Moles, Robert George, Arnprior, Ontario, was born in the township of Yonge, county of Leeds, on the 7th October, 1845. He is the youngest son of the late Edward Moles, Leeds county. Mr. Moles received his education in the public school of his township; and in 1866 he began business as a photographer in the city of Hamilton, and remained there until 1868, when he removed to Arnprior, in which place he has since resided and built up a good business. In 1873 he established the Art Union Copying Company, of which he was manager for several years; and did a large business throughout Canada in copying and enlarging portraits for the trade. In 1874 Mr. Moles took an active part in the establishment of Vivian lodge, No. 146, Independent Order of Oddfellows, of which he was a charter member, and was four times elected to represent it in the Grand Lodge of Ontario. He is also an active Freemason, and for several years held the position of master in Madawaska lodge, No. 196. Mr. Moles has been a member of the Arnprior Board of Education for the past fifteen years; and in 1884 and 1885 occupied a seat in the municipal council. In January, 1886, he was chosen reeve of Arnprior, and occupied the position with honour to himself and credit to the town. He has always been closely identified with every enterprise which has had for its object the improvement and advancement of the place in which he resides, and his fellow-citizens duly appreciate his work. In politics Mr. Moles is a Conservative, and is secretary of the South Renfrew Conservative Association. On the 20th March, 1866, he was married to Mary, youngest daughter of John Burgess, Hamilton, and has a family of six children, four daughters and two sons.
Doney, Charles, Merchant, Ottawa, province of Ontario, was born at Lannevet, in Cornwall, England, on the 10th March, 1854. His father, William Doney, was one of the earliest railway contractors in Great Britain, and aided in the construction of most of the trunk lines in the west of England. He is at present one of the twenty-five individuals who receive a life pension from the Railway Association of Officers in Great Britain as a reward for distinguished railway services. This pension is granted by a majority of votes from the railway officers throughout the kingdom. His mother, Elizabeth Hawke, is descended from one of the oldest families and landed proprietors of Cornwall; her father being Thomas Hawke, of Tintagel, whose father was Thomas Hawke, of St. Kew. They owned estates in different parts of the county, and carried on business at (1) the Pollard Tucking Mills, weaving blankets; (2) the St. Tudy flouring mills; (3) the Polrade farms and the Soloden’s farm in the parish of St. Tudy; (4) the Trevilla farm in the parish of St. Teath; (5) the Fenteonadel farm, in the parish of St. Brewevard; (6) the Tippen farm, in the parish of Tintagel, near King Arthur’s castle; and (7) the Beslow farm, in the parish of Tintagel. Mr. Doney’s parents now reside in Plymouth, England. Charles Doney, the subject of our sketch, being of an adventurous and speculative turn of mind, decided against his parents’ wishes, to leave his native land, and sailed for America. Arriving in Canada on the 2nd of February, 1874, he went direct to the city of Ottawa, where he filled a humble position until November of the same year, when he decided to prepare himself for a commercial career. Entering the Ottawa Business College, after three months’ study, the shortest on record, he graduated, receiving a diploma. He then received the position of book-keeper and assistant manager of the Clarendon Hotel, Ottawa. He remained here nine months, and then was appointed, through the introduction of the late Hon. James Skead, caterer to the Senate of Canada. At the same time he received the appointment of steward of the steamer Queen Victoria, of the Ottawa River Navigation Company, which gave him employment during the summer months. Two years after the Queen Victoria was destroyed by fire, and then he made use of his time by travelling through the Western States and Canada, and spent some months studying the French language in the College of Ste. Thérèse, in the province of Quebec. In 1881 he resigned his position as caterer to the Senate for the purpose of entering into business as a retail shoe merchant, and opened a store at 65 Sparks street, Ottawa, where after three years he removed to his new and handsome store in the Scottish Ontario Chambers, 52 Sparks street. Within six years after this he placed himself at the head of the shoe business in Ottawa, being now president of the Ottawa Shoe Company, and proprietor of the store in the Scottish Ontario Chambers, which is recognized as being the leading shoe establishment in Ottawa. As a merchant, for his years, and without any other aid or capital to start him in his Canadian career, save youth and energy, he has certainly been remarkably successful; but as a writer he stands out unique. The talents which make a successful trader and those which tend to success in the field of literature are generally supposed to be diametrically opposed to each other, and they really are; yet he has demonstrated beyond dispute that he is possessed of both. In 1881 he started out in his career as a trader; in 1887 he is the recognized leader in his city of his particular line of trade. In May, 1886, he entered the field of “trade” literature in the United States. To-day, 1887, he is recognized and has fairly earned the recognition of being the first and best writer throughout the continent of America among shoe merchants. In the early part of 1886 the publishers of the Boot and Shoe Recorder, of Boston, the leading shoe paper of the United States, offered three prizes, first, second, and third, for the best essays from shoe merchants, on “How to Manage a Retail Shoe Store.” Mr. Doney was the first to reply, sending in his essay within four days after the prizes were offered. The Recorder acknowledged the receipt of the essay with many compliments, and decided to publish it in their next issue, May 19, 1886. From this day it can be fairly claimed that Mr. Doney has been famous throughout America as a writer upon shoe topics, and his name is continually in the ascendency. This competition went on for over five months, and although all the other writers had the advantage of reading Mr. Doney’s essay, and the president of the Shoe Dealers’ Association of the United States was among the competitors, yet by vote throughout the United States and Canada, the shoe merchants awarded Mr. Doney the first prize, giving to their president the second. The Boot and Shoe Recorder on June 8, 1887, forwarded to him a beautiful silver tea and coffee service of six pieces in recognition of first prize. Inscribed on the coffee pot are the words, “Presented to C. Doney for Prize Essay, 1886.” Mr. Doney is the only known shoe merchant holding a prize for a similar effort or for any other production in the field of literature throughout America. In his youth he always found pleasure in writing upon subjects beyond his years. When a boy of fourteen he wrote for self-amusement an essay upon the “Lord’s Supper,” which obtained quite a circulation among his private circle. During the time he held the position of caterer to the Senate, about 1877, he wrote a small temperance novel of one hundred pages, and published it some five years after it was written, its title being “John the Flunky.” This little work has many faults, some of them slightly ridiculous; but the book, as a boy’s mere free will effort, shows the bent of the author’s mind and undoubted mental capacity. He has completed a second novel which he intends to publish in 1888, and as G. W. Bengough has consented to illustrate it, we may infer that it is at least creditable. It will make a book of 244 pages, and with illustrations by Mr. Bengough, will become a volume of 275 pages. Its title is “David Morrice; or the Reunion of the Races.” Mr. Doney is a constant contributor to the Boot and Shoe Recorder, of Boston; the Shoe and Leather Review, of Chicago, and occasionally to The Merchant, of Toronto, and Leather Gazette, of St. Louis. The Review, of Chicago, pays him regularly for editorials for its shoe dealers’ department. As an inventor he is the possessor of two patents; one for a plate for the heel of a rubber shoe which it is generally conceded will bring him good returns. It is a simple device, but being a universal want in a climate such as Canada possesses, it has the merit of being an excellent commercial idea. The other is a plate for the heel of a leather boot or shoe. This plate will also in all probability become much used, as it is decidedly the best of its kind ever invented. We think it is not too much to predict for Mr. Doney a successful career.
Longworth, Hon. John, Q.C., Prothonotary of the Supreme Court of Prince Edward Island. The Hon. Mr. Longworth, who died at Charlottetown, on the 11th of April, 1885, in the seventy-first year of his age, was born in Charlottetown, on the 19th September, 1814, and was a son of Francis Longworth, who came to the island when a young man, and during his residence there held many important and responsible offices. He was a member of a highly respectable Irish family, and married Agnes Auld, a native of Prince Edward Island, her parents being from Ayrshire, Scotland. Hon. Mr. Longworth received his education at the old Central Academy, Charlottetown, and studied law with Sir Robert Hodgson, when he was attorney-general of the province. He was admitted as an attorney of the Supreme Court in the autumn of 1837, and was called to the bar in the autumn of the next year. He went to England for a year, and returning to Charlottetown, opened a law office there in 1840, and was created a Queen’s counsel on the 23rd of May, 1863. He served as a deputy judge of the Vice-Admiralty Court of the province, a member of the legislature for twelve years, a member of the government for eight years, at various times, as Queen’s counsel, and as attorney-general, with credit to himself and advantage to the country. The administration of which he was an influential member, first led by the Hon. Edward Palmer, now chief justice of the province, afterwards by the Hon. Colonel Gray, C.M.G., was a strong and able one, and during its existence many measures of great importance to the well being of the province were carried into effect. Amongst them was the purchase by the government of the Selkirk and Cunard estates, two of the largest and most valuable estates in the province, made upon terms highly favourable to the interests of the government and tenantry; and as a mark of the Queen’s approval of the general policy of the administration, Mr. Longworth and his colleagues, on their retirement in May, 1867, received Her Majesty’s special sanction and authority to retain the rank and title which they held as members of Her Executive Council. Mr. Longworth’s politics were Conservative, but it is well known that the acts and legislation of the present Dominion government, especially in connection with the Pacific Railway, and its trade or national policy, did not meet his approval, this policy being especially, in Mr. Longworth’s opinion, highly detrimental to the most vital interests of Prince Edward Island and the other Maritime provinces. The deceased gentleman was well known as a consistent and devoted member of St. Paul’s, Church of England. He was a man of sound Christian character, generous impulses, a kind friend to the unfortunate, and his career as a public and private member to the community, won for him the warm respect of all who had the pleasure of being intimately acquainted with him. He married in March, 1847, Elizabeth W. Tremaine, daughter of Richard Tremaine, of Halifax, Nova Scotia, and by her had six children, of whom three died. He left a widow, two sons and one daughter to mourn his loss.
Hossack, William, of Mount Pleasant, Quebec, was born in the ancient capital, on the 12th January, 1814, and has continued to reside there ever since. He is the eldest of twelve children of the late William Hossack, who for so many years was engaged in the grocery trade in Quebec. The Hossacks came to Quebec from Morayshire, Scotland, about the middle of last century, though their origin is Danish. For several generations the name has been a prominent one in Quebec in connection with the grocery trade, the family business being still in the hands of a member of the family, George Hossack, of Garden street. The subject of our sketch, after receiving a good English and commercial education at old Mr. Thom’s Academy, became associated with his father in business, and continued with him until he was in a position to start in life for himself. His first venture was in the leather trade, but the great fire of Quebec in 1845, which destroyed millions worth of property, destroyed Hossack’s tannery and warehouse, involving the young and enterprising owner of it in what seemed at one time the commercial ruin of the city. Nothing daunted, however, the young merchant set to work to recruit his fallen fortunes. A short time after the terrible calamity which befell his native city, he once more took to his father’s line of business, and soon forgot his first commercial drawback in the prosperity which began to smile on his new enterprise. After many years of close attention to his business, he eventually found himself in a position to retire on a competency. His inclinations had always been those of a careful reader of books and events, and now, when he found leisure on his hands, even while he had but yet attained to the prime of life, he determined to travel in Europe and Egypt, where for months he passed from city to city, visiting the scenes of historic interest, and deepening the impressions gained of such by desultory study. Even while busily engaged with his daily occupations as a business man, he was known to be one who was fond of what people call heavy reading; and he was now able to mature his native intelligence within the broader and deeper light of a personal experience with the scenes of which he had read. On his return to Quebec he began to take an active part in public affairs. For eight years he represented St. Louis ward in the city council, and was at the end of that period chosen mayor of Quebec, an office, however, which he held only for a short period, on account of some legal technicality in connection with his residing beyond the city limits. In addition to this high honor conferred upon him by his fellow councillors, he was for some time president of the St. Andrew’s Society, president of the Eastern Townships Colonization Society, and vice-president of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. Few men have been more highly respected as a public man. Straightforward in his dealings, he has easily won and retained the confidence of those associated with him in conducting public business. At present he is president of the Quebec City Mission; vice-president of the Literary and Historical Society, and chairman of the Protestant Board of School Commissioners. These offices he has held for a long period of years. For fifteen years he fulfilled the duties of treasurer of Chalmers’ Church, Quebec, a congregation in which he is one of the most highly-respected members and adherents. Indeed, in every good work Mr. Hossack is always to be depended upon to take his share. In 1868 he married Helen, daughter of the late Philip Peebles, of Quebec. His youngest sister is married to William Cassils, one of Montreal’s most prominent citizens.
Smith, Robert Barry, Barrister, Moncton, New Brunswick, was born at Portland, St. John, N.B., on the 15th May, 1852. His father was the Rev. William Smith, Wesleyan minister, who came to Nova Scotia from Nottingham, England, as a missionary, in 1827, and who died at St. Andrew’s, N.B., in 1862. His mother, Ellen Barry, was the fourth daughter of Robert Barry, who went to Virginia in one of the king’s ships, and having procured his discharge, settled there, and when the revolutionary war began left a very valuable property and emigrated to Nova Scotia, settling near Shelburne, and afterwards removing to Liverpool, N.S., where he died in 1839, greatly esteemed. Mr. Smith was educated at Mount Allison College, Sackville, N.B., and went through the arts course, but left without taking any degree. He studied law with A. A. Stockton, LL.D., now member of the New Brunswick legislature for St. John city and county. He was admitted an attorney in 1874, and called to the bar in 1875. In 1880 he removed to Dorchester, and practised in partnership with J. B. Beck, then clerk of the courts. In 1881 he, however, returned to Moncton, and has since been engaged in nearly every important case tried in the county. In 1885 he argued the “Scott Act Scrutiny” case before the Supreme Court of Canada at Ottawa, in the interests of the liquor dealers, in which, after six months’ consideration, a majority of the court gave an adverse opinion. In 1886 he argued before the same court against an appeal taken by the town of Moncton from the Supreme Court of New Brunswick, which had decided that the mode in which the town carried on its tax-sales of land was illegal, and was successful. He was counsel in the Cadby extradition case, in the interest of the United States, and succeeded in obtaining the prisoner’s extradition after much delay and argument. In this case he was associated with W. F. MacCoy, Q.C., of Halifax, and C. A. Palmer, of St. John, leading on the arguments. Mr. Smith is thought to be successful in criminal trials, and is generally employed for the defence. In 1884 he was appointed clerk of the circuits for Westmoreland county, and in the same year a police judge for Moncton, and holds these offices still. In 1886 he entered into a professional partnership with James Kay, and the firm is now doing a large business. Mr. Smith is a strong Liberal in Dominion politics, and supporter of the present local government. He has taken an active part in politics, both in canvassing and speaking throughout the constituency. In municipal politics he offered, in March, 1887, as a candidate for councillor in the 2nd ward, but was defeated by a small majority, on account of his opposition to the Scott Act. In religious matters he inclines to Methodism in most points, but is generally opposed to creeds and dogmas. He was married on the 29th June, 1875, to Miss T. W. Knapp, daughter of Charles E. Knapp, clerk of the peace for Westmoreland county, and a great-granddaughter of Major Dickson, who was a sturdy Indian fighter, and who commanded Fort Beauséjour (Cumberland) for some time. She was also a direct descendant of U. E. loyalists who settled near the fort.