OUIS GEORGE AUGUSTUS CRESSÉ, advocate, Montreal, Que., was born in Three Rivers, Que., February 24th, 1860. He is the son of the late Augustus B. Cressé, Q.C., of Three Rivers, who is the eleventh generation of legal men in his family; also belongs to one of the old French families, and is the possessor of three seigneuries. Mr. Cressé began his education in the Seminary of Three Rivers, and won the gold medal at graduation. He studied law at Laval University and McGill College, graduating from the former with honors. He then studied law in Montreal, under

Hon. J. A. Chapleau, Lieut.-Governor of the Province of Quebec, and Joseph Doutre, Q.C., now deceased. He began the practice of law in partnership with his father, in Montreal, and to day is a member of the firm of Cressé & Descarries. He is a member of the M.A.A.A. and honorary president of the "Trappeur" snow shoe club. He is also president of the Notre-Dame section of the St. Jean-Baptiste Society, and honorary president of several workingmen's societies. He was elected alderman for the Centre Ward in 1892. He was married, in 1882, to Miss St. Jean, daughter of a wealthy merchant of Montreal.

OHN

RICHARD HARRIS, proprietor of the firm of Harris & Co., woolen manufacturers, Rockwood, Ont., was born August 29th, 1837, at that place. His parents John and Jane (Wetherald) Harris, were amongst the first settlers of Eramosa township. Mr. Harris was educated in the public schools and the Rockwood Academy. In 1867, he established a woolen mill at Rockwood, in company with his brothers, Thomas and Joseph. Joseph retired in January, 1874, and Thomas, in January, 1887. Since then, Mr. Harris has carried the business to its present proportions. He makes a spe

cialty of friezes for the wholesale trade, but manufactures a general line for his local customers. The factory buildings were replaced by stone, in 1884, and the entire machinery is of the latest pattern. He is a member of the school board; and was for some years in the township council. In politics a Reformer, and in religion a Friend. He was married, October 21st, 1863, to Mariana, daughter of John and Mary Ann Treffry, by whom he has four sons. The eldest, William, is identified with his father's business, and the other three, Charles, Edwin and Richard, are still pursuing their education,

A

UGUSTINE MCDONELL, P.L.S. and Civil Engineer, Chatham, was born in the township of Dundee, Huntingdon county, Que., June 22nd, 1828. He is a son of Austin McDonell, a strong adherent of the Stewart dynasty, who emigrated to Canada, in 1816, from Inverness-shire, Scotland. He was educated in the common schools of Lower Canada, the High School of Glengarry county, and the Normal School, Toronto, and confined his studies to English branches and mathematics. In 1860, he became articled to a Provincial Land Surveyor, and since then has continued to follow

his profession with a large measure of success. Mr. McDonell was one of the promoters and engineers of the Erie and Huron Railway. He has also been prominently connected with the drainage of wet lands on the Peninsula, and introduced a number of important changes in the Drainage Act of Ontario. He was the promoter of the gigantic scheme known as the "Forbes' Drain Scheme," in connection with the land now known as "Kent's Little Holland," which consists of some 5,000 acres of land, which have been recovered from nearly two feet of water, and converted into fertile land, capable of raising during 1892, some 15,000 bushels of wheat. The cost of relieving this tract of country from its watery bed, was something over $56,000, and it is now worth upwards of $125,000. The water is pumped from

this land by a huge water wheel some 28 feet in diameter, which makes about three revolutions per minute, pushing out with its gigantic paddies the almost incredible amount of 3,000 barrels of water per minute. This scheme was vigorously opposed by the people living on the high lands in the township, who spent over $5,000 in opposing it; however, Mr. McDonell sustained, and completed his work. He is a gentleman of large public spirit, and his character stands high for integrity. Religiously, he is a Roman Catholic, and politically, a Conservative. He was married, in Aug., 1861, to Margaret Flynn, of Brockville, Ont.

OHN EDGAR BIRCH, organist and choir master, Christ Church Cathedral, Montreal, Que., was born August 25th, 1854, at Reading, England. He is the son of W. H. Birch, S.C.F., the well-known composer. Mr. Birch was originally a chorister in the Chapel Royal, Windsor, under Sir George Elvey. After five years there, he went to London, to more thoroughly study music, under the direction of Dr. C. W. Pearce, and his brother, E. H. Birch, Mus. Bac., Oxon. Three years later, he became assistant organist at Wellington College, having as his senior, Dr. Alan

Gray, at present organist of Trinity College, Cambridge. He accepted, after four years, the more lucrative position of organist at Hereford College, at the same time studying under Dr. Colborne, organist of the Cathedral. Three years later, he was appointed organist and choir master of St. John's Church, Notting Hill, London; a church noted for the beauty of its services. Through the kindly influence of Dr. Pearce and Mr. A. Eyres, F.C.O., organist of Crystal Palace, he accepted the offer of organist. and music master at Trinity College School, Port Hope, Canada, and whilst there he accepted his present position.