‹ Histoire de la corporation de la cité de Montréal depuis son origine jusqu'à nos jours; comprenant, en outre les portraits et biographies des membres du Conseil municipal de Montréal et des principaux fonctionnaires actuels, ainsi que de tous les maires qui ont présidé à nos délibérations civiques, des échevins qui ont siégé à l'Hôtel de ville depuis 1883, c'est-à-dire depuis la période d'annexion des municipalités limitrophesChapitre 142 sur 328 · JAMES COCHRANE · texte numérisé non relu

JAMES COCHRANE

James Cochrane, mayor of Montréal and member of the Provincial Législature of Québec, for St. Lawrence division, Montréal, was boni in Kincardine, Scotland, in 185 1, a comparatively humble origine. He received a commercial éducation at the British and Canadian schools and the Collegiate Collège, ^ Montréal. At collège he showed a marked disposition for business affairs. Early in life, he entered the employ of the Montréal Telegraph Compau}^, of which in a few years he became the night manager. Since that time the Montréal Telegraph Co. has become a part of the North Western Service.

In 1892, Mr. Cochrane married at Montréal, Catherine, daughter of Mr. Patrick Mansfield, they hâve no children. With a few year's expérience in business, Mr. Cochrane saw a wider field of activity open to him, and in 1880 he left the Telegraph service in Winnipeg to become a contractor. He tendered successfully for gênerai municipal contracts

aiid has the crédit of having paved niaiiy of the streets of Montréal. For sometiiiies he carried on the bnsiness alone^ but subsequently formed a joint stock company, called : "The Sicily Asphalt Paving Co." of which he was for many years président. The company's opérations extended not only to Montréal, but also in nianv canadians cities. In this work Mr. Cochrane amassed an immense fortune. In 1900, he retired from active connection with the company to dévote his time and leisure to his real estate and to municipal and political duties.

He is the first vice-président of the Union of canadian municipalities, président of the St. Lawrence libéral association and is at the présent time, président of the Montréal Reform Club, one of the most powerful political organisations in Québec and in Canada.

]\Ir. Cochrane takes an active interest in sports and social events. He is a member of the Québec Fish and Game club, of the Numismatique and Antiquarian Society of Montréal, honorary président of the Point St Charles Amateur Athletic Association and of several other prominent local associations. "

Mr. Cochrane is connected with most of the Industrial companies in Montréal and is a heavy shareholder in several Electric railway companies. He is a director of the Hudson Bay, Pacific and Steamship Company, director of the Laprairie Pressed Brick Company, the Northern Insurance Compau}^ and several other corporations.

During his political career, Mr. Cochrane has fought many hard fights against powerful opponents. He was defeated by Sir Donald A. Smith, now Lord Strathcona & Mount Royal in Montréal West in the fédéral élections ot 1890. In 1901 he successfully contested St. Lawrence division, Montréal,

for tlie Québec Législature, defeating the Hon. A. W. Atwater, former Provincial Treasurer, by 800 majority. Mr. Cochrane was elected mayor of Montréal, February ist, 1902. The municipal campaign of 1902 was marked witli extraordinary features. Friends of ex-Mayor Prefontaine who was absent in France, were anxious that lie sliould liave a tliird terni. This proposai was opposed by a group who brought forward Dr. E. P. Lachapelle, chairmain of the Provincial Board of Health. A third faction came ont in favor of Mr. R. Wilson-Smith. A few minutes before the nomination closed, Mr. Cochrane presented his papers as candidate for the mayoralty. The position became complicated, Mr. Wilson- Smith declared he would remain in the ranks on condition he was elected by acclamation. Dr. Lachapelle consented to withdraw on condition that Mr. Prefontaine's name was withdrawn by his friends. After many conférences this was agreed to. Mr. Wilson-Smith and Mr. Cochrane remained the only candidates for mayor and when the returns came in^ Mr. Cochrane was declared elected by a large majority.

Mr. Cochrane is a Life Governor of the Montréal General Hospital, director of the Royal Victoria Hospital, Life Governor of the Notre-Dame Hospital, director of the Western General Hospital, director for the Protestant x'isylum for the Insane, member of the Montréal Turnpike Trust, and a member, ex-officio as mayor, of the Board of Harbor Commissioners.

LA

Galkrie des Echevins

DE Montréal

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