Part 50

Colonel Edward Ashworth Whitehead, for many years one of the best known insurance agents and brokers of Montreal, his native city, was born April 16, 1845, and was here educated. He was the head of E. A. Whitehead & Company, insurance agents and brokers, for many years and thus became widely known in financial circles. In this connection he helped to build up the great insurance business conducted under the name of The E. A. Whitehead Company, Limited.

He had perhaps an even wider acquaintance through his military connections, for his military career was long, distinguished and honorable. He was one of the oldest officers in the volunteer military service in the Dominion and as original member of the Victoria Rifles he rose from the ranks to the command of the regiment and was placed on the list of reserve officers in 1876. He was on active duty during the Fenian raids from 1866 until 1870, was present at Eccles Hill and for his service received a general service medal with two clasps, while his active duty at the time of the Northwest rebellion in 1885 also won him a medal. He was chief transport officer under Colonel Middleton and held a long service decoration and he was a member of the Royal Commission on Canadian War Claims in 1885-6.

Colonel Whitehead was a veteran amateur athlete, was one of the founders of the Montreal Amateur Athletic Association and its first honorary president. In 1908 he was a member of the Canadian Olympic Games Committee and he was also a director of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. In Club circles he was long popular and prominent, holding membership in the Mount Royal Club; the St. James Club, of which he served as chairman; the Royal Montreal Golf Club; Forest and Stream Club; Montreal Hunt Club; Montreal Jockey Club; Montreal Curling Club; Montreal Polo Club; St. George Snow Shoe Club; the Isleway Club; the Military Institute; and the Royal St. Lawrence Yacht Club.

The end came to Colonel Whitehead September 7, 1912. He seemed almost to the last in the prime of life, his fine figure being erect and soldierly, and the years rested lightly upon him. His eye could still sweep down the long lines of the regiment, his step was elastic and he was enjoying life in all the mental riches that follow a career of activity and usefulness. The Victoria Rifles felt great pride in his brilliant record and in that regiment he was an outstanding figure, a symbol of duty well done, while his memory will ever be to them an inspiration for loyalty in the King’s service. In January, 1912, he was the leading figure at the dinner given by the regiment to celebrate the fiftieth anniversary of its organization. He had been one of the first to spring to the colors when the corps was organized and had carried those colors in many fields. Even as in his youth, ready to fight for his flag, Colonel Whitehead was as willing to go to its defense in later years, when it might have been supposed that the fire of youth had died down. Years rolled onward, changes came and brought with them the boy scout movement. This appealed strongly to his military spirit and he entered heartily into the work of supporting and furthering the cause. Money was needed; he supplied it. He also raised the money for the trip to Europe a few years ago. He had always loved boys, the military had always been dear to him and in the boy scout movement these two were combined.

Colonel Whitehead was a man to whom a worthy appeal was never made in vain. His heart took in a great circle of friends and his purse was open to all calls of charity.

In the field of sport he was well to the front. In early manhood he was an excellent lacrosse player and old timers remember the games in which he participated against the Shamrocks for the Claxton flags in the early ’60s. He was also a splendid sprinter, making a notable record in the hundred-yard dash. This love of sport he retained to the last and he was a life member of the Montreal Amateur Athletic Association, of which he at one time served as president.

Trouble did not pass him by, but through all he was the same kindly, upright gentleman, maintaining a high sense of duty and honor. In 1899 death robbed him of his wife, Mrs. Elizabeth Whitehead, daughter of William Newcomb, whom he had married in 1868; and his son, E. A. Whitehead, Jr., died in 1908.

Edward Ashworth Whitehead, Jr., son of Colonel Edward Ashworth Whitehead, was born in Montreal in 1869 and acquired his education in England and in Kingston, Ontario, where he was graduated with honors at the Royal Military College. He was connected with The E. A. Whitehead Company, Limited, and for many years was a special agent for Montreal of the Phoenix Assurance Company, Limited, of London and was as popular in business as he was in social circles.

Mr. Whitehead, Jr., married Miss May Sicotte, a daughter of Victor Benjamin Sicotte, district magistrate at St. Hyacinthe and a granddaughter of Hon. Louis Sicotte, premier of Canada. Three children were born to them: Edward Ashworth, who is the third of the name to continue the business of The E. A. Whitehead Company, Limited; George Victor, a student at Bishop’s College School; and Margaret Whitehead.

ROBERT LINTON.

Robert Linton became well known in the business circles of Montreal in connection with the manufacture of woolen goods. He was regarded as a resourceful business man whose enterprise, progress and laudable ambition were constantly manifest in the success which he won. A native of Ireland, he was born in Newtown-Limavady in 1834, a son of Samuel and Martha Linton, who brought their family to the new world during the boyhood of their son, Robert. Settling in Montreal, their remaining days were passed in this city but both have long since departed this life.

Robert Linton acquired his education in the schools of Montreal and received his business training with the firm of William Stephen & Company. Of that firm Lord Mount Stephen was a partner and eventually took over the business upon the death of the senior member of the firm. Continuing in active connection with the business Robert Linton grew in usefulness and capability, as he thoroughly acquainted himself with the duties that devolved upon him. After the death of William Stephen the business was conducted by George Stephen & Company for some time and Mr. Linton was admitted to partnership in 1857. Upon the retirement of George Stephen, later Lord Mount Stephen, the business of the firm of George Stephen & Company was combined with that of Andrew Robertson under the firm style of Robertson, Linton & Company, this connection continuing until 1898, when the business was closed out.

Mr. Linton was married twice. At Three Rivers, Quebec, he wedded Miss Margaret McDougall, and they became the parents of six children, as follows: Robert M., deceased; Margaret M., who is Mrs. Denaston Breakey, of Breakeyville, Quebec; Ernest, a resident of Ottawa; Agnes H, who is Mrs. F. N. Southam, of Montreal; Percy L., deceased; and Alice L., who married Herbert Carter, of Montreal. The second marriage of Robert Linton was also celebrated at Three Rivers, Miss Margaret Paterson, daughter of John Paterson, becoming his wife on the 20th of October, 1886.

Mr. Linton was ever actively interested in those projects and measures bearing upon the progress, upbuilding and development of the city as well as upon his business affairs. He was widely recognized as an honorable and upright man, in whose life there were no esoteric phases. He was a member of the Montreal Board of Trade, a life governor of the Montreal General Hospital, and a justice of the peace for a few years before his death. He passed away in November, 1899, after having gained for himself a most creditable position in business circles and in the regard of his fellowmen.

ARTHUR O’CONNELL KAVANAGH.

A history of the insurance business in Montreal would be incomplete without mention of Arthur O. Kavanagh, who for many years figured prominently in connection therewith. He was one of the city’s native sons, born April 12, 1860, and in its schools pursued his education, while in the school of experience he also learned many valuable and practical lessons, thus constantly adding to his knowledge and ability. The family name indicates his Irish lineage and he manifested the sterling characteristics of the race. He was engaged in business with his brother, Walter Kavanagh, and they became prominent figures in insurance circles, representing the Scottish Union & National Insurance Company, the German-American Insurance Company and the Rochester German Insurance Company, of which they were chief agents. Arthur Kavanagh familiarized himself with every phase of the business and had gained a most creditable position as an alert progressive man and one ready to meet any emergency in business, when death called him on the 14th of September, 1896, when he was yet in the prime of life.

He had been married in Montreal less than five years before, having on the 7th of October, 1891, wedded Alice Mullin, a native of this city and a daughter of Patrick Mullin, of whom mention is made elsewhere in this publication. They became the parents of three sons: Harold Henry; Arthur Patrick, who died at the age of six years; and Walter John. Deep regret was felt at the passing of Mr. Kavanagh, because of his comparatively early age and because he had gained a firm hold upon the affectionate regard of his business associates and his many friends.

PATRICK MULLIN.

Patrick Mullin had traveled life’s journey for more than four score years when he was called from this life on the 14th of August, 1913. He was a native of Tyrone, Ireland, and for more than six decades was a resident of Montreal, arriving in this city in 1850. He was associated with various business enterprises. With his brother, James E. Mullin, he became associated with another brother, John Mullin, who had, in 1845, established a wholesale grocery business, which they conducted on College Street, now St. Paul Street. There they built up a very extensive and successful enterprise, their patronage constantly growing, as their trade interests extended over a wide territory. In the early years of the business there were practically no railroads in this section of the continent, while means of water transportation were but slightly developed. They hauled much of their stock with teams and, notwithstanding the difficulties involved, they were enterprising enough to compete for business as far west as Toronto. Their merchandise was taken from Montreal to that city by team, the journey requiring two weeks. John Mullin died in 1853, after which the business was conducted by James E. and Patrick Mullin, under the firm name of J. E. Mullin & Company. Both brothers had great faith in the ultimate growth and prosperity of the city and because of this they made large investments in real estate, gradually acquiring the ownership of the block upon which they conducted their business, extending from the rear of the Grand Trunk offices to the Haymarket. Patrick Mullin also invested in other real estate until his holdings were extensive and important. The large block which the brothers acquired on St. Paul and William Streets later became the location of the present plant of the Canada Cold Storage Company and Mr. Mullin became a pioneer in that line of business in the city. He was a man of indefatigable energy and strong purpose and as the years passed on he carried forward to successful completion whatever he undertook.

Mr. Mullin was united in marriage, in Montreal, to Alice O’Neil, a native of County Tyrone, Ireland. She died on November 29, 1903, the mother of seven children, as follows: Mary A., the wife of Joseph A. Cloran, of Boston, Massachusetts; Margaret J.; Alice, the widow of Arthur O. Kavanagh; John F., who died in March, 1904, aged twenty-nine years; Patrick; Elizabeth M., who is Mrs. Harry J. Trihey; and Emma M., wife of William J. Hart.

A long and useful life was Mr. Mullin’s. He was a man of quiet habits, but greatly enjoyed a good game of forty-five. In manner he was always courteous, kindly, and considerate to others. In religious faith he was a Catholic and devoted much time to increasing the usefulness of St. Bridget’s Home and of St. Patrick’s Asylum, being a trustee of the latter institution. He gave liberally to the church and did everything in his power to promote its influence.

ROSAIRE DUPUIS.

Rosaire Dupuis, one of the rising young notaries of Montreal, is a son of Louis Napoleon Dupuis and Melanie Panet Levesque. The father is ex-controller of Montreal and one of the founders of the well known mercantile house of Dupuis Freres, Limited. The mother of Rosaire Dupuis is a daughter of the late Pierre Thomas Levesque and comes from a family that has for generations been prominent in the judicial and legislative history of the province and Dominion. Mr. Dupuis was born in the parish of La Longue Pointe on the 17th of October, 1888. He made his classical course at L’Assomption College, from which he was graduated in 1908 with the degree of Bachelor of Science. He then took up the study of law in Laval University in 1908 and won his LL. L. degree upon graduation with the class of June, 1911. During the summer seasons of 1909 and 1910 he attended the famous Eastman Business College at Poughkeepsie, New York, where he was graduated with honors on the 30th of August, 1910. During the succeeding year he traveled abroad, visiting the Holy Land and many European countries.

In January, 1912, Mr. Dupuis began practice and has met with gratifying success in following his profession, in which he is well versed. He is a conservative in politics and a Roman Catholic in religious belief. He holds membership with the Canadian Club, the Montreal Amateur Athletic Association and the Knights of Columbus, and for the past two years has been secretary of the Anti-Alcoholic League. During the years 1909 and 1910 at Laval he was secretary of the Laval Students-at-Law. He is a young man of promise as well as a credit to one of Montreal’s best families.

DONALD ALEXANDER SMITH.

Donald Alexander Smith, Lord Strathcona and Mount Royal, whose career has been so wonderful as to appear almost magical, was born on August 6, 1820, in the ancient town of Forres, in Morayshire, Scotland. His father, Alexander Smith, was a small tradesman of Archieston and was born in the parish of Knocando. He married Barbara Stuart, of Leanchoil, Abernethy, a capable, thrifty woman, ambitious for her children. It was her desire that her son Donald should prepare for the bar, but, though he did not see fit to follow this wish, the mother heart never lost faith in her son and it was said that after he came to Canada as a fur trader she was frequently heard to remark: “They’ll all be proud of my Donald yet.” It was said that in boyhood he was shy, yet amiable, and displayed sturdy resolution and even hardihood if circumstances called those qualities forth. After leaving school he took up the study of law, his reading being directed by Robert Watson, solicitor, for two or three years. At length, however, he determined to enter the service of the Hudson’s Bay Company, influenced somewhat by a previous suggestion made by John Stuart, his uncle, who was then visiting Scotland. In 1838 he sailed for the new world and after a voyage of between forty and fifty days upon an eight hundred ton vessel, one of the largest on the seas at that time, he landed on Canadian shores. The rebellion of Mackenzie and Papineau had just been suppressed. Donald A. Smith at once entered the service of the Hudson’s Bay Company, but in a minor position. He met various hardships, but he proved his fidelity to the company as well as his capability in performing every service intrusted to him. He was first sent to the Labrador coast, where he spent thirteen years in a cold, bleak, barren, desolate region, with no companionship save a few employes, but during that period he learned the business methods of the company, how to manage Indians and how to secure the best returns. It has been said that power grows through the exercise of effort and year by year Donald Smith became more powerful. The hardships which he was forced to endure developed him. There is probably no other country in the world where there exists a longer or more dangerous postal route for men and dogs--two thousand miles of land travel from Quebec to Ungava in the depth of an Arctic winter, continuing from December until June--yet Lord Strathcona covered that route not once but many times.

His apprenticeship was, indeed, a difficult one, but he was undeterred by all obstacles he encountered and privations which he endured. At length, however, his eyesight became impaired, making it necessary that he go to Montreal for treatment. He covered the journey from Labrador by dog sled and on his arrival in Montreal he was greeted by Sir George Simpson, governor of the company, with the remark: “Well, young man, why are you not at your post?” “My eyes, sir,” came the reply, and he pointed to his blue goggles; “they got so very bad I have come to see a doctor.” But the governor thundered: “And who gave you permission to leave your post?” It would have taken a full year to obtain official consent, but when Mr. Smith was forced to reply, “No one,” the governor answered: “If it is a question between your eyes and your service in the Hudson’s Bay Company you will take my advice and return this instant to your post,” and Mr. Smith started almost immediately upon that return journey of nearly a thousand miles. The weather became so bad that both of his Indians succumbed to the cold and he arrived at the post more dead than alive. He once remarked: “A man who has been frozen and roasted by turns every year must be the tougher for it if he survived it at all.” Donald A. Smith did survive and advanced steadily. He learned the dialect of a number of Indian tribes and he so managed business affairs that his services were ever a matter of profit to the company. His advancement was slow at first, but his worth was eventually recognized and promotion came quicker. His duties were many and onerous because of his remoteness from civilization. He was called upon to minister to the sick and half a century later, when speaking to the students of the Middlesex Hospital in London he described the antiseptic which he used in Labrador in the ’40s, saying: “It was a primitive and somewhat rude form of treatment that was practiced in those days before Lord Lister introduced his discovery. For the treatment of wounds, ulcerated sores, etc., a pulp was made by boiling the inner bark of the juniper tree. The liquor which resulted was used for washing and treating the wounds and the bark, beaten into a plastic mass, was applied after the thorough cleaning of the wound, forming a soft cushion, lending itself to every inequality of the sore. Scrupulous cleanliness was observed and fresh material used for every application.”

When in Labrador, at the age of twenty-nine years, Donald A. Smith married Isabella Sophia Hardisty, with whom he traveled life’s journey for sixty-five years, separated in her death, which occurred in London in 1913. In the meantime he was advancing from one post to another in the service of the Hudson’s Bay Company, becoming trader and then chief trader, while his splendid administrative ability won him further promotion to factor and to chief factor. In 1851 he was transferred to the Northwest provinces and became most active in their later development. He eventually reached the position of supreme head of the company, becoming the last resident governor of the corporation that had its beginning under the Merry Monarch. The year 1868 witnessed his arrival in Montreal, as chief executive for the Hudson’s Bay Company. He is described at that time as “a man of middle stature, rather slight in build, and looked not at all the typical northerner, except when one studied his countenance.” “The snow tan of the north had made him dark as an Indian. He wore a full beard, black and wiry. Black brows met above his eyes, enhancing the stern, uncompromising aspect of his face. He looked what he was--a commander of men and of forces, a man made strong by a life of struggle and conquest in the wilderness.” He had not yet become a wealthy man, although he had saved his money and had invested it in land at various points in the northwest--land that many would have regarded as valueless. With wonderful prescience he discerned something of what the future had in store for that great country and with the growth of its population and the onrushing tide of civilization his holdings increased in value, making him one of Canada’s more prosperous citizens.