Part 13

=Beach, Mahlon F.=, Manufacturer (Iroquois, Ont.), who died January 4, 1917, at the ripe age of more than eighty-three years, was one of the most remarkable self-made men in Eastern Canada and belonged to a family which can boast one of the most striking genealogical records in the Dominion. The family record shows his lineage back to John Beach, one of three pilgrim brothers who migrated from England to New Haven Colony, Conn., early in the Seventeenth Century, the two other pilgrim brothers being Richard and Thomas. Richard first appears in the New Haven Colony in 1638, and was a man of some note in his day. Thomas first appears in the records in 1646, and settled in Milford, Connecticut. John is first mentioned in the New Haven Colony records, January 4, 1643. Four years later he bought “an house lott” there and in 1650 married Mary ——. Next we find him at Stratford, Connecticut, where he acquired land in 1660 and was chosen “Town Crier” in the following years, being allowed fourpence “for everything he should crye and every time he cryed.” He signed the Articles of Agreement for the Wallingford Plantation in 1670, and was granted a “house lott” there in 1671. He appears fourth in a list of six persons of “Hiest Rank,” July 29, 1672, and in 1675 was one of a committee to establish a Church, dying between the years 1678 and 1680, the ancestor of a large number of Beaches, scattered over United States, Canada and South America. Mahlon Ford Beach, the subject of this sketch, was born November 10, 1833, in Oxford Township, Grenville County, Province of Ontario, where his father, Mahlon Beach, son of David Beach, arriving from New Jersey, was one of the first settlers. His Mother, Mercy May, born in New York State, May 12, 1798, was a daughter of Lyman Clothier, who migrated to the vicinity and built the first mills in what is now known as the Village of Kemptville. Married Louise C. Wickmire, of Augusta Township, Grenville County, in 1865, and leaves a family of ten boys, all of whom are living, born as follows: Charles A., of Cornwall, 1866; Fred. W., of Morrisburg, 1868; Dr. Anson W., of Toronto, and Benson C., of Ottawa (twins), 1870; Mahlon W., of Kingston, 1872; Howard B., of Iroquois, 1873; D. Easton, of Ottawa, and G. Weston, of Winchester (twins), 1875; J. Russell, of Ottawa, 1878; and Olin A., of Ottawa, 1882. One daughter, born in 1877, died in infancy. Mrs. Beach died in 1907, aged seventy-one years and eleven months, and Mr. Beach married Mrs. Hannah M. Barber, of Winnipeg, in 1912, by whom he is survived. Although controlling probably a quarter of a million dollars at his death, Mr. Beach started life like thousands of other poor boys, with only his native industry, wit and enterprise to raise him above his restricted circumstances and give his talents a larger field of activity. He was a born captain of industry and remarkable in many ways, exciting a big influence not only in his community, but throughout the county. Possessed of a strong personality, an untiring energy, quick perception and bold and fearless in his business enterprises, he left his stamp on the community in which he lived and his name will always be connected with the village and township of Winchester. This place was hardly a settlement when Mr. Beach first came there, and when he erected his first mill it was the beginning of a new life in the community, as previously the nearest mill was at Iroquois. He was educated at the common schools of his native place and set out to carve his own fortune early in life. He first worked at the millwright business, and in 1856 went to the Township of Winchester, Dundas County, where he built a small saw mill, later adding other machinery and buildings, such as planing mills, sash and door, and flour mills. During the years 1861-1864 he engaged in square timber operations, taking the timber to Quebec. In the spring of 1883 he bought a water privilege on the St. Lawrence Canal, at Iroquois, and moved there in June of the same year, where he commenced a roller flour mill, which was put in operation in the fall of 1884. At Mr. Beach’s place in Winchester, where the old business is still continued, he saw grow up what is now a flourishing village. Between the years 1861-1878 Mr. Beach was connected directly and indirectly with the general store business and has always been successful in his undertakings. In 1884 his mills at Winchester were destroyed by fire, and a number of other valuable buildings, also a quantity of sawn lumber, flour and wheat to the amount of about $75,000, were all swept away without any insurance to cover the loss. This naturally crippled him financially, but nothing daunted, he commenced again, rebuilding the mills in a much better manner than before and adding a furniture factory to them, thus showing that the spirit of the man was bigger than any adversity and that he did not know the meaning of failure. He met every obstacle with indomitable faith in himself as the biggest asset of human enterprise, which, more than any other, was a characteristic of Mr. Beach. He had absolute faith in his own judgment and with great capacity and resource he soon recovered his losses. He was President of the Beach Foundry Co., Ltd., of Ottawa, and also with his son Charles A., established the Beach Furniture Factory, at Cornwall. In 1909 he completed a water power development in Iroquois, one of the latest and most improved hydro-electric power plants in America. In order to carry out this undertaking, he was obliged to resort to the European markets for the electrical apparatus. The generators came from Sweden, where they were designed and made especially for the conditions met with in development. It might truly be said that this was the pioneer plant in Canada for the vertical type, direct connected to wheel, operating under a low head of water. This fact was attested to by many eminent engineers from all over the American continent, who inspected the plant after its completion. In 1910, with his two sons, Benson C. and Charles A., he was interested in the development of a 4,000 h.p. Hydro-Electric Power Plant at Hound Chute, on the Montreal River, furnishing the first electrical energy used in the Cobalt District. Associated with the late Hon. Andrew Broder, M.P., he secured in 1882, a charter for the Montreal and Central Canada Railroad. With the charter they interviewed Sir Wm. Van Horne, of the C.P.R. Asked what they wanted for their charter and expense of promoting, the reply was “We want a railroad.” The C.P.R. took over the charter, the line was built and now forms part of the main line between Toronto and Montreal. Mr. Beach was one of the foremost men interested in the erection of the present magnificent Methodist Church at Winchester. His public career has been confined to municipal affairs. He was warden of the United Counties of Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry for the year 1873. In politics he was a Liberal, and in religion a broad-minded adherent of the Methodist Church, and opposed to ostentation. Even passing his eighty-third birthday, Mr. Beach exhibited remarkable vitality of mind and body, being still actively engaged in his several interests, but on January 4, 1917, he suddenly passed away, the direct cause being due to acute congestion of the kidneys, complicated with pneumonia. His useful and successful life will long be remembered with respect.

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=Macdonald, John= (Toronto, Ont.), the present head of the great wholesale dry goods firm of John Macdonald & Co., of Toronto, is still a young man. He bears the name of his father, the founder of the business, and was born on the 4th of November, 1863, at the old family homestead, Oaklands, a beautiful villa on the hills overlooking the city of Toronto. He was educated at Upper Canada College, which boasts the names of a very large number of distinguished families on its rolls, and while still a lad entered (1880) the great dry goods establishment which then bore his father’s name and was founded by him in 1849. Under his distinguished father’s guidance he received a sound business training, and was thus, on the death of the latter, able to undertake the great responsibility devolving upon him. The firm was made a Joint Stock Company, of which he was appointed President in 1906. He is a Director of the following: Bank of Toronto, Confederation Life Association, Toronto Hotel Co., Ltd., Guarantee Company of North America, Millers and Manufacturers Insurance Co., Humane Society, Hospital for Incurables, Academy of Music. Honorary Governor Toronto General Hospital; member Toronto Board of Trade; Chairman Bureau Municipal Research; Trustee and Official, Yonge St. Methodist Church; Vice-Chairman, Financial Committee; member Defence League. The late Hon. John Macdonald sat in the Senate of Canada for several years, and was a most distinguished figure in religious and philanthropic work. The subject of this sketch is a man of varied interests and wide social popularity, while retaining the sound business energy characteristic of his family. In the affairs of his alma mater, Upper Canada College, he has taken a deep interest, and was one of those public-spirited graduates who took an active part in the work of reorganization which a few years ago put it on a sound basis and largely increased its usefulness. He is also a member of the Methodist Communion, in which his father was so long an eminent figure, and has interested himself in the affairs of Yonge Street Methodist Church, of which he is a Trustee. He holds the office of Justice of the Peace, but fortunately is not compelled to frequently exercise his function as a magistrate. Among the commercial organizations with which he is identified, may be mentioned the Toronto Board of Trade, in which he is prominent in the dry goods section. His is also one of the best-known names on the roll of the Commercial Travellers’ Association, one of the most powerful organizations in Canada. He is also a member of the British Empire League, the object of which is to further the progress of an enlightened Imperialism in Canada; of the well-known benevolent society, the Ancient Order of United Workmen; of the Caledonian Society, to which he belongs by virtue of his Scottish descent; and is a member, also, by virtue of the family traditions, of the York pioneers; a member also of the Methodist Union College Heights Association, Upper Canada College Old Boys’ Association, St. Andrew’s Society, and the Canadian Institute. Clubs: York, National, British Empire. Like all men of active mind, Mr. Macdonald has a hobby, and in his case the hobby is horseflesh. His beautiful home at Oaklands always boasts some fine animals in its stables, and he has earnestly devoted himself to the improvement of Canadian stock. He was one of the original promoters and is a Director of the Annual Horse Show at Toronto, and is also an active member of the Horse Breeders’ Association, and of the Hackney Horse Association. It will thus be seen that Mr. Macdonald is a man of catholic tastes and wide energies. He resides at 116 Farnham Avenue, Toronto.

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=Longley, Hon. J. W.= (Halifax, N.S.), Judge of the Supreme Court of Nova Scotia. One of the best-known men in Canadian public life, and a gentleman who combines literary graces with a practical public spirit, is Hon. James Wilberforce Longley, late Attorney-General and Commissioner of Crown Lands for the Province of Nova Scotia. Hon. Mr. Longley was born at Paradise, Annapolis County, Nova Scotia, on January 4, 1849, the son of Israel Longley and Frances Manning. Like so many noted Nova Scotians, he is a descendant of an old New England family, and his grandfather, William Longley, came to Nova Scotia from Massachusetts in 1760, and settled at Belleisle, in Annapolis County. The subject of this sketch attended school first at Paradise and later received his education in the higher branches at Acadia University, Wolfville, N.S., where he received the B.A. degree in 1871; M.A., 1875; D.C.L., 1897; Hon. LL.D. St. Francis Xavier College, Antigonish, N.S., 1905. He began the study of law in the office of Hiram Blanchard, K.C., of Halifax, and completed his course with the legal firm of Johnston & Bligh; read law with Bethune & Hoyles, Toronto, and W. A. Johnson, Halifax, N.S.; he also attended for a term at Osgoode Hall, Toronto, and was called to the Nova Scotia Bar at Halifax in 1875, where he immediately began the practice of his profession; two years as Bligh & Longley; four years with Mr. Motton, and as McCoy & Longley. He quickly made a reputation by his ability, and in 1883 was appointed by the Provincial Government as one of the commission for the revision and consolidation of the Statutes. Journalism had always attracted Mr. Longley, and while a law student he had become identified with the “Acadian Recorder,” of Halifax, as its chief editorial writer. Subsequently he joined the staff of the “Halifax Morning Chronicle,” and for some time filled the responsible post of managing editor. Mr. Longley’s literary and clear attractive style has borne fruit in contributions to many of the leading reviews and periodicals of England and the United States. In 1898, “Love,” a religious and philosophical essay appeared in book form and has passed through several editions. He has also written “Socialism, Its Truths and Errors”; “The Greatest Drama”; “A Material Age”; “Canada and Imperial Federation”; “Religion in the 19th Century”; “Makers of Canada” (Series); “The Political History of Canada” (four volumes complete); “Life of Joseph Howe,” and “Life of Sir Charles Tupper.” He was President of the Nova Scotia Historical Society and a member of the Royal Society of Canada. Coincident with his legal and literary activities, Hon. Mr. Longley has taken an active part in politics. He was for some years President of the Young Men’s Liberal Club of Halifax, and entered public life in 1882 as member of the Nova Scotia Legislature for Annapolis County, which constituency he represented until 1905. Two years later Hon. W. S. Fielding, in forming his Government, invited Mr. Longley to enter it, and in July, 1884, he was sworn in as a Minister without Portfolio. In 1886 he was appointed Attorney-General. In 1896 he resigned to enter a contest for Federal honors in the House of Commons. Being defeated, his old constituents in Annapolis at once re-elected him by acclamation. At the request of the Premier, Hon. Mr. Murray, he resumed the duties of Attorney General for Nova Scotia, which position he held for over nineteen years. In his public capacity, he was a member of the famous inter-Provincial Conference at Quebec in 1887, and was one of the prominent figures in the historic convention of the Reform Party in 1893, when the platform of the then Opposition was struck. As a legislator he has initiated many useful provincial measures, embracing important changes in the criminal procedure, the abolition of imprisonment for debt, consolidation of County Court Procedure and the incorporation of towns. He is a director of the British Empire Financial Corporation, and is a great social favorite in most of the cities of Canada. Has been a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada and was elected Honorary President. On September 4, 1877, he married Annie Brown, daughter of Mr. Newton Brown (deceased, October, 1899); secondly, Lois Fletcher, daughter of George Fletcher, Yorkshire, Eng., April, 1901, and has five sons and one daughter. He is a member of the Halifax and Saraquay Clubs; a director of the Home Life Association, and received his present appointment in 1905; also a member of A.F. & A.M. He was created K.C. by Lord Stanley (afterwards Earl of Derby) in 1890.

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=Morgan, Colin Daniel= (Montreal, Que.), Merchant, is the son of William Morgan and Jane Brown; was born at West Linton, Scotland, in 1846, and educated at Edinburgh, Scotland. He married Martha Gold, the daughter of Hon. Theodore S. Gold, an agriculturist, of West Cornwall, Conn., and has four children, Theodore, Marjorie, Henry and Alice. He is a member of the Presbyterian Church, and takes his recreation motoring, etc.

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=Antliff, Rev. James Cooper, M.A., D.D.=, 41 St. Mark Street, Montreal. Born February 1, 1844, at Huddersfield, Yorkshire, England. Son of Rev. Wm. Antliff, D.D., and Barbara Cooper. Educated at Haslingden Wesleyan School and Edinburgh University from which he graduated with the degree of M.A., 1873, B.D. in 1874. Left England for Canada by appointment of Primitive Methodist Conference, 1878. Professor in Wesleyan Theological College, Montreal, for nine years. Received degree of D.D. Victoria University, 1887. Member of First Œcumenical Conference. President of Montreal Conference, 1891. Secretary of First General Conference of Methodist Church. Canadian delegate to Wesleyan Methodist Conference, 1907. Was editor of Christian Journal for three years; and is the author of several illuminating magazine articles on various subjects. Married first, Fanny Holden, daughter of John Holden Esq., of Dalbury Lees, Derby, England; second, Jane Elizabeth Gooderham, daughter of the Rev. Ezekiel Gooderham of York Mills, Ont., has one surviving son, born the 22nd of March, 1869. Rev. Dr. Antliff has traveled extensively and is a man of ripe scholarship.

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=Arrell, Harrison= (Caledonia, Ont.), was born at the Township of Onondaga, Brant County, November 14, 1874, son of Samuel Arrell, farmer. Educated at Caledonia High School and after matriculating, studied law in the office of Mr. Justice Teetzel, Hamilton, and Osgoode Hall, Toronto, and was called to the bar in 1898. Married, in 1907, to Eva, daughter of H. B. Sawle, of Caledonia, and is the father of two children: Alec. and Hugh. Is a member of the Masonic Order, and in religion is an Anglican. Politically, he is a Conservative. Was appointed Crown Attorney and Clerk of the Peace for the County of Haldimand, in June, 1915.

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=Musson, Charles Joseph= (Toronto, Ont.), Publisher, is the President of The Musson Book Co., Ltd., and Vice-President of Hodder & Stoughton, Ltd. He is the son of Elizabeth and the late Capt. Thomas Musson, general merchant and postmaster, Islington, Ont., where he was born on September 15, 1869, receiving his education at Islington Public School, Streetsville High School and Parkdale Collegiate Institute, Toronto. Mr. Musson married Jennie Bird, daughter of the late Wm. Williams, farmer, Bowmanville, Ont., and has two children, Ralph Thomas Musson, Lieutenant, Royal Garrison Artillery, and Glena Elizabeth Musson. He is a life member of the Historical Landmark Society of Canada, and of Harmony Lodge A.F. & A.M. Scottish Rite, a 32nd Degree Mason, a Workman, and Past Grand Master Canadian Order of Oddfellows. In politics Mr. Musson is a Conservative, and in religion a member of the Church of England.

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=Massey, C. D.= (Toronto, Ont.). The name of Massey is known throughout the length and breadth of Canada, not only on account of the vastness of the business interests associated with that name, but because of the great philanthropies with which it is also synonymous. As the surviving head of the family that has built up Canada’s greatest individual industrial enterprise, the figure of Mr. Chester Daniel Massey, the subject of this sketch, is doubly fraught with interest. He is the son of the late Hart A. Massey, who was the son and successor in business of Daniel Massey, the founder of the great establishment for the manufacture of agricultural implements now known as the Massey-Harris Company, Limited, and has been associated with that business, of which he is now the Honorary President, since boyhood. Both the brothers who had also been identified with the growth and management of the enterprise, Charles A. Massey and Walter E. H. Massey, have also passed away. But Mr. Chester D. Massey is splendidly carrying out the traditions of the family. He was born on June 17, 1850, in Haldimand Township, in the County of Northumberland, Ontario, and received his education at the Public Schools of the province. While still a boy he entered the business establishment of his father, then centred at Newcastle, Ontario. Literally speaking, he has grown up with the business, which in turn has grown up with the country (coincident with the vast expansion of agricultural enterprise in Canada). In 1879 the headquarters of the Massey firm were removed to Toronto, where Mr. Massey has resided since the year 1882. In 1884 his eldest brother, Charles A. Massey, died, and the duties devolving on him became the heavier. The period that has elapsed since then has been one of immense expansion, which the firm attained by a judicious policy of amalgamation and by extending its agencies not only from the Atlantic to the Pacific, but beyond the seven seas in all the corners of the earth. As has been intimated, commercial interests do not by any means absorb the entire attention of Mr. Massey. He is largely interested in all religious and philanthropic movements. He is a member of the Methodist Church, to which he is greatly attached, and his voice is at all times valued in its councils. He is a Governor of the University of Toronto; a Regent of Victoria University, and a Trustee of the Metropolitan Church and the Methodist Deaconess Home and Training School, all of Toronto. He is also a Trustee of Massey Music Hall, one of the finest buildings that unselfish citizenship ever gave to a community. As chief executor of his father’s estate, he necessarily takes a deep interest in the valuable works of philanthropy which have been carried out under the provisions of the will. On March 17, 1886, Mr. Massey was married at Erie, Pa., to Miss Anna D. Vincent (deceased, London, England, November 11, 1903), and secondly to Miss Margaret Phelps, of Gloversville, N.Y., Jan. 3, 1907; has two sons by first wife, Charles Vincent and Raymond Hart Massey.

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=Smith, William, M.P.=, for South Ontario (Columbus, Ont.), was born in the Township of East Whitby, November 16, 1847, is the son of William Smith and Elizabeth Laing, his wife, natives of Morayshire, Scotland. He was educated at the public school, Columbus, and Upper Canada College, Toronto. He was Paymaster of the 34th Battalion for a number of years. He has been a Trustee of Columbus Public School for over 21 years. Was President of the South Ontario Agricultural Society in 1881. Was Deputy Reeve for the Township of East Whitby from 1878 to 1882, and Reeve from 1883 to 1887. Was Vice-president and President of the Clydesdale Association of Canada for a number of years. Is President of the Record Board since 1912. Is President of the Maple Leaf Farmers’ Mutual Fire Company, and has been since its incorporation in 1896. Is a Director of the Dominion Shorthorn Association. He has always taken an active interest in municipal and political affairs: Contested South Ontario, 1882, 1887, 1891, 1892, 1896, 1900 and 1911; successful in 1887, 1892 and 1911. In politics he is a Conservative and in religion a Presbyterian. He was married, May 25, 1880, to Helen Burns, daughter of the late James Burns, of the Township of East Whitby. Three children: Bessie, Robert B., and Wm. Bruce. Robert B. is senior Major of the 116th, now in England, and went over with the first contingent in 1914. Mr. Smith is a farmer, and takes a great interest in Clydesdale horses, Shorthorn cattle and Cotswold sheep.

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