PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND.

increasing practice. He is a member of the Prince Edward Island Medical Society and is a close reader of the best professional lit— erature, thus keeping in touch with the latest advances in the healing art. Politically he is a Conservative, while his fraternal rela- tions are with the Masons, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Independent Order of Foresters and Canadian Order of For- esters. On June 29, 1897, the Doctor mar- ried Miss Lucy Brown, a daughter of W. H. and Charlotte (Dixon) Brown, the former a native of London, England, and the latter of West River, Prince Edward Island, and to this union have been born two children: Eric C. and Jean B. The Doctor takes a deep interest in the welfare of the commu- nity in which he lives, giving his support to every object that promises to better the gen- eral condition, morally, materially or edu- cationally, and enjoys the respect and friend- ship of all who know him.

HON. WILLIAM RICHARDS, ex—M. L. A. Bideford, Prince Edward Island, was born May 15, 1819, in Swansea, South Wales. His parents were the late Capt. William Richards and Margaret Thomas. vHe was educated in Swansea and Waterford, Ire- land. Very early in life he exhibited a par- tiality for the sea, and when about eighteen years of age, sailed with his father. At twenty-five he had risen to be master mari- ner, and subsequently became a vessel owner. Early in the ’ 505 Mr. Richards left the sea and engaged in shipbuilding and mercantile pursuits, first at Port Hill, Prince Edward Island but ultimately at Bideford, where he soon owned one of the finest shipyards in the province and where he built vessels for

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the English market, and for trading on his own account, chiefly to the west coast of South America, Brazil, the East Indies and the Mediterranean. He also owned ship- yards and built many ships in other parts of the province, notably at Summerside and Egmont Bay. He built in all about one hun- dred ships, ranging in size from three hun- dred to twelve hundred tons. For many years he was the largest shipper of oats from the Island to Great Britain and the Continent of Europe, almost all the cargoes being car- ried by his own ships. Early in the ’7os he purchased in Cocaigne, New Brunswick, a valuable saw-mill property and a large tract of timber land. Here for several years large quantities of deals and other timber were cut and shipped in his own vessels, chiefly to Great Britain. _

In 1870 he was elected by acclamation to the Legislative Assembly of Prince Edward Island. He was a member of the Conservative Government during 1871-2 and supported the bill for the construction of the Prince Edward Island Railway. In April 1872, he was defeated at a general election owing to the oppoosition to the Railway Bill. He did not take an active part in poli- tics again until 1876, when he was elected to the Legislative Council, but when his term expired he declined to accept re-nomination.

Mr. Richards is president of, and a large shareholder in, the Charlottetown Steam Navigation Co., limited, owners of the fine steel built twin screw passenger boats “Empress,” “Northumberland” and “Prfii— cess.”

The burden of eighty-seven years of a very busy and useful career rests lightly on the shoulders of one now enjoying the Indian Summer of his existence. His kind- liness of heart, geniality and quiet dignity