Choquette, Ernest (St. Hilaire, Quebec), son of Joseph Choquette and his wife, Thais Lapointe. Born at Beloeil, Vercheres County, Quebec, November 18, 1862. Educated at St. Hyacinthe’s College and Medical Faculty of Laval University, Montreal, from which he graduated with the degrees of M.B. and M.D. Married, October 16, 1889, to Eva Perrault, daughter of Dr. Perrault of Beloeil. He has been a frequent contributor to various journals and reviews and is the author of several books, his chief works being: “Les Ribaud,” “Claude Payson,” “Les Carabinades,” “La Terre,” and “Madeline Rabaud.” He has successfully practised his profession for many years at St. Hilaire and has been Mayor of his parish for a considerable time. First entered the Legislative Council for the Province of Quebec as a Liberal on March 14, 1910, as the representative of the Constituency of Rougemont. Is a Roman Catholic in religion and is the father of the following children: Fernande, Claude, Lucas, Yves, and Girard.
Cave, James G. James Gilbert Cave is one of those sterling Canadian business men who are the backbone of this country. Mr. Cave was born in Weston, Ontario, his parents’ names being Martin Cave and Nancy Morrison, and graduated from the Weston Grammar School, after which he entered the wholesale lumber business. He married Margaret B., daughter of Andrew Henderson, and has ten children: James M., Donald A., William, Charles, Gordon G., Margaret, Annie, Nora, Nellie and Lillian, three of whom, James, Charles and William, are serving overseas with the Canadian forces. Mr. Cave is a Protestant, a Liberal and a Mason, and has been a member of the Royal Grenadiers and the 48th Highlanders, serving in the North-West Rebellion of 1885. His present address is 97 Delaware Avenue, Toronto.
Tytler, William, B.A., Inspector of Public Schools, Guelph, Ont., was born on Jan. 5, 1842, in the Township of Nichol, near Elora, Wellington County, Ontario. His father was William Tytler, and his mother, Jane Inglis Forbes, aunt of Archibald Forbes, the celebrated special war correspondent. Mr. Tytler pursued his educational studies in the town of Elora, attending the Grammar school of that place, after he had passed the primary departments. A university course was planned, and he matriculated at the University of Toronto. His course here was characterized by industry, and he was especially distinguished in science and classics. He graduated in 1862, taking the gold medal for natural sciences. Mr. Tytler has likewise something of a military record. He has been a private in the Queen’s Own, Toronto University Company, and has been a member of volunteer companies at Carleton Place and at Smith’s Falls, Lanark County. The City of Guelph was the first to take advantage of the free libraries act; and in 1862, a library was established there, Mr. Tytler being secretary and chief worker in connection with that institution. He married on the 23rd July, 1879, Martha C. Harrison, younger daughter of Milner Harrison, of St. Mary’s. He is a member of the Presbyterian Church. We may say that Mr. Tytler at once turned his attention to the work of teaching upon graduation; and his record has been a very creditable one since he was head master of the Carleton Place Grammar School, during 1863 and 1864; of the Smith’s Falls Grammar School from 1865 to 1868; of the St. Mary’s High School from 1869 to 1874; and was appointed head master of the Guelph Collegiate Institute, in February, 1875. Mr. Tytler, it can be said without any exaggeration, stands in the front rank of the Canadian teaching profession. He is a sound scholar; and he brings both industry and enthusiasm into his work. In 1892, owing to ill health, he resigned his position, and was soon afterwards appointed Inspector of Public Schools for the city of Guelph, a position which he still holds.
Commeford, James W. (Toronto, Ont.), was born in Toronto, April 6, 1877, and was educated in the public and high schools. Having decided to follow life as an electrical engineer and contractor he gave considerable of his time in educating himself along those lines and when satisfied as to his ability he branched out into business for himself on College Street, where he is located at the present time. He has been very successful and has to his credit to-day one of the largest electrical businesses in the city, carrying a large staff of employees the year round. Mr. Commeford was induced to offer himself as a candidate for alderman in Ward Four, many citizens believing that his expert knowledge as an electrician would be beneficial to the city at large, and was defeated by a very small margin, meaning a great loss from a city standpoint, owing to the installation of the Hydro-Electric System, when his services would have been invaluable. However, youth is on his side, and Mr. Commeford will not only be elected alderman, but will fill higher offices should he desire the honor. He is widely known in yachting circles and acquatic sports, being a member of the Queen City Yacht Club, National Yacht and Skiff Club, Alexandra Yacht Club and Rochester Yacht Club. He is honorary president of the Lake Sailing Skiff Association and President of the Canadian Power Boat Association. He has donated the Motor Cycle Championship Cup, and the Long Distance Endurance Cup of the Canadian Power Boat Association. Mr. Commeford has saved thirty-three lives from drowning in Lake Ontario and received four medals from the Humane Society for his brave and timely acts. In politics he is a Conservative and an active party man.
Conant, Gordon Daniel (Oshawa, Ont.), Barrister, was deputy Reeve of Oshawa, 1914, and Mayor, 1916-1917; Secretary South Ontario Reform Association, 1915-1916. He is genial in manner, quick and easy in expression, goes straight to the point of things and is likely to be heard of in a wider field in the not distant future. Mr. Conant is the only son of Margaret and the late Thomas Conant, farmer and journalist, Oshawa, who was an extensive traveller and writer, contributing articles on travel, history and general subjects to the Toronto “Globe” for years. The subject of this sketch was born in Oshawa, January 11, 1885, and was educated at the High School of that place, afterwards graduating from the University of Toronto in 1905, with the degrees of B.A. and LL.B. and from Osgoode Hall in 1912, as Barrister-at-Law. He married Verna Rowena, daughter of Senator the Hon. E. D. Smith, manufacturer, Winona, Ont., June 25, 1915. He has one son, Douglas Smith, born in 1914, and one daughter, Verna Genevieve, born in 1916. He is a Methodist in religion and a Liberal in politics. Mr. Conant is a member of The Thirty and Golf Clubs, Oshawa, Ontario and Royal Canadian Yacht Club, Toronto, and of the Masonic Order.