Date Published:
April 2008

L’Encyclopédie de l’histoire du Québec / The Quebec History Encyclopedia

James H. Maher

Real Estate Operator one of Montreal's most

Successful Business Men.

JAMES H. MAHER, financier, real estate operator and one of the most progressive and substantial business men of Montreal, Que., was born August 23rd, 1873 in the township of Huntley, Ont. He is a son of Philip and Eleanor (Coyne) Maher, of Irish ancestry, locating in Ontario, where James was educated and brought up. His first occupation was as an apprentice at harness-making which trade he learned, later spending a couple of years in woolen manufacturing, then he became a workman in a saw mill, finally being employed with J. W. Munro a contractor in The Canadian Pacific Railway as a stone cutter and mason. In 1895 Mr. Maher moved to Montreal and secured employment with P. Lyall and Sons as a bricklayer. In 1896 he determined to start in business on his own account and from a small beginning, doing excavating, brick-work, etc., he gradually built up a large business, becoming as he advanced a builder and real estate operator and from the very beginning meeting with such success that he is today recognized as one of the leading and most progressive real estate operators in Canada. His entire career, from a hard working lad to the ambitious workman and the successful business man, shows determination, courage and ability, and if he did not possess all these attributes he would not have reached the goal he has, and occupy the important position in the country that he does today. He started with not a dollar and by his own exertions and having the courage of his convictions has succeeded. He is a self made man. Mr. Maher is president of the Vaudreuil Spring, Ltd., and president of the National Pipe and Foundry Co. of Montreal. He is also owner and operator of various sub-divisions, also of valuable office and residential property in all parts of Montreal and owns over one million dollars worth of real estate. He is developing a beautiful sub-division at the west end of Montreal which he has named Senneville Grove, which property is being improved into high class residential tracts.

Mr. Maher was married July 20, 1896, to Miss Philomine Murray, of Montreal, the union being blessed with nine children, namely: Henry Maher, Stanley Maher, William Maher, May Maher, Albert Maher, Thomas Maher, Maude Maher, Rose Maher and Martin Maher. Mr. Maher is a lover of all outdoor sports and an expert trap shot.

Source: Canadian History Makers. A Volume Containing Accurate and Concise Sketches of Men who have Done Things in The Dominion of Canada Past and Present Together with Photogravures Made from their Latest Photographs, Montreal, Canadian Publication Society, 1913, 159p., p. 91.