George Mignon Innes, Canon and Rector of St. Paul’s Cathedral, London, is a son of John Boutet Innes, clergyman, and Mary nee Evans, and was born at Weymouth, England, January 21, 1826. The Inneses are of Scotch extraction, the father of our subject, being a cousin of the late Duke of Roxborough. It is an old military family. The Mignons, (Mignon is the family name of the grandmother on the father’s side), were Huguenots, Count Mignon de Chasseau, escaping from France in 1688, concealed in a soap barrel Canon Innes was educated at Millhill grammar school, studied and passed examination for the army at Sandhurst Military College, and was appointed to a commission in the army in 1849. He served for twelve years and retired as Captain in 1861, being in the Royal Canadian Rifles. He studied theology and was ordained Deacon, at London, by the Bishop of Huron, in 1862; priest by the same Bishop the following year, and was appointed Incumbent of Christ’s Church, London. In 1863 he went to the city of Quebec, as assistant minister of the Cathedral; in 1868 returned to London, as assistant minister of St. Paul’s Cathedral; and in 1871, became canon and rector of the same, a position which he still holds, being a very deligent worker for the Master. He is very attentive to the wants of his parishioners, making frequent visits, and being especially attentive to the sick. In his preaching he is strictly Evangelical; has a clear, full and very pleasant voice, and a remarkably pointed way of “putting things.” He has a strong and influential parish, including many of the leading families in the city, and they are warmly attached to their pastor.
Canon Innes received from Bishop’s College, Lennoxville, Province of Quebec, the degree of Master of Arts. He has a large, well selected library, of which he makes good use.
Mr. Innes has been twice married; first in October, 1854, to Elizabeth Ann, only daughter of Col. John Clarke, of the 76th regiment, she dying in 1865, leaving one son and three daughters, all yet living; his second marriage was May 6, 1867, to Ann MacCallum, daughter of Daniel MacCallum, Quebec.
