Part 31

Robert Fowler supplemented a public-school course by study in the normal school of Montreal and started in the business world as an employe in Robertson’s dry-goods store, in which he acquainted himself with every phase of the business and gained practical experience which made him a successful merchant when he started out on his own account.

He carefully saved his earnings until his frugality and economy had brought him sufficient capital to become a partner in the purchase of a stock of goods and the establishment of a store. The firm of Fowler & Leishman was then organized for the conduct of a retail dry-goods business and after a few years Mr. Fowler was able to purchase his partner’s interest becoming sole proprietor. He then devoted his entire time to the business and enjoyed a liberal patronage, deriving a fair and gratifying profit from his investment.

In Montreal in 1892, occurred the marriage of Robert Fowler and Miss Amy Hamilton, a daughter of Robert Hamilton. Their three children were Gordon, Wallace and Doris.

Mr. Fowler belonged to the Episcopal church and to its teachings was loyal and faithful. He was a member of the Philharmonic Club. He manifested the qualities of good citizenship and was devoted to the welfare of his family, who, when he passed away in April, 1903, lost a loving and generous husband and father, while his associates mourned the death of a loyal, faithful friend.

ALEXANDER COWPER HUTCHISON.

The history of Montreal’s architectural development would be incomplete were there failure to make reference to Alexander Cowper Hutchison, who, though in his seventy-seventh year, is yet active in his profession in which he has long been a recognized leader. His position today is that of consulting architect and his utterances are accepted as words of wisdom by younger representatives of the profession. Mr. Hutchison is one of the old-time residents of Montreal. In fact, his entire life has here been passed with the exception of a period of three years spent in Ottawa, Ontario. He has seen this city develop from less than forty thousand to a metropolitan center of over six hundred thousand inhabitants.

Mr. Hutchison was born April 2, 1838, on the east side of Queen Street between Wellington and William Streets, at Montreal and many years later it fell to his lot in the course of his business, to tear down the old house in which his birth had occurred, this being done to make room for the Ives and Allen warehouse which was erected upon that site. He comes of old Scotch ancestry. His father was William Hutchison who came from Ayrshire, Scotland. He was a builder in Montreal and afterward was connected with the public works department. The mother, whose maiden name was Helen Campbell Hall, was also a native of Ayrshire, Scotland.

Such schools as existed in Montreal during his youthful days provided Alexander Cowper Hutchison with his educational opportunities. When but a boy of twelve years he began to learn the stone-cutter’s trade under the direction of his father and during the winter months for two or three years after he had commenced work he attended the school conducted by the late C. P. Watson. Subsequently he became a student in night school and devoted all of his spare time to study, having come to a full realization of the value of education. He possessed an inherited talent for drawing and to develop his powers in that direction he attended drawing classes that were conducted at the Mechanics’ Institute. He had made rapid progress from the very first as a stone-cutter and displayed exceptional ability and skill in that direction.

When scarcely out of his teens he was placed in charge of the cut stone work on Christ Church Cathedral and some of the finest stone work around the altar in that edifice was cut by him before he had attained his majority. After the completion of that building he was placed in charge of the cut stone work of the eastern block of the parliament buildings at Ottawa during their erection, his efforts in that connection continuing through the year 1862. While engaged in that work he successfully conducted classes in drawing which were largely attended. On the completion of the government buildings he was called to Montreal to conduct classes in connection with the Mechanics’ Institute, giving instructions in architectural and geometric drawing. These classes were afterward transferred to the Board of Arts and Manufacturers and it was while connected therewith that he took up the active practice of his profession which he followed for many years. The beauty and utility which have always been salient features of his designs are evident in many of the principal buildings of Montreal.

Among the many structures designed by Mr. Hutchison independently or in a partnership relation, and which stand as monuments to his skill and ingenuity may be mentioned: Redpath Museum; McGill University; Erskine church; Crescent Street Presbyterian church; Warren Memorial church at Louisville, Kentucky; St. Andrew’s church, at Westmount; Montreal high school and a number of other school buildings; Royal Insurance building; London & Liverpool & Globe Insurance Company’s building; Canadian Express Company’s building; La Presse building; Queen’s Hall block; Henry Birks & Sons’ building; Lord Strathcona’s residence; Macdonald College buildings at Ste. Anne de Bellevue, Quebec, as well as a large number of residences in Montreal and elsewhere together with many warehouses, factories etc. One of the most recent expressions of his architectural skill is seen in the Chalmers church at Ottawa. He has not only practiced his profession as one of its active followers, but has also gained renown as an educator in his special field. He has lectured on ecclesiastical architecture before the Presbyterian College of Montreal and he was one of the original members, selected by its founder, the Marquis of Lorne, of the Royal Canadian Academy of Art, and remained its vice president until 1907, when he resigned. He has likewise been honored with the presidency of the Quebec Architects’ Association, of which he was one of the founders, and thus has come to him direct recognition of the honor and respect entertained for him by the profession.

In political affairs Mr. Hutchison has taken a prominent part but never as a party leader in the commonly accepted sense of the term. With him men and measures have ever been considered before partisanship, and the public welfare has ever stood before personal aggrandizement. For years he was a member of the council and was the second mayor of Cote St. Antoine, now Westmount. His deep interest in and loyalty to the cause of education was demonstrated in his eighteen years of service as a school trustee. For a number of years he was a member of No. 5 Queen’s Company Volunteer Fire Brigade. He was likewise a member of the First Company Rifles which was originally an independent company and afterwards became the First Company of Prince of Wales’ Regiment. He was also an officer in a rifle company in Ottawa, while subsequently he became an officer of the Montreal Engineers, retiring with the rank of lieutenant. He took part in the Fenian raids of 1866 and 1870 and was accorded the Queen’s medal.

Mr. Hutchison manifested great interest in church work. He was formerly an elder in Erskine church, but afterward became connected with St. Andrew’s church at Westmount, which had previously been known as Melville church but differences of opinion caused a split in the congregation and the portion that left took the name with them. St. Andrew’s church was then organized and remained on the old site, at the corner of Stanton and Cote St. Antoine road. Mr. Hutchison was one of its founders and since the organization of this church has taken a most prominent part in its affairs. He has been an elder for many years, was superintendent of the Sunday school for thirty years and since 1886 has continuously served as session clerk. He is a member of the board of managers of the Montreal Presbyterian College and was a member of the national committee of the Presbyterian Laymen’s Missionary movement in 1909. He has likewise served as president of the Provincial Sunday School Union of Quebec.

No good work done in the name of charity or religion has ever sought his aid in vain, and his broad humanitarianism has been manifest in his helpful support of many movements to benefit the poor and needy or ameliorate the hard conditions of life for the unfortunate. He is a life governor of the Montreal General Hospital, of the Protestant Hospital for the Insane, governor of the Western Hospital, and president of the Protestant House of Industry and Refuge. He is an ex-president of the Canadian branch of the Royal Caledonian Curling Club and of the Montreal Caledonian Curling Club, being now honorary president of the latter and an ex-president of the Heather Curling Club of Westmount. He was a warm personal friend of the late Hon. Alexander Mackenzie and he counts among his close associates many of the most distinguished and eminent residents of Montreal and the province. The Ottawa Free Press has termed him “one of Montreal’s best known and most honored citizens.” He has long occupied positions of distinction, not only by reason of what he has accomplished along professional lines, but also owing to the fact that he has made his life of signal service and benefit to his fellowmen in his support of benevolent and religious plans and projects. His life has ever been actuated by the highest principles of honor and no citizen of Montreal is more worthy of high regard.

On the 10th of July, 1862, in Cobourg, Ontario, Mr. Hutchison was united in marriage to Miss Margaret Burnet of that place, and they celebrated their golden wedding in July, 1912. Mr. and Mrs. Hutchison have two sons and one daughter: William B., of the firm of Hutchison, Wood & Miller, architects, who is married; Charles Alexander, engaged in ornamental iron work, who is married and has two children, Margaret and Lorne; and Helen, the wife of George W. Wood of that firm. She has three sons: Alexander Campbell, George Arthur and Douglas Fletcher.

Mr. Hutchison resides at No. 240 Kensington Avenue and has lived in that immediate vicinity for nearly fifty years. During his boyhood his parents resided on the north side of St. James Street just a short distance west of Bleury Street which was then one of the attractive residential sections of the city and Mr. Hutchison relates some highly interesting incidents of those early days.

In 1865 when he took up his residence in what is now Westmount, that district was supposed to be far out in the country. In fact, the nearest residence, other than homes of farmers, was on Dorchester West near what is now Greene Street. While Mr. Hutchison has passed the seventy-sixth milestone upon life’s journey, he is a well preserved man, active in mind and body. Regular in his habits, he has never tasted intoxicating liquors or used tobacco in any form. His great vitality has enabled him to withstand three very serious operations since reaching the age of seventy years and his complete recovery has attracted the attention of members of the medical profession. He is a splendid type of a high-minded gentleman of the old school, whose natural politeness and courtesy are in evidence at all times.

DAVID W. CAMPBELL.

David W. Campbell, prominently connected with marine transportation interests, is now general agent in Canada for the Elder-Dempster Company in the South African and Mexican service. He was born in Montreal in 1861, a son of the late John and Sarah (Evans) Campbell, of this city. His youthful days were spent in his parents’ home and his education was completed in the Montreal high school. He comes of Scotch ancestry and in his career has manifested many of the sterling traits characteristic of the land of the heather. His initial step in business was made in the service of Thompson, Murray & Company, then managing agents of the Beaver line of steamships in Canada. Fidelity, industry and capability won him promotion from time to time and after twenty years’ continuous connection with the company he was appointed to the position of general manager in 1895. While acting in that capacity he was the first to establish a direct steamship service during the winter months to a Canadian port--that of St. John, New Brunswick. It was through his instrumentality that the vessels of the Beaver line were sold to the Elder-Dempster Company in 1898 and two years later, or in 1900, he became Canadian manager for the latter company. His efficiency in the field of steamship service management led to his selection, in 1903, for the position of general superintendent of the Canadian Pacific Railway Company’s Atlantic fleet of steamers at Montreal, in which position he remained until June, 1905, when he resigned in order to take control for Canada of the interests of the Elder-Dempster Company in connection with the South African and Mexican service. He subsequently became general agent in Canada for the same company, and his efforts have greatly furthered its interests. He readily recognizes the possibilities of a situation, utilizes the opportunities that are presented and accomplishes substantial and gratifying results. He is a director of several shipping companies and is on the board of the Montreal Sailors’ Institute and the Shipping Federation of Canada, all of which are more or less directly connected with the line of business in which he has so long been engaged. Moreover, he has done much to popularize the St. Lawrence route. He is serving on the executive committee of the Canadian Shipping Federation, and his long experience with maritime interests well qualifies him to speak authoritatively upon matters with which the federation deals.

Mr. Campbell has for some years been a member of the Montreal Board of Trade, in 1910 was elected one of its councillors and in 1914 a vice president. He is also Cuban consul at Montreal.

In November, 1900, Mr. Campbell married Miss Emily Maud Baird, a daughter of the late H. N. Baird of Toronto. They hold membership in the Presbyterian church, and Mr. Campbell belongs to the St. James Club. He favors free trade with the Empire and has been a close student of many political situations and questions having to do with the welfare and progress of the Dominion. His opinions upon such questions are never lightly valued, for experience has developed in him sound judgment and keen discrimination.

LOUIS DUFOUR DIT LATOUR.

Louis Dufour dit Latour, member of the real-estate firm of Latour & Guindon, with offices in the Versailles building, Montreal, was born in this city, June 15, 1867, a son of François Xavier Latour dit Dufour of Lavaltrie, P. Q., where he followed farming, and of Elizabeth (Prud’homme) Latour of St. Sulpice, P. Q. His great-grandfather was Michel Dufour dit Latour, a church builder, and his great-grandmother was Charlotte Du Moulin from France.

In the acquirement of his education Louis Dufour dit Latour attended the College of Chambly--the Brethren of Christian School, pursuing a commercial course. His early experience in business lines came to him as office boy with the Thomas Davidson Manufacturing Company, tinware and granite ware manufacturers of Montreal. He was in the employ of the company for twenty-six years, gradually working his way upward as his developing powers and ability prepared him for further activities and responsibilities. He served successively as custom house clerk, cashier, bookkeeper and as manager of the Montreal branch of the business, continuing in that position of responsibility for twelve years. No higher testimonial of his business integrity, enterprise and fidelity could be given than the fact that he remained with one company for over a quarter of a century. He left them in 1909 to open a real-estate office in connection with J. M. Guindon, a hardware merchant of Montreal, under the firm style of Latour & Guindon at No. 1202 Mount Royal East Street, where they remained from 1909 until 1913. They then transferred their business to No. 52 St. James Street, retaining the old office, however, as a branch. In May, 1914, the offices were removed to the new Versailles building on St. James Street.

On the 28th of May, 1888, in Montreal, Mr. Latour was united in marriage to Miss Marie Joseph Leblanc, a daughter of Alphonse Leblanc and Aveline Amirault of L’Epiphanie, P. Q. Her grandfather was a pioneer of L’Epiphanie. Mr. and Mrs. Latour have three children: Lydia, the wife of Eugene Brissette, who is with La Patrie Publishing Company; René, a hardware merchant of Montreal; and Ernest, who holds a responsible position with The Mark Fisher Sons & Company, Limited.

The religious faith of the family is that of the Roman Catholic church, and the political allegiance of Mr. Latour is given to the conservative party. That he is today one of the successful real-estate brokers of the city is attributable entirely to his own labors and his laudable ambition. Step by step he has worked his way upward, the trend of his orderly progression being easily discernible.

REV. NATHAN GORDON.

A man of deep learning, broad knowledge and scholarly attainments, of force, experience and capacity, Rev. Nathan Gordon has become known as one of the most able educators in Quebec province, and as one of the successful and consecrated workers among the Jewish people of Montreal. He was born in Odessa, Russia, and took his arts course in the Cincinnati University, from which he was graduated, B. A., in 1906. He is also a graduate of the Hebrew Union Theological College of that city and in 1909 received the degree of M. A. from McGill University.

Mr. Gordon came to Montreal in 1906, having been appointed in September of that year Rabbi of Temple Emmanu-El, and since that time he has accomplished a great deal of earnest and zealous work among the people of his congregation, who recognize him as a sincere, upright and God-fearing man. The church property is valued at one hundred thousand dollars, and the business affairs connected with its administration are ably conducted, Mr. Gordon assisting his associates by his executive skill and sound and practical judgment. Combining religious zeal with the ability necessary to make it effective among his people, he has indeed been a force for good at Temple Emmanu-El and an able propagator as well as a conserver of the doctrines in which he believes.