Cooley, Rev. John W., Minister of Zion Tabernacle, Methodist Church, Hamilton, was born in Toronto township, county of Peel, Ontario, on the 7th November, 1852. His parents were Thomas and Ann Cooley. The former was born on one of the Channel islands, where his father, a British soldier, was stationed about the date of the battle of Waterloo. He was brought up near Belfast. His mother was a native of Fermanagh, Ireland, and the family emigrated to Canada early in life. Mr. Cooley, senior, was for many years a missionary agent of the American Tract Society among the sailors on the Welland Canal, and was one of the most active agents in securing the closing of the canal against Sunday traffic. Rev. Mr. Cooley, the subject of our sketch, received his education chiefly in the public and high schools in Thorold, under the Rev. John McNeely, M.A.; Brampton High School, under John Seath, B.A., now High School inspector; and in the Galt Collegiate Institute, under the principalship of the late William Tassie, LL.D. In 1869 he became a public school teacher in the Central School, Owen Sound. For five years he continued in the profession, in different places, meanwhile prosecuting his studies privately, and taking an examination for teacher’s certificate each year. In the year 1873 he was appointed teacher of the Senior Boys’ School, Guelph. During this year his religious conversion took place, and he became active in the work of the Methodist church and the Guelph Young Men’s Christian Association, of which he was secretary. At the beginning of the year 1874, at the request of the chairman of the district, coupled with his own convictions, he accepted an appointment as junior preacher on the Elora circuit of the Methodist church. His subsequent appointments were, 1874-75, Listowel; 1876, Hamilton, Hannah street Church; and in 1877, Stratford. In 1878 he was ordained and stationed at Elmira, county Waterloo. Toward the end of his three years’ term a throat affection compelled his temporary retirement from the work of the ministry. The greater part of the next two years (1881-82) was spent in newspaper work, as a member of the editorial staff of the Winnipeg Free Press. In October, 1882, on his complete restoration to health, he resumed his ministerial work, being appointed to Jerseyville circuit, near Brantford. Three years were spent thereon. In 1885 he was appointed to Dunnville, and in 1887 to the pastorate of Zion Tabernacle, Hamilton, where he now is. In August, 1878, he was married to Emily H. Keeling, of Guelph, daughter of the late George M. Keeling, the founder of the Guelph Mercury, who died in 1861. This lady was a highly gifted musician, organist for many years, and subsequently choir leader as well, of the Norfolk street Methodist Church, Guelph. She was a very popular vocalist and was widely esteemed for her amiability, good judgment and energy in social and church work. She died in April, 1885, leaving two children, one of whom alone is now living. Rev. Mr. Cooley is a very active and pronounced temperance advocate and prohibitionist, and takes a deep interest in all other social movements.
Young, Hon. James, Galt, Ontario, is of Scotch descent, being the eldest son of the late John Young and Jeanie Bell, natives of Roxboroughshire, Scotland, who came to Canada, in 1834, and at first took up their residence in the village of Dundas in the then Gore District. Almost immediately afterwards the family were induced by the Hon. Wm. Dickson to remove to Galt, and here Mr. Young engaged in business and resided until his death in 1859. James Young, the subject of this sketch, was born in Galt, on the 24th of May, 1835, and has ever since resided there. He received his education in the public schools of his native place; and at an early age displayed great fondness for books, which he has kept up since. In his youth he had a predilection for the study of the law, but finding he could not carry out this idea, he chose printing as a profession, which he began to learn when he had reached his sixteenth year. When only eighteen years of age, he purchased the Dumfries Reformer, which he afterwards conducted for about ten years. Under his management this paper attained a great local influence, and in addition was the means of making Mr. Young well known beyond the narrow limits of Waterloo county. During the earlier part of the proprietorship, the political articles in the paper were written by one of his friends, he himself taking the general supervision and contributing the local news. Upon the completion of his twentieth year, he took the editorial control, which he retained until 1863, when finding his health not very robust, he sold out the Reformer, and retired from the press for a while. He afterwards went into the manufacturing business, and became the principal partner in the Victoria Steam Bending Works at Galt, which he carried on successfully for about five years. During his connection with the Reformer, Mr. Young had necessarily taken a conspicuous part in the discussion of political questions, and his paper was an important factor in determining the results of several local contests. He frequently took the platform on behalf of the Reform candidate, and was known throughout the county as a ready and graceful speaker. He took a conspicuous part in municipal affairs, and for six years sat in the town council; he was an active member of the school board, and devoted a good deal of his time to educational matters; and also took a special interest in commercial and trade questions, on which he came to be regarded as a high authority. In 1857, the Hamilton Mercantile Library Association, having offered a prize of fifty dollars for the best essay on the agricultural resources of the country, Mr. Young carried off the prize. This essay was shortly afterwards published, under the title of “The Agricultural Resources of Canada, and the inducements they offer to British laborers intending to emigrate to this continent,” and was most favorably received by the public, and highly praised by the press. Eight years later (in 1865), the proprietors of the Montreal Trade Review offered two prizes for essays on the Reciprocity Treaty, which was then about to expire, and Mr. Young sent in a paper which carried off the second prize. His success on this occasion led to his receiving an invitation to attend the commercial convention held next year in Detroit, Michigan, and he had the satisfaction of hearing on that occasion the great speech on commerce delivered by the late Hon. Joseph Howe. He first entered parliament in 1867, when he was elected by the Reform party of South Waterloo, as their candidate for the House of Commons. This was the first election under Confederation, and he was opposed by James Cowan, a Reform Coalitionist, who was also a local candidate of great influence; and in addition to this Mr. Young had to encounter a fierce opposition, the late Hon. John Sandfield Macdonald, the Hon. William McDougall, and Sir William Howland taking the field on one occasion on behalf of Mr. Cowan. These formidable opponents were courageously encountered by him single-handed, or with such local assistance as could be procured, and he was returned by a majority of 366 votes. When parliament met in the following November, he made his maiden speech in the House on the Address. He also took a conspicuous part in the debates of the session, and materially strengthened his position among his constituents. He was twice re-elected by acclamation, first at the general election in 1872, and again in 1874. Of the Mackenzie government he was a loyal and earnest supporter throughout. He was chairman of the committee on public accounts for five consecutive sessions, and after the death of Mr. Scatcherd, became chairman of the house when in committee of supply. Among his principal speeches in parliament, were those on the Intercolonial Railway, the Ballot, the admission of British Columbia, with special reference to the construction of the Pacific Railway in ten years, the Treaty of Washington (which was unsparingly condemned), the Pacific Scandal, the Budget of 1874, the Naturalization of Germans and other aliens, and the Tariff question. Soon after entering parliament he proposed the abolition of the office of Queen’s printer, and the letting of the departmental printing by tender. This was ultimately carried, and effected a large saving in the annual expenditure. In 1871 he submitted a bill to confirm the naturalization of all aliens who had taken the oaths of allegiance and residence prior to Confederation, which became law. In 1873 he brought in a measure to provide for votes being taking by ballot, and the government subsequently took up the question and carried it. On two occasions the House of Commons unanimously concurred in addresses to Her Majesty, prepared by him, praying that the Imperial government would take steps to confer on Germans and other naturalized citizens the same rights as subjects of British birth enjoy in all parts of the world, the law then and still being that they have no claim on British protection whenever they pass beyond British territory. In 1874 he proposed a committee and report, which resulted in the publication of the debates of the House of Commons, contending that the people have as much right to know how their representatives speak in parliament as how they vote. At the election of 1878, chiefly through a cry for a German representative, he was for the first time defeated. In the following spring the general election for the Ontario legislature came on, and Mr. Young was requested by the Reformers of the North Riding of Brant to become their candidate in the local house. He at first declined, but on the nomination being proferred a second time, he accepted it, and was returned by a majority of 344. For many years Mr. Young’s services have been in request as a writer and public speaker. He contributed occasionally to the late “Canadian Monthly,” and has been a regular contributor for many years to some of our leading commercial journals, the articles being chiefly upon the trade and development of the country. He has also appeared upon the platform as a lecturer upon literary and scientific subjects. As a political speaker, he has been heard in many different parts of the province, throughout which he now enjoys a very wide circle of acquaintance. He has held and still holds many positions of honor and trust. He is a director of the Confederation Life Association; and of the Canada Landed Credit Company; has been president and is now vice-president of the Sabbath School Association of Canada; is president of the Gore District Mutual Fire Insurance Company; was for eleven years president of the Associated Mechanics’ Institutes of Ontario; and a member of the Council of the Agricultural and Arts Association. A few years ago Mr. Young wrote and published a little volume of 272 pages, entitled “Reminiscences of the Early History of Galt, and the Settlement of Dumfries.” Apart from the fact that works of this class deserve encouragement in Canada, Mr. Young’s book has special merits which are not always found in connection with Canadian local annals. It is written in a pleasant and interesting style, which makes it readable even to persons who know nothing of the district whereof it treats. On June 2nd, 1883, Mr. Young was appointed by the Mowat Government, and sworn in as treasurer of the province of Ontario, and on appealing to the electors of North Brant, his acceptance of office was approved by a majority of 551. On the 29th October of the same year he was compelled to resign his portfolio on account of his health, which, impaired by political and literary overwork, particularly during the preceding twelve months, was found unable for the time being to stand the close confinement of office work. At the next election for the Ontario Legislature in December, 1886, he wrote a letter, declining to accept renomination to the local house. We are glad to say Mr. Young’s health may now be said to be fully restored, evidence of which was furnished during 1887 by the publication of a pamphlet from his pen on the subject of the national future of Canada, and discussing the question of commercial union and imperial federation. This brochure opposes both these schemes, and takes strong ground in favour of Canadian nationality, and has been widely read throughout the Dominion, having gone to a second edition. In religion Hon. Mr. Young is a Presbyterian, and in politics a Liberal. On the 11th February, 1858, he married Margaret, second daughter of John McNaught, of Brantford.
Hamilton, Robert, D.C.L., Bishop’s College, Lennoxville, Quebec, was born at New Liverpool, near the city of Quebec, on 1st September, 1822. His father was George Hamilton, of Hawkesbury, and of Quebec. He was educated under the Rev. Dr. Urquhart, of Cornwall, and was only seventeen years old when his father died from the effects of a severe cold caused by exposure while discharging his duties as colonel of militia during the rebellion of 1837. His eldest son, Robert, the subject of this sketch, at once undertook his share of the labors and responsibilities connected with the extensive lumbering business which had been built up slowly and painfully amid many discouragements. In those early days of the country’s growth there were none of the modern appliances for facilitating work of every kind. Large enterprises were carried on under circumstances which demanded forethought, caution, and resolution. The means of communication were limited, tedious and uncertain. There were no railways, only a few sluggish steamers—and no telegraphs. Even the mails were carried in a leisurely way over the country. When parties of men were despatched in the autumn of each year to the rivers Rouge and Gatineau for the long winter’s work of cutting down thousands of trees and placing the logs upon the ice, it was necessary to provide them with supplies of every kind. Pork, biscuit, tea, sugar, and clothing were conveyed to them by sleighs from Hawkesbury—if not from Montreal. The breaking up of the ice in the spring was always a very anxious time. The rapid rise of the rivers rendered the return journey of the men very perilous. The booms stretched across the mouth of each river sometimes proved quite insufficient to withstand the pressure of the water covered with thousands of logs. The mills built at Hawkesbury for cutting up the logs and preparing them for the British market were extensive and kept in a state of admirable efficiency, being supplied each winter with every new improvement. The season for work was very short—for the waters fell as rapidly almost as they rose—and the difficulty of conveying the logs in rafts to New Liverpool became serious as the summer advanced and the rivers became shallow. Six weeks represented the long voyage of a raft from the mills at Hawkesbury to the cove at New Liverpool. Here the tedious process of washing each deal with buckets and brooms and then marking its quality—whether 1st, 2nd or 3rd class—occupied many weeks. Then followed the delivery of the deals on board the ships which in those days were generally chartered to carry them to London, where another washing and examination followed their delivery at the docks, and then they were sold as promptly as the market would permit, for the capital represented by them from first to last was very large and long locked up—from the crown license to cut down the trees on through the months of winter, spring, summer and autumn, and in some cases a second winter and spring—before the London market was reached. Such a business in its numerous departments and in its unceasing demands for judgment, patience, endurance and persistence was an education in itself. The best qualities of a man’s head and heart were sure to be exercised, developed and strengthened. Robert Hamilton quickly and resolutely gave himself in the most thorough systematic manner to his life’s work and has not only built up a liberal fortune, but guarded and promoted the welfare of the large family of whom he was the eldest—but seventeen years old, as he said, at the time of his father’s death. Mr. Hamilton, in the use of his fortune, has afforded an example much needed in every young community. In no sense has he been brought under the power of wealth, and in no direction has wealth spoiled or marred his character. He has studied and realized in his family, and in his life in the community, the rare satisfaction of using money liberally, judiciously, and with taste, avoiding every abuse of it. His home at Hamwood on the St. Foy road, near Quebec, is a pattern of simplicity, taste and comfort—all that an educated gentleman of refinement should have about him, and for the comfort and advantage of his family, he has brought together in a home which is full of pleasant memories and rare attractions to many because of the quiet enjoyment which its hospitalities have afforded them. He has never taken any part in the politics of the country—his tastes and preferences drawing him to the study and promotion of other interests. As a member of the Church of England, he is widely known for his generous aid to all good works. The diocese of Quebec has found in him a true and intelligent friend. He has never put himself forward to relieve others of their proper responsibilities, the due discharge of which has so much to do with their characters and their happiness in life. Recognizing the responsibilities attaching to him as a man of wealth, he has been no easy, good-natured careless giver, but has patiently and thoroughly studied the best ways and methods of applying his large and generous gifts both to parishes and to the diocese of Quebec, and to the University of Bishop’s College, Lennoxville. These have been so applied as to call out the active energies and co-operation of others, and the result is to be seen in the permanent and satisfactory endowments so needful for a church whose members in such a community as the province of Quebec must always be few in number and weak in resources. The University of Bishop’s College, in recognition of his position and services, conferred upon him in 1885 the honorary degree of D.C.L. In 1845 he married the eldest daughter of the late John Thomson of Westfield, near Quebec. He has a large family, and is surrounded by an attractive crowd of grand-children. His summer resort at Cacouna is full of attractions—foremost amongst them being the gathering of his children and their families about him.
Lount, William, Q.C., Toronto, Ontario, was born at Newmarket, on the 3rd of March, 1840. His father was George Lount, then registrar, and brother of Samuel Lount, who was executed with Matthews in 1837, during the rebellion. The subject of this sketch received his education at the Grammar School, Barrie, studied law with Mr. (now Sir) Adam Wilson, finishing his last years with Mowat & McLennan, and was called to the bar of Upper Canada in 1861, when he immediately commenced the practice of his profession in Barrie. In 1867 he ran for the Ontario legislature, for the North Riding of Simcoe against Angus Morrison. He was elected by a fair majority, and supported the Sandfield Macdonald government for four sessions; but on seeking re-election he was opposed by W. D. Ardagh, the regular Conservative nominee, and H. H. Cook, the Reform nominee and was defeated, Mr. Ardagh being elected. He then retired from politics owing to its taking too much of his time from his profession. He had in the meantime formed a partnership with Mr. Boys, now the junior judge of the county of Simcoe, which lasted for some years, when a new partnership was formed by the admission of D’Arcy Boulton, Q.C., and H. D. Stewart. Five years later this firm was dissolved, Mr. Lount retiring and forming a partnership with his brother, as Lount & Lount. This partnership was continued until the decease of the late James Bethune, Q.C., when Mr. Lount entered into partnership with Mr. Bethune’s late partner, Mr. Marsh, under the name of Lount & Marsh, in Toronto, which firm still continues. He received his patent as Queen’s counsel from the Ontario government on 11th March, 1876, and from the Dominion government in 1877. He has acted as Crown counsel for the Ontario government on several important cases. He has always been president of the North Simcoe Reform Association, taking a very active interest in its affairs, laying all the plans and organizing the party for the fray. He was married on the 17th July, 1874, to Miss Orris, daughter of John Orris, on lake Erie, near Dunnville, and grand-daughter of Colonel Cotter who fought at the battle of Waterloo, in which action he took a very active part as captain in a British regiment of the line.
Buchanan, Wentworth James, Montreal, General Manager of the Bank of Montreal, is one of a class of native Canadians of which the Dominion has reason to be proud—a class of men who, beginning life with the prestige of an honorable family record, won by industry, energy and integrity in the professions, make it their aim to increase that prestige by their own personal exertions. Mr. Buchanan’s grandfather came to Quebec with the 49th regiment,—Colonel (afterwards Sir Isaac) Brock, in command—and was a surgeon in that regiment. His father, Alexander Buchanan, was only four years of age when he accompanied his parents to Canada. After receiving a good education in the then available schools, he studied law with the late Andrew and James Stuart (afterwards Sir James), of Quebec, rose to be one of the ablest jurists who ever practised at the Montreal bar, and was a Queen’s counsel in the days when this honor was conferred upon very few. At the time of his death he was the oldest judge of the Superior Court of the Lower Canada. James Wentworth Buchanan was the second son of this venerable judge, and was born on the 11th December, 1828. He received a sound commercial education; and the great monetary institution in which he was destined to attain so prominent a position was not yet thirty-five years in operation when he began his career. That was in 1847, when he entered the Commercial Bank as a clerk, and five and a half years later he obtained a situation in the Bank of Montreal. From March, 1853, until 1858, he applied himself steadily to his duties, with such satisfaction to his superiors that in the latter year he was appointed manager of the branch at Woodstock, and, subsequently, held in succession a similar charge at Brantford, Cobourg, Hamilton and Toronto, Ontario, acquitting himself at each of these places in such a way that confidence in his ability and integrity increased from year to year. In 1874 he was promoted to the post of local manager at Montreal. In 1880, the late Mr. Smithers being made general manager, Mr. Buchanan became assistant general manager; and in 1881, on the election of the former gentleman to the presidency, he was chosen his successor, and since then he has occupied the highly responsible position of general manager.