Part 68

EDOUARD O. CHAMPAGNE.

Edouard O. Champagne, superintendent of the department of boiler inspection for the city of Montreal, has been connected with that department of the city government for thirty-five years, during which time he has established a reputation for capability and efficiency in his line that is probably unsurpassed on the continent. Thoroughly progressive and up-to-date, he has kept fully abreast of the advancement made in all lines of manufacture and usage affecting his department.

Mr. Champagne comes from one of the old and prominent families of the province, a family whose members for nearly two hundred and fifty years have been identified with provincial history and have been regarded as of the highest type of French-Canadian citizenship. Edouard O. Champagne was born at Sorel, Quebec, in 1848. His education was acquired at the Christian Brothers College, where he excelled in mechanical drawing and civil engineering and also at the John Allan Model and Classical school of Sorel. He served his apprenticeship as a machinist in the St. Lawrence engine works, after which he was for fourteen years employed on steamboats on the Ottawa and St. Lawrence rivers and Lakes Champlain, Erie and Ontario in his professional capacity.

His splendid record as an engineer of various boats induced the harbor commissioners of Montreal to engage him to run the St. Peter, their best boat, which was never outdistanced during the four years in which he was in charge. In 1872 he obtained a first class certificate from the federal government as a mechanical engineer, being the first French-Canadian to whom was accorded that distinction. In 1879 he was appointed boiler inspector for the city of Montreal by a council, the majority of whose members were English-speaking. His experience has enabled him to solve many of the difficult and intricate problems that arise in connection with the operation of engines, pumps, steam plants, elevators and water and gas plants. In a word, he has expert scientific knowledge and practical mechanical ability and is splendidly qualified for the onerous and important duties which devolve upon him in this connection. As an example of his capability, as well as the value of his services to the city, mention might be made of the heating apparatus of the public baths. In July, 1913, when the question of heating water for the public baths was being considered by the city officials, various types of expensive and complicated apparatus were shown and inspected. The expense of installation, as well as that of fuel and maintenance, represented a large sum if any of those systems had been adopted. Mr. Champagne had given the matter some thought and, with a system of entirely his own planning, offered to install an efficient and economical apparatus for that purpose. How well he succeeded may be inferred from the fact that at an expense of ten dollars he secured the same result, in less than one-half the time, that a system costing ten thousand dollars would have accomplished. Three such equipments were supplied by him, representing a first cost saving of thirty thousand dollars to the city. Being in the city’s employ, he waived all claims to remuneration as an inventor. The city’s requirements in the future will call for a number of such installations, each one of which will mean a saving of an additional ten thousand dollars.

At their annual meeting in 1880 the various members of the Association of Boiler Inspectors of the United States and Canada were invited to submit designs from which the organization’s official seal was to be selected. Mr. Champagne, through illness in his family, was unable to attend this meeting. However, he submitted the design he had planned, and it was adopted. This has ever since been in use as the official seal of the association. The first impression made from the seal, together with a small photogravure of the original drawing, were sent to Mr. Champagne by the officials. The design of the seal is unique and highly appropriate, containing accurate drawings of sixteen dangerous types of boilers which form its circular border. Mr. Champagne has frequently been called upon as an expert in determining causes of boiler explosions, and in matters generally pertaining to his line of business there are few, if any, better posted men in the Dominion.

Mr. Champagne is also a noted marksman and one of the best snapshots in the Dominion. He came into permanent possession of several challenge cups as evidence of his skill. Few men would probably display more modesty over achievements of equal importance and significance than he has done.

In 1895 he came into public notice through his heroism at the Longue Pointe Asylum fire, when he and Chief Benoit saved the lives of over ninety inmates. It is characteristic of him that he never considers himself in the presence of imminent danger, and his faithfulness and fidelity in public service have won him the confidence and high regard of all who know aught of his career. As a citizen he represents the best of the French-Canadian type, has reared an excellent family and, with them, is highly esteemed and respected.

HON. FRANCOIS XAVIER CHOQUET.

Hon. François Xavier Choquet, judge of the juvenile court, Montreal, since January 2, 1912, is uniformly recognized as an eminent legist and jurist, as well as an able member of the judiciary. He occupied for many years a position of distinction at the Montreal bar, where his name figured in connection with the court records of some of the most prominent cases heard in the province.

Judge Choquet was born on the 8th of January, 1851, at Varennes, in the province of Quebec. His father, Jean Baptiste Choquet, was a farmer at Varennes and descended from one of the oldest French families in the province, while the mother of Judge Choquet, Adeline Provost, a daughter of Amable Provost, also belonged to an old and honorable family.

The Choquet family has been identified with the history of the province since 1665, the founders, who originally belonged to Picardie, France, settling in Canada in that year.

Judge Choquet added to the fundamental principles of education the knowledge acquired in attendance at L’Assomption College, the Montreal Seminary and McGill University, being graduated from the last named in 1874 with the B. C. L. degree, having determined to make the practice of law his life work. In the meantime he had studied law under Sir La Jette and Senator Beique, in the firm of Jette & Beique, and after being called to the bar on the 10th of January, 1875, he began the practice of his profession in Montreal as a partner of his former law preceptors, being admitted to the firm of Jette & Beique, where he remained about four years. Subsequently he practiced alone for six years, during which time he acquired a clientele that was not surpassed by any of his contemporaries. He afterwards became partner in the firm of Mercier, Beausoleil & Choquet, so continuing from 1884 until 1892, when the senior partner, the late Hon. Honore Mercier, withdrew, and the firm style of Beausoleil & Choquet was adopted. Judge Choquet was created a king’s counsellor by the Earl of Aberdeen on March 7, 1893.

Many important duties have devolved upon him, either in the direct or indirect path of his profession. He was a royal commissioner to revise the charter of Montreal in September, 1897, and was appointed judge of the session of the peace, police magistrate, and license commissioner of Montreal on the 27th of December, 1898. He was also appointed an extradition commissioner under the extradition act, July 20, 1901. In more strictly professional lines his service as a member of the council of the Montreal bar continued from 1894 until 1897, and he was appointed a delegate to the general council of the bar of the province of Quebec.

He has been a continuous student of his profession, constantly broadening his knowledge by reading, study, research and investigation until today his opinions are largely accepted as authority concerning any vital legal problems.

In the course of his professional career, Judge Choquet successfully handled many important railway and municipal cases. He made a special study of the law relating to transportation matters and also the laws governing municipal affairs, while on the law of elections, the Montreal Herald has referred to him as “the highest authority of the province.”

In June, 1884, Judge Choquet was married to Miss Marie Caroline Barry, a daughter of John E. Barry, of Saguenay and Trois Pistoles. Both Judge and Mrs. Choquet are prominently connected with the Montreal Children’s Aid Society, of which he was president for some time, while Mrs. Choquet has been vice president. He is also president of the Cooperative Funeral Expense Society. Their religious faith is that of the Roman Catholic church, and Mrs. Choquet was granted an audience by the pope in 1906. Judge Choquet is vice president of the Shawinigan Fishing Club, holds membership also with the Engineers and Winchester Clubs, and has been president of the latter for ten years. He resides at No. 814 Dorchester Street, West, Montreal, through the winter seasons and has a summer home at Rigaud, P. Q.

HON. LOUIS TELLIER.

On the list of representatives of the judiciary of Montreal appears the name of Hon. Louis Tellier, puisne judge of the superior court of the province of Quebec. A native of Berthier, Quebec, he was born on the 25th of December, 1844, a son of Zephirin Tellier of Ste. Melanie d’Aillebout and Luce Ferland, the latter a daughter of V. Prisque Ferland. After attending Joliette College Louis Tellier was called to the bar in 1866, and thus for almost half a century he has been a representative of the legal profession in the province. For a number of years he held the office of deputy prothonotary of the superior court, also deputy clerk of the circuit court and deputy clerk of the peace and of the crown for the district of St. Hyacinthe. He had studied law under the late Mr. Baby, who became a justice of the court of queen’s bench in the province of Quebec, and afterward under Mr. Chagnon, who became a judge of the superior court for the province of Quebec in the district of Iberville, and had come to the bar well equipped for the honors and responsible duties of the profession. His ability was early manifest in the manner in which he prepared and conducted his cases, and in 1873 he was appointed crown prosecutor for the district of St. Hyacinthe. He also became a recognized leader in political as well as in legal circles, and in 1878 he was elected to the house of commons for the St. Hyacinthe riding at the general election and sat for that district until 1882. He was appointed queen’s counsel in 1882 by the Marquis of Lorne. He resumed the practice of law and was raised to the bench as puisne judge of the superior court of the province of Quebec by the Marquis of Lansdowne on the 12th of November, 1887. He was appointed for the district of St. Hyacinthe, succeeding Justice Sicotte, but in 1903 he was removed to the district of Montreal, where he now presides. His decisions on the bench are models of judicial soundness, showing a comprehensive grasp of the law with ability to accurately apply its principles.

On the 26th of May, 1868, Judge Tellier married Hermine, daughter of the late Dr. A. Malhiot. She died in 1878, and on the 18th of July, 1882, Judge Tellier married Elzire Hamel, daughter of Joseph A. Hamel, collector of customs in St. Hyacinthe division. Her death occurred October 6, 1906. On the 26th of January, 1914, the Judge married Mrs. Jules Richard whose maiden name was Regina Royer and who was the widow of Jules Richard, advocate, practicing his profession at Sherbrooke in the district of St. Francis. Judge Tellier has three sons and five daughters.

He is an administrator of Laval University and is a member of the Catholic church. His mind is naturally analytical, logical and inductive, and his clear reasoning finds expression in judicial opinions from which colleagues and contemporaries seldom take exception.

HENRY JOHNSTONE ELLIOTT.

Henry Johnstone Elliott, senior member of the law firm of Elliott & David, has been a lifelong resident of Montreal, and is a son of the late Hugh Elliott. He received his early education in the schools of his native city and pursued his preparation for the bar at McGill University, from which he was graduated B. C. L. in 1898. The same year he began practice as an advocate, and ten years’ successful work as a representative of the legal profession won him position among the king’s counselors, being created such in 1908. He understands thoroughly the necessity for careful preparation before presenting his cause in the courts, and in the trial of cases it is seen that his knowledge of the law is exact and comprehensive, while in the application of legal principles he is seldom if ever at fault.

Mr. Elliott finds enjoyment in golf, and interest and recreation in various outdoor sports, exercises and athletics. He belongs to the Beaconsfield Golf Club, Outremont Golf Club, Montreal Athletic Association, the Engineers Club and the Temple Club, all of Montreal. His religious belief is that of the Anglican church and he has been a delegate to the synod.

REV. MALCOLM A. CAMPBELL.

Rev. Malcolm A. Campbell, pastor of the First Presbyterian church of Montreal and known in that city as a man of superior attainments and of active religious zeal, was born in Bruce county, Ontario, October 10, 1875. He acquired his education in high school at Port Elain, in his native province, and later attended the Collegiate Institute at Owen Sound. He supplemented this by a course in McGill University and in the Presbyterian College at Montreal, from which he was graduated in April, 1909. He was ordained in the following October and in January, 1910, became minister of the First Presbyterian church of this city, a position which he still retains. This is one of the most important parishes in Montreal, being a combination of St. Gabriel’s and Chalmers Presbyterian churches, the former the first Protestant church in Canada. Rev. Campbell brings to the duties of his responsible position well directed energy, unflagging zeal and a firm belief in the importance of the work in which he is engaged, and the results of his labors are seen in the excellent condition of the parish and its constant growth.

On the 26th of October, 1910, Rev. Campbell was united in marriage to Miss Louise Crippen, of Trout River, New York. He is a member of the Masonic order, being grand chaplain of the Grand Lodge of Quebec province, and he is widely and favorably known in Montreal, where he is recognized as a man sincere in his aims and purposes and one whose honorable and upright life is always in strict conformity with the doctrines which he professes.

ARTHUR JOSEPH RICHER, M. D.

In preparation for the onerous and difficult duties and responsibilities of the profession Dr. Arthur Joseph Richer has studied under eminent physicians and surgeons of the old world and the new, and his labors have manifestly been of marked value to his fellowmen, especially in the conduct of the Brehmer Rest, a sanitarium promoting a preventive treatment for tuberculosis.