Part 57

Dr. Asselin acquired his classical education in Joliette College, and in further preparation for the profession which he had determined to make his life work, he studied for two and a half years in hospitals for children, in Paris, under the direction of such eminent men as Parrot, Bouchert, Simon and Descroizilles. Since entering upon active practice in Montreal his advancement has not only been continuous but rapid, winning speedy recognition for his ability. He has served as a director of the town dispensary of the Sisters of Providence, Montreal, an institution in which many thousands of children have been treated each year. He has also been physician of the Orphelinat St. Alexis at the corner of Mignonne and St. Denis Streets, Montreal.

On the 10th of October, 1883, Dr. Asselin was married to Miss Albina Laurier, daughter of Dr. Louis Laurier, and their family numbers five children. Dr. Asselin is a conservative in politics and in religious faith a Roman Catholic. He holds membership with the Independent Order of Foresters, but his chief interest is that of his profession. He gives untiringly of his service for the benefit of mankind and is highly esteemed not only by his colleagues but by the community generally.

LOUIS THEOPHILE MARECHAL.

In a profession where advancement depends entirely upon individual merit, talent and ability Louis Theophile Marechal has attained distinguished rank. Firmly entrenched in the principles of jurisprudence, he adds to his forensic knowledge and ability the rare gift of eloquence, which has been an effective force in winning for him a high position in his profession. He represents one of the old and distinguished French families in the Montreal district. His birth occurred at St. Henri, near Montreal, on the 13th of March, 1864, and in the pursuit of his education he spent some time as a student in Montreal College and in St. Mary’s (Jesuit) College. He afterward entered Laval University, where he pursued his law course until graduated with the class of 1889. The same year he was called to the bar and has since practiced as an advocate of Montreal. He was made a king’s counsel in 1903 and was appointed a councillor of the Montreal bar for the year 1908-9. His advancement in his profession has been continuous. He accurately applies law principles, being seldom, if ever, at fault in the citation of a fact or legal precedent. He speaks French and English with equal fluency and has been gifted with oratorical power that enables him to sway his hearers with the force of his eloquence. Moreover, his statements are convincing, and his legal utterances are always based upon a thorough understanding of the legal principles involved.

Mr. Marechal was united in marriage to Marie, the only daughter of Hon. C. B. de Boucherville, but lost his wife in death in 1902. His recognition of the duties and obligations of citizenship is manifest in many tangible ways. In politics he is a conservative of the pronounced type. He unsuccessfully contested St. Mary’s (Montreal) for the house of commons in the general election of 1904 and was again a candidate for the same seat in 1908. It is a recognized fact that he is a leader in party ranks and has done much to mold public thought and action. His religious faith is that of the Roman Catholic church. The spirit of progress dominates him in all things, especially in his professional and public relations, and his position of leadership is one to which his ability, public spirit and eloquence have brought him.

L. GEORGES BADEAUX, M. D.

Specializing in the treatment of diseases of the eye, ear, nose and throat, Dr. Badeaux has won a merited place in his particular branch of the medical profession. A native of Three Rivers, Quebec, he is descended from a very old and prominent family, the ancestry being traced back to 1630, when Jacques Badeaux, who was one of the first notaries in Canada, settled at Beauport. In the direct line from Jacques Badeaux to the subject of this review, there were four notaries. The great-great-grandfather, Jean Baptiste Badeaux, who resided at Three Rivers, was also an author and journalist and among his literary productions was a journal relating to the American Invasion in 1775. His son, Joseph Badeaux, also a notary, was a member of the legislature from Three Rivers at Quebec during the Revolution of 1837.

Dr. Georges Badeaux, his son, and grandfather of Dr. L. Georges Badeaux, was a widely known physician of Three Rivers, where he engaged in practice for fifty-five years, or until the time of his death. He was the father of two sons and several daughters. One of his sons, Joseph Badeaux, was a physician at Three Rivers, but is now deceased. His only son is Dr. Joseph M. Badeaux, now engaged in the practice of medicine as successor to his father and grandfather.

Louis Badeaux, father of Dr. Badeaux, of this review, has always resided at Three Rivers, where for more than a quarter of a century he was engaged in the wholesale dry-goods business. He is now living retired.

Dr. L. Georges Badeaux was born March 21, 1886, in Three Rivers and acquired his classical education in St. Joseph’s College in his native place. In 1906 he began the study of medicine at Laval University, Quebec, and after spending two years there he entered Laval University at Montreal, from which he was graduated with the degree of M. D. in 1910.

He then began to make special study of the eye, ear, nose and throat at the Hotel Dieu, being assistant there in the treatment of the diseases of those organs. For the past three years Dr. Badeaux has been an assistant in practice to Dr. Albert Lassalle, the noted eye and ear specialist. For two years Dr. Badeaux was a professor in the demonstration of anatomy at Laval and he is a member of La Société Médicale de Montreal.

On the 28th of April, 1913, Dr. Badeaux was married in Montreal to Anita Fellay, a daughter of Ernest Fellay, of this city, and they have one child, Louis Jacques.

JAMES CHALMERS CAMERON, M. D.

Dr. James Chalmers Cameron, medical practitioner and educator of Montreal, was for thirty-eight years actively connected with the profession in this city, enjoying not only the respect of all with whom he came in contact but also the love and affectionate regard of those to whom he ministered in his professional capacity by reason of his ready sympathy and thorough understanding as well as his medical and surgical skill. Kindness and helpfulness might be termed the keynote of his character and those qualities constantly found expression in all the relations of his life. Ontario was proud to number him among her native sons, for as he developed his latent powers and energies he gained a wide reputation. He was born at Aultsville, Ontario, January 18, 1852, being the eldest son of Rev. James Y. Cameron, of the Presbyterian church, who after receiving his education in Edinburgh, under Dr. Thomas Chalmers, was actively connected with the ministry in Canada for a number of years, but later withdrew from that field to devote his energies to teaching. He conducted a private academy in Lundy’s Lane for several years and was later in turn principal of the Drummondville (Ont.) high school, the Williamstown (Ont.) high school and for a couple of years lecturer in classics and mathematics at the Presbyterian College, Montreal. Rev. J. Y. Cameron married Charlotte Ann Ault in 1851. Both husband and wife were descended from United Empire Loyalist families, who had sacrificed their homes in the American colonies to remain true to the British flag and settled in Glengarry.

Dr. Cameron began studying in the old Upper Canada College, Toronto, and by reason of his aptitude and close application became head boy of the school in 1870. He next entered McGill, where in four years he became first prize man in medicine, graduating in 1874. The succeeding three years were spent in connection with the General Hospital in Montreal, but in 1877 he severed his connection with that institution and in April of the same year sailed for Dublin, Ireland. He pursued post-graduate courses in medicine and surgery in Berlin, Paris and Vienna and thus he added greatly to his knowledge through acquaintance with the methods of practice of the most eminent physicians and surgeons of the old world. The chair of obstetrics at Bishop’s College was offered to Dr. Cameron when he returned from his first post-graduate course at the Rotunda and was at once accepted. He remained there until the chair at McGill was offered him, thus giving him wider opportunities. He became professor of obstetrics and infants’ diseases at his alma mater, holding that chair for twenty-six years and contributing in large measure to the success of the medical department. He believed always in raising the standards of medical education because of his clear recognition of the responsibilities devolving upon the practitioner and his labors and teachings were an inspiration to all who came under his instruction. While professor at McGill Dr. Cameron became associated with the old University Lying-in Hospital, which later became the Montreal Maternity Hospital, and Dr. Cameron’s work in behalf of that institution resulted largely in bringing it to its present standard of modern excellence. It was not only as practitioner and educator that Dr. Cameron became widely known but also as a contributor to various text-books on medicine, this gaining him a wide reputation. His treatises were written in English, French and German. He was well known in the United States and was elected an honorary fellow of the American Gynecological Society, besides being a member of many other leading societies connected with the medical profession. He was a member of the British Medical Association and the Edinburgh Obstetrical Society. For many years he was chief medical examiner for the Equitable Life Assurance Society in Montreal. He gained eminence as a lecturer on subjects of literary interest, his addresses on Robert Louis Stevenson and Robert Burns being especially well received.

Dr. Cameron was married in 1880 to Miss Elizabeth Jane Dakers, daughter of James Dakers, who was for thirty-five years secretary and manager of the Montreal Telegraph Company. Mrs. Cameron survives with one son, Dakers Cameron, of Montreal. Dr. Cameron is also survived by his mother and two brothers, Dr. John W. Cameron, of Buffalo, New York, and Wellington Ault Cameron, barrister, of Toronto.

The remarkable energy of Dr. Cameron found expression along other lines. He was for a time assistant surgeon of the Sixth Fusiliers. His name was on the membership role of the St. James and University Clubs and in 1874 he was initiated into Royal Albert Lodge, A. F. & A. M. Subsequently he became the principal mover in establishing the University Lodge, A. F. & A. M., which has rapidly grown in influence and includes many university graduates and students of McGill. He was the first worshipful master of this lodge and also an officer of the grand lodge of Quebec. In Masonry he attained the thirty-second degree. As specially appointed medical examiner for the German army, Dr. Cameron held a position unique in Canadian history, an honor which he valued very highly. He was also a member of the Teutonia Club. Dr. Cameron died suddenly on March 16, 1912. The funeral services were conducted according to Masonic rites, the religious ceremony taking place at St. Paul’s Presbyterian church, of which he was a member. One of the local papers said: “His every patient became his friend and his death is a loss to thousands.” The news of his demise, indeed, carried a sense of personal bereavement into many homes where his eminent skill and kindly ministrations had made him loved and honored. In all of his professional relations he approached the ideal because of his comprehensive knowledge and still more because of his deep human interest and sympathy. He regarded it as a sacred privilege and obligation to discharge the duties of his profession and his life embodied the thought of the philosopher who has said: “Not the good that comes to us but the good that comes to the world through us is the measure of our success.”

JOSEPH VENNE.

On the list of architects who have had to do with the building of Montreal appears the name of Joseph Venne, senior member of the well known firm of Venne & Labelle, and those who are to any extent familiar with the building operations that have been carried on here in the last third of a century know that he has figured prominently as one whose work combines the indispensable qualities of utility, comfort, convenience and adornment. He was born in Montreal, June 14, 1859, was educated in the Christian Brothers school of this city and, being a diligent student, creditably passed his examinations.

After putting aside his text-books he entered the office of Perrault & Mesnard, architects, and for many years was their head clerk. The high regard entertained for him by his employers is indicated in the advancement that came to him from time to time and his eventual admission to the firm under the style of Perrault, Mesnard & Venne, which partnership continued for several years when it was dissolved. Since 1912 he has been associated with Louis Labelle.

In 1882 Mr. Venne was united in marriage to Miss P. Boucher, a daughter of S. Boucher, Esq., of Montreal. A Roman Catholic in religious faith, he belongs to the St. Jean Baptiste Society and has been president of the Sacred Heart section. In politics he is a liberal. Along professional lines his connection is with the provincial Association of Architects, and through his identification with that organization he keeps in touch with the advanced work and progressive ideas of representative men of the profession and also contributes from his experience and wisdom to its discussions and conferences.

NIEL H. ASSELIN.

The name of Niel H. Asselin has become a familiar one in commercial circles in Montreal, where he occupies the important and responsible position of general agent of the Singer Sewing Machine Company for eastern Canada. He was born in 1845 at St. Michel, Bellechase county, in the province of Quebec, and supplemented his preliminary education by study in the St. Michel Commercial College. He reached what may be termed his métier by a somewhat circuitous course. He started with the Grand Trunk Railway in the position of operator and stationmaster at Hadlow in 1863 and left that position to accept one in the office of the prothonotary for the Quebec district, in which capacity he served for six years. He then resigned to travel in the boot and shoe trade, and in 1874 came into active connection with the sewing machine business as representative of the Howe Sewing Machine Company. When this went into liquidation he made his way to the United States and joined the sales force of the Wheeler & Wilson & Domestic Sewing Machine Company.

Upon returning to Canada in 1884, Mr. Asselin entered the employ of the White Sewing Machine Company as its representative in Quebec, the maritime provinces and Newfoundland. In 1891 he joined the Singer Sewing Machine Company at Quebec as its manager for half of the province and a part of New Brunswick. In 1903 he was advanced to the position of superintendent and in 1905 became general agent for all eastern Canada, comprising Quebec, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia and Newfoundland, with headquarters in the Board of Trade building in Montreal. Here with an office staff of fifteen under his control and twenty-eight regular shops, thirty-two contract shops and four hundred outside employes under his jurisdiction, he may well be said to hold the blue ribbon position in sewing machine circles in Canada.

Mr. Asselin has a fluent command of both English and French and is a cultured, genial gentleman, whose popularity arises from attractive social qualities as well as pronounced business ability.

ROBERT T. MULLIN.

Robert T. Mullin, one of the able and successful advocates in Montreal, is a representative of a well known Canadian family whose members settled in the Dominion about 1810. He was born in 1870 at Bryson, province of Quebec, and after completing his preliminary education, entered McGill University at Montreal. He was graduated from the law department in 1896, with first rank honors, and he was also a gold medallist in Roman law in his graduating year. While at McGill, Mr. Mullin was a member of the Literary and Debating Society and was also editor in chief of the “McGill Fortnightly.” He was called to the bar in 1900, beginning the practice of his profession in this city in partnership with Colonel J. P. Cooke, who later became registrar, the firm name being Cooke & Mullin. This connection was productive of mutually beneficial results and was maintained until 1910 when it was dissolved. Mr. Mullin later was a member of the firm of De Boucherville, Mullin & Mathieu, but since 1912 he has been alone in practice. Mr. Mullin is at all times a strong and forceful practitioner, well versed in underlying legal principles and possessed of the insight, keenness of perception and powers of deduction necessary to make his knowledge effective. He controls a large and important clientage and is very successful in its conduct, standing today in the front ranks of reliable and competent advocates in Montreal.

At the inception of the Cobalt mining activities, Mr. Mullin became interested in various mining properties, and he has had considerable success along this line of industry and has played a conspicuous part in the development of various mining properties. His operations have been so successful that his judgment has been profitably followed by others in the mining world.