REV. FRANK CHARTERS.
One of the most popular and able ministers in the Anglican church in eastern Canada is Rev. Frank Charters, who for the past seventeen years has done earnest and zealous work as rector of St. Simon’s church, Montreal. He is a man of force, experience and capacity, high in his ideals, earnest in his purposes and straightforward in his methods, and his labors have been potent forces in the spread of the doctrines in which he believes and in the promotion of the moral development of the community in which he resides.
Dr. Charters was born in Montreal, March 16, 1865, and acquired his preliminary education at Arnold school and Fettis College. He afterward entered McGill University, from which he was graduated with the class of 1888. In the same year he completed a course in the Montreal Diocesan College, and in 1911 he was given the honorary degree of D. C. L. from the University of Bishop’s College in Lennoxville. He is a governor of the Montreal Diocesan College and a member of the corporation of the University of Bishop’s College. He was ordained deacon in the Anglican church in 1888 and received full orders in the following year, going immediately afterward to Iron Hill and West Brome, Quebec, of which he became Incumbent. In 1896 he was transferred to Montreal, and here since that time he has done earnest and capable work as rector of St. Simon’s parish. This congregation was organized in 1892 and the church building erected in the same year by Dean Carmichael. Rev. Samuel Massey was first pastor and officiated until the spring of 1896, Dr. Charters succeeding him. The latter has proved a capable and efficient rector, fully conscious of the obligations and responsibilities which devolve upon him, and he has accomplished in the course of years a great deal of consecrated work among his people, whose love he holds in large measure. He is, moreover, a man of good business ability and foresight, and the affairs of his parish have been ably administered and the funds carefully conserved. Dr. Charters has two hundred and seventy-five families under his charge and manages a church property valued at fifty thousand dollars. He is very popular among people of all denominations in Montreal and his unostentatious life, filled with well directed and zealous labor and characterized by earnest personal service, has brought him the esteem and confidence of all who are associated with him.
JOHN T. WILSON.
The life record of John T. Wilson spanned sixty-four years. He was born in Greenup, Scotland, February 9, 1841, and died in Montreal on the 23d of February, 1905. His parents were John and Mary (Thomson) Wilson, the former a sea captain. The youth of John T. Wilson was marked by events and experiences such as come to the lot of all. He reached a turning point on the journey of life, however, when he bade adieu to friends and native country and sailed for Canada. Settling in Montreal, in 1866, he became one of the city’s foremost business men, his name being engraved high on the roll of those who contributed most largely to the commercial greatness and consequent prosperity of the city. He was for forty years the senior member of the firm of Wilson, Paterson & Company, importers and general manufacturers’ agents, continuing in active business until his demise. The volume of trade developed with the growth of the city and had its inception in the progressive methods, initiative spirit and undaunted enterprise of the partners.
When business hours were over and the cares of the day were put aside, Mr. Wilson greatly enjoyed a game of golf or billiards. His interest, too, reached out to many of those projects which recognize the needs of the city and the claims of humanity. He attended St. Paul’s Presbyterian church. For ten years he was a member of the council of the Board of Trade and was ever keenly alive to the projects instituted by that society for the benefit and upbuilding of the city. He belonged to the Canadian and St. James Clubs of Montreal, and the Hunt Club. His business activity was evenly balanced with his honorable methods in trade; his interest in club life and in manly outdoor sports giving him the necessary rest and recreation from that line of work which takes strong hold upon the emotions and calls forth the more tender sentiment in nature. In a word, his was a well rounded character and his place as a representative citizen of Montreal none contest.
CHARLES BYRD.
Successful in business, Charles Byrd rejoiced in his prosperity not so much because of the opportunities which came to him from his wealth, but because it enabled him to again and again aid his fellowmen. In this he was prompted by no sense of duty but by a higher interest in humanity—a genuine regard for his fellow travelers upon life’s journey. His hand was ever downreaching to aid those who were struggling to raise and he shed around him much of the sunshine of life not only through his material assistance, but also through the words of encouragement and inspiration which he spoke.