which capacity he exhibited talents, as a public man, which afterwards showed to better advantage in a wider sphere. Believing in himself, as all men do who come to the front in human affairs, he deliberately proceeded to fit himself for the higher place in public life which he believed himself destined to fill. Thinking that the protection system which had long been established in the United States would come up for active discussion in Canada, he went to Chicago, accepting the position of managing editor of the Chicago _Journal of Commerce_. While resident in the western metropolis he studied carefully the protection system, as well as other institutions of the United States. He also wrote a graphic account of the United States “panic, of 1883.” Returning to Canada, he declined an editorial position on the _Mail_; sold out his interest in the Strathroy _Dispatch_, and went to Ottawa, where he became editor of the Ottawa _Citizen_, the Conservative journal of the capital. He at once attracted attention, not only because of the vigorous management and writing of the _Citizen_, but because of the active interest he displayed in public questions. At the celebration of the O’Connell centennial he wrote a poem which won the gold and silver medal over many others submitted. He was an ardent protectionist long before the Conservative party accepted that system as a plank in their platform, and must be counted as one of the leaders in that great movement. In 1877, the late John Riordon, of St. Catharines, urged Mr. Mackintosh to cooperate with him in reorganizing the _Mail_, but the offer was again declined. His active interest in public affairs, combined with an unusual share of those qualities which make men popular with their fellows, caused him to be nominated as mayor of Ottawa in 1879, and the result of the election was his return by a large majority. In the two succeeding years he was re-elected, and though unseated on a technicality after the third contest, he was a fourth time favored with the support of the people and fulfilled his term. As mayor of the capital of Canada he inaugurated many reforms which have proved of the greatest benefit to the city. In the general election of 1882 he was one of the Conservative candidates in Ottawa for the House of Commons, and both he and his colleague were elected by sweeping majorities. During his term in parliament he made several speeches which were marked by a combination of keen common sense, full information and finished oratory. He spoke but seldom; but when he took the floor he always secured a careful and attentive hearing. Mr. Mackintosh resigned his seat for Ottawa in July, 1886, but at the request of his friends agreed to hold it until the dissolution, which he did. The capital of Canada is no bed of roses for any active or generous man, and thus the senior member found it, hence his positive objection to being again a candidate. In the last general election Mr. Mackintosh, by the unanimous wish of the Conservative party, contested Russell against Mr. W. C. Edwards, the largest manufacturer and most popular Liberal in the county, and was defeated by a narrow majority, owing mainly to the feeling against the government among the French-Canadians, aroused by the execution of Riel. He polled 2,146 votes, or between 400 and 500 more than were ever given to a Conservative candidate in that county. The Home Rule and Riel cries concentrated at least 1,700 votes solidly against any Conservative nominee, the constituency being largely catholic. The election has been contested, and at this writing the trial on the merits of the case has not been held. Mr. Mackintosh, besides the prominent part he has taken in public affairs, has done much to benefit the Ottawa region by the formation of public works. Notably he was the chief promoter and president of the Gatineau Valley Railway Company, and succeeded in interesting a syndicate of capitalists in the enterprise, so that the road is now under construction. Quite recently Mr. Mackintosh declined to be a candidate for the mayoralty of the capital in 1888. * * * * * =Paton, Andrew=, Sherbrooke, Managing Director of the Paton Manufacturing Company, Sherbrooke, dates his birth on the 5th of April, 1833, near Stirling, Scotland, his parents being James Paton and Mary Harvey, the former dying before his son was born. He received a fair English education, and at an early age became an apprentice to J. and D. Paton, woollen manufacturers, of Tillicoultry, Clackmannanshire, Scotland, for which firm he worked after finishing his apprenticeship. In 1855, Mr. Paton came to this country, engaged in business, with another man, in the manufacture of cloth at Galt, Ontario, and six years later went to Waterloo, in the same province, and continued the same business under the firm name of Paton and Brickes. Mr. Paton was the first man in Canada to make double and twist, or Scotch tweeds. In 1866, he came to Sherbrooke, and took charge of what shortly afterwards became the Paton Manufacturing Company, he supervising the erection of all the buildings now owned by that company, one-half being put up that year, and the rest in 1872. The main building next the office is 212 feet long, and four stories above the basement; the other large building is 216 feet long, and five stories high. Besides these two buildings, which are used for carding, spinning, weaving and finishing, are the dye rooms, 150 feet long; dressing room, 100 feet long, and three stories high including basement; two warehouses the same height, and over 100 feet long; and a number of other buildings, including boiler-houses, machine and carpenters’ shops, office, etc., all of solid brick. It is the largest factory of the kind in the Dominion of Canada, being a twenty-two set mill. The ground plan of the several buildings, their construction and internal arrangement, and the whole management of this mammoth institution are highly creditable to the mechanical talents and business capacity of Mr. Paton. The company gives employment to about five hundred and fifty men, women and children, and pays out to those operatives more than $140,000 annually. Such mills add largely to the population of a town or city, and greatly benefit the surrounding country, as well as the place in which they are located, affording a ready and good market to the farmers in the vicinity for their wool, wood, etc. The leading fabrics manufactured in this mill are tweeds, cassimeres, overcoatings, shoe-cloth and military cloth, in all about 1,000,000 yards, representing a money value of $600,000. It is needless to say that to act as managing-director of such a concern, and to do it well, requires a clear head as well as an active body, and an almost ubiquitous presence. Yet Mr. Paton is cool, calculating, far-seeing and methodical, and never seemingly in a hurry. He thoroughly learned the business of cloth-making in the first place, understands it to perfection, and everything in the mill moves like clock-work. Mr. Paton has done good work in the city council, of which he was a member for eight years, acting as chairman of the Fire Committee, and has been a trustee of the Congregational church, in which he has a membership. He is a man of solid Christian character, and one of those citizens whom Sherbrooke could ill spare. In 1859, he was joined in marriage with Isabella Moir, an estimable Scotch lady, and they have six children. * * * * * =Colfer, George William=, Lieutenant-Colonel (Retired List), late 61st Battalion Montmagny and l’Islet Volunteer Infantry, Barrister and Chief-Clerk Provincial Secretary’s Office, Quebec, was born at Quebec, 31st January, 1837, youngest son of Charles Colfer, of Banna, county Wexford, Ireland, who came to this country in 1820, and was one of the principal founders of St. Patrick’s Church, Quebec, in which he was buried, on 19th December, 1843, and of Eliza Burke Henley, whose family came from Tipperary, and settled in Newfoundland towards the end of the last century. Educated at Quebec Seminary and Laval University, and finished a complete collegiate course at St. Mary’s (Jesuit) College, Montreal, in July, 1856. In November of the same year he entered the office of the eminent legal firm of Holt & Irvine, and after fulfilling his indentures with them, and following the law courses at Laval University, was admitted to the Quebec bar, on 7th January, 1861. When confederation was established, he entered the civil service of his native province, on 17th July, 1867, as chief clerk of the Executive Council, where he remained until November, 1869, when he was transferred to his present office. He was private secretary to the first premier of Quebec, Hon. P. J. O. Chauveau, during the whole of his tenure of office, and also to several of his successors. He was called upon, on several occasions, while attending to his own duties, to replace, for lengthened periods, the assistant provincial secretary, and also acted as deputy provincial registrar for over a year. He acted also as A.D.C. and secretary, at various times, to the two first lieutenant-governors of Quebec. Lieut.-Col. Colfer might, perhaps, have attained a high position in his profession, but having a taste for things military, and not being anxious at the time about his _bread and cheese_, he undertook to go contrary to Cicero’s _Cedant arma togæ_, and paid more attention to the sword than to the gown. Having joined the Quebec cavalry, now the Q. O. C. Hussars, in 1857, he left that corps as regimental sergeant-major in November, 1864, to join the Military School, formed at Quebec, under Colonel Gordon, C.B., H. M. 17th Regiment. In December following he obtained first and second-class certificates, was immediately gazetted captain 2nd Battalion Quebec Regiment Service Militia, under 27 Vict., cap. 2, sec. 19, and sent to Arthabaska to superintend draft in that district, on 30th December, 1864-65. Drill instructor to Parliamentary Drill Association, composed of members during session of 1864-65, under the late Lieut.-Col. Suzor, A.A.G. The association was reviewed and complimented by His Excellency Lord Monck and Sir E. P. Taché, Kt. In 1865 he was appointed, April 25th, adjutant 1st Western Administrative Battalion for frontier service. He proceeded to Windsor, Ontario, on 26th same month, and served with the battalion until its recall in July following. In September, 1865, he was present at cadet camp, Laprairie, under Colonel (now Lord) Wolseley, and promoted to sergeant, the highest rank given, field and staff officers being regulars. In June, 1866—Fenian raid—he volunteered as cadet, and signed muster-roll for service in any capacity. He volunteered also to take over a company of 8th battalion R.R., as captain, if ordered to the front. In 1869-70 he attended the school, formed at Quebec, to learn new drill. In June, 1871, he was appointed paymaster of the 61st battalion Volunteer Infantry. He served as camp quartermaster of the divisional camp at Lévis. In September and October, he was present at battalion camp 61st Cap St. Ignace. In December, 1871, and January, 1872, he was A.D.C. and secretary to the lieutenant-governor of Quebec. In July he was with the battalion at divisional camp at Lévis. On June 28th he was appointed major of the 61st Battalion. He was present at successive camps, as ordered. From the 1st September to the 1st October, he was A.D.C. and secretary to the lieutenant-governor. On November 30th, 1877, he was appointed lieutenant-colonel 61st battalion. He was present at all successive camps, and served on brigade staff, as musketry instructor, in 1882. He retired, retaining rank, in July, 1883. He was married, 26th November, 1866, to Mary Rebecca Blakiston, daughter of Raymond Blakiston, of the ancient family of Blakiston, of Durham, England (whose father, at one time, expected to fall heir to a great part of the Tempest estates, through his great grandmother, Margaret Tempest, and which are now held by Vane Tempest, Marquis of Londonderry), and Elizabeth Jane Henn, of the distinguished Henn family, of Paradise Hill, county Clare, Ireland. Mrs. Colfer has always been known as a distinguished pianist, and a vocalist of rare power and sweetness. When a pupil at the Ursuline Convent, Quebec, she was chosen to sing the “Ode to the Prince of Wales,” to her own harp accompaniment, when His Royal Highness visited that institution, in 1860. She also wields a graceful and facile pen; is the author of “Stray Leaves,” and several short sketches, and often contributes to the local press, French and English, under her _nom de plume_. The issue of this marriage was one son and six daughters; five daughters survive, the eldest of whom graduated this year (1887) at the Jesu Marie Convent, Sillery, and had the honor of carrying off the Marquis of Lansdowne’s medal, for excellence. The Colonel was born, and hopes to die, a Roman Catholic. He is a member of the St. Patrick’s Literary Institute, of which he has been, at different times, president and vice-president; of the Quebec Historical Society, and of the Quebec Geographical Society. Being a member of the civil service, he does not consider it becoming to take part in political matters, though free to have his own opinions. * * * * * =Nault, Joseph=, the present joint Registrar of St. Hyacinthe, province of Quebec, was born at St. Ours, on the 17th of April, 1841. Early in life his father, Jean Baptiste Nault, who is a well known farmer of Quebec, married Edes’n Girouard, and in 1886 they celebrated their golden wedding at which eighty relatives, consisting of eight children with their families and some other distant connections were present. Joseph Nault, the subject of this sketch, received his education at the St. Hyacinthe Seminary, where he took a full classical course. In 1865 he passed his examination, and was duly admitted as a notary for the province of Quebec. He was secretary of the city of St. Hyacinthe from 1868 to 1874, and only retired from that office in order to take a position in the bank of St. Hyacinthe. In 1879, having received the appointment of joint registrar, he resigned his position in the bank, of which he is now a director. He has taken a great interest in the municipal affairs of St. Hyacinthe, where he occupied the position of alderman from 1874 to 1879, and was one of the promoters of the St. Hyacinthe waterworks, which were erected in 1875, and of which he is secretary and also a shareholder. Since 1878 he has been president of the school commissioners. He belongs to the prevailing religious denomination in Quebec, the Roman Catholic church, and in politics is a Liberal. He was married on the 8th of November, 1864, to Flavie Bourgeois, and has a family of nine children and two grandchildren. * * * * * =Ouimet, Hon. Gédéon=, Q.C., D.C.L., Quebec, Superintendent of Public Instruction for the Province of Quebec, officer of Public Instruction of France, Commander of the Order of St. Gregory the Great, member of the “Academie des Arcades de Rome,” president of the Council of Public Instruction, and of the Roman Catholic Committee, of the province of Quebec, was born in Ste. Rose, Laval county, on the 3rd June, 1823. His father, Jean Ouimet, farmer, was descended from an old French family; and his mother was Marie Bontron _dit_ Major. Mr. Ouimet received a classical education at the colleges of St. Hyacinthe and Montreal, having at the last named place been under the charge of the noted instructor, l’Abbé Duchaine. He studied law with Mr. Sicotte, who was afterwards promoted to the bench, and was admitted to the bar, at Montreal, in August, 1844. Mr. Ouimet practised his profession for about five years, when he removed to Vaudreuil. In October, 1853, he returned to Montreal, and continued his profession along with L. S. Morin and L. W. Marchand, and afterwards with P. Morean and J. A. Chapleau. He soon rose to prominence in his profession, and was highly respected by his fellow-citizens. He was created a Queen’s counsel in 1867, and for a period served as _bâtonnier_ for Quebec province. In 1869 he filled the position of president of the St. Jean Baptiste Society of Montreal. He has also held the president’s chair of the _Institut Canadien-Français_; and is a member of the Literary and Historical Society; and the Geographical Society of Quebec. He was appointed commissioner to the Indian and Colonial Exhibition, in 1886. Entering political life, he represented the county of Beauharnois from 1857 to 1861 in the Legislative Assembly of Canada. From Confederation in 1867 to 1876 he represented the county of Two Mountains in the Quebec legislature, and was attorney-general of the province until February, 1873, when he became premier, minister of public instruction (succeeding the Hon. P. J. O. Chauveau), and provincial secretary. At that time it was necessary that the minister of public instruction should be a member of the parliament; but after a while it became evident to observant statesmen that the two positions were too burdensome for one man to hold, if not inimical to the best interests of education. Consequently, in 1875, the Assembly passed an act abolishing the dual office, and the administration of the educational affairs of the province was put in the same position it was before confederation, namely, in charge of a superintendent. The judgment of the proper authorities, as well as public sentiment, pointed to the Hon. Mr. Ouimet as the person best fitted to this highly responsible position, and he was, on the 1st February, 1876, appointed superintendent of public instruction for the province, when he retired from public life. Since that time educational matters have been greatly improved; and in all cases in which Protestant and Roman Catholic educational interests infringed upon each other, or came into collision, he has succeeded in smoothing down the conflicting elements by his strictly impartial decisions. And judging from his many published addresses, and the frequency of his visits to Protestant schools on public occasions, it cannot be questioned that he is at heart a real friend of education, irrespective of creed or nationality. His well-known urbanity, legal eminence, experience in public business, and impartial zeal in the cause of public education not only qualify him, in a mixed community like that of Quebec, for the important public post which he occupies, but justify the bright future for education in his province. Hon. Mr. Ouimet is a D.C.L. of the University of Bishop’s College, Lennoxville, and of Laval University. He is the author of the “Law on District Magistrates”; and while in the legislature he secured important amendments to the law relating to the qualification of jurors in criminal cases, and also in the code of procedure. Herein it will be seen that he has, in more ways than one, and is still leaving the impress of his well-disciplined and powerful mind in the archives of his native province. In 1878 he was named by the French government “Officier d’Instruction publique,” as a mark of distinction and approbation of the scholastic exhibition of Quebec province during the International Exhibition held in Paris that year. In August, 1850 he was married to Jane Pellant, daughter of the late Alexis Pellant, and they have had a family of six children, five of whom are married. * * * * * =Gauvreau, Rev. Antoine=, Parish Priest, Lévis, was born at Rimouski, on the 22nd September, 1841. His father was Pierre Gauvreau, a notary public, and his mother Elizabeth Dubergès. Rev. Mr. Gauvreau was sent to the college of Ste. Anne de Lapocatière, in the county of Kamouraska, where he followed a complete course of classical studies. At the completion of his course he determined to enter the holy orders, and with that purpose in view was admitted to Laval University to study theology. On the 2nd of October, 1864, he was ordained priest, and appointed missionary vicar to the parish of Rivière-au-Renard, Gaspé. This charge he retained until 1866, when he was called to the city of Quebec, to assume the duties of almoner at the archbishop’s palace, being at the same time chaplain to the Sisters of Charity, the Christian Brothers, and St. Vincent de Paul Society. In 1870 he was removed by his ordinary to the curacy of St. Nicholas, Lévis county, where he remained until 1875. He was then transferred to Ste. Anne de Beaupré, the place of pilgrimage of the Roman Catholics of the whole American continent. Every summer thousands of devout pilgrims wend their way to the shrine of the saint. It is said that the number of people who visited Ste. Anne this season (1887) exceeded one hundred thousand. Two golden crowns of great value were lately presented to the present curate of Ste. Anne by the citizens of Quebec, and his eminence Cardinal Taschereau presided at the ceremonies incidental to the blessing of the princely gift. The attendance was so large that an altar was improvised and high mass was said in the open air, an eloquent proof that faith is still deep-rooted in the hearts of the faithful of the province of Quebec, reports to the contrary notwithstanding. Rev. Mr. Gauvreau exercised his ministry in Ste. Anne until 1878, when he took charge of the important parish of St. Romuald d’Etchemins, county of Lévis, and retained it until 1882. At that date he removed to Lévis, and has had charge of that parish ever since. Rev. Mr. Gauvreau is remembered in all the parishes over which he presided as a kind and considerate pastor. * * * * * =Peck, Charles Allison=, Hopewell Hill, New Brunswick, Barrister-at-law, was born at Hopewell, in the county of Albert, N.B., on the 12th August,