Dymond, Allan Malcolm (Toronto, Ont.) was born at Brixton, Surrey, England, September 25, 1864, came to Canada with his parents in 1869 and received his education at Upper Canada College. He studied law in the office of Blake, Kerr, Boyd & Cassels, and subsequently with the Hon. A. S. Hardy, and Henderson & Small, and was called to the Bar in 1885. He practised law in Toronto until 1889, when he entered the service of the province as Law Secretary to the Attorney-General; was appointed Law Clerk of the Legislative Assembly in 1890. In November, 1890, he married Emma Stanton Mellish, Mus. Bac., eldest daughter of the late Rev. H. F. Mellish, Rector of Caledonia, Haldimand County, Ontario. Was a member of and acted as Secretary to the Commission for the Revision of the Statutes in 1897, and the Commission (1906-1914) which prepared the Revised Statutes of Ontario, 1914. Was appointed King’s Counsel by the Ontario Government in 1902. He is a specialist in the construction of Statutes and Parliamentary draughtsmanship, and has been concerned in the preparation or revision of most of the important legislation of the province since his appointment. Is a member of the Church of England—a liberal High Churchman.
Coyne, James Henry, M.A., LL.D., F.R.S.C. (St. Thomas, Ont.), was born at St. Thomas, Ont., October 3, 1849. James H. Coyne is the second son of William and Christina Coyne, and was educated at the common school in his native town, until he was eleven years old, when he passed into the Grammar School, then under the charge of the late Mr. (Rev.) Nelson Burns, M.A. At fourteen years of age, he matriculated in the University of Toronto, carrying off the first general proficiency scholarship, and first-class honors in classics, mathematics, French, etc. Owing to his extreme youth, he did not enter University College until 1867. He devoted himself chiefly to classics and modern languages, and, after gaining numerous scholarships and prizes at the University and college during his undergraduate course, graduated in 1870, carrying off the Prince of Wales’ prize for general proficiency, the gold medal in moderns, a silver medal in classics, the French essay prize, and first-class honors in history and ethnology. In 1884 he was elected by his fellow-graduates a member of the Senate of the University, a position he still holds. After graduating, the subject of this sketch entered the law office of the late Colin Macdougall, Q.C., at St. Thomas; interrupted his law studies for a year to take charge of the Cornwall High School, where he was headmaster during the year 1871; returned then to Mr. Macdougall’s office for a year, and then removed to Toronto, where he served for two years in the office of Bethune & Hoyles. He was admitted to the bar in Michaelmas term, 1874, passing first without an oral, both as barrister and as attorney; and at once entered into partnership with his former principal, Mr. Macdougall, at St. Thomas. The law firm of Macdougall & Coyne existed until 1880, when it was dissolved. Shortly afterwards, Mr. Coyne entered into partnership with J. Mann, under the firm name of Coyne & Mann. The partnership continued until Mr. Coyne’s appointment in Dec., 1888, as Registrar for the County of Elgin. During the Fenian excitement of 1866, Mr. Coyne joined the St. Thomas Rifles, and served during three campaigns in that year: First at London, during March, when some thousands of regulars and volunteers were brigaded there; then at Port Stanley and Sarnia, in June; and finally in camp at Thorold in August, where he acted as quartermaster-sergeant to the Provisional Battalion of volunteers, who were then brigaded with regulars and other volunteers under Wolseley. He holds the Fenian Raid medal. The following year he joined the famous University company of the Queen’s Own Rifles, of which he remained a member until his graduation, with the degree of B.A., June, 1870. He received the degree of M.A. (with honors) Toronto University, 1905, and the degree of LL.D. (honorary) from Queen’s University, Kingston, 1909. He was a member of the great Reform Convention, at Toronto, in 1883, and was selected to speak to one of the resolutions passed by the convention. He also attended the Young Liberal Convention of 1885, as a delegate. In 1876, owing to a serious illness, he was obliged to give up work for a year and a half. Eleven months of this vacation were devoted to a visit to Europe, including England, Scotland, Ireland, Belgium, the Rhine, Switzerland, France and Italy. On Nov. 21, 1877, Mr. Coyne married Matilda, third daughter of the late John George Bowes, for several years Mayor, and M.P.P. for the city of Toronto, and is the father of four sons and two daughters, viz., James Bowes, Annie Christine Elliott, John George Bowes, Margaret Adelaide, Henry Everyll Bowes, and William Gordon Bowes. A member of the following clubs and societies, viz.: Golf and Country Club, St. Thomas, President Elgin Historical and Scientific Institute, which he organized in 1891; President The Veterans’ Association, St. Thomas; The University of Toronto Alumni Association of the County of Elgin; Honorary President The St. Thomas Philharmonic Society; Vice-President and Ex-officio Councillor The Ontario Historical Society; Member of the Council of the Champlain Society since organization, member of the executive Committee of the Board of Management of Alma College, St. Thomas; member of the American Historical Association, and of the National Geographic Society, member of the Société du Parler Français du Canada, member Methodist Historical Society; Canadian Folk-lore Society, St. Thomas Horticultural Society, Corresponding member Buffalo Historical Society, member Canadian Defence League and the Canadian National Peace Committee; also of Committee of Memorial to Heroes of 1812-14 Association; Chairman of the Soldiers’ Aid Commission and member of Council of Serbian Committee for the County of Elgin and City of St. Thomas. Has held the following offices besides those mentioned above: Member of Executive Committee of the University of Toronto; President of The Children’s Aid Society of the County of Elgin on its organization; President (1882) of the East Elgin Reform Association; President (1883) of St. Andrew’s Society; President (1905-8) of the Handel Society; President (1909-10) of the St. Thomas Operatic Society; Chairman for many years of the Executive Committee of Board of Management Alma College. He was one of the first vice-presidents of the University of Toronto Alumni Association (general organization) and first honorary president of the St. Thomas Liberal Club. In 1886 he contested West Elgin at the Provincial general elections, but was defeated by A. B. Ingram, by 43 votes. In 1888, appointed by the government of Sir Oliver Mowat, Registrar of Elgin, and in 1892, at the request of the County Council, Local Master of Titles for the County of Elgin and the city of St. Thomas, on the introduction of the Torrens System of land registration. In 1897 was elected President of the Pioneer and Historical Association of the Province of Ontario, founded by the late Rev. Dr. Henry Scadding, and at once proceeded to organize it upon a wider basis of membership and with a much wider scope, under the name of The Ontario Historical Society (incorporated in 1899 by special Act of the Ontario Legislature). The presidency of the new society was held by him until 1902, when he was succeeded by the late C. C. James. Under the auspices of the Society was held, in 1899, the great Historical Exhibition at Victoria College, Toronto. In 1906 was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada. He was President of Section II (English Literature and History) in 1910-1911. In 1892 was member of Central Committee for the celebration of the Centennial of Upper Canada. Dr. Coyne is a gentleman of indefatigable energy, ripe scholarship, and possessed of a fine style and his literary investigations have been of great public value. Notwithstanding large professional duties, he has delivered many notable addresses and is the author of several interesting publications, among which may be mentioned, “The Southwold Earthwork and The Country of the Neutrals” (1893); “The Country of the Neutrals from Champlain to Talbot” (1895); “Presidential Addresses to The Ontario Historical Society” (1898-1902); “First Steps in the Discovery and Exploration of Ontario” (1899); “A Century of Achievement” (1899) reprinted with some changes and additions in Methodist Magazine (1901); “Exploration of the Great Lakes (1669-1670), by Dollier de Casson and de Bréhant de Galinée, Galinée’s narrative and map with an English version, including all the map legends” (1903); “Richard Maurice Bucke,” a sketch (1906); “The Talbot Papers with Preface, Introduction and Annotations” (1909); “Pathfinders, of the Great Lakes” (1912); “The Indian Occupation of Southern Ontario” (1916). In religion Dr. Coyne is a Methodist, and finds recreation in golf.
Breithaupt, Louis J. (Kitchener, Ont.), Leather Manufacturer, is President of the Breithaupt Leather Company, Limited, with tanneries at Kitchener, Penetanguishene and Woodstock, and Secretary of the Hastings Tanning Company, Limited, Hastings, Ont. For years Mr. Breithaupt was a member of the Berlin—now Kitchener—City Council as Councillor, Deputy Reeve, Reeve and Mayor, which last office he held for two years. He was also a member of the Waterloo County Council; Warden of the County in 1898, and a member of the Provincial Legislature of Ontario from 1900 to 1902. His fellow-citizens, in fact, have honored this representative Canadian with practically every office in their gift, he having also been Chairman of the Schools and Park Boards, and at various times President of what was then the Berlin Board of Trade. He has taken an active interest in the work of the local Canadian Patriotic Fund, of which he was Vice-President for two and a half years, and afterward became President. Mr. Breithaupt was on the first board of the Kitchener-Waterloo Hospital and has been a Director of the Economical Fire Insurance Company of Kitchener for many years, and also a Director and member of the Executive Board of the Mutual Life Assurance Company of Canada, whose head office is at Waterloo, Ont. Louis Breithaupt is the eldest son of Louis and Catharine (Hailer) Breithaupt, his grandfather having come to Waterloo County in 1831, where he was one of the earliest manufacturers and built the fifth or sixth house in the embryo city of Berlin. At the time of his demise in 1880, after an active life, Mr. Louis Breithaupt, Senior, was its Mayor. The subject of this sketch was born at Buffalo, N.Y., March 3, 1855, and was educated in the Public and Grammar Schools of Berlin (now Kitchener), and in Toronto. He married Emma Alvarene, second daughter of the late Benjamin Devitt, J.P., ex-Mayor of Waterloo, by whom he has eight children, Louise Evelyn, Emma Lilian, Martha Edna, Rose Melvina, Louis Orville, William Walter, Catharine Olive and Paul Theodore. Among his clubs are the Grand River, Country and Golf, and Kitchener Clubs, of Kitchener, and the Ontario, of Toronto. He is a member of the Evangelical Association in religion, and an Independent Liberal in politics.
Best, John (Shelburne, Ont.), was born in Australia in 1861, of Irish parentage. His father, John Best, was a farmer, and his mother was Elizabeth Rolland. The subject of this sketch received his education in the public school at Whitfield, in the County of Dufferin, and for many years has been prominent in the municipal life of his township and county. For 14 years he was a member of the County Council, and for 7 years President of The Dufferin Fire Insurance Company. In 1909 he was selected as successor to the late Dr. L. John Barr, M.P., as the Liberal-Conservative candidate for Dufferin in the House of Commons, being returned by acclamation in 1911. He was again elected on the Reciprocity issue by the large majority of 1,459. Elected in 1917 by over 2,600 majority. Mr. Best has proven a most capable and efficient representative, being thoroughly well versed in all the problems which especially concern his constituents. A practical farmer, he takes a lively interest in everything tending to promote the advancement of the basic interest industry of agriculture. Realizing the importance and advantage of the governmental scheme of Rural Mail Delivery, and its necessity and benefit, he advocated its extension and development in his own riding, where it has now reached the highest degree of efficiency and service. He is also a liberal supporter of Agricultural Societies. Mr. Best is well informed on all matters of National importance, and is a ready and effective speaker. The inclination and ability for public service is a family characteristic, for two of Mr. Best’s cousins are in the Imperial Parliament, Mr. James Best, M.P., and Mr. Thomas Best, M.P., who represents an Irish constituency. In 1887 Mr. Best married Charlotte, only daughter of Mr. Thomas Thompson, of Thornbury, and has one son John Chester. The member for Dufferin is prominent in the Orange Order, being Past County Master. In religion he is a member of the Church of England. Recreations: Motoring and fishing.
Bowell, Sir Mackenzie (Belleville, Ont.). A name universally known in Canada is that of the late Hon. Sir Mackenzie Bowell, K.C.M.G., ex-Premier of the Dominion and ex-Leader of the Conservative Party in the Senate. He was born on December 27th, 1823, at Rickinghall, Suffolk, England, the son of the late John Bowell, a carpenter and builder. He came to Canada with his parents, ten years later, the family locating at Belleville, Ont., then Upper Canada, which has ever since remained his home, and where he was shortly afterwards apprenticed to learn the trade of a printer in the office of the Belleville “Intelligencer,” a newspaper of which in after years he became editor and proprietor. As a young man, Sir Mackenzie became prominent in public affairs. He became an Ensign in the Belleville Rifle Company, which he assisted in organizing in 1857, and was one of the corps of observation on service in Western Ontario during the American Civil War. During the Fenian Raids of 1866 he was on service at Prescott. In 1874 he retired from the service with the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel of the 49th Battalion. He also became prominent in the Orange Order and rose to the position of Grand Master and Sovereign of the Order for British North America and President of the Tri-annual Council of the Orangemen of the World. He also took an interest in educational matters and served as Chairman of the Public and Grammar School Boards, as Vice-President of the Agricultural and Arts Association of Ontario, and as President of the Ontario Press Association. A Conservative by conviction, he was a candidate in North Hastings for the Canadian Assembly, in 1863. He was defeated. In 1867, he was elected to the House of Commons for the same constituency and held the seat continuously for twenty-five years, until his elevation to the Senate in 1892. He was a member of the select committee of Parliament to inquire into the troubles in the North-West Territories in 1869-70. When the rebel leader, Louis Riel, was elected to the House of Commons, shortly afterwards, the subject of this sketch moved his expulsion as a traitor to the Crown. After the Conservative victory of 1878, he entered Sir John A. Macdonald’s Cabinet as Minister of Customs, and held that portfolio for thirteen years. In that capacity it devolved upon him to carry out the new tariff system known as the National Policy. On the death of Sir John A. Macdonald, he became Minister of Militia in Sir John Abbott’s Cabinet, and on the demise of the latter, Minister of Trade and Commerce in Sir John Thompson’s Ministry. After the latter’s tragic death at Windsor Castle, England, he was called on in December, 1894, to form a Cabinet, which he succeeded in doing, taking the portfolio of President of the Council, and on January 1, 1895, was made Knight Commander of the Most Distinguished Order of St. Michael and St. George. When the Manitoba School question arose, he was a strong advocate of justice to the minority, and after some differences with his colleagues, he resigned the Premiership on April 27, 1896. He was succeeded by Sir Charles Tupper, who paid him the compliment of adopting his policy. In 1893, during his incumbency as Minister of Trade and Commerce, he went to Australia to promote inter-Imperial trade and the laying of an all-British Pacific cable between Canada and that continent. Early in 1896 he went to England to urge forward the Canadian-Australia or “all-red” cable, now an accomplished fact, and sat in the third congress on the subject which met in London, England. In 1896 he resumed the active control of the “Belleville Intelligencer,” which he had relinquished when he entered Sir John A. Macdonald’s Cabinet in 1878. In Belleville he was regarded as the “grand old man,” and no Canadian boasted a wider circle of friends in the country at large. The amiability of his nature, his large intellectual capacity and his ability as a public speaker, marked him for distinction. In religion he was a Methodist, and was married in December, 1847, to Harriet Louisa, eldest daughter of the late Jacob G. Moore, of Belleville. His helpmate died in 1884, and he followed her to the grave in 1918. Of nine children born to them, five survive.