Workman, Joseph, M.D., Toronto, was born in Ballymacash, near the town of Lisburn, Ireland, on the 26th May, 1805. He is descended from an illustrious ancestry, the first of whom is noticed by Neale in his history of the Puritans, namely, the Rev. William Workman, who was lecturer at St. Stephen’s Church, in Gloucester, England, from 1618 to 1633, and whom the historian describes as a man of great piety, wisdom and moderation. About that time Archbishop Laud had assumed power, and was addressing himself with great energy to stemming the tide of reformation which had set in. The images and pictures were restored to the churches, and the clergy had begun to array themselves in gorgeous vestments, such as those used by the clergy of the Roman Catholic church. The Rev. Mr. Workman could not brook this state of things; and in one of his sermons stigmatized pictures and statues of the founders of Christianity, the fathers, and other eminent persons, as unfit ornaments for churches, and declared that to set up images of Christ or of the saints in the private houses was according to the Homily unlawful and tended to idolatry. This sermon having been reported to Laud, the Rev. Mr. Workman was brought before the Court of High Commission, and after a short trial was convicted of heresy, deposed and excommunicated. He now opened a school in order to support his family, but as an excommunicated person he was inhibited from teaching youth. He then commenced the practice of medicine, in which he had some skill, but the archbishop forbade, and the result was that not knowing where to turn to support his family, he fell into a settled melancholy and died. These circumstances eventually made a deep impression on his children; and they eagerly joined the parliamentary army, in which William Workman, from whom the Canadian Workmans spring, held a commission, and was one of those who met the charge of Prince Rupert on the field of Naseby. This William served until 1648, when he went over to Ireland with Oliver Cromwell; and on the close of the Irish campaign he retired from military life, receiving as a reward for his services a grant of the two town lands of Merlacoo, and two sizeacks in the county of Armagh. Of these lands the old soldier held possession for only a short time. He was in the midst of a hostile population, different in race and religion, with bitter memories of defeat, and a passionate hunger for vengeance, born of what they considered great wrongs. During Tyrconnel’s administration he removed to county Down, near Donaghadee, whence he was obliged to flee and shelter his old age behind the walls of Derry, soon to be invested by King James’ army. He must have succumbed to the appalling privations of the siege, as his name does not appear in the history of an event which is so familiar in all its details. When at last the besieging army, a long column of pikes and standards, was seen retreating up the left bank of the Foyle, William Workman’s two sons and their wives emerged from the war-scarred walls of Derry and settled in the county of Antrim. One of the brothers settled at Brookend Mills, near Coagh, whence he removed to Monymore, to take charge of the mill there, and for more than a century this mill remained in charge of successive generations of Workmans. Joseph Workman, the father of the subject of our sketch, was the last of the family who resided at the Monymore mill. This gentleman having made a visit of three years to the United States, returned to Ireland and took up his abode at Ballymacash, near the town of Lisburn, where his family, nine in number, were born, all of whom ultimately came to Canada, and have left their mark on its history. As will be seen from the above, the father of Joseph Workman was of English descent, but his mother, Catharine Gondy, was descended from a Scottish family. Joseph received his English education from a Mr. Shields, and he was taught classics by J. Nealy, in Lisburn, Ulster, and studied medicine in McGill College, Montreal. In 1836 he came to Toronto, where he successfully practised his profession until July, 1853, when he was appointed by the government as medical superintendent of the Asylum for the Insane at Toronto. This position he filled with entire satisfaction until July, 1875, when he asked to be relieved of the responsibility. And here we may say, Dr. Workman deserves well of his adopted country, for no one could possibly have done more to bring the institution over which he presided for so many years to a comparative state of perfection, and to make the unfortunates under his care more comfortable and happy. Dr. Workman is of a literary turn of mind, and has contributed largely to various journals in the United States and Canada. He is an associate member of several scientific societies in Britain, Italy, the United States and Canada. He was one of the commissioners appointed by the government to enquire into the affairs of King’s College and Upper Canada College in 1848-50. In religion the doctor may be styled a progressive liberal, and is willing that all should search out the truth for themselves. He has generously supported the Unitarian Church in Toronto from its infancy. In consequence of close devotion to duty he has not been able to travel much, yet he is very familiar with all parts of Canada. On the 30th May, 1835, he was married to Elizabeth Wassridge, a native of Sheffield, England. This estimable lady died 16th May, 1885. The fruit of this union has been six children, of whom three sons and two daughters now survive.
Campbell, George W., A.M., M.D., LL.D.—The late Dr. Campbell was born in Roseneath, Dumbartonshire, Scotland, in 1810. He entered early on his medical studies, which he pursued in the Universities of Glasgow and Dublin. After graduating with distinction he came to Canada in May, 1833, and settled in Montreal. His marked ability soon placed him in the front ranks of his profession, and gave him a large share of city practice. The success following him naturally led to his being very frequently called in consultation by his confrères, and for many years before his death very few cases of any importance were treated in Montreal without the advice of Dr. Campbell having been obtained. His sound knowledge of pathology, and naturally clear insight into the varying shades of distinction between clinical conditions apt to resemble each other, made him an expert in diagnosis. Surgery was always his forte, and his great reputation chiefly made by many successful achievements in operative work. In 1835 Dr. Campbell was appointed to the chair of surgery in McGill University, which position he continued to hold with credit to himself and great advantage to the school until 1875—exactly forty years—when, owing to failing health, he resigned. He was made dean of the faculty in 1860, taking then the place of the late Dr. Holmes. The duties of this office he fulfilled even after his resignation of the chair of surgery, and it was only in March, 1882, that Prof. Howard was appointed acting dean in order to relieve him of some necessary work and supply his place during temporary absences. For nearly half a century Dr. Campbell’s name was identified with the medical faculty of McGill University, and it was largely due to his ability as a teacher of surgery that this school attained the high degree of popularity which it has so long enjoyed. As its dean, he always possessed the fullest confidence of his colleagues, and under his able management its policy was always dignified and liberal, whilst internal dissensions were entirely unknown. Dr. Campbell did not write much for the medical journals. “Deeds, not words,” was his motto. But his work as a successful teacher, and as a member of the corporation of the university, led to the appropriate bestowal of the honorary degree of LL.D. His style of lecturing was free from all oratorical effort, but it was clear, forcible and impressive. Hundreds of practitioners throughout this continent and elsewhere owe the foundations of their surgical knowledge to Dr. Campbell’s early teaching. As the acknowledged head of the profession in Montreal, he was often called upon to entertain strangers and professional visitors, and most worthily did he perform this duty. His house always held for such a true-hearted Scotch reception, for he was a warm-hearted host, and his pleasant, cheery manner, his sparkling reminiscences, his stores of learning always bright, his animated conversation, made an evening spent in his company always something to be remembered. He took great pleasure in seeing his friends around him, and all know well the kindly and generous hospitality which for years has been dispensed from his house by himself and his talented family. For some years previous to his death Dr. Campbell suffered from bronchitis, and was obliged to retire from active practice and give himself more rest. He had also suffered from slight attacks of pneumonia, and when in London, in 1882, on a visit, pneumonia again set in, but being somewhat better, he went to Edinburgh, where, however, more serious symptoms showed themselves, and he expired on the 30th of May of that year. The example of such a man as Dr. Campbell cannot fail to be productive of great good. An accomplished physician and skilful surgeon, an upright, honourable citizen, a kind and considerate friend to the poor, a loved and honoured counsellor of the rich, zealous in business but scrupulously honourable, a firm protector of the dignity of his profession, and, above all, a thoroughly consistent Christian gentleman.
Coburn, George Hayward, M.D., Physician and Surgeon, Fredericton, New Brunswick, was born at Sheffield, Sunbury county, N.B., on the 10th March, 1855. His parents were Moses Henry Coburn and Hepzibah Coburn. He received his literary education at the Sunbury Grammar School, and at the University of New Brunswick. Having chosen medicine as a profession, he spent some years at the University of Pennsylvania, United States, in study, with that end in view, and graduated from that institution with honours in 1875. On his return to his native province he began the practice of his profession, and has succeeded in building up a large business. In 1883 Dr. Coburn was appointed health officer in Fredericton, and still retains the position. In 1885 he was chosen a member of the Board of Health for the same city; and in 1887 he was chosen chairman of the board. During the same year he was appointed a member of the Provincial Board of Health. In religion he is an adherent of the Methodist church; and in politics is a Liberal. On the 19th June, 1878, he was married to Mary Gamble, of Philadelphia, U.S. Their family consists of two children.
Foster, James Gilbert, Q.C., Barrister, Halifax, was born on the 13th of June, 1839, at Aylesford, Kings county, Nova Scotia. His father, Rufus Foster, was descended from a family of the United Empire loyalists, who took refuge in Nova Scotia at the time of the American revolution; and his mother, Christina Foster, was of Scotch descent, having come when about seven years of age with her parents from Scotland, and the family settled in the same province. James Foster received a common school education, and studied law with the Hon. Alexander James. On the 10th of May, 1864, Mr. Foster was admitted an attorney-at-law and barrister, of her Majesty’s Supreme Court of Judicature; and the 20th of May, 1865, he became a partner with Mr. James in his legal business, and this partnership continued until Mr. James was elevated, in January, 1877, to the Supreme Court of Nova Scotia, as judge in Equity, when a dissolution took place. Mr. Foster then took his brother, William R. Foster, into partnership with him, and now the old business is carried on by the new firm. On the 23rd February, 1867, he was appointed a notary public; and on the 9th of October, 1878, he was made a Queen’s counsel by the Nova Scotia government. In September, 1863, Mr. Foster was appointed first lieutenant of the 6th regiment, Halifax county militia; and on the 19th of June, 1865, was promoted to the captaincy of the 5th company of the same corps. He attended the Military School of Instruction at Halifax, and passed an examination, taking a second-class certificate for candidates for commissions in the active militia, November 12th, 1869. In August, 1883, he was appointed major in the reserve militia, of the Nova Scotia regimental division of the county of Halifax, from No. 7 company division. From May, 1879 to May 1882, he held the office of recorder and stipendiary magistrate of Dartmouth; and on the 29th of May, 1879, was appointed justice of the peace for the county of Halifax. On the 6th of July, 1884, he was made a commissioner for arranging and preparing for the press, and indexing the fifth series of the Revised Statutes of Nova Scotia; and in August, 1886, was appointed registrar of the Court of Probate for the county of Halifax. From June, 1877, to March, 1886, Mr. Foster held the position of vice-consul for the Netherlands, at Halifax. During the years 1880 and 1881, he negotiated with several railway syndicates, for the purpose of carrying out the scheme for the amalgamation and completion of the Nova Scotia railways, proposed by the Local government of the time; and in 1881, he was authorized by Cyrus W. Field and associates, who were large owners of the Pictou coal mines, to negotiate proposals for that purpose with the Local government and the late Sir Hugh Allan, then owner of the Eastern Extension Railway in Nova Scotia—one of the railways in question. The government was, however, pledged to what was known as the Plunkett syndicate, which, finally fell through, and the government was defeated in the general elections of the following year, 1882. The policy of the succeeding government being averse to the scheme for railway amalgamation, and railway interests becoming in the meantime much depressed, Mr. Field and his friends did not care to renew their proposals. Mr. Foster was brought up and has always been a member of the Church of England. He has represented the parish of Dartmouth, as a lay delegate in the Synod of the Diocese of Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island, since April 13th, 1874; and on the 23rd of April, 1879, was made one of the executive committee of the Synod. During the years 1877, 1883, and 1886, he represented the same diocese, as one of its delegates in the Provincial Synod of Canada. Mr. Foster is a Liberal in politics; and at the general election in 1882, was a candidate for the House of Assembly of Nova Scotia, but failed to secure his election, having been defeated by a trifling majority.
Barker, Frederic Eustace, M.A., D.C.L., Q.C., M.P., St. John, New Brunswick. F. E. Barker is a native of Sheffield, in the county of Sunbury, in the province of New Brunswick, where he was born on the 27th December, 1838. His father, the late Enoch Barker, has been dead for some years. The family settled in Sheffield at the time of the American revolution, having before that resided in Massachusetts. Mr. Barker, jr., was educated at the Sunbury Grammar School, principally under the tuition of the Rev. George S. Milligan, M.A., now superintendent of Education in Newfoundland. He matriculated at King’s College, Fredericton (now the University of New Brunswick), in June, 1853, and graduated as B.A. in June, 1856. At his degree examination the examiners voluntarily recommended him for honours, which the College Council accordingly granted. He was admitted to the degree of M.A. in June, 1858; B.C.L. in December, 1861; and D.C.L. in June, 1866. He took all these degrees in regular course from the University of New Brunswick, an institution in which he has always taken an active interest. Mr. Barker was principally instrumental in the formation of “The Associated Alumni of the University of N.B.,” was for some time president of that body, and one of its representatives in the University Senate. He is also one of the Civil Law Examiners for this University. In June, 1856, Mr. Barker was entered as a law student with the late Justice Fisher, then a practising barrister at Fredericton. In June, 1860, he was admitted an attorney of the Supreme Court, and a year later he was called to the bar; and in April, 1873, he was appointed a Q.C. by the Dominion government. Mr. Barker commenced practice at Grand Falls, in New Brunswick, but only remained there a few months, when he removed to the city of St. John, where he has since resided and practised. In 1863, he formed a partnership with the present Justice Wetmore (then one of the leaders of the N.B. bar), which continued until that gentleman went on the bench in 1870. In 1875, Mr. Barker was appointed by the Provincial government one of the commissioners for consolidating the Statutes of New Brunswick. Mr. Barker at one time took an active interest in militia matters. In May, 1864, he was gazetted ensign; in August of the same year lieutenant; in February, 1865, captain, and in July, 1868, major in the St. John city Light Infantry. He has been for many years one of the benchers and a member of the council of the Barristers’ Society of N.B., and a member of the council of the St. John Law Society. He is now vice-president of the Barristers’ Society; president of the St. John Bridge and Railway Extension Company, and one of the directors of the St. John Gas Company. Mr. Barker has always belonged to what is now known as the Liberal-Conservative party in politics. When the retirement of Sir Leonard Tilley, in October, 1885, caused a vacancy in the representation for the city of St. John in the House of Commons, Mr. Barker was almost unanimously elected as the Liberal-Conservative candidate by a large and influential committee nominated to choose a candidate; and at the election which took place on 24th November, 1885, he was elected to the House of Commons by a majority of 112, about the same as that usually obtained by Sir Leonard, his predecessor. Mr. Barker is a member of the Church of England. He has at times visited the chief cities in Great Britain, United States and Canada. He was married (first) at St. John, in October, 1865, to Elizabeth Julia, daughter of the late Edward Lloyd, of the R. E. civil staff, who died in January, 1874; and (second) to Mary Ann, daughter of the late B. E. Black, of Halifax, and niece and adopted daughter of the late Justice Wilmot, who was the first lieutenant-governor of New Brunswick after confederation. By the first marriage Mr. Barker has one son and two daughters, and by the latter two daughters.