Pyne, Lieut.-Colonel the Hon. Robert Allan, M.D., LL.D., Minister of Education for the Province of Ontario, was born at Newmarket, Ontario, October 29, 1853; son of Thomas Pyne, M.D., and Hester Jane Roberts, cousin of Field-Marshal Earl Roberts; educated at public schools, grammar school and University of Toronto; physician and surgeon; M.B., M.D. College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario, of which he was for many years secretary and registrar; LL.D. (hon.) University of Toronto, 1905, and Queen’s University, Kingston. Married Mary Isobel, daughter of His Honor Judge Macqueen, County of Oxford; has issue: Mona Aileen, Frederick Roberts, Frank Herbert. As a youth played football and cricket as member of the Toronto Cricket and Lacrosse Clubs. Practised his profession in Toronto and took active part in public affairs as member of Toronto School Board, Public Library Board and Toronto Board of Health. While resident of Haldimand County served in the 37th Haldimand Rifles and was subsequently Assistant Surgeon, Royal Grenadiers, Toronto. Having been prominent in politics, was elected to Ontario Legislature as Conservative member for East Toronto, at the general elections of 1898, and on the redistribution of the city in 1914 was chosen to represent North-East Toronto, which seat he resigned in 1918. Recently appointed a Governor of the University of Toronto. On the formation of the Whitney Administration (1905-1914) was appointed Minister of Education, and reappointed to the same office in the Hearst Administration (1914—). In 1918 he resigned to give place to Hon. Dr. Cody and accepted the post of Clerk of York County. During his term of office the educational system was greatly developed, the legislative grants to schools largely increased, the policy of cheap text-books inaugurated, and a complete organization for technical training and agricultural teaching in elementary and secondary schools effected. The successful expansion of the Provincial Schools for Deaf Children (at Belleville) and for blind children (at Brantford), is due in great measure to his encouragement and his knowledge as a physician. In 1915 he was requested by the Ontario Government to visit England in connection with the gift by the province of a Military Hospital for wounded soldiers, and gazetted a lieutenant-colonel in the Canadian Army. The hospital was built at Orpington, Kent, England, under his supervision, and has been pronounced the best equipped and organized institution of its kind erected during the war. Has twice visited the Canadian forces on the battle line in France. Is prominent in a number of societies, including the Masonic Order, the Orange Association, Sons of England, etc., etc. In religion a member of St. Paul’s Church of England. Clubs: Toronto, Albany, Royal Canadian Yacht, Canadian Military Institute, Riverside Athletic Club. Residence, 21 Dunbar Road, Toronto.
Shier, Walter C., M.D. (Uxbridge, Ont.), is the son of James Shier and Mary Ann Mooney, and was born at Leaksdale, Ont., June 23, 1869, and educated at one of the Public Schools of Scott Township and the High School of Uxbridge, in the County of Ontario, and also at Toronto University, graduating in Arts with the degree of B.A. in 1897, and in Medicine with the degree of M.B. with honors, in 1907. Doctor Shier’s grandfather, John Shier, was one of the early settlers of the Township of Brock, where he located in 1827, a little north of the present West Brock Anglican Church, and was of Irish Palatine stock. His great-great-great-grandfather was driven out of the Palatinate by the wars of Louis XIV of France. He left his native country in 1709 and among thirteen thousand of his countrymen, threw himself upon the generosity of the British Government. After living one summer in England, he settled at Balligarane in Limerick County, Ireland, August, 1709, on the estate of Lord Southwell. The Doctor’s progenitors were all of the farming class. The story of the expulsion of his ancestors from that portion of France which is now known as the Provinces of Alsace-Lorraine, is of absorbing interest. Dr. Shier after considerable trouble and research, has traced the history of his forefathers during the interesting period referred to, and has written a book entitled “A Family from Balligarane,” being a history of the Irish Palatines. Dr. Shier was married on the 4th of February, 1908, to Martha Kaufmann, daughter of the late Henry Kaufmann, of Wellesley, Ont., and has one adopted daughter, Elsie Grace Ball, age 7. He is a member of the Oddfellows and of the Masonic Order, being Past Master of Zeredatha Lodge, A.F. & A.M., Uxbridge. In religion he is a Presbyterian and a Conservative in politics. The Doctor has been Coroner of the County of Ontario for some years and Surgeon of the G.T.R. He devotes his attention very closely to his profession and specializes on Eye, Ear, Nose and Throat, Consultations and Anæsthetics. He is an ardent motorist and expert marksman. The Doctor is a man of fine literary tastes and exceedingly well posted on all matters of national importance. He entertains very decided opinions on public questions and is never afraid to have them known.
Robertson, Wm. John (St. Catharines, Ont.), son of John and Emma (Rudsdale) Robertson. Father, a Scotch Canadian; mother, a native of Yorkshire, England. Born Westmeath, County Renfrew, Ontario, Sept. 12, 1846; educated Perth High School, Toronto University (B.A. with gold medal in metaphysics, ethics and civil polity; silver medal in mathematics; 1st honors in history and Prince of Wales prize for highest standing in 1873); and Victoria University (LL.B., 1883). Married, 1887, Margaret K., youngest daughter of John Junkin, St. Catharines, Ontario, for a time assistant to late Professor Kingston, Meteorological Bureau, Toronto, and 38 years as chief teacher of mathematics and history, St. Catharines Collegiate Institute; for 7 years was examiner in metaphysics, ethics, modern history, and political science, Toronto University; was also examiner for Upper Canada College and McMaster University; was Ontario Representative on the Committee of the Dominion Education Association for securing and revising Canada manuscripts from a Dominion standpoint, 1892; first President Canadian History Association, 1895; founded Robertson Prize in Canadian Constitutional History, Toronto University; formerly a Senator Victoria University; Pres. Ontario Library Assoc., Mathematics Assoc., and chairman St. Catharines Free Library Board, also Vice-Pres. Y.M.C.A. Ont. and Quebec; Pres. Canadian Club, St. Catharines, and Pres. Local St. Andrews Society. Member of the St. Catharines College Institute Board, Pres. of the Local Branch Bible Society. Author, sketch of “Canadian Banking and Currency since 1867,” “The Teacher’s Relation to the State,” “A Comparison of the Political Institutions of Canada with those of Great Britain and Ireland, and with those of the United States,” “The Growth of the Canadian Constitution,” “The High School History of England and Canada,” “The Public School History of England and Canada,” for many years of other authorized Text Books in Ontario and other provinces, and of numerous other works of a like nature and reputation. In politics an Independent Liberal; a Methodist in religion. A member of the Methodist Board of Education, and for 32 years a Delegate to the General Conference and member of Superannuation Fund Board of the Church; a believer in Free Trade as far as it can be obtained; the development of a Canadian sentiment and literature; and the moderation of party feeling. Member of the Golf Club, St. Catharines, and of the Canadian Club.
Seguin, Paul Arthur, B.S., LL.B. (L’Assomption, Que.), son of Felix Seguin and Vitaline Noiseux, both French-Canadians. Born October 2, 1875, at Charlemagne; educated at L’Assomption College and Laval University, from which latter institution he graduated with the degree of B.S. and LL.B. Married, October 30, 1899, to Marie Anna Rivest, daughter of François Rivest and Delphine McGoun, and is the father of the following children: Roland, Rolande, Jeanette, Fernande and Pauline. Mr. Seguin is a Notary Public by profession and has been Secretary-Treasurer of the town of Terrebonne from 1900 to 1907, and Secretary-Treasurer of the Parish of St. Paul l’Ermite from 1907 to 1912, and now practises his profession at the town of L’Assomption, of which town he is the Mayor, and member of the School Board. Mr. Seguin was first elected to the House of Commons as a Liberal in 1908 and again in 1911, and also at the general elections in 1917. He has always been a staunch Liberal and a member of the Roman Catholic Church.
Smith, John Charles, B.A., son of William Smith and his wife Sarah Josephine Whitlow, was born at Kingston, Ont., November 28, 1875. Educated at Kingston Public Schools, Kingston Collegiate Institute, and Queen’s University, Kingston, from which latter institution he graduated with the degree of B.A. in 1898, with honors in Classics. Mr. Smith taught in the Public Schools in Frontenac County, Ont., and was subsequently Classical Master in Dutton High School and in Dundas High School, afterwards Classical Master and Principal in the Wingham High School, and filled a similar position in the Ingersoll Collegiate Institute. In 1916 was appointed Inspector of Public Schools for the Inspectorate of Elgin East. Married Rose, daughter of John Critchley, of Toronto, and has one child, Hugh Cyprian Whitlow. Mr. Smith is a member of the Canadian Club and the Masonic and Orange Orders, and of the Canadian Order of Foresters. He is an Anglican in religion and a member of Trinity Church, St. Thomas, at which city he resides.