Robert Thomas Hopper

Ability to recognize opportunities that others passed heedlessly by, combined with an ambition that brought about their immediate, practical and resultant utilization, brought Robert Thomas Hopper to a position in the foremost ranks of Montreal’s manufacturers and business men. He had the distinction of being the first man to ship asbestos abroad and later became a prominent figure in the mining industry in the province, while at the time of his death he was president of the Dominion Marble Company.

Mr. Hopper was born in Quebec, February 25, 1858, and was educated there in the public school and in Thom’s Academy. His father, Thomas Hopper, was senior partner of the firm of Hopper Brothers, a prominent firm of cattle dealers in the province. Thomas Hopper married Miss Agnes Davidson and their children were six in number. Robert Thomas Hopper came to Montreal in 1876, when he was eighteen years of age and secured a position as bookkeeper with the firm of James Linton, continuing in that connection for a year. He then organized the firm of Irwin Hopper & Company, which existed until 1889, when the business was taken over by R. T. Hopper & Company. This firm engaged in the mineral business, specializing in crude and fibrized asbestos, being among the pioneers in that industry in Canada. Mr. Hopper was regarded as father of the asbestos business in this country. He was the first Canadian to ship asbestos abroad and has the distinction of being the first man in the business to take up the installation of crushing machinery which has since revolutionized the asbestos business.

About 1891, Mr. Hopper established the first Portland Cement plant in Canada, known as the English Portland Cement Company of Canada. Difficulties confronted him, for it fell to his lot to educate the people to the use of cement. He entered upon a campaign which ultimately resulted in success, for his persistency and energy overcame the obstacles placed in his way. Moreover, time tests the merit of all things and the worth of Portland cement is demonstrated in its successful use. Later Mr. Hopper consolidated his interests with the Rathburns of Deseronto, Ontario, organizing the Beaver Portland Cement Company, and with the development of the business and the formation of new associations the Canadian Portland Cement Company came into existence. Their plants were located at Marlbank and Deseronto, Ontario, and with the passing of the years the business developed until it assumed large proportions. Eventually, Mr. Hopper sold his interests after having materially assisted in building up a large and successful business. In 1906 he organized the Dominion Marble Company, of which he continued as president until his death on the 13th of November, 1912. This business was established on a small scale but was developed along modern, progressive lines until the company is now one of the largest in Canada, engaged in the marble business, owning extensive quarries located at South Stukely, Quebec, and Mr. Hopper was also a director in the Sherbrooke Railway & Power Company and remained a director of the Canadian Cement Company after he withdrew from active connection with the management of the business. He was a prominent member of the council of the Canadian Mining Institute and thus kept in close touch with the mining projects of the country.

In 1882, in Montreal, Mr. Hopper was united in marriage to Miss Mary Agnes Mathews, a daughter of Richard Mathews, of this city, and two daughters and a son were born to them.

Mr. Hopper was a member of the Board of Trade and was a public-spirited citizen, interested in all that pertained to civic betterment and improvement. He was a member of the Montreal Amateur Athletic Association, the Montreal Club, the Chapleau Club, the Royal St. Lawrence Yacht Club and the Beaconsfield Golf Club. He attended Douglas Methodist church and was deeply interested in many local charities. He sought ever the welfare and development of the community in which he lived along lines of material, intellectual, moral and public progress and his labors were attended with far-reaching results and benefits.