Lesperance, Albert Paneran (Montreal, Que.), General Manager, was born at Longueuil, Que., on September 17, 1860, and was educated at Longueuil and Montreal Business College, he is the Executor of the Estate of Henry Hogan, also the Estate Masson; is a Roman Catholic in religion and styles himself an Independent in politics; is a member of the Canadian Club, Montreal Board of Trade, and Chambre de Commerce, also Governor of Notre Dame Hospital. On May 10, 1890, he married Delima Bovin, the daughter of Leonard Bovin, a merchant, of St. Hyacinthe, Que., and has ten children: Juliette, Henri, Germain, Annette, Arthur, Simmonne, Irene, Therese, Suzanne and Paul.
Parsons, S. R. (Toronto, Ont.), President of the British-American Oil Co., Ltd., Oil Refineries, was born in Port Hope, Ont., in 1854. Son of William and Margaret (Trick) Parsons. He received his education in the Public and Grammar Schools of that town and began business with the firm of James Campbell & Son, at that time extensive manufacturing stationers, and publishers of Toronto. After six years’ association with this firm he removed to Winnipeg and subsequently engaged in the wholesale stationery business as senior partner in Parsons, Bell & Co., which afterwards merged with the Consolidated Stationery Co., Ltd., of which he was President for a number of years. In 1882 Mr. Parsons married Anne Kate Helliwell, daughter of Rev. Thomas Lord Helliwell of Winnipeg, and has three daughters, Mrs. Chas. A. Withers, Mrs. Henry F. Gooderham, and Mrs. Errol A. Hethrington, all of Toronto. After sixteen years of successful business in Winnipeg, Mr. Parsons was compelled to leave the northern climate in the interest of his health and returned to Toronto where in 1906, along with others, he established the extensive business of which he continues the moving spirit. He has always taken an active interest in religious, social and philanthropic work and for many years has been a director of the Methodist Union. Since 1900 he has been Chairman of the Ontario Board of Directors, Canadian Fire Insurance Co., and is a member of the Northern Ontario Fire Relief Committee, and the Organization of Resources Committee of the Province of Ontario, also of the Ontario Executive of the Bonne Entente at whose meeting in the Chateau Frontenac, Quebec, in 1916, he was one of the principal speakers and put forward this three-plank platform: First—We ought to live together in sincerity, friendship and justice; Second—We ought to strive for a cleaner public life; Third—We ought to help maintain the integrity and strength of our great Empire. But it is in connection with his work in the Canadian Manufacturers Association that Mr. Parsons has come most prominently before the public, for though naturally being far from an aggressive man, when the burden of office was laid upon him he realized his responsibilities to the full and has frequently from the platform, in the press and in action given evidence of the reserve force that was in him. He was elected for four successive years (1911-1915) Chairman of the Transportation Committee of the Association; Second Vice-President in 1915, First Vice-President in 1916, and President at the Annual Meeting of the Association in Winnipeg in 1917. He was Chairman in 1917 of the Committee of Employers of Labor for the Province of Ontario to secure men to help in the harvest fields, an organization responsible for the saving of many millions in food stuffs. On assuming office as President of the C.M.A. Mr. Parsons delivered an inspiring inaugural address of a thoroughly business character, but progressive, loyal, ethical, liberal and humanitarian as well. In 1918 he was appointed a representative of the C.M.A. on the Federal Board for the settlement of Labor disputes. Writing of him on this occasion, “The Monetary Times” says: “He is a capable, energetic business man, with a frank and alert manner that wins confidence. The welfare of the Canadian Manufacturers Association is in good hands under his care. He is a type of Association President well able to smooth out many of the difficulties between capital and labor, having appreciation of the problems met by both.” Mr. William Lewis Edmonds writes at the same time in “Industrial Canada”: “While Mr. Parsons is strong as a business man, and particularly in the quality of executive ability, that is not the only direction in which his strength lies. He is a strong man all the way round. He is a man of strong opinions and particularly on subjects that approach the ethical in character, and having cultivated the habit of looking at controversial subjects from the other fellow’s perspective as well as his own, it is not a difficult thing to persuade him to change his attitude, provided the other fellow is right and he is wrong, but when once after carefully weighing the pros and cons, he is persuaded that he is right he’ll not surrender principles, although where non-essentials are the issue he will readily agree to a compromise. In judgment he is sound, and in insight keen and quick. Although not connected with either political party, Mr. Parsons takes a keen interest in public affairs, and practical movements which have for their object a betterment of conditions in state and society have his warm, and in many instances, his active sympathy.” Writing in the “Toronto Star Weekly,” Arthur Hawkes says: “Mr. Parson’s service in the Manufacturers Association has been real service, and not a still hunt for glory. In committee he is as cautious as strong, and as strong as wise. He looks often before he leaps and he can take a pretty good leap—the fundamental condition of which is that he shall have examined the jumping-off place and surveyed the spot where he intends to land. When he has made up his mind he doesn’t change it, which is because he is sound in judgment.” In concluding his quite lengthy sketch and referring particularly to Mr. Parsons’ political platform he says: “This is a pretty good creed. It is just like Parsons. If you know him you know an honest manufacturer, a broad Methodist, and a friend who is with you till daylight.” Of him, “Motoring” says: “He presented an excellent report to the C.M.A. convention as Chairman of the Special Committee on the Co-ordination of recruiting and production. He is a clear thinker and speaker and could probably quote from half a hundred authors. He is a keen business man and one who puts his best efforts into all he undertakes.” Mr. Parsons is not only a clear thinker but an apt phraser as may be judged from this clause in his inaugural address as President of the C.M.A.: “These are surely days for plain living and high thinking, days when there is a compression of life, and days which summon all that is heroic within us to stand like men in meeting our duties, whether they be personal, social, local or national.” In a speech before the Canadian Club of Orillia, in February, 1918, on “War-Time Business and Profits” which was endorsed by the C.M.A. Executive and published in the principal papers of Canada, Mr. Parsons said: “Canadians, let us know each other better, let us understand and sympathize with each other’s problems, for in that knowledge lies increased production, good feeling between city and country, prosperity in reason and fair play to all.” A strong desire for fair play and justice to all is the outstanding characteristic of Mr. Parsons’ whole attitude towards any question, and, while conservatively progressive he is so liberally and humanely so that his influence in the important association of which he is President cannot fail to be productive of better feeling between employer and employees. In manner Mr. Parsons is genial and easy of approach, a good conversationalist, well-read and with a ready and apt style of expression, but views every question apparently through ethical spectacles—a habit unfortunately not generally in vogue. He is a member of the National Club, Canadian Club, and Toronto Board of Trade. He is a Unionist in politics, and a member of the Methodist Church. His office is the 13th floor of the Royal Bank Building and his residence 139 Crescent Road, Toronto.
Forman, James C. (Toronto, Ont.), Assessment Commissioner, a son of the late James Forman, one of the 93rd Highlanders, was born November 23, 1851, and received his education in the Public and Model Schools and British-American Commercial College. He occupied a position in a broker’s and insurance office for about two years, and then entered the employ of the wholesale dry goods firm of Dobbie and Carrie, remaining there for over four years. Mr. Forman, afterwards, while in the employ of the late George Warin, was offered a temporary position in the City Hall by the late Stephen Radcliff, City Clerk. He was permanently appointed in 1878 as Assessment Clerk, and gradually worked his way up the ladder until he assumed his present position in 1905, succeeding Mr. R. J. Fleming on the latter’s resignation. Mr. Forman has taken a close interest in assessment matters, having read papers before the Ontario Municipal Association and International Tax Association and is frequently selected to represent the City Council at their meetings. In 1903 he was in close touch with former Attorney-General Sir John Gibson in the preparing of the new Assessment Act. In October, 1908, he read a paper before the Internation Tax Association on “Business Assessments as a Substitute for Personal Property.” He takes the deepest interest in town planning and represented the City Council at Philadelphia, May, 1911, and the Board of Trade at Boston, reading a short paper at the latter city in May, 1912. He has prepared a report on the Single Tax Situation as he found it in the West, from Winnipeg to Victoria. Mr. Forman is in every respect a man who has done his share toward placing Toronto on its present high pinnacle of fame, and has won the esteem of all citizens by his safe and able administration of the office of Assessment Commissioner. He is a man of undoubted integrity, with keen instinct and a pleasing countenance. He is a warm adherent, an active worker and for several years occupant of the post of “People’s Warden” of St. Matthew’s Church, First Avenue. He has refused several flattering offers from the leading real estate concerns of this city, preferring to remain in his present position.
Foster, Thomas Wilfred (Kirkland Lake, Ont.), was born in Dundalk, County of Grey, Ontario, on February 25, 1885, and educated at the public school of that village, his parents being John and Christina Foster, who moved to Alberta where the father of the subject of this sketch died in June, 1916, at Wainwright. A brother, David Albert, enlisted in the 51st Battalion from Edmonton, in the Canadian Expeditionary Forces. Mr. Foster carries on the business of a general merchant at Kirkland Lake, Ont., of which place he is the Police Magistrate and postmaster. He married Mary Greer, daughter of James and Sofia Greer, and is the father of the following children: Leonard, Ralph, Vivian and Irene. Mr. Foster has been for some years prominently identified with the Masonic Order, being Past Master for Porcupine Lodge, and also is a member of the Orange Order. In religion, he is a Methodist and politically, is a Conservative.
Shortly, Orville Benjamin, began his career with the Metropolitan Life Insurance Company on July 6, 1903. In 1904 he was appointed Superintendent of the Ottawa district. Arriving in Ottawa he immediately entered upon his duties in that capacity. It was not long before he had secured for his company a large number of policy-holders who, as the days, months and years passed by, grew larger and larger in numbers until, up to 1918, his large and greatly increased staff of employees at the head office, The Metropolitan Life Building, corner Metcalfe and Queen Streets, Ottawa, and his numerous agents, are kept busily and industriously employed. Previous to his arrival in Ottawa the Metropolitan Life Insurance Company had failed to make itself well established. His advent in the Capital of Canada, however, changed all this and activity and progress began and has been in operation ever since. As a recognition of the value of his services, in March, 1918, the General Management of The Metropolitan Life Insurance Company promoted him to the Chief Agency for the whole of Canada—a well-deserved and well-earned promotion, while he still retained the Superintendency of the Ottawa district, which up to the date of his promotion controlled no less than forty-three thousand policyholders. On October 28, 1918, Mr. Shortly was again promoted by his company, having been transferred from Ottawa to take charge of the Toronto district of the Metropolitan Life. He resides at 15 Whitney Ave., North Rosedale, and his office address is 4 Richmond St. East. Although Mr. Shortly only came to reside in Toronto on October 28, 1918, he has already been placed on the executive of the Life Underwriters’ Association of Toronto; has been made a member of the Association of Life Managers, and been elected to membership in the Ontario Club, the Royal Canadian Yacht Club, the Canadian Club, and the Scarborough Golf Club. Mr. Shortly is the author of several essays on Life Insurance Salesmanship, and has given addresses before several Life Insurance associations. He is a past President of the Life Underwriters’ Association of Ottawa. He is an enthusiastic sportsman. In his earlier days, when he was quite an athlete, he was an expert bicyclist and captured many first prizes in racing contests. When, in 1914, the terrible war hostilities commenced, Mr. Shortly placed his services, such as he could give, at the services of the State and forced his way into the midst of the greatest war activities in the City of Ottawa. In collecting funds for the several patriotic objects, and in helping to make the Victory Loans successful he was one of the most active and his services were of inestimable value. Prior to engaging in the insurance business Mr. Shortly was salesman and manager for Eastern Ontario for the Canadian Typograph Company of Windsor, Ontario. He has travelled considerably throughout the continent and Europe. On August 27, 1917, Governor Whitman, Governor of New York State, appointed Mr. Shortly Commissioner of Deeds for the State of New York. Mr. Shortly was born in Peterborough, Ontario, Canada, August 13, 1875, and was educated in the Peterborough Public Schools. He is the son of Benjamin and Hattie Robertson Shortly. His father is a merchant in Peterborough and holds the distinction of being in business there longer than any other man. A prominent relative is James E. Kavanagh, 3rd Vice-President of the Metropolitan Life Insurance Company. On September 28, 1904, Mr. Shortly married Mabel Louise Howe, daughter of Etna D. Howe, 24 Whitney Avenue, Toronto, President Northrop & Lyman Drug Company. Two children have blessed the union—Orville Dean, born August 3, 1905, and John Benjamin, born February 24, 1910. He is a member of the Laurentian, Canadian, the Rivermead Golf, and the Wright Fish and Game Clubs, of the Board of Trade, the Y.M.C.A., Masonic Order, Scottish Rite, Murphy Chapter Rose Croix. For recreation he enjoys golf, fishing and hunting.