“Death has within a year robbed the Canadian milling industry of its two most prominent leaders. During the years which brought Robert Meighen and Frederick William Thompson to the top, the flour milling industry underwent an expansion and consolidation second only to that of the transportation industry and the metal industries. The process was peculiarly favorable to the rise of men of strong personal character and large intellectual capacity. It is not surprising, therefore, to find the leaders of the industry taking a larger part in the public life of the country than those of almost any other business. Without ever seeking office or public honors, for which indeed the cares of his business left him no time, the late Mr. Thompson exercised a very wide and effective influence upon the beliefs and policies of Canada in business matters. When he spoke it was not as a mere expert miller, but as an authority of the widest knowledge; and as he never wasted a public utterance by dealing with any matter on which he was not perfectly informed, he was listened to with a respect which neither his wealth nor his business success alone could have commanded. There are men still living who can remember when the flour milling of Canada was carried on in hundreds of small local mills under separate ownership. The process of centralizing the industry has been pretty well completed now; such companies as that of which Mr. Thompson was the active head are national in their scope and the extent of their properties.
“He has been cut off in the prime of life and it is difficult to conjecture what further progress of organization he might have participated in, had he lived. Whatever it might be, we can be sure that the interests of Canada would have been advantaged, for he was a thorough Canadian by birth and by conviction and ever regarded the milling industry less as a source of wealth than as a factor in Canada’s greatness. In these days the best and most practical form of patriotism is frequently to be found in business.”
WILLIAM H. HOPE.
William H. Hope, for more than thirty years an active business man on St. Catherine Street, near Mansfield, was born, March 9, 1840, in the north of England, and died September 11, 1903, so that his life span compassed sixty-three years. He came to Montreal as a young man and on July 26, 1878, was married in this city to Miss Mary E. Percy. Their family numbered seven children: Lena, who is Mrs. Thomas Bradley, now a resident of New York city; Eva, the wife of Rev. Hunter Laverie, of Forest, Ontario; William G., of Portland, Oregon; Adam V., who died in infancy; Sadie, who is the wife of George Wanless, of Outremont; Clifford R.; and Elsie.
Mr. Hope was a well known business man, conducting an art store at one location for over thirty years. His business integrity was above question and he was respected by all who knew him. In his political faith he was a conservative, but did not take an active part in politics. He was interested, however, in the promotion of athletic and outdoor sports for the young. A man of domestic taste, he found his greatest happiness at his own fireside, doing everything in his power to promote the welfare of his wife and children. He held membership in St. Paul’s Presbyterian church and his life was actuated by high and honorable principles that made him a thorough gentleman, courteous, kindly and considerate at all times.
JAMES O’CONNOR.
Prominent in the business and financial life of the city, James O’Connor was numbered among Montreal’s well known and successful business men. He was born at St. Alphonse, province of Quebec, and when a young man in his teens, came to Montreal at which time his capital was but little more than his energy, pluck and determination. From the time of his arrival here his attention was largely concentrated upon business affairs and he wisely improved his time and opportunities, thus advancing step by step until he reached the plane of affluence. For many years he had charge of the wholesale pork packing house on Williams Street and there laid the foundation for his fortune.
For a number of years before his death, Mr. O’Connor had largely confined his business activities to the stock market, where he was a prominent figure. While a man of sound judgment and keen business sagacity, one of his strongest characteristics was his great courage and persistency. During the great financial depression of 1907, when security values were slumping in a manner that brought financial ruin to many, Mr. O’Connor’s fortune suffered a large shrinkage. He had confidence in the future, however, and the pluck to hold on, with the result that he recouped his losses and added substantially to his fortune, which was estimated at over a half million dollars at the time of his retirement.