Part 23

J. ADELARD OUIMET.

Among the better known advocates of Montreal is J. Adélard Ouimet, who is a member of the firm of Ouimet & Guertin. He is one of the most successful men in his line, and by his career carries forward the tradition of the family which to a large extent has been connected with the legal fraternity. The grandfather, Michel Ouimet, was justice of the peace of St. Rose, in the county of Laval, and also took an active part in the insurrection of 1837. The father of J. Adélard Ouimet was Landré Ouimet, and his wife was in her maidenhood Miss Euphémie Bourqué. A brother of our subject, also named Landré Ouimet, was for ten years an alderman for St. Jean Baptiste ward and an uncle on the paternal side was judge of the court of appeals and president of the City and District Savings Bank.

J. Adélard Ouimet was born at Ste. Scholastique, in the county of Two Mountains, on the 7th of March, 1868. He pursued his classical studies in the Seminary of Ste. Thérèse and at the University of Ottawa and his law course at Laval University, being admitted to the bar in 1895. He then became a partner of the well known legal firm of Ouimet, Emard, Maurault & Ouimet, but after the appointment of the Hon. J. A. Ouimet, his uncle, to the judgeship of the court of appeals he entered into partnership with A. Délisle, Q. C., then a member of parliament for Portneuf county, but two years later decided to engage in practice independently. In May, 1913, he formed a partnership with C. A. Guertin, Q. C., under the firm name of Ouimet & Guertin. He possesses every quality of which a lawyer may be proud--skill in the presentation of his evidence, marked ability in cross-examination, persuasiveness before the jury, a strong grasp of every feature of the case, the ability to secure a favorable ruling from the judge, unusual familiarity with human nature and the springs of human conduct and, last but not least, untiring energy. He has often occasion to demonstrate his ability and has handled many important cases since his admission to the bar, his clientele being of the most representative character. He is dignified and impressive, deliberate in manner, his speeches always commanding attention. Entirely free from ostentation and display, he largely relies upon the simple weight of his character and is ever prepared to meet any attack of the opposing counsel, as his mind works with a rapidity which often excites the wonder and admiration of his colleagues.

On the 3d of September, 1901, Mr. Ouimet was united in marriage in Montreal to Miss Dersina Vaillancourt, a daughter of Benjamin Vaillancourt, a well known grain merchant of Montreal, and they have one son, George Etienne. As is but natural, Mr. Ouimet has taken a conspicuous part in the public life of his city and province, having participated in all elections since 1890, not only in the province of Quebec but also in Ontario. He is a conservative in his political affiliations and stanchly upholds the principles of his party. He was the founder and first president of Le Club Morin, holding the executive office during 1893 and 1894. From 1894 to 1896 he was also president of Le Club des Jeunes Conservateurs and is an active member of Le Club Cartier, of which he served as treasurer from 1910 to 1912. He is also a military man. After having been in the Sixty-fifth Regiment for ten years, he then joined the Eighty-fifth Regiment, becoming captain in 1900. He will be major of that regiment in 1914. Fraternally he is chief ranger of the Catholic Order of Foresters and is a member of the Royal Guardians and of the Catholic Foresters Club. His religious faith is that of the Roman Catholic church, to the work of which he gives his moral and material support. At the Ottawa University he was the founder of La Société des Débats Canadien Français in 1889 and served as its first president. In 1908 he was also elected president of L’Association St. Jean Baptiste of St. Jean Baptiste parish. Mr. Ouimet is a successful lawyer in the truest sense of the word, a man unusually broad-minded and intelligent, tolerant and of wide experience, never mercenary or grasping, believing in something greater than mere material wealth, who in the course of a distinguished career, spent simply and unostentatiously, has been a factor for good along various lines. His public-spirited citizenship has been a boon to Montreal, who proudly claims him as one of her citizens, and Mr. Ouimet returns the honor which the city’s people entertain for him by a loyalty which could not be more devoted.

CHARLES FRANCIS SMITH.

Charles Francis Smith, for half a century a leading figure in the business and social life of Montreal, was born in Aylesford, Hampshire, England, in 1841. He had reached the psalmist’s allotted span of three score years and ten when death called him in Montreal on the 30th of September, 1911. His position was one which gained for him not only the respect but also the admiration and love of his associates. Important and extensive as were his business enterprises, they constituted but one phase of an existence that was largely devoted to charitable works and civic affairs and he was no less esteemed for his generosity and unfailing kindness than he was admired for his business acumen. His residence in Canada covered a period of forty-eight years. He came to this country as a member of the standing army. The shed in which he and his fellow soldiers slept the first night after landing at St. Andrews, New Brunswick, is still standing near the beautiful summer home which he afterward built for himself there. His entrance into commercial circles in Montreal was made as proprietor of a shoe store on St. Mary Street. He afterward entered into partnership with the late James McCready and upon the latter’s death became sole proprietor of the business and so remained for almost one-third of a century; yet in order to give his employes the opportunity of sharing in the profits of the business he formed a limited company nine years prior to his demise. In April, 1911, the business was sold to D. Lorne McGibbon, although Mr. Smith retained an interest in the new company,--the Ames, Holden, McCready, Limited,--of which he became a director.

Public affairs as well as private interests profited by the efforts, the sound judgment and keen discrimination of Mr. Smith. He was at one time alderman of Montreal; was a member of the finance committee and was again and again urged to become a candidate for the mayoralty. Native modesty, however, caused him to remain in private life even when it was almost a certainty that he would be elected to any office to which he might aspire. He was the only English member of the French Commercial School which was established by the Gouin government, and he belonged to the Board of Trade for five or six years, being first a member of the council and rising through the offices of treasurer and vice president to that of president, being elected by acclamation. He was also a vice president of the Dominion Express Company; managing director of the Laurentide Pulp Company; a director of the Merchants Bank; a director of the Montreal Trust Company; a director of the Dominion Textile Company; was at one time the president of the Western Hospital, and had been for years one of the governors of both the Notre Dame and General Hospitals, and vice president of the Royal Alexandra. He was a well known figure in the city’s fashionable clubs, belonging to the Mount Royal and St. James Clubs, the Royal Montreal Golf Club, the Forest and Stream Club and the Royal St. Lawrence Yacht Club. He was also a charter member of Canada Council of the Knights of Columbus; a prominent parishioner of St. Patrick’s church, as well as warden of the same; a director of St. Patrick’s Orphan Asylum, and president of the Catholic Sailors’ Club. He was also a well known member of St. George’s Society.

His kindness of heart was invariable, he was especially devoted to his home and shunned ostentation. At St. Andrews where he spent every summer, one of his greatest pleasures consisted in the companionship of those friends of his who lived near him, of whom Sir Thomas Shaughnessy was among the number. Taking a great interest in matters pertaining to education, he was one of the founders of the Catholic high school, and a member of the administration of Laval University, and though, well known in life as a conservative in politics, he was appointed by Hon. Lomer Gouin as governor of L’Ecole des Hautes Etudes Commerciales. Besides being a practical manufacturer, Mr. Smith gave special attention to tariff matters, and his contributions to the campaign against unrestricted reciprocity in 1891, when Sir Wilfrid Laurier, Mr. Erastus Wiman and their friends endeavored to establish free trade between Canada and the United States, did more than a little to secure the protectionist victory of that year.

For years Mr. Smith did not actively participate in civic affairs, but in 1890, when a reform wave was sweeping over the commercial metropolis he was asked to come forward as a candidate in one of the civic divisions. He hesitated for some time, but finally consented to contest the west ward if his warm personal friend, the late Mr. Frank Hart, would also seek a seat in the city council. At that time the late Colonel Stevenson was a landmark in civic politics as well as in military and social circles, and so well was the colonel known that there were many who considered that with him as an opponent Mr. Smith had hardly a fighting chance. It was contended that a Roman Catholic could not be elected in such a pronounced Protestant district as the west ward, but the success achieved by Mr. Smith in that contest proved that the reform candidate’s reputation was too well established to leave him a victim of the religious cry. He served in the council during 1890 and 1891, on the finance committee, and though assured that he could have a second election by acclamation, he declined both the aldermanic and mayoralty honors that were offered him.

In a quiet and unostentatious manner he was a generous contributor to deserving charities, irrespective of nationality or creed. He was one of the most prominent English-speaking Catholics in Montreal. As a personal friend of Archbishop Bruchesi, Mr. Smith was frequently consulted in the church’s temporal affairs.

Mr. Smith twice married: His first wife was Miss Mary A. McGlynn and his second wife who survives him, was Miss Margaret M. McNally, daughter of the late Bernard McNally. Two sons were the issue of the first marriage, Clarence F. Smith, vice president and general manager of the Ames, Holden, McCready, Limited, and Frederick H. Smith, who lived in the West Indies, until his death in April, 1912. To the second marriage the following children were born: Rose M.; Charles F., who died on August 20, 1911; Marguerite M.; Francis C.; May G.; and Geraldine M.

The Montreal Herald said of Mr. Smith: “There was no better citizen of Montreal than the late Charles F. Smith. He had made his way in the world by dint of rare power of business organization. In addition he was a man who made friends and held them. He had no taste for public life himself, but he had a deep interest in public affairs and in the men who in public life supported his views. It was so in the affairs of the Board of Trade and resulted in his becoming president of that body. It was so in civic affairs and resulted in his being much against his inclination, elected to the council. It was so in Dominion politics, and if he has passed away before his party friends had the opportunity of showing their appreciation, it is certain that the fighting ranks of the conservative party had few more prudent or more generous counsellors.

“Mr. Smith went to the city council with Mr. Laporte, Mr. Ames and the late Mr. Hart at a time when the city had just been aroused to the need of wholesale reforms. He played a part of much importance, for with two or three other trained business men he sat in at the centre of things, on the old finance committee and supervised a general cleaning up of the city hall. It was the good work of those days that made possible the larger reforms of later years.”

The Montreal Gazette said editorially of him: “By the death of Mr. Charles F. Smith another able and successful man has been taken from Montreal’s commercial life. Mr. Smith through years of painstaking energy built up a successful business, from which the city benefited as well as himself.

“In the process he won the respect of all with whom he became associated. Commercial organizations valued his advice. The Board of Trade counted him as a wise counsellor. When the city’s affairs were in need of improvement he served in the council and with his associates did useful work in its behalf. He could have had other public offices had he desired, but his preference was for private life. He has passed away at a ripe age, held in regard alike for the qualities of his mind and of his heart, and leaving a memory that will encourage others to follow his footsteps.”

GERALD OTHO ROUSSKI ELIOTT.

Since 1908 Gerald O. R. Eliott has occupied the position of assistant marine superintendent of the Canadian Pacific Railroad Company’s Atlantic steamship lines. He was born March 28, 1874, in Dalhousie, India, and is a son of George Augustus and Helen (Jardine) Eliott.

Gerald Eliott received his education at Taplow grammar school, the Maidenhead high school and then served as a cadet on H. M. S. School Ship Conway. Naval life having a particular attraction for him, he entered the mercantile marine and served for some time in sailing vessels of the White Star line. He was an officer in connection with various steamship lines and was doing service on boats which carried British troops during the South African war. In 1901 he joined the Canadian Pacific steamship lines and served as an officer on various ships until he was appointed to his present important position of assistant superintendent in 1908.

Mr. Eliott’s naval career includes the following appointments: midshipman, R. N. R., 1890; appointed acting lieutenant in H. M. S. Jupiter in 1900, having gone through the gunnery and torpedo course; received naval reserve decoration for fifteen years’ service in commissioned rank; retired in 1912 as commander.

In 1908, in Toronto, Ontario, Mr. Eliott married Miss Edith Aspden, a daughter of Thomas Aspden, of Lancashire, and later of Chicago, Illinois, and Toronto. Mr. Eliott is a member of the Church of England and upholds conservative principles at the polls. His club is that of the Commercial Travelers of Montreal.

AURELIEN BOYER.

Aurelien Boyer, a man of recognized professional ability and prominence, who since 1899 has been an associate member of the Canadian Society of Civil Engineers, was born in Montreal and pursued his education in schools of the city. He was graduated with honors as civil engineer and metallurgist from Ecole Polytechnique, a department of Laval University, with the class of 1896 and at once entered upon the active work of his chosen profession. He was in charge of the survey and location of the Yukon telegraph line and resigned from the department of public works of Canada after his appointment as superintendent of government telegraphs and cables for Quebec and the maritime provinces. In 1905 he was chemical engineer and local manager of the A. D. Gall Petroleum & Chemical Company, having charge of their wood distillation plant at Mont Tremblant, Quebec, and in 1909 became vice president and chief engineer of the Duckworth Boyer Engineering & Inspection Company, Ltd., which was later consolidated with the Canadian Inspection Company, Ltd., under the name of the Canadian Inspection & Testing Laboratories, Ltd. Of the latter company he is now vice president and treasurer. Scientific knowledge, acquired skill and ability have brought him to a place in the front rank of those who are engaged in similar enterprises in the province.

In June, 1903, Mr. Boyer married Madame Elmira Corinne Dufresne, of Three Rivers, Quebec. He belongs to the Engineers Club and the Winchester Club. He is now a member of the board of administration of L’Ecole Polytechnique and a director of Association des Anciens Elèves de L’Ecole Polytechnique.

LIEUTENANT COLONEL JAMES GEORGE ROSS.

Lieutenant Colonel James George Ross, president of the Ross Realty Company, Ltd., and favorably known in Montreal as a prominent figure in financial circles, was born in this city, October 18, 1861, a son of the late Phillip Simpson and Christina Chalmers (Dansken) Ross, both of whom were natives of Scotland. His early education was acquired in private schools, with later attendance at the high school of Montreal and subsequent attendance at the Ontario Agricultural College in Guelph, from which he was graduated with the class of 1881.

Mr. Ross went to the northwest upon an extended trip with a view to settling there, but returned to Montreal and associated himself with his father, who was a representative of the profession of chartered accountant. Shortly afterward he was admitted to partnership with his brother, the business being carried on under the firm style of P. S. Ross & Sons, and on the death of his father he became the head of the firm. He is a chartered accountant and a member of the Association of Accountants and is a fellow of the Dominion Association of Chartered Accountants. Aside from his business in that connection he is president of the Ross Realty Company, Ltd., and as such figures prominently in real-estate circles, negotiating and managing many important property transfers.

Mr. Ross has always evinced a great interest in military matters. In 1879 he joined the Ontario Field Battery, retiring in the year 1883. In 1884 he held a commission as officer in the Victoria Rifles, retiring in 1891 with the rank of captain. In 1898 he joined the Fifth Royal Highlanders and in 1899 was gazetted captain while in August, 1906, he was promoted to the rank of major and in May, 1909, was made lieutenant colonel. In 1907 he received the Long Service medal for officers having served for twenty years. He is in active connection with the Montreal Board of Trade and is a director of the Crown Trust Company. His interest and support extend to charitable and benevolent projects and he is a life governor of the Montreal Western Hospital. Fraternally he is a Scottish Rite Mason, while in club circles he is widely and favorably known, his membership being in the St. James Club, Canada Club, Beaconsfield Golf Club, Canadian Club, Montreal Curling Club, Royal St. Lawrence Yacht Club, Montreal Amateur Athletic Association, Westmount Athletic Club and the Junior Army and Navy Club of London, England. In his younger days he was very active in athletic sports, especially in running, and he handled the snowshoe with expert skill. In 1887 it was claimed that he was “the best man in Canada who ever strapped on a racing shoe.” In the winter of 1888 he accompanied Lieutenant Schwatka in the explorer’s trip through the Yellowstone Park and was the only man who came out in as good shape as he went in.

In March, 1891, Mr. Ross married Miss Alice Margaret Monk, daughter of the late John Monk, an advocate of Montreal, and they have two daughters, Marjorie and Evelyn.