MAJOR VICTOR EVELYN MITCHELL.
Public opinion accords Major Victor Evelyn Mitchell a position of leadership among the members of the Montreal bar, not only because of his extensive practice and the ability displayed therein, but also because of his contribution to the literature of the profession. His military record also gives him right to public recognition. A native of London, England, he was born October 17, 1865, and is of English lineage, his father having been James Mitchell, of London, England. In the attainment of his education he attended the City of London school and afterward McGill University, where he won his B. C. L. degree and valedictorian honors in 1896. The same year he began practice as an advocate in Montreal with the late R. D. McGibbon, K. C. He had been a resident of Canada for eight years, and thus it was that his preparation for the bar was pursued in McGill. The ability which he has displayed in practice is indicated by the fact that he was created K. C. in 1909. He is now a member of the firm of McGibbon, Casgrain, Mitchell & Casgrain and devotes himself to corporation and commercial law. He published the first English edition of the The Code of Civil Procedure and in conjunction with J. L. Perron, K. C., brought out an Insolvency Manual. He is not unknown in the educational field, having lectured on The Legal Aspects of Trade Unionism and on Warranties and Representations re Contract of Life Insurance. All this establishes his position as a lawyer well versed in his profession and capable in handling intricate and involved legal problems. He is also a well known publicist; his letters to the Montreal Star on the naval question created great interest and showed a thorough knowledge and study of the subject.
Aside from his professional interests Major Mitchell has become known in business circles and in connection with projects of a public or semi-public character. He is a director of Penman’s, Ltd.; the Canadian Consolidated Rubber Company; Ames, Holden, McCready, Ltd.; the Canadian Consolidated Felt Company, Ltd.; the Charlemagne & Lac Ouareau Lumber Company, Ltd.; and many other commercial companies. He is also a director of the Laurentian Sanitarium and a governor of the Montreal General Hospital and the Western Hospital.
For some years Major Mitchell was connected with the volunteer military service, joining the Sixth Fusiliers in 1889, and when that regiment amalgamated with the First Prince of Wales Rifles in 1898 he became senior major in that corps. In 1900 he was placed on the list of retired officers.
Major Mitchell was married in 1911 to Miss Sarah Proulx, and they reside at No. 377 Peel Street. Major Mitchell holds membership with the Anglican church and is well known in club circles, belonging to the St. James, Canada and University Clubs, the Royal St. Lawrence Yacht Club, the Montreal Jockey Club, Outremont Golf Club, Royal Montreal Golf Club, the Manitou Club of Montreal, the Railroad Club and the Alpha Delta Phi Club of New York and the United Empire Club of London, England.
WALTER HARDMAN ARDLEY.
A well known figure in railroad circles of Montreal is Walter Hardman Ardley, who since 1913 has acted as general auditor of the Grand Trunk Railway system and Grand Trunk Pacific Railway. A native of London, England, he was born April 24, 1858, and is a son of James and Elizabeth (Dunton) Ardley, the former of whom passed away during the early childhood of his son Walter and the latter in 1896.
Mr. Ardley was educated in the City of London College and made his advent in the business world as an apprentice in a London office. He came to Canada in November, 1882, entering the service of the Grand Trunk Railway, in the chief accountant’s office, on November 5, 1882. Steadiness of purpose, faithfulness and diligence won him advancement. On December 31, 1907, he was made chief clerk and general bookkeeper and so continued until August 31, 1908, when he became auditor of disbursements. He held this office until September 30, 1908, when he became assistant general auditor, and in 1909 he was made general auditor of the Grand Trunk Railway system and Grand Trunk Pacific Railway. Mr. Ardley stands high in the estimation of the officers of the road on account of the efficient management of his department.
On December 12, 1889, Mr. Ardley married Miss Tamar Jane Phillips, a daughter of Henry Phillips, of Upway, England. He is independent politically and a member of the Church of England.