The legal fraternity of Montreal finds an able representative in Arthur Delisle, who not only has achieved favorable reputation in a private capacity but has ably represented the district of Portneuf in the provincial parliament. Capable, earnest and conscientious, he has been connected with important litigation before the local courts and his clientele is representative. He comes of an old and distinguished family whose ancestors came from France in the year 1669, on the 15th of October of which year arrived in Quebec Louis de l’Isle, of Dompierre, of the bishopric Rouen, accompanied by his young wife, Louise des Granges, of St. Brice of Paris, settlement being made at Pointe-aux-Trembles, of Quebec.
Arthur Delisle was born at Portneuf and is the son of Jean and Anathalie (Frenette) Delisle. In the acquirement of his education he attended Laval Normal School Seminary of Quebec and Laval University of that city, taking his degree of Master in Law (cum laude) on the 23d of December, 1882. After locating for practice in Montreal important business came to him and as the years have passed he has become known as one of the most able men in his profession in the city. He has every faculty of which a lawyer may be proud, unusual familiarity with human nature and untiring industry making him one of the most forceful members of the bar. He was appointed queen’s counsel in 1898.
On April 22, 1890, at Quebec, Mr. Delisle was united in marriage to Blanche Hudon, a daughter of Théophile Hudon, a prominent merchant of Quebec. They have two children, Marguerite and Gaston. While attending the Laval Normal School Mr. Delisle received the usual course of military training under the supervision of the high officers at the citadel of Quebec, receiving such instruction there in the years 1876 and 1877. This experience has been of great benefit to him as it infused into the young man the lasting benefits of military exactness and punctuality. From 1891 until 1896 he represented the district of Portneuf in the house of commons, retiring in the latter year in order to give his seat to Sir Henry Joly de Lotbinière. Public-spirited and progressive, Mr. Delisle takes an active interest in the progress his city is making as one of the great metropolitan centers of North America and is ever willing and ready to support worthy enterprises projected for general improvement and growth.
DAVID GREENE, M. D.
In the death of Dr. David Greene, Montreal was forced to record the loss of a most capable member of the medical profession. He added to broad scientific knowledge and thorough training a deep human sympathy combined with an almost intuitive understanding of his fellowmen. Moreover he recognized to the fullest extent the weight of responsibility and obligations resting upon him, and his fidelity to duty became one of his strongest characteristics. A native of Ballyshannon, in the north of Ireland, he died on the 21st of March, 1891, at Montreal, Quebec. He prepared for college at the Royal School of Portora, Enniskillen, and was graduated from Trinity College at Dublin. He became a licentiate of the Royal College of Surgeons of Ireland and from 1858 until 1864 practiced in the north of Ireland. It was in his native town of Ballyshannon that Dr. Greene wedded Miss Ellen Green, who with a son and several daughters survive him. But one of the children was born on the Emerald isle and with this daughter Dr. and Mrs. Greene came to the new world in 1866, making their way to Montreal, Canada. For a time Dr. Greene was actively engaged in practice in this city and then removed to Granby, where he practiced for many years, but afterward returned to Montreal. His intellectual powers were marked and his scholastic and literary attainments were of a high order. It was a liberal education in itself to know him well and profit by his wonderful store of knowledge, which he unconsciously imparted to his close friends in conversation that was brilliant and fascinating. His associates recognized that his comradeship meant expansion and elevation. Being endowed with a warm heart and splendid mental gifts, he left the impress of his individuality upon those with whom he was brought into close and intimate relations. While he took high rank in his profession, his attainments were varied and brought him fame in other connections. He was a devout member of the English church, and his influence was always on the side of right, progress, truth and reform.
The surviving children of Dr. and Mrs. Greene are: Alice, Maud, Gertrude, Vida, Geraldine, and Whately Stokes. The last named pursued his education in the schools of Montreal and in March, 1898, made his initial step in connection with the banking business as an employe in the old Ontario Bank, with which he was connected for eight years. Through the past seven years he has been with the Royal Bank of Canada, and is now manager of the Laurier Avenue branch at the corner of Park Avenue and Laurier Avenue West. Mr. Greene married Miss Gertrude Anne Sheppard, only daughter of the late Charles Stanley Sheppard, and they have one daughter, Lorna Gertrude. Mr. Greene has made for himself a creditable place in financial circles as did his father in the field of professional service, and the name has long been an honored one in Montreal.
GEORGES GONTHIER.
In financial circles in Montreal we have to mention Mr. Georges Gonthier as one of the most familiar figures. A member of the well known firm of St. Cyr, Gonthier & Frigon and a public accountant of some standing and repute, he has nevertheless found time to promote many measures of great commercial and public utility, and to prepare the way for the foundation of one of our most important institutions (L’Ecole des Hautes Etudes Commerciales).