660

still in the business. He and Doctor Mc- Lean built and for several years operated the Alberton Trotting Park, which was a pronounced success and very helpful to the breeder in developing equine speed. Mr. Birch has also been of material service in the practice of veterinary surgery, to which he had a decided tendency in early life, and he has mitigated the sufferings of many a noble animal and saved the lives of scores by his skill, which has always been given freely without price and from love of the work and its beneficiaries. On April 23, 1903, after many efforts, he succeeded in organizing the Alberton Board of Trade, and from its organization he has served as its secretary. This board has done much for the mercantile advancement of the town. Another element of interest in the life

of this enterprising and useful citizen of nearly three score years’ residence on Prince i Edward Island is that he is a lover of good, clean, honest sport, and showed his fond- ness for it as a prominent member of the Port Hill Football and Cricket Club in 1873-4-5, and in many other ways. As a knight of the sulky he is in his element wherein he finds special delight. In every race he enters he drives to win, always con- ditioning and driving his own horses. He has also taken the lead in this part of the country in horticulture and vegetable gar- dening. his work in these lines being highly creditable to his skill and the fertility of the soil, as well as profitable to him financially. Fratemally Mr. Birch is a member ‘of the Masonic order, belonging to St. John’s Lodge at Charlottetown, but he first joined Alexander Lodge at Port Hill. He also belongs to the Independent Order of Forest- ers, and until a few years ago was a very active member of the Sons of Temperance.

PAST AND PRESENT OF

He is no longer connected with this frater- nity, but he still rigidly practices its princi- ples, being a total abstainer and at all times taking an active part in temperance work. His church affiliation is with the Episco- palians.

ANGUS BRIEN, a successful dealer in lum- ber and general merchandise at Victoria, is a native son of Prince Edward Island, hav- ing been born at Rice Point in Lot 65 on September 23, 1830. His father, William Brien, was a native of Ross, County \Vex- ford, Ireland, and emigrating to New— foundland in 1813, be three years later came to Rice Point, Prince Edward Island, where he followed farming up to the time of his death, which occurred on October 24, 1862, at the age of seventy-six years. He married Miss Isabel McDonald, who was born on June 5, I 796, in Glasgow. Scotland, a daughter of Angus McDonald, of \Vest River, and to them were born eight chil- dren: Isabel, the wife of Neil Campbell, now deceased; John, deceased; Henry, deceased; Mary, who became the wife of Henry Tay- lor, and is now deceased; Angus, the sub- ject of this sketch; Samuel, deceased; M. 8., living in the state of Maine, and Ann, de- ceased. The father was a member of the Catholic church and in politics a Liberal.

Angus Brien received his education in the public schools at Canoe Cove, after which he entered the hearse and carriage business at Crapaud in connection with the firm of Peter Rogerson & Sons, with whom he continued for five years. He then was employed in Charlottetown for a year, after which he returned to Rice Point and was engaged in farm work until 1873, when he came to Victoria and engaged in the lumber