McQuade, Louis Gregory
Louis Gregory McQuade, of the well-known firm of P. McQuade and Company, ship chandlers at Victoria, is a citizen highly honoured, not alone for his substantial personal character, but also for his long connection with a business firm which is a pioneer in Victoria and has dealt in ship-outfitting supplies for over forty-five years.
Mr. McQuade is himself a native of the state of New York, born in Albany, April 28, 1853. His father, Peter McQuade, who came to Victoria on the 20th day of July, 1858, was a native of Galway, Ireland, where he was born in 1823. The father was educated in his native island, was married there to Miss Bridget Fitzpatrick, a native of Dublin, and in 1856 he went to California. He was in business in San Francisco for a year or so, and in 1858 arrived in Victoria and founded the ship chandler's establishment which has ever since been successfully carried on either by himself or his son as successor.
Peter McQuade was a man of broad ability and generous nature, and he took a deep interest in public affairs and was always known for his progressive citizenship. He was a member of the Victoria Stock Company, and also director of the Royal Hospital. He died in 1884 in his sixty-first year, and was survived by his good wife, who passed away in 1886. They were both devout members of the Roman Catholic church, and the son's family also adhere to that faith. The two daughters are sisters of the Order of St. Ann at Montreal.
Louis G. McQuade, the only surviving son, was but a child when he came to Victoria, and this city has been the scene of his youth and adult activity. He was educated in St. Louis College at Victoria. He was practically brought up in his father's ship chandler's business, so that he has well prepared to assume the responsible management of it at his father's death. This business, founded in the early year of 1858, has been excellently managed throughout, and has kept pace with the growth of the city. Everything for the complete outfitting of ships is carried in the establishment, and the firm is well known all up and down the coast. In addition to this principal business Mr. McQuade has for the past eight years owned a schooner which he has employed in the sealing business.
Like his honoured father, Mr. McQuade has made the city's welfare his own, and the growth and prosperity of the city have always been regarded with him as of equal importance with the success of his own enterprises. He is an ex-president of the Board of Trade, and is at present one of the councillors of the board. In politics he has always been a Conservative, but has never sought or desired office at the hands of his fellow citizens. He is owner of two fine residences in the city as also of other city property, and has carried on his affairs with a large degree of success.
In 1875 Mr. McQuade was married to Miss Mary Norris, who was born in Bowmanville, Ontario. This union has been blessed with three children, all born in Victoria: Louis, Anna and Peter.
R. E. Gosnell, A History of British Columbia, (Vancouver, B. C.: Lewis Publishing Co., 1906). pp. 342-343.