Mr. Learmont was a native of Montreal. From the beginning of his business career success attended him so that he at length was numbered among the city’s most substantial business men. In all his career there was no esoteric phase, his advancement having been through constructive and progressive methods. Studying the demands of the times and the conditions of trade he was no small factor in the growth and development of the extensive wholesale hardware business of Caverhill, Learmont & Company, of which Mr. Learmont was the senior member. This well known house succeeded Crathern & Caverhill (which was established in 1854) and occupies a foremost position in its line, with a reputation for commercial integrity second to none.
Successful business man that he was, commerce constituted but one feature in the life of Mr. Learmont. He was of decided literary tastes and was frequently heard on literary and historical subjects. He was, moreover, the author of a most interesting paper on folk lore, in which extended mention is made of the folk lore of Canada. Another paper of equal interest from his pen is on The Canadian Indian. Mr. Learmont was widely known as a collector of rare books and manuscripts, etchings, engravings and autograph letters, his knowledge of such being that of a connoisseur. His collection of Bibles comprised more than one hundred rare volumes. He also wrote on engravings, translations of the English versions of the Bible, children’s elementary books, etc.
Mr. Learmont’s keen interest in matters historic was probably best shown in his purchase of Quebec House, the home of Major General James Wolfe, Westerham, Kent, England. The motive which inspired him to make the purchase was to secure the property for the Canadian people, to be held by them in perpetuity “irrespective of race, language or creed.” His desire was that the Canadian people maintain it so that it may be open to visitors and free to all that are interested in Canada. Mr. Learmont always manifested the keenest interest in anything associated with Wolfe and had made a collection of engravings of the famous general. He also possessed an excellent painting of Wolfe’s father, the work of Sir James Thornhill.
JOSEPH B. LEARMONT
Mr. Learmont was a member of the council of the Montreal Art Association and treasurer of the local branch and one of the council of the Archaeological Institute of America. He likewise became one of the early members of the Antiquarian Society of Montreal.
Mr. Learmont was first married to Miss Amelia Jane Holton, a daughter of the late Hon. L. H. Holton, M. P., a prominent parliamentarian and statesman. Following her death, he married, in 1882, Charlotte Smithers, a daughter of the late Charles F. Smithers, president of the Bank of Montreal. Mr. and Mrs. Learmont were always in full accord concerning religious and charitable work. He was connected with the Congregational church and a generous supporter of church and benevolent enterprises. Mrs. Learmont is particularly well known in efforts to ameliorate the conditions of life for the unfortunate. She is interested in the movement for providing playgrounds for children; is vice president of the Montreal Day Nursery; vice president of the local branch of the Needle Work Guild, and president and convener of the local branch of the ladies’ committee of the Victorian Order of Nurses. She is likewise a director of the City Improvement League; was one of the directors of the Royal Edward Institute, and is one of the honorary presidents of the Young Women’s Christian Association. She was one of a deputation, headed by the Countess of Aberdeen, who presented Queen Alexandra an address of congratulation from twenty-five hundred women of Canada.
Mr. Learmont was a member of the committee of management of the Montreal General Hospital; a member of the board and a governor of the Montreal branch of the Victorian Order of Nurses, and a director of the Charity Organization Society. He belonged to the Montreal Board of Trade, of which he was for two years a councilor, and in more strictly social lines was a member of the St. James, Mount Royal, Montreal and City Clubs. He was termed “a man of exquisite taste and deep knowledge on special subjects.” He was an advocate of all that is most progressive and beneficial, never choosing the second best but seeking out those things which are most beneficial to the individual and to the community, recognizing every man’s relation and obligation to his fellowman.