James Alexander Lawrason Strathy

James Alexander Lawrason Strathy, long a factor in financial circles in Montreal, was born in London, Ontario, July 22, 1857, where his father, James B. Strathy, was at one time collector of customs. The mother, Mrs. Elvira Strathy, was a daughter of Dr. Hiram D. Lee and of United Empire Loyalist stock. Liberal educational opportunities were accorded the son, who was educated in the Moncrieff Preparatory School, in Hellmuth College at London, Ontario, and in Upper Canada College. At the age of seventeen years he came to Montreal and entered the employ of the brokerage firm of Gordon Strathy & Company, later becoming a partner in the business. He subsequently was admitted to the Montreal Stock Exchange, while six years later he became a member of the Board of Trade. In the following years he devoted all his time to the Montreal Trust & Deposit Company, of which he was one of the organizers. He was appointed general manager of the business and remained with the company until his death. He was also a member of the executive committee of the Royal Electric Company and in business connections gave evidence of his ability to handle important interests and solve intricate problems.

Mr. Strathy was a justice of the peace of Montreal and in official position made a record equally creditable with that which he won in business. He was a member of St. Andrew’s Society and vice president of the United Empire Loyalist Association. Distinction and honors also came to him along military lines, his military record dating from his appointment as second lieutenant of the Fifth Royal Scots of Canada, in 1880. He was advanced to the rank of captain in 1884, became major in 1891 and was made lieutenant colonel, commanding his regiment, in 1893, so continuing until his connection with the regiment ceased in December, 1897. In 1894 he became vice president of the Canada Military Institute at Toronto and the same year was appointed to the staff of the governor general of Canada as an extra aide-de-camp.

Mr. Strathy was widely known in sporting circles. As a gentleman rider he was the winner of the Montreal Hunt Cup Steeplechase in 1880, 1881 and 1886 and of the American Grand National Hunt Steeplechase at Saratoga in 1882 and of the steeplechase open to gentlemen riders. His political allegiance was given to the conservative party and the interests and duties of citizenship found ample recognition in his life activities.

On the 9th of January, 1885, Lieutenant Colonel Strathy was married to Miss Margaret, daughter of Andrew Robertson, of Montreal, and they became the parents of six children, of whom five are living: Marguerite F., Isabella D., Alison L., R. Lee A. and Elvira M. The family circle was broken by the hand of death when on the 7th of October, 1901, Lieutenant Colonel Strathy passed away. He was a popular member of the St. James Club and his position as a business man and in military and sporting circles classed him with the representative residents of his city.