George W. Stephens was educated at high school, afterward entering business circles. He became identified with the firm of Law Young & Company, but after a time determined to enter upon professional activities, and with this end in view took up the study of law, following a law course at McGill University, which conferred upon him the B. C. L. degree. Called to the bar in 1863, he at once entered upon active practice and for some time was a partner of the late John A. Perkins, an eminent barrister of Montreal. Mr. Stephens personally conducted the cause celebre of Connolly versus Woolrych, which he brought to a successful conclusion. The case was a notable one, awakening widespread interest among the legal fraternity and establishing the validity of an Indian marriage, celebrated according to the custom of the tribe.
After a number of years devoted to successful law practice, Mr. Stephens was obliged to abandon the profession in order to assume the management of his father’s estate, and proved himself equally capable, sagacious, farsighted and enterprising in that connection. His ability and his devotion to the general welfare led to his selection again and again for public office. In 1868 he was elected alderman of Montreal and for seventeen consecutive years remained a member of the city council, during which period he served on several occasions as acting mayor. He did much during that period toward shaping the policy of city affairs and upholding those interests which are a matter of civic virtue and civic pride. In fact he became distinguished for his constant opposition to wrong-doing and dishonesty, and his stalwart support of a prudent and economical progressive administration. From the time that age conferred upon him the right of franchise he advocated the principles of the liberal party and upon its ticket was elected to the provincial legislature, representing Montreal Centre in the Quebec assembly from 1881 until 1886, and so earnestly and faithfully guarded the public interests as to earn the title “watch dog.” At the general election of 1892 he was returned for Huntingdon and was reelected at the general election in 1897. On the formation of the Marchand administration in May of the latter year he was called into the cabinet, without portfolio. He was the organizer of the Good Government Association of Montreal and in January, 1897, received the thanks of that body for his “vigorous efforts and judicious action” in the Quebec assembly in reference to certain local measures. In 1896 he promoted a measure prohibiting indecent play bills and posters being displayed on the public streets. No one ever questioned the honesty and virtue of his position and his belief. Though others may have differed from him in policy they recognized the patriotic spirit which actuated him in all his public service, and none was more earnest in opposition to misrule in public affairs.
HON. GEORGE W. STEPHENS
Aside from his active work in the assembly, Mr. Stephens utilized many other opportunities for advancing public progress and improvement. He was at one time a member of the council of the Montreal Board of Trade, was president of the Mercantile Library Association and president of the Citizens Gas Company. He was also a governor of the Montreal General Hospital and of the Protestant Hospital for the Insane. His cooperation could ever be counted upon in support of any measure or plan to ameliorate the hard conditions of life for the unfortunate and, as a member of the Unitarian church, he took an active interest in all good works done in the name of charity or religion.
Mr. Stephens married first in 1865, Elizabeth Mary MacIntosh and afterward in 1878, Frances Ramsay MacIntosh, daughter of Nicholas Carnegie MacIntosh, of Edinburgh, Scotland. For many years Mrs. Stephens was president of the Decorative Art Association of Montreal and a recognized leader in social circles. She has accomplished work of far-reaching importances and benefit in connection with the Woman’s Immigrant Society; the Soldiers’ Wives League, which was organized during the South African war; the Maternity Hospital, and the Montreal Cooking School. In religious faith she is a Unitarian and in more strictly social lines is connected with the Canadian Woman’s Club, the Ladies Morning Musical Club and the Royal Montreal Ladies Golf Club. The children are two sons and two daughters: Major G. W. and F. C. Stephens; and Mrs. J. Wedderburn Wilson and Mrs. A. Hamilton Gault.
Mr. Stephens was devoted to his family and ever held friendship inviolable. He belonged to both the St. James and Union Clubs and his military experience covered service as a cavalry major until he was placed on the retired list, his connection being with the Montreal Rifle Rangers. One of the leading newspapers styled him “a liberal of the old school, fearless and brave.” The same qualities characterized him throughout his entire life in every relation, and many who were his associates and contemporaries felt at his passing, which occurred at his country residence, Lac à l’eau Claire, in 1904, that,
“He was a man. Take him for all in all
I shall not look upon his like again.”