While not an office seeker in politics (in which he is a conservative), in the usually accepted sense of the term, he is deeply interested in all that pertains to the public welfare, and the present government thought fit to appoint him as one of the present harbor commission.
Mr. Robertson is president of the St. Andrew’s Society of Montreal. He is well known in club circles, being a member of St. James, Montreal, Montreal Hunt and Outremont Golf Clubs, and life member of The Caledonian Society and Montreal Amateur Athletic Association. His recreation is devoted to curling and farming.
JOHN ALLAN.
John Allan was a splendid example of what industry and determination will accomplish for a man. Born in Strathmiglo, Scotland, on the 28th of November, 1863, a son of David and Christian (Roy) Allan, he became one of the successful merchants of Montreal, dealing in clothing, hats, caps and men’s furnishings. He was educated in the schools of his native country and when eighteen years of age crossed the Atlantic to Canada, making his way to Montreal, where he entered the employ of Henry Morgan & Company. After some time spent with that house he joined his brother, Robert Allan, who was engaged in the bottling of ginger ale. Subsequently he embarked in business on his own account on Craig Street in a small way, having a limited line of clothing, hats, caps and men’s furnishings. He closely applied himself to the development of the trade and in that connection steadily worked his way upward, his patronage increasing as the years went by until he won a substantial measure of success. He was truly a self-made man, having been both the architect and builder of his own fortunes and his record proved what may be accomplished when determination and energy point out the way.
Mr. Allan was married in Cupar, Scotland, in 1894, to Maria Isabella Hood, a native of that place and a daughter of Robert and Agnes (Moncrief) Hood, and they became parents of five children: John Roy, Agnes Isabelle, Robert Bruce, Douglas Hood and Malcolm Moncrief. Mr. Allan enjoyed curling as a recreation and his more serious interests were represented in membership in the Masonic fraternity and in Knox church. He was a member of the Young Men’s Christian Association for many years and took a deep interest in its affairs. His death occurred January 11, 1912, and thus was ended a life of activity and usefulness. He had made good use of his time and opportunities and had proved that prosperity and an honored name may be gained simultaneously.
REV. JOSEPH LEONIDAS DESJARDINS.
Rev. Joseph Léonidas Desjardins, secretary general of Laval University at Montreal since September 14, 1907, was born at Ste. Thérèse, in the county of Terrebonne, on the 27th of November, 1880, a son of Joseph and Odile (Boileau) Desjardins, the former of whom followed agricultural pursuits. The son pursued his early studies in the Seminary of Ste. Thérèse and in the Grand Seminary of Montreal. His determination to prepare for the priesthood, followed by a thorough course of study, led to his ordination by Monsignor P. La Rocque on the 3d of July, 1904. His time and energies have ever since been devoted to educational service save for a period which he devoted to further study. Following his ordination he became a professor in the Seminary of Ste. Thérèse, where he remained during 1904 and 1905. The following year he went abroad for further study in Rome, where he remained from 1905 until 1907, winning the degree of Doctor of Theology. Following his return to the new world he entered again upon active connection with educational interests as secretary general of Laval University at Montreal, being appointed to his present position on the 14th of September, 1907. In his life work mental and moral instruction go hand in hand, and his efforts constitute an important element not only in the upbuilding of character among individual students but also in the extension of Catholic teachings and influence.