Mr. Stephens married first in 1865, Elizabeth Mary MacIntosh and afterward in 1878, Frances Ramsay MacIntosh, daughter of Nicholas Carnegie MacIntosh, of Edinburgh, Scotland. For many years Mrs. Stephens was president of the Decorative Art Association of Montreal and a recognized leader in social circles. She has accomplished work of far-reaching importances and benefit in connection with the Woman’s Immigrant Society; the Soldiers’ Wives League, which was organized during the South African war; the Maternity Hospital, and the Montreal Cooking School. In religious faith she is a Unitarian and in more strictly social lines is connected with the Canadian Woman’s Club, the Ladies Morning Musical Club and the Royal Montreal Ladies Golf Club. The children are two sons and two daughters: Major G. W. and F. C. Stephens; and Mrs. J. Wedderburn Wilson and Mrs. A. Hamilton Gault.
Mr. Stephens was devoted to his family and ever held friendship inviolable. He belonged to both the St. James and Union Clubs and his military experience covered service as a cavalry major until he was placed on the retired list, his connection being with the Montreal Rifle Rangers. One of the leading newspapers styled him “a liberal of the old school, fearless and brave.” The same qualities characterized him throughout his entire life in every relation, and many who were his associates and contemporaries felt at his passing, which occurred at his country residence, Lac à l’eau Claire, in 1904, that,
“He was a man. Take him for all in all I shall not look upon his like again.”
Public opinion accords Major Victor Evelyn Mitchell a position of leadership among the members of the Montreal bar, not only because of his extensive practice and the ability displayed therein, but also because of his contribution to the literature of the profession. His military record also gives him right to public recognition. A native of London, England, he was born October 17, 1865, and is of English lineage, his father having been James Mitchell, of London, England. In the attainment of his education he attended the City of London school and afterward McGill University, where he won his B. C. L. degree and valedictorian honors in 1896. The same year he began practice as an advocate in Montreal with the late R. D. McGibbon, K. C. He had been a resident of Canada for eight years, and thus it was that his preparation for the bar was pursued in McGill. The ability which he has displayed in practice is indicated by the fact that he was created K. C. in 1909. He is now a member of the firm of McGibbon, Casgrain, Mitchell & Casgrain and devotes himself to corporation and commercial law. He published the first English edition of the The Code of Civil Procedure and in conjunction with J. L. Perron, K. C., brought out an Insolvency Manual. He is not unknown in the educational field, having lectured on The Legal Aspects of Trade Unionism and on Warranties and Representations re Contract of Life Insurance. All this establishes his position as a lawyer well versed in his profession and capable in handling intricate and involved legal problems. He is also a well known publicist; his letters to the Montreal Star on the naval question created great interest and showed a thorough knowledge and study of the subject.