THOMAS BUSBY.
Thomas Busby, an old time Montreal merchant and in his day well known in connection with the retail hardware trade, was born in Montreal, a grandson of Thomas Busby, who was the founder of the family in Canada.
This first Thomas Busby came from Ireland and had charge of landscape gardening for the Baroness of Longueuil. He became a man of considerable property for those days. His daughter married Dr. Digby of Brantford, Ontario, and their daughter became the wife of Dr. Henwood of Brantford. Thomas Busby had a son Thomas, who married Mary Lacasse, and they were the parents of Thomas Busby of this review.
Thomas Busby, the third, was educated in the schools of Montreal and when a young man began to learn the hardware business in this city. He later lived for a few years in what was then called Upper Canada but in 1857 returned to Montreal and established himself in the hardware business, which he successfully conducted until his death, which occurred April 20, 1862.
Mr. Busby was married in Montreal in June, 1853, to Miss E. C. Greene, a daughter of Thomas J. Greene, who came to this city in early life from Saratoga, New York. He was a furrier and was for years at the head of the firm of Thomas Greene & Son, while later the sons continued the business under the style of Greene & Sons. Mr. and Mrs. Busby became the parents of four children, but the only one now living is Fred Busby, a resident of Denver, Colorado. Mrs. Busby still makes her home in Montreal, where she has now resided for more than six decades, witnessing therefore much of the development and modern progress of the city, and she is one of the highly esteemed of Montreal’s older residents.
GEORGES MAYRAND.
Through individual effort and ability Georges Mayrand has attained to a position of prominence as a representative of the notarial profession in Montreal, being now senior partner in the firm of Mayrand, Loranger, Ecrement & Melancon. A native of Port Neuf county, he was born at Grondines, on the 21st of August, 1876, and was educated under Jesuit instruction, attending St. Mary’s College of Montreal and afterward Laval University, in which he pursued the study of law, winning his B. L. degree on the completion of his law course in 1900. Having determined to concentrate his energies upon practice as a notary public, he opened an office in Montreal in September following his graduation and has created and developed an important business at No. 99 St. James Street. He has been joined by others as his clientage has grown until he is now head of the firm of Mayrand, Loranger, Ecrement & Melancon. He has also taken an active and helpful part in promoting the growth and progress of the city and is associated with several land companies, including the Greater Montreal Land Company, the Summerlea Realty Company and the Sault au Recollet Island Company. He has become thoroughly conversant with property values, readily recognizes a possible rise or diminution in realty prices and accordingly makes his investments so that he has secured good returns from his property holdings.
Mr. Mayrand’s public service has also included prompt and faithful discharge of the duties of alderman, he being elected to that position from the Delorimier ward and his efficiency was rewarded by reelection in April, 1914. He has likewise filled the office of school commissioner and coming prominently before the public in these positions has made an excellent record, creditable to himself and satisfactory to his supporters. In politics he is a liberal and in addition to the local offices he has filled he is representing Dorion county in the provincial legislature. He is now vice president and secretary of the Club Delorimier, is a member of the National Amateur Athletic Association and takes an exceedingly active interest in outdoor sports. He is a typical man of the times, alert and energetic in action, progressive in purpose and thoroughly alive to the opportunities which are presented for business advancement and public improvement.