In June, 1907, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Skinner and Miss Loulou Forget, the eldest daughter of the late Hon. L. J. Forget, senator. Mr. Skinner in his social relations is well known, being a member of the Mount Royal, St. James and Montreal Clubs, while his interest in sports is further indicated in his membership in the Montreal Racquet and Royal Montreal Golf Cubs. Attractive social qualities render him popular in those organizations, in which he has gained many friends.
THOMAS ROBB.
Organization is the watchword of the age. Promotion in every field of endeavor is brought about through the agency of organized effort and cooperation, and thorough study of each situation constitutes the basis of effort in this direction. This spirit and tendency of the age has led to the formation of many companies or societies for the benefit of business interests and it is in this connection that Thomas Robb is known, being manager and secretary of the Shipping Federation of Canada. A native of Scotland, he was born in the city of Glasgow in the year 1863, his father being the late Thomas Robb, who for some years was superintendent of police in Glasgow. Spending his youthful days in that city, the son pursued his education in the public schools and in the Glasgow Academy. Mr. Robb came to Canada first in 1883 and spent one year at farming in the Niagara district. Returning to England he became identified with the shipping interests and in connection therewith was located at different periods in Australia, South Africa and New Zealand. He returned to Canada in 1902 and upon the organization of the Shipping Federation of Canada, which is incorporated by act of the Dominion parliament, he was chosen manager and secretary. He still continues in the dual position, his efforts being of marked value to the organization in promoting its object and accomplishing its purpose as he is actively engaged in all matters relating to navigation and shipping. In 1913 Mr. Robb was appointed member of the royal commission appointed to inquire into and report upon the “Law Respecting Pilotage” and its administration in the pilotage district of Montreal and Quebec.
In 1891 Mr. Robb was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth McLaren, a daughter of Andrew McLaren. Their religious faith is that of the Presbyterian church and Mr. Robb belongs to St. Andrew’s Society. He is a justice of the peace for Montreal and district. He is likewise a member of the Engineers Club and of the Canadian Club and has gained the warm friendship of many in both organizations.
HON. JOHN JOSEPH CURRAN.
Hon. John Joseph Curran, barrister, jurist and orator, whose life record was an honor to the land of his ancestors and to the land of his birth was born in Montreal, February 22, 1842, his parents being Charles and Sarah (Kennedy) Curran, both natives of Ireland, the former born in County Down and the latter in County Wexford. Emigrating to the new world they retained the intense love of native land, so characteristic of the Irish race and instilled the same deep attachment into their son, who with his increasing age and powers gave freely of his time and talents for the benefit of Erin’s green isle.
In the pursuit of his education Judge Curran attended a Jesuit school and St. Mary’s College at Montreal, where he entered upon a classical course. He afterward became a student in St. Joseph’s College at Ottawa and in 1891 the University of Ottawa conferred upon him the LL. D. degree. In the continuance of his education, he entered McGill University as a student in the law department and won his D. C. L. degree in 1862. It was in the spring of 1859 that he began preparation for the bar, reading at times under the direction of such distinguished lawyers as Bernard Devlin, Hon. T. J. J. Loranger and Andrew Robertson, K. C. While pursuing his classical courses he cultivated a taste for literature and oratory and in his student days developed the natural gifts that in course of time made him one of the foremost Canadian orators. It was also in his early manhood that he joined the Irish national movement and thus his life was taking shape along those lines which were to make him a power in moulding the history of province and country.