T. STERRY HUNT

During his connection with the survey work Mr. Hunt took part in the great exhibitions of 1856 and 1867, acting as judge at both, while his services in a similar connection were sought at the Centennial Exposition in Philadelphia in 1876. His fame was world-wide as the result of his investigations and researches were made known, for he took the lead in much pioneer geological work on the North American continent.

From 1856 until 1862 Dr. Hunt was professor of chemistry at Laval University in Quebec and was continued as one of its honorary professors until his death. His annual course of instruction there comprised forty lectures in the French language and for some years he was also lecturer at McGill University. In 1872 he accepted the chair of geology in the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Boston, there remaining until 1878, when he resigned in order to concentrate his efforts upon further study and professional work. His scientific attainments have gained him recognition both on the American and European continents. Harvard University created him Master of Arts in 1852 and from Laval and McGill Universities he received the degree of Doctor of Science. In 1881 he had the unusual honor of receiving the degree of Doctor of Laws from Cambridge University of England, and in special recognition of his eminence as a geologist he was created a fellow of the Royal Society of London in 1859. In 1874 he was elected to membership in the National Academy of Sciences of the United States and in 1882 he was one of those called upon by the Marquis of Lorne to aid in the organization of the New Royal Society of Canada, becoming that year chief of the section of physical and mathematical sciences. In 1884 he was elected its president. Thus year after year honors were conferred upon him—honors well merited yet worn with becoming modesty. He was one of the founders of the American Association for the Advancement of Science at Philadelphia and in 1870 was elected to its presidency. He was also an early member of the American Institute of Mining Engineers and was its president in 1877, while in 1880 he became the founder and president of the American Chemical Society. Among the decorations conferred upon him was that of the Legion of Honor, bestowed by Napoleon III, and the cross of St. Mauritius and St. Lazarus from the king of Italy. He contributed much to scientific literature and was a well known lecturer on scientific subjects. He frequently went abroad for study, spending much time in that way in Great Britain, Switzerland and Italy. A chemical green ink which he invented in 1859 was the cause of giving the name of greenbacks to American currency. His explorations on the American continent had extended from the Gulf of St. Lawrence southward to the Gulf of Mexico and westward to the Pacific.

In January, 1878, Dr. Hunt was married to Miss Anna Rebecca Gale, the eldest daughter of Justice Samuel Gale of Montreal, who was judge of the court of queen’s bench for Lower Canada. His wife was Mary M. Hawley, who was born in Montreal and was educated in this city and abroad. One of their daughters became the Baroness von Friesen, of Dresden. After the death of the father in 1865, Mrs. Hunt traveled extensively in Europe in company with her two sisters. She is the author of one or two volumes of poems of considerable merit, so that her name, like her husband’s, is known in literary circles. Dr. Hunt passed away in February, 1892. His contribution to the world’s work was a valuable one. His investigation, research and native intelligence constituted the key which unlocked for us many of the portals beyond which lay nature’s mysteries. The earth and its construction were largely to him an open book and he made it a readable volume for others, placing his investigations before mankind in a way that has constituted the foundation for further research.

LIEUTENANT COLONEL FREDERICK WILLIAM HIBBARD.

Lieutenant Colonel Frederick William Hibbard has been frequently before the public as a speaker and writer upon topics of public interest. Although never a candidate he was for years a participant in both federal and provincial politics and has appeared on numerous public occasions both in the province of Quebec and in that of Ontario. He is the senior member of the firm of Hibbard, Boyer & Gosselin, and a successful member of the Montreal bar. Ireland claims him as a native son, his birth having occurred in Dublin on the 19th of October, 1865. His father was the late Lieutenant Colonel Ashley Hibbard, of Montreal, and his mother was Sarah Ann Hibbard, the second daughter of the Rev. Ambrose Lane, M. A., perpetual curate of St. Thomas, Pendleton, Manchester, England.

After spending some years under private instruction, Lieutenant Colonel F. W. Hibbard entered McGill University, where he took his Bachelor of Arts degree in 1886. After a couple of years spent in teaching he returned to the university for the study of law, graduating as B. C. L. in 1891. In addition to the degree of B. C. L. received in that year he was also gold medallist. In 1892 he received the degree of M. A. He began practice as a barrister in 1893 and was created king’s counsel in 1907. His advancement at the bar has been continuous and long since he left the ranks of the many to stand among the successful few. From 1907 until 1910 he was crown prosecutor for the district of Montreal, and his clientele of a private character has been extensive and important. In literary circles he is known and has given papers and addresses upon a number of subjects. In 1903 he was president of the St. James Literary Society of Montreal. His popularity as a lecturer is based both upon the entertaining and the instructive nature of his discourses. He has addressed various audiences upon the following comprehensive subjects:—Canadian Constitutional Government, The Land Defence of Canada, The Value of Organized Effort in Municipal Affairs, The Prophecy of the West, and Canadians at Home and Abroad. He is not merely a theorist, for his ideas have many times taken practical, tangible form, and in 1910 his fitness for the position led to his appointment to the presidency of the Quebec public utilities commission. In military circles his name is known, for he holds a first class certificate from the Royal School of Artillery, and in 1894 joined the Second Regiment Canadian Artillery as a lieutenant. He was advanced to the rank of captain in 1895, major in 1897, lieutenant colonel in command in 1901 and R. O. in 1906. He was one of the artillery officers of the Second Canadian Contingent at Queen Victoria’s Jubilee, received the Diamond Jubilee medal from the hand of King Edward, and was presented to the late Queen Victoria at Windsor Castle. In 1900 he was elected to the presidency of the Montreal Military Institute and in 1905 became vice president of the Dominion Artillery Association.

Lieutenant Colonel Hibbard was married in November, 1898, to Miss Emily Laura Baker, the third daughter of Joseph S. Baker, of Dunham, P. Q. He finds recreation in golf and has been president of the Outremont Golf Club. He is a member of the St. James and University Clubs and the Quebec Garrison Club. A liberal in politics, he has been active in support of the principles of his party, recognizing the duties and obligations as well as the privileges of citizenship. In religious belief is an Anglican, having twice served as warden of his church, is a member of the synod of Montreal and of the executive committee of the diocese. Mr. D. A. Lafortune, his colleague as crown prosecutor, has characterized him as “a man of dignity and learning.” His lifelong habit of study and investigation, his deep and continuous interest in important public questions, and his earnest purpose, prompting him to action in behalf of the public welfare, have made him a citizen of value in advancing progress and working toward that better ordering of things which is always the goal of progress.