Sifton, Hon. Arthur Lewis, M.A., LL.B., D.C.L., K.C., was born in St. John’s County, Middlesex, Ontario (about six miles from London, Ontario), October 26, 1858, of Irish descent. He is the son of the late Hon. John W. Sifton, formerly Speaker of the Manitoba Assembly, who, in 1875, with his family left Ontario for Manitoba, where he executed a number of public contracts and conducted an extensive wheat farm near Brandon, and Kate Sifton, and a brother of Hon. Sir Clifford Sifton, ex-Minister of Interior and Superintendent-General of Indian Affairs in the Laurier Cabinet. Mr. Sifton was educated in various public schools, in Wesley College, Winnipeg, Manitoba, and in Victoria University, Cobourg, Ontario. In 1880 he was awarded his B.A., and in 1888 his M.A. and LL.B. degrees. In 1880, Mr. Sifton began the study of law in Winnipeg, and was admitted to the bar of Manitoba in 1883. In 1882 he was elected a member of the first municipal council, and, the following year, in 1883, commenced his legal practice in Brandon, Manitoba. He remained in Brandon until 1885 when he removed to Prince Albert, Saskatchewan, where for a few years he continued his practice, and then removed to Calgary, Alberta, in 1889. In 1898, Mr. Sifton was elected to the North-West Assembly. In 1901 he was created a K.C. In the same year, having been re-elected a member of the North-West Assembly, Mr. Sifton became Treasurer and Commissioner of Public Works in the Haultain Administration. In January, 1903, he resigned his portfolio to accept the position of Chief Justice of the Superior Court of the North-West Territories. In 1905, when the new provinces—Saskatchewan and Alberta—were established, Mr. Sifton was appointed Chief Justice of the Superior Court of the Province of Alberta. May 26, 1910, when the Rutherford government resigned, Mr. Sifton also resigned his position as Chief Justice to accept the call of the Lieutenant-Governor of the Province to form a new Provincial Government, and was sworn in as Prime Minister. He also assumed the portfolios of President of the Executive Council, Provincial Treasurer, and Minister of Public Works. In 1911, Mr. Sifton attended the coronation of their Majesties King George and Queen Mary, and, in June of that year, was presented to King George at St. James’ Palace. December, 1911, in addition to the other Cabinet portfolios which he held, Mr. Sifton was appointed Minister of Railways and Telephones. February 29, 1912, he was appointed a member of the Commission of Conservation as one of the representatives from the Province of Alberta. At the Provincial election in 1913, he was re-elected to the Legislative Assembly of Alberta for Vermilion. In 1917, when, owing to the serious circumstances that had arisen in Canada and throughout the world resulting from the effects and requirements of the terrible world war that was then raging it was found necessary to cut out political party differences, and to have, politically and otherwise, a united Canada in the conduct of Dominion political, commercial, financial, and all public and private affairs, Mr. Sifton consented to join Sir Robert Borden, the Prime Minister, in the formation of a Union Government, and resigning his office as Prime Minister of the Province of Alberta, was sworn in as Minister of Customs in the Dominion Cabinet, which position he still holds. In 1918, Mr. Sifton accompanied Sir Robert Borden to the Peace Conference at Paris and Versailles, as one of the Canadian delegates to that memorable assembly in whose hands was placed arrangements and terms for the present and future peace of the world; and it is noteworthy to state that while there he rendered distinguished services by his advice and otherwise in the preparation and final agreement of terms that were placed before the Teutonic nations to accept and sign. On Sept. 20, 1882, Mr. Sifton married Mary H. Deering, daughter of William Deering, of Cobourg, Ontario. He has two children—one girl and one boy—Nellie Louise and Lewis Raymond. He is a member of the following clubs: Ranchmen’s, Calgary; Edmonton, Edmonton; and the Rideau and County, Ottawa. In politics, Mr. Sifton was formerly a Liberal, but is now a Unionist, and in religion a Methodist. His office is in Connaught Block, Sussex Street, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.
Proudfoot, William, K.C., M.P.P., for Centre Huron and Leader of the Opposition in the Ontario Legislature, is a barrister practising both at Toronto and at Goderich, Ont. He was born in Colborne Township, Huron County, on February 1st, 1859, the son of Robert and Margaret (Darlington) Proudfoot. His mother came from Wicklow, Ireland, and his father, a native of Perthshire, Scotland, was one of the family which won considerable distinction in Ontario. One of his brothers was Vice-Chancellor of Ontario, and another was Rev. Dr. Proudfoot, a leader of religious thought. The subject of this sketch was educated in the Public and High Schools of Goderich, Ont.; and qualified for the law as a student in the office of James (afterward Mr. Justice) Garrow, K.C., and at Osgoode Hall. On being called to the bar in 1880 he commenced the practice of law at Goderich, Ont., as a member of the firm of Garrow & Proudfoot and he is now head of the firm of Proudfoot, Killora & Cooke in that town. He is also a member of the firm of Proudfoot, Duncan, Grant & Gilday, barristers and solicitors, Confederation Life Building, Toronto, which he joined in 1902. He was created a King’s Counsel in 1902 and has long been Treasurer and Secretary of the Huron Law Association, and is a Bencher of the Ontario Law Society. His business interests include Directorship in the Goderich Elevator and Transit Company, Ltd. and the Dominion Road Machinery Co’y. Ltd. Despite a large practice throughout Huron county Mr. Proudfoot found time to take an active part in politics and was for many years President of the West Huron Liberal Association. In his younger days his partner, the late Mr. Justice Garrow, was long an honored member of the Ontario Legislature, and on the elevation of the latter to the bench, the Liberal party naturally tendered the nomination to Mr. Proudfoot, who had already rendered valuable municipal service as Reeve of Goderich town. He was elected for the newly constituted riding of Centre Huron in 1908 and re-elected at the general elections of 1911 and 1914. As a member of the small band of Liberals sitting opposite to Sir James Whitney he soon made his mark in debate and proved one of the most discerning and aggressive critics of the Government, though giving his support to wise measures. When in 1917 Hon. N. W. Rowell retired from the Leadership of the Opposition to enter Federal politics Mr. Proudfoot was his logical successor, a decision which was ratified by the Liberal caucus in Jan., 1918. The war being then in progress Mr. Proudfoot took the statesmanlike position that there should be no party contests during the duration of the conflict and agreed to support the Government in all reasonable measures looking exclusively to the unification of the country for the prosecution of the war. Nevertheless a large body of independent support rallied to his support and the signing of the armistice found him in a stronger position both in point of followers and as a parliamentary leader than when he accepted office. In religion he is a member of the Church of England and was married on June 23, 1886, to Marion F. Dickson. He has two children. Isobel, now the wife of Lieutenant E. H. Jordan, who went overseas in October, 1914, was wounded twice and invalided home in February, 1919. Lieut. Jordan was with the 18th Field Battery, saw much service, and was decorated with the M.C. Capt. W. Proudfoot, M.C., was a member of the 15th Battalion, was wounded several times, and is a member of his father’s legal firm in Toronto.
Machado, Jose Antonio, B.A., is Vice-President of the American Bank Note Company, and Chief Executive Officer of its Canadian Branch, with headquarters at 208-228 Wellington Street, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada; and is also a Director of the American Bank Note Company, New York. Mr. Machado is a son of the late Juan Francisco Machado, gentleman (A.B. University of Havana), and Elizabeth Frances Jones, and was born at Camaguey, Cuba, January 20, 1862. He was educated in Salem, Mass., U.S.A., and at Harvard University, and graduated as Bachelor of Arts in 1883. After graduation, Mr. Machado took a special course in mechanical engineering, and later acquired his business training in New York City, and during that period travelled somewhat extensively in Europe, the West Indies, and Mexico. On May 16, 1893, Mr. Machado was married to Eleanor Esmond Whitman, daughter of the late Alfred Whitman, merchant, of New York City, and a native of Annapolis Royal, N.S. There are four daughters and two sons, viz., Eleanor Whitman (now Mrs. Lawrence M. Mead), Jose Antonio, Jr., John Zaldivar, Angela Andrews, Salome Cecilia, and Theodora. Both sons have been in active service overseas during the great war. In January, 1902, Mr. Machado came to Ottawa and took charge of the American Bank Note Company’s Canadian plant and business, which includes the preparation of the Dominion of Canada bank notes, postage stamps, and inland revenue stamps, as well as the larger part of the bank notes for the chartered banks of Canada. The company also prepares engraved bonds, stock certificates and other securities for various Canadian corporations. The business has kept pace with the general development of the business of the Dominion, so that additional buildings have been erected from time to time, until the plant now comprises a large group of modern fire-proof buildings. The plant is a model one in every respect, and no expense or thought has been spared for the comfort and well-being of the employees of the company. Mr. Machado is a member of the Finance Board of the Presbyterian Church in Canada; President of the Canadian Association for the Prevention of Tuberculosis; a member of the International Committee of the Y.M.C.A. New York; a member of the Canadian National Council of the Y.M.C.A., and of the Military Committee of same, which has dealt with the Y.M.C.A. work of Canadian soldiers at home and overseas; a Vice-President of the International Daily Vacation Bible School Association (U.S. and Canada). As regards Ottawa activities, Mr. Machado has been for many years interested in and President of the Ottawa Anti-Tuberculosis Association, which secured the building of the Royal Ottawa Sanatorium for the treatment of pulmonary consumption, and is a member of the Board of Governors of this institution. He is Hon. President of the Ottawa Y.M.C.A.; President of the Ottawa Welfare Bureau, and vice-chairman of the Ottawa Symphony Orchestra. Recently, Mr. Machado was appointed a member of the Ottawa Housing Commission, formed to take advantage of the new legislation of the Province of Ontario for improvement in housing conditions. Mr. Machado is a member of the following clubs: Harvard (New York), Rideau, Royal Ottawa Golf, Rideau Curling, Lake Bernard Fishing Club, and is a Fellow of the Royal Colonial Institute, London, England. His favorite recreations are golf, fishing, and curling. Several years ago Mr. Machado became a Canadian citizen and a British subject. In religion he is a Presbyterian, and attends St. Andrews Church, and his place of residence is 169 Daly Avenue, Ottawa, Ont.
Levy, Gabriel Herman, B.A., LL.B., Barrister, member of the firm of Gibson, Levy and Gibson, Bank of Commerce Chambers, 4 Hughson Street South, Hamilton, Ont., was born in Hamilton, August 12, 1874, the son of Herman Levy, President of Levy Bros. Co., Limited, wholesale jewellers, Hamilton, and Camilla Levy, his wife. He was educated at the Central School and Collegiate Institute, Hamilton, Toronto University, and Osgoode Hall, taking his degree of B.A. at the unusual age of under twenty, and that of LL.B. two years later. In the year of his graduation he was elected Vice-President of Varsity Literary Society at the last of the “old style” contests, which will never be forgotten by those who participated therein. He also engaged in post-graduate studies in Europe. He studied law with Sir John Gibson, and entered into practice in 1898 with the firm of Gibson, Martin & Osborne, and has retained his connection with Sir John Gibson under various firm names up to the present of Gibson, Levy and Gibson. He is largely engaged in corporation practice, the firm being counsel for, among other corporations, The Dominion Power & Transmission Co., Limited, Hamilton Street Railway, Hamilton Radial Electric Company, Canadian Westinghouse Co., Limited, National Steel Car Co., Limited, Landed Banking and Loan Company and The F. F. Dalley Corporations, Limited. Mr. Levy is interested in numerous enterprises, and is Vice-President of McKittrick Properties, Limited, a director of Canada Crushed Stone Corporation, Hamilton Hotel Company, Limited, and is Vice-President of Levy Bros. Co., Limited, the oldest and one of the most extensive wholesale and manufacturing jewellery firms in the Dominion. His reputation as a lawyer and a man is high with those who know him; “but,” as an intimate friend facetiously remarked, “it’s in bridge whist that he really shines.” And he was in charge of a team who held the Canadian Whist Championship for a number of years, and was a member of a team of the New York Bridge Whist Club that won the Atlantic Whist Trophy, one of the most important contests in America. His other recreations are golf, chess and fishing. He married on March 29, 1909, Blanche Ruth Shire, daughter of Adolph Shire, of Chicago, Ill., and has a daughter, Marion Louise, born in 1912, a son, Gabriel Herman, in 1915, and a son, John Gibson, in 1919, and enjoys life with them at his pleasant home, 193 James Street South. His clubs are Hamilton Club, Hamilton Golf and Country Club, Caledon Mountain Trout Club, Buffalo Club, Buffalo, N.Y., University Club, Toronto, New York Bridge Whist Club. He is a member of A.F. & A.M., Murton Lodge of Perfection, Moore Consistory, was T.P.G.M. of Murton Lodge of Perfection for years 1908-9. He is independent in politics.
Blondin, Hon. Pierre Edouard, Senator and Postmaster-General, was born at Saint François du Lac, County of Yamaska, Quebec, December 14, 1874, and is the son of Louis M. and Elodie (Barnard) Blondin. He was educated in the Seminarie de Nicolet and Laval University. In 1900, Mr. Blondin was admitted to the practice of the notarial profession, and was appointed Clerk of the Circuit Court of County of Champlain. For two terms he was alderman in the Grand Mere Municipal Council. Having distinguished himself in law and municipal activities, he was nominated and elected to the House of Commons in 1908; was re-elected in 1911, and became Deputy-Speaker of the House. October 20, 1914, Mr. Blondin was appointed a member of the Privy Council of Canada, and was sworn in as Minister of Inland Revenue. October 6, 1915, he was appointed Secretary of State, and Postmaster-General January 8, 1917. Realizing that the serious turn the great world war had taken called for Canada’s best efforts to be evident in the firing line, and satisfying himself in the decision that all who could should give the best mental and manual assistance they possessed to the Entente forces, on March 21, 1917, Mr. Blondin resigned his portfolio as Postmaster-General, raised the 258th Battalion, of which he became Lt.-Colonel, and with his regiment started overseas, where he remained until July, 1918, when he returned to Canada. Landing at Halifax, July 8, 1918, Mr. Blondin was accorded a cordial reception and hearty congratulations in recognition of the valiant services he had rendered while on military duty in France and Italy. Having been defeated in his candidature for re-election to the House of Commons at the general election in 1917, notwithstanding that he had resigned his office as Postmaster-General and had voluntarily donned the King’s uniform to serve abroad in the cause and defence of Canada and the Empire, on July 21, 1918, on his return to Ottawa, Mr. Blondin was requested by Sir Robert Borden to assume his duties as Postmaster-General, and to accept a Senatorship in succession to the late Senator Sheyn. July 2, 1902, Senator Blondin married Marie Rose Buisson, daughter of Louis L. F. T. Buisson, of Saint François du Lac, Quebec, and has one daughter. Clubs: Canadian Club of New York, Rideau Club, Ottawa. Commander of the Legion of Honor. A Roman Catholic in religion and a Unionist in politics, his home address is Ottawa, Ont., and his official address as Postmaster-General, Ottawa, Ontario.