Dunbar, James, Q.C., Quebec, is one of the leading members of the Quebec bar, at which he has been a successful practitioner for upwards of thirty years. As his name indicates, he is of Scottish extraction. His father, the late Ferguson Dunbar, was paymaster of the 74th Highlanders, and married while serving with his regiment in Ireland, where our subject was born in the year 1833. Educated in the Gosport Naval Academy, and other well-known schools of the United Kingdom and at the Quebec High School, Mr. Dunbar turned his attention early in life to journalism, and for a time was editor of the Quebec Morning Chronicle, then the leading daily of the ancient capital. The period was one of great political excitement in Canada. The public mind was agitated by questions of such burning importance as the secularization of the clergy reserves, and the abolition of the seigniorial tenure in Lower Canada. As a journalist at the head of one of the chief newspapers of the day, Mr. Dunbar not only distinguished himself as a terse, critical and vigorous writer, but as such did much to shape the course of events and of legislation. He always, however, evinced a taste for the law, and after occupying the editorial chair of the Chronicle with marked success for about five years he gave up newspaper life to devote himself to the study of Blackstone and Pothier. In his new profession he made rapid headway under the tuition of the late Mr. Secretan, a well-known practitioner at Quebec, and at the age of twenty-two was duly called to the Lower Canada bar, when he formed a partnership with Mr. Secretan, which subsisted until the latter’s death. Thenceforward his success was assured, but it was not won in a day. Gradually the talented and energetic young lawyer worked his way, not only in public estimation, but into the front ranks of the profession, and in 1873, simultaneously with his commission from England as registrar of the Vice-Admiralty Court at Quebec, he received from the Dominion government one of the great objects of professional ambition, the silk gown of a Queen’s counsel, in recognition of his abilities and standing at the bar. These were further acknowledged in 1878 by his appointment as Crown prosecutor for the district of Quebec. In this prominent and responsible position, which he filled with general acceptance down to 1887, he distinguished himself as much by his humanity as by his ability, and his name remains honorably connected with the administration of criminal justice in Quebec, and with all the cases of importance which were tried before the courts of the ancient capital during a period of nine years. Always conspicuous for his sound judgment, thorough knowledge of the law and keen perception of the intricacies of the case, his manner of examining witnesses was especially admirable, his questions being always to the point and put in such a way as to bring out the needed answer even from the most reluctant witness in the box, while his addresses to the jury were always clear, precise and remarkable not only for their logic but for their skill in sifting and summarizing evidence. He is a good speaker, his manner being pleasing but forcible, and his deportment always gentlemanly. As an exponent of maritime law he is admitted to have few equals at the bar of Canada. In 1875 his colleagues of the Quebec bar paid him the compliment of electing him their bâtonnier, and he has been for some years chairman of the board of examiners of law students. A churchman of broad views, he has been a delegate to the diocesan and provincial synods of the Church of England, in which capacity he has always maintained his own. His masonic record is prominent. He has filled all the principal offices of the craft in the Blue lodge, and is now a past grand principal of the Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons of Canada, and past grand master of the Grand Lodge of Quebec. In 1862 he married Emma Amelia, daughter of James Poole, jr., of the Commissariat department, Montreal, and by her has had issue a son (who is now also a Quebec barrister and LL.M. of Laval University), and two daughters. Mr. Dunbar is an indefatigable worker, estimable as a citizen and agreeable and cordial in manner. He has never entered public life, but his politics are understood to be moderate Conservative.
Meek, Edward, Barrister, Toronto, was born in the village of Port Stanley, Ontario, on the 27th December, 1845. His father, James Meek, came to Canada at the early age of three years with his parents, in 1817, from Ballymena, North of Ireland, and they settled in the same year in Talbot district, and took up a large tract of land near Port Stanley, being one of the earliest pioneers of that part of the country. At the time of Edward’s birth his father was conducting a foundry, which he carried on successfully for a number of years; but owing to a disastrous conflagration, which destroyed the whole of the extensive establishment, he returned to his farm again, on which he has remained till the present time. Edward received his early education at the Port Stanley school, and afterwards at the Grammar School, St. Thomas. After leaving school, at the age of seventeen, he was granted a certificate to teach, which occupation he followed for three years. He then accepted a position as bookkeeper in a grain warehouse, at which he continued for a short time only; but thinking a short journey among strangers would improve his prospects, he went to Boston and engaged with the publishing house of a prominent firm there. After a short sojourn he returned to London, Ontario, and there commenced the study of law. In 1873 he removed to Toronto, where he continued his studies and finished his law course in the office of Harrison, Osler and Moss, three gentlemen who afterwards became distinguished judges. He was called to the bar of Ontario in the spring of 1874, and he then formed a partnership with the Hon. John O’Donohoe, which continued for three years, when it was dissolved. He then opened an office of his own until he formed a partnership with William Norris, of Woodstock, which lasted till Mr. Norris returned to Woodstock. In 1877 he commenced to take an active part in the politics of the country, and especially in the promotion of the national policy; in fact he was one of the originators of the work, and travelled over Ontario assisting in the formation of political organizations to enable the government to carry their national policy to a successful issue. He continued from that time to take an active part as one of the leading political writers and speakers on the platform until the winter of 1884, when he and a number of other politicians conceived the idea of forming a coalition government for the province of Ontario, their object being to do away with partyism in the local legislature. Others were brought into the scheme who were impatient of the slow method of bringing about the change by argument, and thought that a sufficient number of the members of the legislature could be secured by offers and promises to at once defeat the Mowat government, when the coalition could be immediately formed during the spring session of 1884. The plans were disapproved of by the originators of the idea, but the hot heads could not be kept under control, and the public know the result of the unfortunate conspiracy case which sprung from it, involving those more actively concerned in the long and tedious investigation and prosecution before a Royal commission and in the criminal courts. The Royal commission brought in a divided report, which the house never acted upon. The verdict of the jury in the criminal court, in the trial of May, 1885, acquitted the accused. Since that time Mr. Meek has devoted himself strictly to the practice of his profession in Toronto, and the promotion and formation of joint stock and other companies. Mr. Meek was joined in marriage on the 30th June, 1873, to Anna Margaret McBride, daughter of Samuel McBride, of London, Ontario, by which union they have issue two sons and one daughter. Mr. Meek and family are members of the Church of England.
Smith, Andrew, F.R.C.V.S. (Eng.), Principal of the Ontario Veterinary College, Toronto, is a native of the “Land o’ Burns,” having been born in Ayrshire, Scotland. He received his early educational training in Dalrymple, his native parish, and going to Edinburgh, entered the Veterinary College of that city, where he passed a brilliant course of study, carrying off the highest honors, and five medals. He graduated in 1861, and after coming to Canada settled in Toronto, where he has since led a busy professional life. He is the founder and principal of the Ontario Veterinary College, Toronto, and consulting veterinary surgeon of the Board of Agriculture of Ontario. For three years Professor Smith occupied the position of president of the Caledonian Society of Toronto; was worshipful master of St. Andrew’s lodge of A. F. & A. M. during the year 1874-5, and is a director of the Industrial Exhibition of Toronto. He is also a member of the executive committee of the Toronto Jockey Club, and master of the Toronto Hunt. In religion Mr. Smith is a Presbyterian.
Guy, Michel Patrice, Notary Public, Montreal, was born at Montreal on the 18th May, 1809. He is a son of Etienne Guy and Catherine Valée. The Guy family is probably the oldest family in the Dominion, being descended from the French Count, Guy de Montfort, a general in King Charles’ army of France, and close relation to the king. The first of the family to leave France was Pierre Guy, who came to Canada at the commencement of the seventeenth century, and married Madame de la Lande in November, 1723. He entered the army as an ensign, under M. de Beauharnois, who had succeeded de Vaudreuil in the government of New France, where he served with great distinction. He advanced rapidly, being made captain in 1748, and greatly distinguished himself at Louisburg. He died April, 1748. Pierre Guy, his eldest son was born at Ville-Marie (Montreal,) 11th December, 1738, and educated at the Jesuits’ College and the Petit Séminaire de Quebec. Having a great aptitude for science, he was sent to France to complete his course; when he returned to Canada, war was then going on with England. He entered the army under General de Montcalm, and took part at Oswego and Fort William Henry in the series of brilliant victories which should always render his name dear to Canadians. He also took part in the battles of Carillon and Montmorency, where he was greatly praised for his martial ardor and bravery. He was also at the battle of the Plains of Abraham, which was fatal to the French. He returned to France after the capitulation of Montreal, where he remained until 1764, when he returned to Canada. After some time he again took up the sword against General Montgomery. He was made lieutenant-colonel of the militia, and a few years afterwards, in 1802, was made colonel. He died in January, 1812. Pierre was buried with military honors by the militia as well as by the 49th regiment, which was then garrisoned in Montreal. Louis Guy was born on the 28th June, 1768, studied law, and obtained from Sir Robert Shore Milnes a commission as notary in 1801. In recognition of past services, Lord Aylmer named him notary to his Majesty (Royal notary) in 1830, a position now abolished. When the second American invasion came, he took arms against the enemy. He was then major of the 5th battalion of militia, and as a recompense for his great military services, Sir James Kempt appointed him colonel of the militia for the county of Montreal. On the 23rd February, 1837, through the representations of Sir James Kempt, William IV. summoned him to the Council. He was most intimate with Lord Aylmer, who often spent days with him at his house, which was surrounded with the largest gardens then in Montreal. He died at Montreal in February, 1840. Hippolyte Guy, son of the Hon. F. Guy and Dame J. Curot, was born in Montreal on the 3rd July, 1800, and was educated for the law. He held a great reputation as a jurisconsult, and was made judge of the Superior Court. Louis Guy, eldest brother of the above, entered the British army as lieutenant in the 81st regiment of the line. This command was given him by the Duke of Wellington, in consideration of his bravery at Chateauguay, where, as captain of the Voltigeurs, he commanded the advance posts. Years before entering the British army he served in France in the body guards of Charles X. During some time he was made deputy adjutant-general of the militia of Lower Canada, in conjunction with the Hon. Juchereau Duchesnay. This charge being abolished, he was recalled to his regiment, then garrisoned at Trinidad, in the West Indies. He was hardly returned when he was attacked with yellow fever, and died on the island of St. Kitts, on 27th March, 1841. He had served with great distinction in Spain and Malta, and at the time of his death held the rank of major. The officers of his regiment erected a large monument to his memory. His eldest sister married Colonel de Salaberry. Michel Patrice Guy was educated at Montreal College, where he received a classical education, and afterwards studied law. He was admitted to the practice of the notarial profession on the 5th May, 1831. He became lieutenant-colonel in the 10th battalion Montreal militia during the troubles of 1837. He was one of the promoters of the Montreal wharves, and one of the founders of the Montreal College. A street, extending over a mile in length, running through the breadth of the city of Montreal was named after him, and is now known as Guy street. Mr. Guy was seriously wounded during the Gavazzi riots in Montreal. He was standing some distance away from the rioters when he was struck by a ball in the leg, and it was a question of life or death with him for a long while afterwards, being confined in his bed for fourteen months. Mr. Guy possesses one of the finest collections of old family parchments and documents, as well as many important letters. In politics he is a Liberal, and in religion a member of the Roman Catholic church. He was married on the 19th of December, 1869, to Dame Julie F. Schiller, sister of the late Charles E. Schiller, clerk of the Crown. His two sons, E. C. P. and G. L. H. Guy, are the only remaining members of the family in Canada.
Thompson, David, Northwest Pioneer Geographer.—The late Mr. Thompson was born in the parish of St. John, Westminster, England, the 30th April, 1770. He was educated at the “Blue Coat School,” London, and was perhaps for a short time a student at Oxford. When about nineteen he must have entered the service of the Hudson’s Bay Company, as in October, 1789, his journal opens at the company’s establishment at Cumberland House. An account of various journeys and surveys in the Northwest Territory of Canada then follows to May 23, 1797, when he left the service of the Hudson’s Bay Company and entered that of the North-West Company. After a number of explorations he started on foot, February 25, 1798, with a dog-team to connect the waters of the Red River and the Mississippi, thence over to Lake Superior. On April 27th he reached Turtle Lake, from which flows “Turtle Brook,” which he states to be the source of the Mississippi, since it is from here that the river takes the most direct course to the sea. Thus to this indefatigable, but hitherto almost unknown, geographer, belongs the honor of discovering the head waters of that great river. The first who is stated to have travelled through the country north of Red Cedar Lake was J. C. Beltrami, an Italian gentleman, who accompanied Major Long’s expedition as far as Pembina. He ascended Bloody (Red Lake) River to Red Lake, and from thence followed Thompson’s route to Turtle Lake, whence he descended the Mississippi to its mouth. This was in the summer of 1823, nine years after Thompson had recorded his discoveries on his map of the North-West Territories of Canada in 1813-14, now in possession of the government of Ontario. On May 10th he reached Fond-du-Lac House, two miles and a half up the river from Lake Superior. From here he surveyed the south shore of Lake Superior, arriving at the Falls of Ste. Marie on May 28th. After several journeys in the interior, we find him at Isle à la Crosse, where he was married June 10, 1799, to Charlotte Small, a young girl who had not yet entered her fifteenth year. After many very interesting explorations he re-surveyed the northern shore of Lake Superior in August, 1812. Before October of the same year he had arrived at Terrebonne, in Lower Canada, where he took up his residence and spent the two following years in preparing a map of Western Canada for the North-West Company, on a scale of about fifteen miles to an inch, from the observations he had made and the places he had visited during the previous twenty years. From 1816 to 1826 he was engaged in surveying and defining the boundary line, on the part of Great Britain, between Canada and the United States. In 1834 he surveyed Lake Francis. In 1837 he made a survey of the canoe route from Lake Huron to the Ottawa river, and a few years later he made a survey of Lake St. Peter. His last years were spent either in Glengarry county, Ontario, or in Longueuil, opposite Montreal, where he died on the 16th of February, 1857, at the age of nearly eighty-seven years. His wife survived him by only about three months. They are both buried in the Mount Royal Cemetery, Montreal. He died in extreme poverty, and it was due to the kindness of some of his old friends that he received a Christian burial. H. H. Bancroft, who has collected very many interesting details about the old travellers and traders in the west, gives the following account of his personal appearance:—“David Thompson was an entirely different order of man from the orthodox fur trader. Tall and fine-looking, of sandy complexion, with large features, deep-set, studious eyes, high forehead and broad shoulders, the intellectual was well set upon the physical. His deeds have never been trumpeted as those of some of the others, but in the westward exploration of the North-West Company no man performed more valuable service or estimated his achievements more modestly.”