In 1862 Mr. Briggs was united in marriage to Sarah S., a daughter of Mansfield Holland, who in early life came from Maine to Montreal and was actively identified with the infant industrial development of the city, building the first rolling mill here and also a nail and spike factory, making the first railroad spike manufactured in Canada. His plant was located on Mill Street and there he continued actively and successfully in business throughout the remainder of his days, his death occurring in 1883. He was then seventy-four years of age, his birth having occurred in 1809. He was twenty years of age when he arrived in Montreal in 1829, becoming a most active factor in its business circles, for, with the growth of his enterprise, he employed many men. His wife was in her maidenhood Miss Gould and by their marriage they became the parents of twelve children. Mr. and Mrs. Charles A. Briggs became the parents of seven children: Charles Russell; Celia; Florence; Edwin; Dr. George Nixon; Henry, who died young; and Ethel.
Mr. Briggs held membership in St. James Cathedral, to the support of which he made generous contribution. He stood stanchly in support of many of those factors which work for the betterment of the individual and for the community and at the same time he conducted a successful business indicative of his ability and his enterprise.
JOHN A. PILLOW.
Standing deservedly high in the respect of all who knew him, John A. Pillow was regarded as a progressive business man and valuable citizen of Montreal, of which city he was a native. He was educated in the public schools and for many years ranked as one of Montreal’s oldest and best known manufacturers. In his business career he made advancement step by step, gaining thus a broader outlook and wider opportunity. He made wise use of the advantages that came to him and eventually reached a position of prominence in manufacturing circles. It was in the late ‘60s that he succeeded to the rolling mill business of T. D. Bigelow & Company, which was one of the oldest establishments of the city, having been founded for a century. Forming a partnership with Randolph Hersey, he continued the business under the firm name of Pillow & Hersey. Later this was converted into a stock company and Mr. Pillow was elected to the presidency. He stood deservedly high in the regard of his contemporaries in commercial circles. Business men knew him as one whose word was thoroughly reliable, who met every obligation and kept every engagement, and the record which he thus made was one which any might envy. He was very thorough and competent in all that he did, neglecting no details and at the same time developing his interests along the broad lines characteristic of business enterprise at the present day.
Mr. Pillow was united in marriage to Annie Elizabeth Hillyer, and their surviving children are two sons, Laurence B. and Howard W. He was a man of domestic tastes, devoted to the welfare of his family and finding his greatest happiness in promoting their interests. He rejoiced in his prosperity not merely from the standpoint of success but because of the opportunity which it gave him to provide liberally for his family and to give generously to the poor and needy. He attended the American Presbyterian church and in his life exemplified his Christian faith. He was much interested in the welfare of his native city, cooperating in many movements that have promoted its interests along various lines. He belonged to the Board of Trade and his social nature found expression in his membership in St. James Club, the Forest and Stream Club and the Manhattan Club of New York. Death called him February 16, 1902. He had remained a lifelong resident of his native city and his worth was widely recognized by those who had been his associates in business and by those who met him in social relations.
JAMES ELLIOT.
James Elliot, for more than half a century one of the best known bankers of Montreal, was born June 2, 1840, in this city, and was the eldest son of the late Andrew and Sarah (Pullan) Elliot. The father was a native of Northumberland, England, and following his arrival in Montreal in 1832 became a well known contractor of the city.
After acquiring a thorough education in the Montreal high school James Elliot entered the dry-goods establishment of the late Mr. Alexander Molson, and after a time spent in that connection entered Molson’s Bank in 1860. In 1870 he became accountant and further promotion came to him in recognition of his ability in his appointment to the position of manager of the Montreal branch in 1879. Step by step he advanced in his connection with financial interests until he became recognized as one of the foremost bankers of the city. In May, 1900, he was appointed general manager, which position he ably filled until his death, December 19, 1913. In banking circles he was recognized as a man of exceptional ability, prudence and sagacity, and was termed both a model man and a model banker. That he occupied a position of distinction in business and financial circles was evidenced by the large number of business men who paid their last tribute of respect to his worth when he passed away.