Weichel, William George (Waterloo, Ont.), born at Elmira on July 20, 1870, son of Michael Weichel and Margaret Schmidt, the subject of this sketch is and has been one of the most prominent men in his native county for several years, and has been connected with its political, commercial and social progress and activities in a large way. He received his education at the Public School of Elmira, which place he left at the age of twenty to enter the employ of Shurly & Dietrich, saw manufacturers, Galt, where, after gaining a thorough knowledge of the business, he represented his firm for several years as travelling salesman. Later he bought out the hardware firm of J. W. Fear & Co. Has been President of the Board of Trade and President of the Canadian Club, of Kitchener, and Alderman, Deputy Reeve, and Mayor of the Town of Waterloo in 1911, in which year he was elected to the House of Commons as Conservative candidate for the riding of North Waterloo, defeating Hon. W. L. MacKenzie King, the Minister of Labor, by a majority of 315. Since his entry into Parliamentary life Mr. Weichel has greatly distinguished himself as a public speaker, and has been especially fearless and outspoken in support of the Military Service Act and of the Union Government. Mr. Weichel, although of German origin, is very loyal to the country of his birth, and to British institutions. In the general elections held in 1917 Mr. Weichel was again a candidate, but was defeated owing to the peculiar war-time conditions existing in the riding he had so brilliantly and faithfully represented. He has a good platform presence and speaks with fluency and earnestness in support of his convictions, doing everything in his power to promote harmony and a good understanding among his constituents and to secure the successful termination of the great conflict in favor of the British Empire. Mr. Weichel married, on August 19, 1896, Jessie R., daughter of Richard Kinsman, of Galt, and has three daughters, Norine, Minota and Audrey. He is a member of the Berlin Club and the Waterloo Club. His chief recreations are lawn bowling and curling. In religion he is a Lutheran. Progressive, loyal, public spirited, with a high sense of duty, a talent and taste for public affairs, Mr. Weichel is a credit to his native county.
McBrien, Frederick George (Toronto, Ont.), was born at Orangeville, in Dufferin County, in the year 1887, son of James C. and Abigail McBrien. He removed to Toronto at an early age, where he attended the public and high schools, and afterwards embarked in the hardware business, establishing a large trade, exhibiting much capacity and securing the confidence of the community by his enterprising qualities and fair methods. Subsequently he designed and built a large number of residences and apartment houses. He was elected as alderman of Ward Six in 1910, at the age of 22, being one of the youngest members of the City Council, and re-elected in the years 1911, 1912 and 1913. In 1914 he was nominated for Mayor, and in an election in which he was opposed by three candidates, ran second, polling nearly 18,000 votes. He retired from municipal life for two years and was again elected to the City Council as a representative of Ward Six in 1916-17. Retiring as Alderman for Ward Six, he was nominated as one of the Representatives of Ward three, and was elected, and at present is Chairman of the Property Committee. Alderman McBrien’s municipal career has been a most useful one and he brings to bear on all civic problems, an analytical mind enriched by practical experience and a consideration for the taxpayers. He has specially interested himself in the welfare of the soldiers at the front and their dependents in his home city. A brother, Major Wm. Carson McBrien, has been overseas for some time, and won promotion. A good platform speaker and a keen debater, Alderman McBrien’s sincerity is at all times convincing. In politics he is a Conservative and is identified with the Masonic, and Orange Orders and is an Oddfellow. A member of the Methodist Church. He is also a Justice of the Peace. On Sept. 9, 1912, Alderman McBrien married Irene Zella, daughter of John Edward Jarrott and Mrs. Jarrott, of Toronto, and has two children, Frederick George and Muriel Irene.
Matthews, George Sands (Brantford, Ontario), born at Lindsay, Ontario, February 17, 1867; son of George and Ann Matthews; educated at Lindsay Public and High Schools, and graduate of Woodstock College, 1884. Married June 25, 1895, to Frances, daughter of Rev. Frederick Ratcliff. The union has been blessed by four children: George F., James J., Margaret R., and Howard S. Mr. Matthews has devoted his energies to mercantile life and is identified with many large well-known industrial enterprises, among which may be mentioned: Matthews-Blackwell, Ltd., of which he is a Director, and was Manager at Brantford from 1903 to 1914; Vice-President of the Brantford Roofing Co., Treasurer of Niagara Silk Co., Ltd. Mr. Matthews was President of the Brantford Board of Trade in the year 1911, and Chairman of the Brantford Board Park Commission, 1910-1914. He is Vice-President of the Brantford Industrial Realty Co. and is financially interested in eight of the city of Brantford’s leading industries. He took a prominent interest in military matters for over 20 years, 1885 to 1906, joining as a private in the 57th Battalion, Peterboro Rangers, in which he rose to the rank of Captain. He is a member of the National Club, Toronto, and the Brantford Club in his home city. In religion he is a Baptist, and in politics an Independent Conservative.
Marcile, Joseph Edmond (Acton Vale, Que.), son of Vital Marcile and Elizabeth Jacques, his wife. Born at Contrecœur, County of Verchères, Que. Educated at Actonia High School and Academy, Que. Married first, Sept. 7, 1880, to Melvina Masse, who died March 2, 1884; secondly, Sept. 9, 1884, to Gracia Courville. Began his mercantile life as a clerk in a general store, from 1872-85, and was a dry goods merchant from 1885-1914, in which latter year he sold out his business and became a gentleman farmer and manufacturer, and is at present a shareholder in the Acton Biscuit Co., Quebec. Has been Councillor, Mayor and Chairman of the School Board of Acton Vale. First elected to the House of Commons as the Liberal Representative for the County of Bagot at a by-election caused by the death of a sitting member, M. Dupont, when he received 1,431 votes as against 1,384 cast for his opponent, M. Brodeur. Re-elected by the general elections in 1900 by a majority of 156 over Honorable L. O. Taillon, and re-elected in 1904, 1908, 1911 and 1917. Is the father of the following children: Charlotte, Berthe, Albert, Therese, Alice, Gaston, Contran, Philippe, Gertrude, Marie Ange, Gerard, and Yolande. He is a member of the following societies: Alliance Nationale, Artisans Canadien Français, St. Joseph. Two of Mr. Marcile’s sons, Gaston and Philippe, are at the front in the 150th Regiment. In religion, the member for Bagot is a Roman Catholic.
Doherty, Hon. Charles Joseph, K.C., D.C.L., LL.D., son of the late Hon. Marcus Doherty, a Judge of the Supreme Court for the Province of Quebec and Elizabeth (O’Halloran) Doherty, born at Montreal, May 11, 1855. Educated at St. Mary’s (Jesuit) College and McGill University, Montreal, from which latter institution he graduated with the degree of B.C.L., and took the Elizabeth Torrance Gold Medal, 1876, D.C.L., 1893, LL.D., Ottawa University, 1895. Married, June, 1888, Catherine Lucy, the daughter of Edmund Barnard, K.C., Montreal. Admitted as Advocate, 1887, and appointed K.C. under Lord Lansdowne in 1887; ably practised his profession in Montreal where he became one of the leaders of the Bar; successfully pleaded before the Privy Council in England; was for many years Professor of Civil and International Law, McGill University; was President University Literary Society; appointed Judge of the Superior Court for the Province of Quebec which office he filled from October 1891, to November, 1906, when he retired. Was a candidate for the representation of Montreal West in the Quebec Legislature, December, 1881, and candidate for the representation of Montreal Centre in Quebec Legislature in October, 1886. Defeated both times. First elected to the House of Commons for St. Ann’s division, Montreal, in the Conservative interests, and at the General elections in 1908; re-elected, 1911, and again in 1917. Sworn in as member of the Privy Council for Canada and appointed Minister of Justice, October 10, 1911. After accepting office was re-elected by acclamation. Presented with a life-size portrait in oils by the Montreal Bar, 1907; elected a Governor of Laval University, 1903; elected Director of La Banque Provinciale, 1907; elected a Director of Montreal City and District Savings Bank, 1908; elected Director Prudential Trust Company, 1911; elected a Director of the Capital Life Assurance Company, 1911; elected President Canadian Securities Corporation, 1910; President St. Patrick’s Society, Montreal, 1903-04; also Director International Truth Society, and a Trustee of St. Patrick’s Orphans’ Asylum, Montreal. As a young man was President of the Shamrock Lacrosse Club and the Shamrock Amateur Athletic Association; formerly President Irish National League, Montreal. A supporter of Home Rule for Ireland; was Captain in the 65th Mount Royal Rifles and retired, retaining rank in 1887, after serving through the North-west Rebellion. He is the father of the following children: Kathleen, Eileen Margaret, Elizabeth and Marcus. A Member of the following clubs: Mount Royal, St. James, University Club, Montreal, Rideau Club, Ottawa, Country Club, Golf Club, Ottawa, Catholic Club, New York. The Minister of Justice is recognized by men of all shades of political opinion as an honorable man of exceptional ability and energy, and is greatly esteemed by all classes for his splendid character, his capacity, probity, worth, and public spirit.