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Alward, Silas, A.M., D.C.L., M.P.P., Barrister-at-Law, St. John, New Brunswick, was born at New Canaan, Queens county, N.B., on 14th April, 1841. His father, John Alward, a successful agriculturist, was the son of Benjamin Alward, a U. E. loyalist, who emigrated with his family from the state of New Jersey, at the close of the American revolution, and made his home in Queens county, New Brunswick, and there he died at the age of ninety years. The mother of Silas Alward was Mary A. Corey, whose family also settled in New Brunswick, at an early date. Silas received his education at Acadia College, Wolfville, Nova Scotia, and graduated B.A. in 1860, standing at the head of his class. The following remarks may be seen on the records of Acadia College, with regard to Mr. Alward:

“I now come to probably the most brilliant class that ever took the prescribed course at Acadia, the class of 1860. * * * There is Silas Alward, one of the most persevering, indefatigable, attentive students who ever attended college. Of strong physical frame, with great aptitude for study, a good linguist, an ambitious young man, it is not improbable that in his daily and terminal reckoning he stood in his class where the alphabet has placed him dux.”

In 1871, he received the degree of A.M., from Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island. After getting through with his college course, he began the study of law in the office of the Hon. Charles N. Skinner, Q.C., now Judge of Probate in St. John; was admitted to practice in 1865, and called to the bar in 1866, since which time he has steadily applied himself to his professional duties, and is now noted for his high legal attainments, and is without doubt an ornament to the bar of New Brunswick. He has been on two occasions president of the St. John Mechanics’ Institute, and is a trustee of the St. John School Board. In 1867, Mr. Alward took a tour through Europe, and spent some time in the cities of Rome and Naples. He afterwards wrote for a St. John newspaper some very interesting articles, descriptive of the various places of note he visited on this occasion. He has since then twice visited the old world. He is well versed in general literature, and occasionally takes the platform as a lecturer. Amongst his favourite lectures we may mention: “Our Western Heritage,” “A Day in the Heart of England,” “The Permanency of British Civilization,” and “The Great Administration.” In February, 1887, Dr. Alward was elected by acclamation to the legislature of New Brunswick, for the city of St. John. In politics, Mr. Alward is a Liberal, and in religious matters, he belongs to the Baptist denomination. On October 12th, 1869, he was married to Emilie, daughter of Peter Wickwire, of Nova Scotia, and sister of Dr. Wickwire, of Halifax. Mrs. Alward died in 1879, leaving no children.