Hon. Simeon Beaudin, K. C

Hon. Simeon Beaudin, puisne judge of the superior court of the province of Quebec, took to his judicial duties an excellent record as a lawyer whose ability had won for him a foremost position among the strong and forceful members of the Montreal bar, where he had been a successful practitioner for more than one-third of a century.

He was born at St. Isidore, P. Q., September 12, 1855, and comes from one of the oldest families in the province.

He supplemented his early educational privileges by a course of study in Montreal College and in 1878 was called to the bar. He immediately entered upon active practice, forming a partnership with Messrs. Loranger & Loranger, in whose office he had previously studied. One of the partners was raised to the bench and on the death of the other Mr. Beaudin succeeded to the business of the firm. His partnership relations extended until he became the senior member of the well known law firm of Beaudin, Loranger, St. Germain & Guerin. His practice was of an extensive and important character. He argued the St. Blase parish and other cases before the judicial committee of the privy council of England, and was acknowledged as a leader of the French-Canadian bar. For many years he was a member of the bar council. In 1889 he was created Q. C. by the Earl of Derby. He was batonnier of the Montreal bar in 1902 and later batonnier-general. His close conformity to the highest standards of his profession and his devotion to his clients’ interests gave to him a standing that was an honor to his profession. He was elected an honorary member of La Chambre de Commerce of Montreal in 1902 and in 1904 he became one of the incorporators of the La Presse Publishing Company. He was also one of the promoters of Lafontaine Club and he likewise belongs to Club Canadien and Pointe Claire Golf Club.

Judge Beaudin has always given his political allegiance to the conservative party. He unsuccessfully contested Laprairie-Napierville for the house of commons at the general election in 1908.

For some years previous to his assuming judicial duties in 1912, he had been frequently referred to by the press and profession as a most competent man for the bench, and of him the Montreal Witness said: “He ranks high in his profession, his thorough legal sense, knowledge of the law and extensive experience qualifying him for early judicial preferment.”

In 1883 Mr. Beaudin was united in marriage to Miss Mary Norris, a daughter of John Norris, of Montreal, and they reside at No. 44 Bishop Street. In religious faith Mr. Beaudin is a Roman Catholic. In all matters of citizenship pertaining to the material, intellectual, political and moral progress of the community he is deeply interested, but after all he regards the law as his real life work.