Veniot, Hon. Peter John (Bathurst, N.B.), born October 4, 1863, at Richibucto, N.B. Son of Captain Stephen Veniot and Mary Morell, his wife, both French. Educated at Pictou Academy, Pictou, N.S., from which he graduated in 1882. Married on February 8, 1885, to Cathelene Melanson, daughter of Raphael Melanson, of parish of Shediac, N.B., and is the father of six children: Dr. C. L. Veniot, married to Mary Leger; A. S. Veniot, C.F., married to Jane Gautrear; Dr. J. L. Veniot, dentist; Lieut. W. L. Veniot, who went overseas with the 132nd Battalion, married to Mina Cote; Lieut. P. J. Veniot, Jr., formerly of the famous 26th Battalion; and Francis P. Veniot, attending college. Member of the New Brunswick Legislature from 1894-1900. Collector of Customs from 1900-1911. Elected a member for the constituency of Gloucester at the general elections in 1917, and taken into the Foster cabinet, on its formation, as Minister of Public Works for the province, and re-elected at by-election on April 23, 1917. He is a Roman Catholic in religion, and a Liberal. He is a member of the Catholic Mutual Benefit Association, Knights of Columbus, Assumption, and Artisans. His principal recreations are curling and boating.
Winkler, Hon. Valentine, M.P.P., Minister of Agriculture for Manitoba, is a public man who has been largely identified with the progress and growth of that province. He was born at Neustadt, Grey County, Ont., on March 18, 1864, the son of David and Barbara J. (Lang) Winkler. He was educated at the public schools of his native village, and as a very young man went to Manitoba in the days of its early development, settling at Morden, where he became a farmer, and also engaged extensively in the lumber business. His friends and neighbours induced him to enter politics at an early age, and he entered the municipal office, serving as reeve of Stanley. In 1892, the late Hon. Thomas Greenway, for some years Premier of Manitoba, induced him to run for the riding of Rhineland, now called Morden and Rhineland, as a Liberal, and he was elected. He was re-elected at the general elections of 1896 and also at those of 1899, though the latter contest resulted in the defeat of his party in many constituencies. In 1900, he was induced by Sir Clifford Sifton, then the Western leader in the Laurier administration, to resign his seat in the Legislature, and contest the riding of Lisgar for the House of Commons at the Federal elections of that year. In this contest he was unsuccessful, but was immediately re-nominated for the Legislature in his old constituency of Rhineland, and was returned at a by-election on November 19, 1900, and has ever since continued to hold that seat, despite the fact that from 1899 until 1915 his party continued in opposition. The general elections of the latter year brought the Liberals back to power, and one of the first acts of the new Premier, Hon. Mr. Norris, was to send for Mr. Winkler and offer him the portfolio of Agriculture in his government. Mr. Winkler accepted, and as an administrator has shown himself thoroughly in touch with all progressive movements for the benefit of the farming industry. He is widely popular with both parties in the Legislature, of which he is the oldest member in point of service. On March 31, 1886, he married Josephine, daughter of M. B. Rombough, Dominion Land Surveyor, and has four children, Howard W., Hazel F., Ruth W., and Josephine R. Winkler. His address is the Parliament Buildings, Winnipeg, Manitoba.
MARSHAL VAUGHAN
Welland, Ontario
Champagne, Napoleon. Controller Napoleon Champagne, barrister, many years ago, became well known to the citizens of Ottawa. Well educated, talented, aggressive, ambitious and persistent, he has year after year kept himself in the public eye, and has been, and deservedly so, accorded public recognition. On several occasions he was selected by the Conservatives of Ottawa as their candidate for political honors in the Federal Parliament, and on each occasion he made a gallant fight to achieve success. When, in the early part of 1918, the famous Blue Devils of France, those brave fellows who made themselves famous in many battles during the terrible world war by their dare-devil conduct, reached Ottawa, Controller Champagne was selected to receive and welcome them. His address of welcome was one of the finest gems of oratory heard during the war. Mr. Champagne is the son of Seraphin Champagne, grocer, and Melina Duchene. His brother, Albert Champagne, is the member for North Battleford, Saskatchewan, in the House of Commons. He was born in Ottawa, May 4, 1861, and was educated in the Christian Brothers School. He has been a frequent contributor to both English and French newspapers and French magazines. In civic life, Controller Champagne has had a phenomenal career. He has served in the City Council as alderman for the years 1892-3-4-5-6-9, 1900-1-2-3-4-5-6-7, fourteen years, and as Controller for the years 1908-9-10-11-14-15-16-17-18-19, ten years. During the latter part of 1908, Controller Champagne, owing to the resignation of Mayor Scott to accept a position on the Dominion Railway Commission, became acting mayor, and held the office with much dignity. Since Controller Champagne first entered into civic life as one of the city’s representatives, he has rendered effective service on the following committees: Fire and Light, Waterworks, Board of Health, By-Laws, Printing, Library, and Finance, of which he was chairman for several years. He was also a member of the following special committees: Conduit, City Charter, Street Lighting, and Water Power. Controller Champagne is a member of the Union St. Joseph Society and the Artisans Canadiens Français. Mr. Champagne is a brilliant and successful lawyer, and has distinguished himself in several important law cases, particularly in two murder cases, in which his handling of the witnesses and his ability in cross-examination created quite a stir, and placed him in the front ranks of the legal profession in Ottawa. He practises law in both provinces—Ontario and Quebec—and has a large clientele in each. In 1911, Mr. Champagne was elected to the Ontario Legislature. He was slated for, and had he not been defeated at the election of 1914, would have become a member of the Provincial Government. He never married. In religion he is a Roman Catholic, and in politics a Conservative. His law office is at 30 Rideau Street, and he resides at 184 Osgoode Street, Ottawa, Ont.