Dymond, Alfred Hutchinson, Superintendent of the Asylum for the Blind, Brantford, was born at Croydon, County of Surrey, England, on August 21st, 1827. He was educated at the public school of the Society of Friends at that place, of which institution his father, Henry Dymond, was for some time the superintendent. He was engaged in early life in mercantile pursuits, but devoted himself chiefly, from the time of attaining manhood till thirty years of age, to advocating the abolition of capital punishment, lecturing in behalf of that movement in all parts of England, and exerting himself frequently with success in behalf of persons under sentence of death, where the justice of the conviction was open to doubt, or where ameliorating circumstances appeared to justify clemency. Many of his experiences while so engaged were related in a book published by him in 1865, entitled, “The Law on its Trial,” not a few of the incidents recorded being of thrilling interest. He was also the author of numerous pamphlets and brochures on the same question, and all of these productions showed careful research, and fresh, vigorous thought. In 1857 he received an appointment on the staff of the Morning Star newspaper, then recently established in London as the representative of advanced Liberal principles, and of which Mr. Cobden, Mr. Bright, and other Liberal political leaders, were active promoters. He became ultimately general manager of the Star, and continued to hold that position until its amalgamation, in 1869, with the London Daily News. During his connection with the Star, he had for his colleagues or associates, among others, Justin McCarthy, now M.P. for Derry; Sir John Gorrie, now chief justice of the Leeward Islands; Edward Russell, editor of the Liverpool Daily Post; Charles A. Cooper, editor of the Edinburgh Scotsman, the late Dr. Faucher, afterwards a prominent member of the German parliament; Frederick W. Chesson, so often heard of as the secretary of the Aborigines’ Protection Society; William Black, the novelist; and Archibald Forbes, the famous war correspondent. The two last-named gentlemen received their first commissions on the London press from Mr. Dymond’s hands. In October, 1869, he removed with his family to Toronto, and joined the staff of the Toronto Globe. During the nine years of his connection with that paper he wrote a large portion of its political leading articles. Shortly after settling in Toronto he commenced to take an active part in political affairs, particularly during the Ontario elections of 1871, and the Dominion elections of 1873. At the general election of January, 1874, following on the downfall of the Macdonald government, after the Pacific Scandal disclosures, Mr. Dymond was elected after a contest, by a majority of 338, for the North Riding of the county of York, his opponent being William Thorne, the warden of the county. He represented North York during the succeeding five sessions, giving a warm support to the Hon. Alexander Mackenzie’s administration, and taking a very active part both in debates and the work of committees. At the general election in September, 1878, he was again, on the unanimous invitation of the Liberal party in the riding, a candidate for North York, but under the adverse influences of the so-called National Policy reaction, was defeated by a majority of ten votes. He took a very active part in connection with the local elections of 1879, in editing the literature of the campaign, and addressing public meetings. He acted on several occasions as a commissioner in municipal investigations, under appointments from the Ontario Government. In 1880, he was appointed the executive officer and a member of the Ontario Agricultural Commission, the results of which appeared during the session of 1881, in the shape of five bulky volumes, including the Report and its Appendices, the compilation of the Report, and arrangement and revision of the whole mass of evidence being accomplished by Mr. Dymond in less than three months. In April, 1881, he was appointed by the Ontario Government, Principal of the Institution for the Education of the Blind at Brantford, which position he still holds. While in England Mr. Dymond was identified with efforts for parliamentary reform, the extension of the suffrage, and the repeal of all impediments to free and cheap literature. He was also a most enthusiastic supporter of the Northern cause during the American Civil War. While a member of the Canadian Parliament, he carried through a bill to enable persons charged with common assault to give evidence in their own behalf, the first measure embodying such a principle in Canadian criminal legislation. During the Dunkin Act agitation in Toronto, he was Vice-President of the association to promote the adoption of the Act, and presided at most of the large open air gatherings held in the Amphitheatre on Yonge street, in favour of the Act. Mr. Dymond, while in Parliament, assisted materially in the adoption of the present Temperance Act, popularly known as the Scott Act. He has always advocated the principles of Free Trade, so far as they maybe found compatible with revenue necessities. He took, when in Parliament, a liberal view of the Pacific Railway policy, as necessary to the wants and exigencies of the Dominion, while opposed to undue haste in its construction, or to any arrangements calculated to retard the free settlement of the North-West. He has always advocated the broadest extension of Provincial rights as opposed to Federal centralization. He has been since early life a member of the Anglican Church, and has of late years taken an active part in the affairs of that Church, both locally and as a member of the Diocesan Synod of Huron, to which Brantford belong. He married, in 1852, Miss Helen Susannah Henderson, of London, England, and has a large family of sons and daughters. As a writer upon political topics, Mr. Dymond occupies a prominent position. As a parliamentarian, he was industrious, vigorous, and always effective. His absence from Parliament now is a serious loss to his party and to the country.
Pelland, Basile Elie, Berthierville, Registrar of the County of Berthier, Quebec province, was born in Berthier, August 6th, 1842, and is the son of Basile Pelland, a worthy farmer, and Rose de Lima Laferriére, of the same place, both belonging to two of the most distinguished and ancient families of Berthier. Mr. Pelland was educated at the Jacques Cartier Normal School, Montreal, and at Bourget College, Rigaud, where he developed talents which induced him to adopt law as a profession. With this object in view he studied with J. O. Chalut, notary of Berthier, with such success that in 1867 he was appointed notary, and commenced to practise in Berthier. In a few years, by his talents and energy, he built up a large and lucrative business, and having gained the confidence and esteem of his fellow-townsmen, was elected secretary-treasurer of the town council, and commissioner of schools and the agricultural society. He was appointed registrar of the county of Berthier, in 1874. In politics he is a Conservative and a staunch and reliable worker in the interests of his party. In religion, he is a Roman Catholic, and greatly respected by his neighbors generally. He is married to Marie Louise Chenevert, daughter of Theophile Chenevert, merchant, of St. Cuthbert.
Macdonald, Robert Tyre, M.D., C.M., M.C.P.S., Sutton, Quebec province, was born at Ellerslie, Brockville, August 1, 1856. His father was a graduate in arts of Edinburgh University, who came to Canada when quite a young man and entered into mercantile pursuits at Dundee, Que., where he soon amassed a fortune, and afterwards removed to Brockville, where he continued his mercantile calling. He claimed descent from the “Lords of the Isles,” Dunvegan Castle, Isle of Skye, being the family seat. His mother was Elizabeth Elliott Ogilvie, daughter of Captain Alexander Ogilvie, and niece of the late Col. Davidson. His family were noted in Scottish history for having been custodians of the Scottish crown. The subject of our sketch received his early education by private tuition, and afterwards entered Fort Covington Academy. After leaving school he was for a time in the employ of S. J. Howel & Bro. of Millbrook, Ont., and also with T. B. Collins of the same place. He came to Montreal in 1875, and entered the wholesale establishment of B. Levin & Co., leaving there in 1876 to enter McGill University as a student in medicine, and graduated with distinction in 1881. He is surgeon in the 52nd Battalion Brome Light Infantry, surgeon South-Eastern Railway, and medical health officer, township of Sutton. Has been twice elected master of Sutton Lodge, No. 39, A. F. & A. M. Is at present district deputy grand master A. F. & A. M., for counties of Shefford, and Brome. He is unmarried, and in enjoyment of a large and lucrative practice.
Mason, Thos. G., Toronto, Ontario, was born at Ivybridge, Devonshire, England, and when seven years of age came to Canada with his parents, settling in Toronto. He received his early schooling from J. R. Mair, so well known as a successful teacher, and by whom many of Toronto’s prominent citizens were first introduced to the classics. Mr. Mason’s business career commenced in 1849, when he entered the Globe office as a junior clerk, J. C. Fitch being at the time manager of the office. In those early days the Globe was published only three times per week, Mr. Mason having charge of the mailing department. In 1854 he became assistant book-keeper for the firm of A. & S. Nordheimer, and remained with them seventeen years. It was at the close of this thorough and successful business apprenticeship—namely, in 1871—that Mr. Mason, in association with V. M. Risch, founded the present firm of Mason & Risch, as dealers in and importers of pianofortes and musical instruments, and by the energy displayed and the superior business methods adopted, they gradually established themselves as one of the most successful business firms in Toronto. Being thoroughly conversant with the subtle and difficult science of acoustics which their lengthened experience had given them, and being withal practical men, they directed their attention to the construction and development of the pianoforte, and in 1878 began their manufacture, keeping the central idea steadily in view of building up and winning a reputation for a Canadian pianoforte of the highest standard worthy to rank with those of the most famous makers in Europe or the United States. To this end, and to carry out their high artistic ideas, both members of the firm travelled through the principal manufacturing countries of Europe in search of skilled artisans and the highest grade of materials with which to stock their factory; and unquestionably it is to this foresight and care, coupled with the thorough knowledge of their work, and natural artistic talent, that the excellence of the Mason & Risch pianofortes is attributable. In this connection it cannot be out of place, or other than gratifying to Canadians to refer to the distinguished compliment which the late Dr. Franz Liszt paid the firm in sending them a full-sized portrait of himself, painted by the eminent artist Baron Joukousky. This painting is one of the finest works of art in the Dominion. In 1886 the firm exhibited their pianofortes at the memorable Colonial and Indian Exhibition, which took place in London, England. The preeminence given them there, and the high professional testimony of the highest English musical authorities, placed their pianos in the foremost rank, and of which Canada may well be proud. That year Mr. Mason was honored by being elected a member of the Royal Society of Arts, London, of which His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales is president, and also was made a member of the Musical Association of Great Britain, of which the Rev. Sir Frederick A. Gore Ousley, Bart., M.A., Mus. Doc. Oxon., and Prof. of Music, University, Oxford, is president. This society was formed May, 1874, for the investigation and discussion of subjects connected with the art and science of music, and is one of the most influential musical associations in the world. As a business man, Mr. Mason is both cautious and bold. He seldom acts rashly or from impulse. He weighs every business matter that comes before him with almost judicial calmness, and when any new enterprise commends itself to his approval he acts with decision and throws all his energy into it. It is, therefore, not surprising that success generally crowns his undertakings. In politics Mr. Mason belongs to no party, but judging him by his conversation we are inclined to class him as a Liberal with modified Conservative leanings. Above all things, he is a British Canadian, and zealous for the honor of his adopted country. He believes that Canadians have as much brain power, and as much mental and physical abilities to work out their own destiny as the people of the United States, or in fact any people in the world. The only thing they seem to lack, in his estimation, is national unity, and faith in their own glorious future. Time and circumstances, he thinks, will cure this at no distant day. Mr. Mason belongs to the Methodist church, and in the erection of the Metropolitan Church in this city took a very active part. For many years he has been secretary of the trustee Board, and by his influence as a member of the musical committee of that church, has contributed largely to placing the musical part of the service on its present highly satisfactory state.
Hincks, Sir Francis, was born at Cork, on the 14th of December, 1807. He was a son of Dr. T. D. Hincks, a member of the Irish (Unitarian) Presbyterian Church, a very distinguished scholar and an exceedingly worthy man. Francis, the subject of the present sketch, commenced his education under his father, at Fermoy, and continued it in the classical and mathematical school of the Belfast Institution, then presided over by Dr. James Thompson, afterwards professor of mathematics at the University of Glasgow. In the month of November, 1822, he entered the collegiate department of the institution, and attended the logic and belles lettres, and the Greek and Latin classes during the winter session. But, in May, 1823, he expressed a desire to be a merchant, and it was finally arranged that he should be articled for five years to the house of John Martin & Co., previous to which, however, he had three or four months’ initiation into business habits in the office of his father’s friend, Samuel Bruce, a notary public and agent. The period for which he was articled terminated in October, 1828, but he continued with the firm until the beginning of 1830, when he sailed to the West Indies as supercargo of one of Messrs. Martin & Co.’s vessels. He visited Jamaica, Barbadoes, Trinidad and Demerara, but not meeting with an inducement to settle in any of these colonies, he agreed to accompany a Canadian gentleman, whom he met at Barbadoes, to Canada, and proceeded to Montreal and Toronto, his object being to ascertain the nature of Canadian commerce and business. Having gleaned the information he desired, he returned to Belfast in 1831. In the following summer, having determined to settle in Canada, he married the second daughter of Alexander Stewart, a merchant of Belfast, and soon after sailed to New York, and proceeded to Toronto, and took up his abode in a house belonging to Mr. Baldwin. Mr. Hincks soon obtained a high reputation for knowledge of business, and when Wm. Lyon Mackenzie attacked Mr. Merritt and others respecting the Welland canal, and obtained a parliamentary investigation, he was chosen, with another merchant, to examine the accounts. He was also appointed secretary to the Mutual Insurance Company, and cashier to a new banking company. On the appointment of Lord Durham to the government of Canada, Mr. Hincks commenced the Examiner newspaper, in the editorship of which he displayed such remarkable vigour and talent, that he was invited to become a candidate for the representation of the county of Oxford in the first parliament held after the union of the upper and lower provinces. The election was held in March, 1841, when Mr. Hincks was returned by a majority of thirty-one over his opponent, a gentleman named Carroll. Shortly after his election, he was appointed by Sir Charles Bagot inspector-general, and was obliged, in consequence, to vacate his seat and return for re-election. He was opposed by John Armstrong, who abandoned the contest at noon on the third day, Mr. Hincks having a majority of 218. When Lord Metcalfe dissolved the Canadian parliament in 1844, Mr. Hincks was defeated, his opponents being Robert Riddle (a son-in-law of Admiral Vansittart), who was returned by a majority of twenty over Mr. Hincks, and the Hon. Thomas Parke, who did not go to the poll. In 1848, however, he was declared elected by the legislature, by the large majority of three hundred and thirty-five over his old opponent, Mr. Carroll, although the returning-officer had declared Mr. Carroll elected through some legal technicality in Mr. Hincks’ qualification. Having for the second time accepted the office of inspector-general under the administration of his first friend in Canada, Mr. Baldwin, he was re-elected without opposition. Upon the reconstruction of the ministry, consequent on the retirement of Mr. Baldwin, owing to his impaired health, Mr. Hincks was, through the strong expression of public opinion, named prime minister by the governor-general, and until the latter part of 1854, held that post with distinguished honour, and with the confidence and respect of all the good men of every political denomination in Canada. On his return to Canada, from a visit to England, he was elected to represent the south riding of Oxford for the fifth time, by a majority of 64 over his opponent, J. G. Vansittart, a son of Admiral Vansittart, of Woodstock, Ont., and therefore a rather formidable opponent. After the resignation of the Hincks-Dorion administration, in 1854, Mr. Hincks crossed the Atlantic for a long holiday, after the years of turmoil and corroding care which had fallen to him by virtue of his active life, and his prominent place in public affairs. During his absence, through Sir William Molesworth, he was appointed governor of Barbadoes and the Windward Islands. At the close of the term there, he was promoted to the governor-generalship of British Guiana. In 1889, on the recommendation of the Duke of Buckingham, he was created a Knight C. M. G. In 1869 he returned to England, and thence passed over to Canada, where, on the invitation of Sir John A. Macdonald, he entered the ministry as finance minister, in place of Sir John Rose, resigned. He retained his portfolio till 1873, when he resigned, and withdrew from public life. There is no public man living, it can fairly be said, whose whole career has been more creditable to himself and to the country than has been that of Sir Francis Hincks. He died at the age of seventy-eight, in the city of Montreal, on the 18th of August, 1885, deeply regretted by his many friends and admirers. Sir Francis was twice married. His first wife died in 1874, and the following year he married the widow of the late Hon. Justice Sullivan of Toronto, who survived him.