Mr. David was married in 1868 to Mlle. Albina Chenet, who died in July, 1887. In 1892 he wedded Mlle. Ludivine Garceau. His children numbered one son and nine daughters. Next to his home, he holds dear the public interests and is prominently identified with the Society for the Protection of Women and Children of the province of Quebec. He is deeply and helpfully interested in all measures which seek the betterment of the community, and endeavors to shape the public welfare according to the highest ideals. He is a fellow of the Royal Society of Canada and a knight of the Legion of Honor of France, having been appointed in 1911. He has deep attachment for the institutions of his native land, and it has been said of him that “next to his love of Canada is his love for the flag which protects him and his race in all that they hold dear and precious.” He often gives expression to his admiration for the English constitution and does not cease to repeat that it is the most perfect political system of government made by man. He has membership in the Canadian Club and in the Roman Catholic church. From early life he has been deeply interested in the conservation of the French language and customs, especially since the opening of the Northwest, which event seemed to threaten the extinction of the French-Canadians by foreign populations. Accordingly he associated himself with St. Jean Baptiste and other national societies, and it was as president of St. Jean Baptiste Society that he labored to erect the Monument National. Although considered a sincere patriot by his countrymen his patriotism is not narrow, and he is always ready to admire what is done by other people for the advancement and honor of their nationality. He often repeats that the existence of different nationalities in a country is an element of progress and civilization and that Canada cannot but benefit by the work along different lines of the representatives of two of the greatest nations of the world; that the maintenance of French nationality does not conflict with the keeping of British institutions. In his present position as city clerk of Montreal he has displayed admirable fitness resulting from habits of precision and wide knowledge of the civic situation, combined with the courtesy, urbanity and quiet dignity which have ever been among his marked characteristics. He has enjoyed widespread confidence in this position, discharging his duties without regard to partisanship, and the most malevolent have never dared to assail the integrity and honor of his course. His utterances may stir to public thought and action and then, having accomplished their purpose, are in a measure forgotten. His position as an author, however, is established for all time, and in this connection the Montreal Standard has written:
“As a writer he has gained the highest distinction. Like Keats, he has an instinct for fine words. As Goldwin Smith is in English, so Mr. David, among French-Canadians, is the most exquisite writer of his generation. Perhaps the chief charm of his prose lies in its exceeding clarity, and clearness is the first quality in a French writer. There is no man in Canada today who can better propound a synthesis; that also is a luminous feature of his style. But for elegance and clearness he has among his compatriots achieved a position of unique pre-eminence.”
ADRIEN LAFONTAINE.
Since the fall of 1912 Adrien Lafontaine has been engaged in law practice in Montreal. His offices are located at No. 13 La Patrie building and he makes his home at No. 1136 Galt Street, town of St. Paul, Montreal. He was born in the parish of St. Barthélemi, in the county of Berthier, on the 30th of November, 1887, a son of Edmond and Marie Louise (Denis) Lafontaine, the father a well known citizen of Montreal.
Adrien Lafontaine enjoyed a very thorough education. He attended the Academy of St. Barthélemi and from the College of Montreal obtained the degree of Bachelor of Letters in rhetoric and philosophy, studying there during the years 1908 and 1909 with the Fathers of St. Sulpice. He then entered Laval University of Montreal, where he pursued his legal studies and from which he graduated in 1912 as licentiate in law (LL. L.). On the 9th of July, 1912, he submitted to examinations before the chamber of notaries and was thereupon received as a notary, establishing himself as a practicing lawyer on the 30th of October, 1912. His excellent legal equipment gives promise of a distinguished career.
Mr. Lafontaine is interested in a loan company and a mining company. He has been a notary public since the 12th of July, 1912. On March 1, 1913, he joined the Independent Order of Foresters and has been elected to the office of secretary-treasurer of the Préfontaine Court of that organization. Since October 1, 1912, he has been vice president of the Parish Circle of the town of St. Paul. Mr. Lafontaine is prominent among the professional men of the city and has many friends among the younger generation of lawyers. He has already succeeded in gaining a great amount of confidence and good-will among the general public.