Alfred Forest was born on the 8th of June, 1881, in the parish of St. Patrick of Rawdon, in the county of Montcalm. His parents were Urgel Forest, gentleman, and Eliza (Mousseau) Forest, a niece of the late Hon. Alfred Mousseau, in 1882 prime minister of the province of Quebec and later minister of public service in the cabinet of Sir John A. Macdonald in 1884. In 1886, when he died, he was judge of the superior court of Montreal and was always a leading conservative.
In the acquirement of his education Alfred Forest attended the Seminary of Joliette and then followed the philosophical course at the Seminary of the St. Sulpice Fathers in Montreal, graduating in 1905 with the degree of B. A. This was followed by a law course at Laval University, where on December 21, 1907, he obtained his degree of LL. L. with distinction and was admitted to the bar on the 15th of January, 1908. In 1906 he was secretary of the law students at Laval University and in 1907 was their president. During his law course he received practical training in the office of the Hon. Judge Paul Martineau and with the Hon. P. E. Le Blanc, ex-speaker and ex-leader in the legislative assembly, with whom he is now connected under the firm style of Le Blanc, Brossard & Forest. After settling down to his practice no long novitiate awaited him for he soon demonstrated his ability to cope with the most intricate legal problems. His reasoning is sound, his logic forceful and, being a student of humanity as well as book lore, he easily perceives the vital point in the most difficult legal tangles. As the years have passed he has made himself felt in the legal fraternity. Moreover he is now connected with some of the largest interests of the city, this connection having led him to become a director of the Modern Gas Light, Heat & Power Company, in which organization he served in that capacity in 1912 and 1913.
On April 30, 1913, in Montreal, Mr. Forest was united in marriage to Miss Hélène Jondreville, only daughter of Charles Jondreville, formerly of Paris, France. Her parents came directly from that city to Montreal in 1880. Of a distinguished family, Mrs. Forest is a cultured young lady of rare attainments and many accomplishments and will no doubt take a prominent part in the social life of the city.
Mr. Forest has always been a profound student and is an expert on political economy. He is a member of the conservative party and was offered the candidature in the federal election of 1911 by the electors of the county of Montcalm but declined, as his private interests practically forebade him to divert his time. He is an adherent of the Catholic church and holds membership in the Canadian Club, L’Alliance Française and the Conservative Club. Mr. Forest is loyal to the interests of Montreal, of which he is considerate and which he always tries to promote, proving thereby his value as a citizen. He is esteemed and respected not only among the legal fraternity but among the general public, who have recognized his worth as man, citizen and lawyer.
WILLIAM PATERSON.
Personally popular, William Paterson left behind him a large circle of friends at his death on the 23d of October, 1902. For twenty years he had been engaged in the tailoring business in Montreal, where he enjoyed a wide acquaintance. He was born December 2, 1858, in Montreal, a son of James Paterson, a native of Scotland, who passed his youthful days in that country. He there married Miss Ellen Swanson and afterward left the land of hills and heather for the new world. To him and his wife were born seven children.
The father was a tailor by trade and it was under his direction and guidance that William Paterson learned the business. He pursued a public-school education and then entered his father’s shop, devoting many decades to that pursuit. He was in business on Notre Dame Street for two decades, having one of the well equipped establishments of the city and gaining a liberal patronage, which grew with the passing years and made his one of the prosperous tailoring establishments of the city.
On the 18th of August, 1881, Mr. Paterson was united in marriage, on Prince Edward Island, to Miss Arabella Le B. Graves, of Nova Scotia, and they became the parents of four children: Leslie J.; William Henry; Alice G., who is Mrs. James J. Aird; and Grace W.
Mr. Paterson voted with the conservative party but never took an active interest in politics to the extent of seeking office as a reward for party fealty. He was very prominent in fraternal circles, serving as worshipful master of Elgin Lodge, A. F. & A. M., and in 1898 he was elected district deputy grand master of the Montreal district. He was past grand in the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He was also a life member of the Montreal Amateur Athletic Association, and was one of the members of Knox Presbyterian church, serving for several years on the board of managers. His varied interests and activities of life maintained an even balance and made him a forceful and influential factor in support of the business, social and municipal affairs with which he was connected.