JAMES DAKERS.
James Dakers, Esq.
Born in Forfar, Scotland, in 1811, on completing his studies at the parochial school, he served his apprenticeship in an attorney’s office in his native town, and came to Canada in 1840.
He entered the service of the Montreal Telegraph Company shortly after its organization as Secretary. When Mr. Wood separated from the Company in 1865, Mr. Dakers was appointed Manager of the Eastern division, acting as Secretary in addition. Owing to his faithful and energetic services the success of the company was greatly enhanced.
“Whatever thy hand findeth to do, do it with all thy might,” seemed to be his guiding principle. Like the restless sea, always moving, if not engaged at his own special work, he would repair to the operating department and give a helping hand, here and there, where most needed, then to the receiving counter attending to customers.
In the early telegraph days during a pressure of business, he not infrequently would take a handful of messages and deliver on his way to meals, and kept a vigilant eye on every department of the company’s operations.
When the Montreal Telegraph Company leased its business to the Great North Western Company, in 1881, he was not in accord with the directors in this move, and resigned, retaining, however, the good will of the shareholders, many of whom shared his views, and the respect of the business community by whom he was long and favourably known.
The following tribute to his worth by the late Rev. Dr. Ormiston in a letter to a friend is deserving a place here:
“James Dakers is in many respects a remarkable man. Notwithstanding many disadvantages, he has fairly earned the high position of influence, independence and usefulness which he now occupies. He is characterized by indomitable energy, great force of character, unyielding tenacity of purpose, his intellect is of a high order, and eminently practical, inflexibly upright in all his dealings, conscientiously faithful to all his obligations, punctual and thorough in the performance of all his duties, incapable of meanness, his word as good as his bond, he is a man universally trusted; his sympathies with the suffering and the struggling are wide and tender.