Part 37

=Watson, Sir David, K.C.B. and Brigadier-General= (Quebec City), promoted to take command of the 4th Canadian Division of the forces at the front in April, 1916, is a native of the city of Quebec, having been born in that city on February 7, 1869. He is the only son of Mr. William Watson, his mother’s maiden name having been Miss Jean Grant, daughter of one of Quebec’s well-known merchants of Lower Town. From school and after some preliminary training in municipal work, he passed into the “Chronicle” office, when Mr. John J. Foote was manager and proprietor of the paper, and there worked his way up through the various departments of journalism, until he finally became the managing director of the establishment. He has held the office of President of the Quebec Press Association, and visited London for a first time as a delegate to the Imperial Press Congress, held in that city in 1908, and a third time as commander of the 8th Royal Rifles during the royal celebration of 1901. In the military life of Quebec he has been interested for over twenty years, and during that time was given promotion step by step until he was in command of his battalion as its Colonel, a position which he had held for two or three years before the European War broke out. Having been selected to take charge of the 2nd Battalion in the 1st Brigade of the 1st Canadian Division, in August, 1914, he proceeded from the Valcartier Camp with troops in charge, for their further training at Salisbury Plains; and, after spending the early winter months there, he proceeded to the front in January, 1915. He was by this time a Colonel in full rank. At the seat of war he was continuously engaged as a commanding officer all during the campaigning up to the summer of 1917, having taken part with his Division in the operations of Neuve Chapelle, in March, 1915, as well as in the second battle of Ypres in April, in the fight at Festubert in May, and that of Givenchy in June. In recognition of his skill and prudence in these engagements he was promoted to command the 5th Brigade of the 2nd Canadian Division in the month of August following, and forthwith as a Brigadier-General, he led his Brigade in the successive engagements of Wytschaete, Kemmel, and St. Eloi, during the spring of 1916. Subsequently he was placed in charge of the 4th Canadian Division and made extended raids in the Ypres salient and at St. Eloi, and thereafter, for forty-nine days without intermission, he and his Brigade shared in the exciting engagements along the River Somme. No less than three attacks were made by General Watson and his Division, one on the 11th of October, another on the 22nd of that month, and one on the 18th of November, 1916, all of these accumulating renown by their intrepid approach on the enemy. Nor was the commander’s bravery overlooked by the War Office, since General Watson has come in for special mention in the despatches exchanged between the general Field Staff and the War Department no less than four times. He was awarded the high honor of Commander of the Bath, and in 1918 was further honored by a Knighthood in that order. The record of the General’s active service at the front is a fitting complement to a career of over twenty years’ experience in military operations, from the days of his entering the 8th Royal Rifles, made up of his Quebec fellow-citizens, to the time of his being a General in full command of the battlefields of Europe. His career savors of romance. A newspaper employee, a prominent business man in his native city, a volunteer of the ranks, a captain, a major, a colonel, and at last a general, form the grades of a ladder overcome step by step which his fellow-Canadians cannot but contemplate with pride. It was taken for granted that in the event of Sir Arthur Currie’s transfer to another command Sir David would succeed him as Commander-in-Chief of the Canadian army in France. General Watson married Miss Mary Browning, of Quebec, on September 11, 1893, and has a family of three daughters.

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=Thompson, Alfred= (Dawson City, Yukon Territory), Physician and Surgeon, son of James A. Thompson and Jane Thompson, both Canadians. Born June 6, 1869, at Nine-Mile River, Hants County, Nova Scotia. Educated at Public School by private tutor, and graduated from Dalhousie University, Halifax, N.S., with degree of M.D.C.M., in 1898. Married Elsie Miller, daughter of Jacob Miller, of Elmsdale, Nova Scotia, March 7, 1894. Went to Klondyke in 1899 and began practice of his profession; elected to Yukon Council in 1902. First elected to the House of Commons at the general elections of 1904, as an Independent. This was the second election held for the House of Commons in the Yukon, when Dr. Thompson was opposed by F. T. Congdon, K.C., who resigned the Governorship of the Territory to contest the seat. Dr. Thompson resigned his seat on the Yukon Council at the same time. The vote stood: Thompson 2,113, Congdon 1,495, a majority for Dr. Thompson of 618. Nomination was held on November 18, election on December 16, and the return was received at Ottawa on March 13, 1915. Retired at end of Parliamentary term and resumed practice; again elected to House of Commons in 1911 at the general elections, over his former opponent, F. T. Congdon, K.C., by a majority of over 450, and again returned at the last general elections held in the Yukon Territory, which were deferred until December 31, 1917. Dr. Thompson’s election was due to the vote of the soldiers overseas which he received as the Unionist Candidate. Is a member of the Masonic Order and of the Zero Club, Dawson, Yukon Territory, and is a Presbyterian. Father of two children, Alfreda, born December 30, 1904, and Norman, born August 5, 1909. Dr. Thompson is a supporter of the Unionist Government and a dominant force in the Yukon Territory, where he has resided for upwards of eighteen years, and has done much to promote the growing importance of the district.

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=Struthers, James Douglas, M.D.= (Tiverton, Ont.), first became a member of his father’s family on April 7, 1886, in the County of Bruce, near the village of Underwood. His parents are Mr. and Mrs. James Struthers, of Port Elgin, who for many years were residents of Bruce Township, and whose farm was one of the best, the owner having brought his splendid Scotch knowledge into one of the finest settlements in the Dominion, where success and shrewd business ability crowned his labors. This son of worthy parents had a longing for knowledge and professional life, and as a youth was studious in S.S. No. 8, Bruce, having his thirst for knowledge awakened and developed along proper lines. His next step was to the High School in Port Elgin, from which he successfully matriculated. He then went to business college for half a year, which was followed by duties in railroad office work. While thus employed he decided that his life work would be that of a doctor. He attended Toronto University and was awarded the degree of Bachelor of Medicine in 1911. Of a likeable and charming disposition he was ever a favorite at college, and was honored by his fellow students in the University by being made Treasurer of the “At Home” Committee of the year ’11. His Scotch ancestry and faithful application to his profession have made him friends, and few young men have reached the splendid position he now occupies. He came back home and settled in the village of Tiverton, where his practice is large and continually growing. Success has crowned his ambition, which was to be able to relieve the sufferings of humanity, and his splendid abilities are often called for in consultation with his surrounding fellow practitioners, all of whom esteem him most highly. Determination and decision are two faculties he possesses. Added to these are a bright and sunny disposition, with a broad and charitable outlook on life which make for him friends of a lasting character. He is a member of Tiverton Masonic Lodge, No. 341, A.F. & A.M., the I.O.O.F., and the C.O.F. In religion he is a Presbyterian and in politics a Liberal. His friends truly say of him: “You were aye leal and true, Jamie.”

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=Kastner, Gideon=, of Wiarton, Ontario, son of John Kastner and Margaret Litt, of Alsace-Lorraine, was born July 8, 1865, in Perth County, Ont. He received his education in the public and high schools of that county. At twenty years of age he went to Wiarton, where he engaged in the lumbering business, which was a thriving industry at that time. He also followed contracting, building piers and public wharves. In business he has been exceptionally successful. He had a liking for municipal politics, and first served in the town council in 1895. He was elected Reeve of Wiarton in 1910-11, and again in 1915-16-17-18. At the January meeting of the County Council of Bruce in 1918 he was elected to the honorable position of warden. His popularity is not solely due to his genial good nature, but to the fact that he is a keen business man and takes a deep interest in every enterprise he is connected with. He served as President of the Wiarton Board of Trade for many years. He has been Chairman of the Board of Managers of St. Paul’s Presbyterian Church for a number of years. When the recruiting campaign for the 160th Bruce Battalion was in full swing Gideon Kastner was one of its whirlwind supporters. He probably got his enthusiastic military ardour from his grandfather who served with Napoleon through many campaigns. He is a loyal supporter of all patriotic movements, lending his energy to every cause that tends to win the war. His great pastime is bowling. In politics he is a Liberal. He married Annie Symon, of Wiarton. They have one son and four daughters, and their home in Wiarton is one of the most hospitable in the county.

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=Sayles, Edwin Roy=, Editor and proprietor of “The Port Elgin Times,” is one of the leading men to-day publishing a country newspaper. He was born in Norfolk County on April 21, 1875. His education was secured in the public and advanced schools of Courtland and the City of Brantford. In the latter place he resided for many years. Choosing newspaper work as his career, he joined the staff of the “Brantford Expositor,” on which paper he remained for many years. Later he became business manager of the “Brantford Courier,” and at the time he purchased the “Port Elgin Times” held this position. On taking possession of the “Times” he at once put his splendid business ability into the enterprise and established it upon sound business principles. Under him the “Times” has become one of the brightest country weeklies in Ontario. He has ideas which he is not afraid to put forward, and his paper is ever for the uplift and moral reform of the community which he so ably serves. He is a splendid platform man, speaking with ease and fluency. He has given much of his time to the Canadian Press Association, and for three years, 1914-15-16, was chairman of the weekly section of that body. He has also been on the executive Board of that body for a number of years. He is Past President of the Bruce County Press Association, and has done much to improve the standing of the country publisher and place his business upon the high plane it to-day occupies. He is a member of Port Elgin Lodge, No. 429, A.F. & A.M., the C.O.F., and the A.O.F. In religion he is a Baptist, taking a deep interest in the work of that body. In politics he is a Liberal, with a slight tendency toward radicalism. Though of many activities he finds time for public service, as has been evidenced by his arduous work in recruiting and patriotic efforts, which has claimed so much of the time of busy men. He takes an interest in the boy scout movement. His pastimes are bowling, shooting, and motoring. He married Miss M. Galbraith, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Galbraith, of Middlesex County. They have one daughter, Eleanor Jean.

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=Honeywell, Major Frederick Henry, B.A.=, is a prominent Ottawa barrister and military man who, during the late war, distinguished himself by serving his country at the front. He was born in Carleton County, Ont., on Dec. 12, 1877, son of Elkanah and Marie (Baldwin) Honeywell, and received his education at the public schools of Westboro’, Carleton County, at Ottawa Collegiate Institute and at Toronto University. He qualified for the law and after being called to the Bar established himself in practice at Ottawa, where he is head of the firm of Honeywell, Caldwell & Wilson, Barristers and Solicitors, Central Chambers. The firm has a large connection in the adjacent county, where Major Honeywell still maintains his residence. He has served as Reeve of Nepean township and as Warden of the County of Carleton. He has always taken a keen interest in military affairs, and at the time the war broke out held the commission of Major in the 5th Princess Louise Dragoon Guards, Ottawa. Offering himself for service overseas he was appointed Major of the 8th Canadian Mounted Rifles in the Canadian Expeditionary Force, in which capacity he went to the front. He was later attached to the 26th Battalion of the British Expeditionary Force in France, on active service, and participated in several noted engagements. He is essentially an outdoor man and his recreations include curling, skating, ski-ing, golf, motoring and motor boating. He is a Liberal in politics, a Protestant in religion and a member of the A.F. & A.M. and I.O.F. His residence is at Woodruff, Carleton County, Ont.

[Illustration: D. M. FINNIE Ottawa]

=Wainwright, Arnold, K.C., B.C.L.=, one of the leading barristers and publicists of Montreal was born in that city on June 13, 1879, the son of William and Mary Emily (Arnold) Wainwright. His education was unusually complete. After a course at Montreal Collegiate Institute he entered McGill University, from which he graduated in 1890 with the degree of B.A. and honors and medal in mental and moral philosophy. This was supplemented by a course in law and in 1902 he obtained the degree of B.C.L. with a medal. Subsequently he took a post-graduate course at the University of Montpelier, France. He was called to the bar in 1902 and is now a member of the firm of Davidson, Wainwright, Alexander & Elder, Advocates, Transportation Building, Montreal. In 1912 he was created King’s Counsel on attaining the requisite ten years’ service at the bar. He was elected President of the Junior Bar Association of Montreal in 1910 and a member of the Council of the Montreal Bar for 1911-12. In addition to being recognized as a brilliant speaker both in the forensic and political arenas, Mr. Wainwright is a recognized authority on the academic side of his profession and is Lecturer on the Laws of Evidence and the Laws of Persons in the legal faculty of McGill University. In politics he is a Liberal and was a member of the Council of the Montreal Reform Club, 1910-11. He is an Anglican in religion and a member of the following clubs: St. James’, University, Beaconsfield Golf, Country, Canada, and Reform. In 1913 he married Norah, daughter of William Prentice, Montreal, and resides at 4 Seaforth Ave. in that city.

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=Bates, Joseph Lever=, an Ottawa business man of widely extended interests, was born at Easton’s Corners, Ont., in 1850, the son of Nathaniel Bates. He was educated in the public schools of his district and afterward engaged in the granite business. In 1907 he founded the International Land and Lumber Company, 283-285 Bank Street, Ottawa, of which he is President. His other interests include the Presidency of the British Canadian Industrial Co., Ltd., which maintains offices in London, England, as well as in this country. He is a member of the Canadian Club, Ottawa, and of the Masonic Order. In politics he is a Liberal and in religion a Methodist. On December 21, 1875, he married Juliet, daughter of Mr. C. J. Lighthall of Montana, and has three sons. His residence is at 50 McLaren Street, Ottawa.

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=McConnell, Richard George=, Deputy Minister of Mines, and Director of the Geographical Survey for Canada, was born at Chatham, Quebec, March 26, 1857, the son of Andrew and Martha (Bradford) McConnell. He was educated at the Caribou Academy and at McGill University, from which he graduated with the degree of B.A. in 1879, taking first class honors in Natural Science. On graduation he immediately went to the Canadian West as assistant to the famous Canadian geologist, Dr. G. N. Dawson, whose name is immortalized in Dawson City, the capital of the Yukon Territory. Upon his return to the East in 1881 Mr. McConnell entered the service of the Canadian Geological Survey and made many explorations in behalf of the government which resulted in valuable discoveries in Western Canada, British Columbia and the Yukon. In 1887 and 1888 he headed one of the most extensive exploratory expeditions on record, traversing almost the whole country drained by the Stikine, Liard, Mackenzie, Porcupine, Yukon and Lewis Rivers. The results of his investigations are to be found in many reports and articles on the Geological and Mineral Resources of Western Canada. On this subject he is recognized in professional circles throughout the world as the chief living authority. In fact it is doubtful whether any man, past or present has acquired such an intimate first-hand knowledge of the great Sub-Arctic areas of Western Canada. As a geologist his fame is international, and he is a prominent member of the Geological Society of America as well as of the Royal Society of Canada. His recreations are curling and golf and he is a member of the Ottawa Golf Club. In religion he is a Presbyterian, and was married in November, 1898, to Jeannie, daughter of E. H. Botterell, Montreal. His family consists of one son and one daughter, and his home is at “Edgehill,” Rockliffe, Ottawa.

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