Robertson, Norman (Walkerton, Ont.), author of “The History of the County of Bruce,” and Treasurer of the County of Bruce, Walkerton, Ont., was born on June 27, 1845, in Belleville, Ontario. His father, Peter Robertson, was a merchant of Scottish birth and the son of a Presbyterian minister, at Kilmaurs, Ayrshire. Mr. Robertson’s mother, Sarah Ross, was born in England, although of Highland descent, her grandfather being one of those who followed “Bonnie Prince Charlie” into England in 1745. Norman Robertson attended the Grammar School at Belleville, but left school when only eleven years of age, that he might accompany his father and assist him in his business when he came to the County of Bruce and settled at Kincardine in 1856. The disadvantage arising from leaving school at so early an age was in part overcome by private study and tuition. In 1863 he went to Montreal, taking a position in a wholesale dry goods warehouse, rising to the position of English buyer. In 1877 he returned to Kincardine and took over the business of his father, who retired. He was married at Montreal in 1871, to Lilla M. Warren, daughter of S. R. Warren, builder of church organs at Montreal, and afterwards at Toronto. His family consists of three sons and two daughters. In religion Mr. Robertson is a Presbyterian, and has been an active worker in Sunday School work for over fifty years. In politics he is a Conservative. The position of Treasurer of the County of Bruce became vacant in 1887, and Mr. Robertson was chosen from among twenty-five applicants. A desire to have put in book form and so preserved, the records of the settlement of the County of Bruce, induced the County Council in 1896 to offer a prize for a Historical Sketch of the County. The sketch prepared by Mr. Robertson carried off, jointly with another, the prize. This initial effort was followed in 1906 by a volume of 560 pages bearing the title “The History of the County of Bruce.” This work has been very favorably commented upon and classed as one of the best of the County Histories of the Province that have been published. Mr. Robertson was with the Victoria Rifles, of Montreal, when that regiment went to the front at the time of the Fenian Raids in 1866, and has received his military medal therefor.
Price, Samuel, B.C.L. (Toronto, Ont.), Chairman, Workmen’s Compensation Board. Born at Caradoc Township, Middlesex County, Ont., February 16, 1863, son of Richard and Mary (Whiting) Price. Educated at local Public School, Strathroy and St. Thomas Collegiate Institutes; Trinity University (B.C.L., gold medal); Osgoode Hall (scholarship each year, gold medal, 1895). Taught school for some time; read law with McLean & Son, St. Thomas, and Magee, McKillop & Murphy, London; called to Ontario Bar, September, 1895; practised at St. Thomas; Secretary, Elgin Law Association. Royal Commissioner (Ontario) for settlement of Cobalt mining disputes, 1905; Mining Commissioner for Ontario, 1906-1912; Royal Commissioner for inquiry into alleged fraudulent action of Fort Frances Lumber Co., and Keewatin Lumber Co., 1909; Commissioner re eight-hour day for miners in Ontario, 1912-1913; reported to Ontario Government on eight-hour law and drafted Bill (now in force); Royal Commissioner to investigate mining labor troubles on Vancouver Island, 1913; assisted in general revision of Mining Act of Ontario, 1908; drafted amendments to mining laws and other Ontario legislation, 1907-1913; refused Chairmanship of Ontario Railway and Municipal Board; engaged (on recommendation of late Chief Commissioner Mabee) in consolidation and revision of Railway Act, 1912-1913; recommended by late Chief Commissioner Mabee for appointment as a member of Railway Board of Canada; appointed to present position Aug., 1914; President West Elgin Liberal-Conservative Association, 1904-1905. Member Public Library Board. Author “Mining Commissioner’s Cases,” 1910; articles on Mining Law, “Canada Law Times” and Journal Canadian Mining Institute, 1910-1911. Societies: A.F. & A.M., K.P., C.O.C.F., C.O.F. Liberal Conservative; Anglican.
Jones, George Burpee (Apohaqui, N.B.), son of Stephen Jones and Susan Eliza, his wife, both Canadians, was born January 9, 1866, at Belle Isle Bay, Kings County, N.B. Educated at Apohaqui Superior School. At twelve years of age Mr. Jones entered the employ of the late J. A. Sinnott, and after six years resigned and accepted the position of General Manager with Hugh McLean, of Salmon River, Queens County, in general business and lumber. Resigned that position in September, 1889, and commenced business in his present stand in Apohaqui and is senior member of the firm of Jones Brothers, general merchants and lumber manufacturers, of Apohaqui. Is president of the “St. John Daily Standard.” Has been a member of the School Board of Apohaqui Superior School for the past 25 years. First elected member of the New Brunswick Legislative Assembly in 1908 and re-elected at the general elections in 1912, and re-elected general elections in 1917. Is of Loyalist descent and a member of the Presbyterian Church. Married August 15, 1888, to Melissa J., daughter of William Fowler, and is the father of two children, Colby Herbert and Muriel B.
Izzard, Dennis Jabez, son of James Izzard and Elizabeth Whetstone, was born in Norton, Hertfordshire, England. With his parents he came to Canada in 1861, and for a time worked as a boy at farming. He secured his education in the schools of those early days under the excellent teachers who have left their stamp on the men and women of to-day. Growing to manhood Mr. Izzard decided to follow contracting and building, in which he achieved success for many years. Many of the public buildings in Bruce County were erected under his guidance, and stand as a monument to his ability. He made Port Elgin his home shortly after coming to the County of Bruce, and he has ever been one of its leading men. He served as councillor in the village council for a number of years. In 1880-81 he served as reeve. Retiring, he was out of municipal life until 1890-91, when he again adorned the reeve’s chair. In 1909 the people again made him their choice, and he continuously represented them from that time until 1918. At the January meeting of the Bruce County Council in 1917, he received the marked honor of being elected warden of the county, by acclamation, he being the second man in the history of the county to have been so honored. He is kindly and courteous in disposition, and nowhere has it shown to better advantage than in his able handling of public bodies he has been connected with. His advice has always been received with the fullest confidence that he knows the matters being dealt with from a first hand knowledge. In January, 1918, he was chosen by the county council of Bruce as superintendent of the good roads of the county. In politics he is a Liberal, and his parents were English Methodists. He is fond of curling, fishing, shooting, in all of which he is skilful. He is a member of Port Elgin Lodge, No. 429, A.F. & A.M. In April, 1891, he married Mrs. Frilzinger, Waterloo County. Two children were born, Stewart Elmo, deceased, and Miss Pearl E., who resides at home.
Shutt, Frank Thomas (Ottawa, Ont.), son of William D. and Charlotte Shutt. Born, London, England, September 15, 1859. Educated at London and the University of Toronto, from which latter institution he graduated in 1885 with honors in Natural Science; M.A., 1886; he also has had conferred on him D.Sc. and is regarded as one of the highest authorities on Agricultural Chemistry in America. Dominion Chemist and Assistant Director Experimental Farms. He is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada, Fellow of Chemical Society (Eng.), Fellow of the Institute of Chemistry (Eng.), and Fellow of the American Chemical Society, and also Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science. Since 1887 he has been Chemist of the Dominion Experimental Farms. Dr. Shutt founded the “Cawthorne Medal” in Natural Science, Toronto University, and has been examiner in Chemistry there. President of Toronto University Graduates’ Club, Ottawa, 1894-5; President of Ottawa Field and Naturalists’ Club, Ottawa, 1895; President, Ottawa Schubert Club, 1896. President Chem. and Phys. Section Royal Society 1916-17. British Judge, World’s Fair, Chicago, 1893, and is the author of the reports and bulletins of the Dominion Chemists’ Experimental Farm and of many papers on original investigations in the Royal Society of Canada. The Doctor is a man of fine musical tastes and is especially interested in the organ. He finds recreation in pictorial photography.