The paternal grandfather of Mr. Jack was David William Jack, son of William Jack, Bailie, of the town of Cupar Fife, Scotland. The writer visited Cupar in January, 1900, and there met one George Thompson, then in his 93rd year, carpenter by trade, still able to support himself and a blind sister almost of his own age, and who was able to give him much valuable family history, most of which he was able afterwards to verify from the public records and other sources. This man well remembered William Jack, and related many amusing anecdotes in connection with the life of the late Bailie.
Mr. Jack, as a boy, studied for several years under the late Canon Lee, and then entered the Collegiate School at Fredericton, matriculated at Kings College, Fredericton, afterward removing to Kings College, Windsor, N. S., where, in 1863, he received the degree of Bachelor of Arts. In 1877 he received from the last mentioned college the degree of Bachelor of Civil Law, and in 1884 that of Doctor of Civil Law. He was admitted attorney in October, 1866, and barrister the following year. He was appointed Recorder of St. John in April, 1885, and was created a Q. C. in March, 1891.
He has been connected with various national, literary and other societies, and with the old Mechanics' Institute of St. John, in the management of which he took a very active interest, on several occasions delivering a lecture in the regular annual course. He was a literary contributor to the Week of Toronto, and to various other periodicals and magazines.
