Professor Thomas Albert Starkey, a well known educator, lecturer and physician of Montreal, was born in Hertford, England, a son of Thomas Starkey. His early education was obtained in his native town and in 1894 he was graduated from London University with the degree of M. D. Subsequently he pursued a course in the University Collegiate Hospital in London and was house surgeon at the Brompton Hospital. Subsequently he was sent to India to carry on researches and promote the cure and prevention of the plague and cholera. He worked in the Imperial Research Laboratory in Bombay from 1899 until 1901 and afterward was given charge, under the sanitary commission, of the entire hygienic condition of two large districts, his labors there being of inestimable value in improving existing conditions.
On his return to England Dr. Starkey pursued public health work in the laboratory of University College at London and was also bacteriologist of the London county council. He came to the new world in 1902, being appointed in November of that year professor of hygiene at McGill University of Montreal. In 1906 he was elected a fellow of the Royal Sanitary Institute of England and is now secretary and examiner of the local branch of the same body. In 1910 he was elected the first president of the Canada Public Health Association in which connection his efforts have been far-reaching and beneficial. Not only has he done important practice and research work, but has also written upon questions relating to the public health. He has lectured on the Ancient and Modern Methods of Water Supply—A Comparison, and on kindred subjects, all of which have to do with the public health and the prevention of disease.
In September, 1904, Dr. Starkey was united in marriage to Miss Josephine MacCullum, a daughter of the late Dr. Duncan Campbell MacCullum, and they have one son, Hugh. It would be difficult to measure the usefulness of the life work of Dr. Starkey, but the scientific world acknowledges its indebtedness to his efforts and his labors, far-reaching and effective, have been beneficial forces for humanity in various sections of the world.
CHARLES CHAPUT.
It would be difficult to find a more active business man in Montreal and one whose labors are more gratifyingly resultant than Charles Chaput, who stands as one of the most successful merchants of the metropolis, ranks among its most substantial citizens and to quote the Montreal Gazette is “a man of unimpeachable integrity.” He was born in Montreal, November 14, 1841, a son of the late Leander Chaput, who came to Montreal from L’Assomption in 1832 and in 1842 founded what is now the well known wholesale grocery house of L. Chaput, Fils & Cie, Limitee. He lived to the age of eighty-four years, passing away in 1901. His wife was Helene St. Denis, a daughter of J. B. St. Denis of Montreal.
Charles Chaput acquired his education in the best French and English schools in Montreal of the time. In 1857 at the age of sixteen years he joined his father’s firm as a junior clerk, at which time the firm was L. Chaput & Cie, and on his being made a partner in 1862 the style was changed to L. Chaput, Fils & Cie. In 1875 upon the retirement of his father Charles Chaput became the head of the firm, where he has since remained, although there have been many changes since in its personnel. In 1884 L. E. Geoffrion was admitted a partner and for years was actively interested in the conduct and management of the business. In 1896 E. St. Denis retired after having been a partner for forty years and in the same year Ferd Prudhomme was taken into partnership. In 1899 Armand Chaput and in 1909 Emile Chaput, sons of Charles Chaput, were admitted as members of the firm, which was incorporated on February 1, 1912, under name of L. Chaput, Fils & Cie, Limitee, Charles Chaput becoming president, Armand Chaput vice president and manager and Ferd Prudhomme secretary and treasurer. The house of L. Chaput, Fils & Cie, Limitee, has attained a widespread, honorable and unassailable reputation in business circles by reason of the straightforward and commendable principles employed in the conduct of its large interests.
CHARLES CHAPUT
For many years Mr. Chaput has maintained an extremely active business interest not only in the large firm of which he is now the head but also as a director in many other firms, in banks and in financial institutions. As a member of the council of the Board of Trade he has played a very important part in the work of that organization. A governor of Notre Dame Hospital, he has been largely instrumental in strengthening the finances of that splendid institution. He was for several years a director of La Banque d’Hochelaga and also of the Canada Life Insurance Company. He has been a councillor of the Chambre de Commerce and president of the Wholesale Grocers Guild. He is a director of the International Mercantile Agency, also vice president of the Montreal Business Men’s League and president of the Montreal Citizens Association and has ever taken an active interest in business matters and all things tending to promote the welfare of the city and the uplifting of humanity.