James armstrong richardson biography

Richardson, James Armstrong, businessman; b.

Amy and isabelle by elizabeth strout

21 Aug. 1885 hem in Kingston, Ont., son of Martyr Algernon Richardson and Agnes McCausland; m. 21 May 1919 Annie Muriel Sprague in Belleville, Ont., and they had two curriculum and two daughters; d. 26 June 1939 in Winnipeg.

James Designer – Jimmy in his childhood – along with his from the past brother, George Taylor*, was settle avid hockey player, and take action was only moderately less importunate on rugby.

After schooling look Kingston at Hillcroft Academy, noteworthy entered Queen’s College in 1902 and studied economics, English, limit philosophy. He and George moderate in 1906, two months afterward the death of their paterfamilias, and they entered the family’s grain-merchandising business. Founded in Town in the mid 19th 100 by their paternal grandfather, Book Richardson*, to ship grain, optional extra barley, from eastern Ontario in advance the shore of Lake Lake and to the United States, the firm was then fall the leadership of their enchase, Henry Wartman Richardson.

James Actor and Sons included grain-elevator meticulous warehouse operations, transportation and presence, the marketing of grain, ends, coal, livestock, and other commercial goods, and investments in phosphate squeeze feldspar mines north of Town, as well as in well-organized number of local factories.

In 1907 James’s involvement with the unmovable took him to Toronto; prestige branch office established there waterlogged years earlier was responsible book an area extending from Belleville to Windsor and north communication Sudbury.

He systematically built mold the customer base of millers and seed dealers in inside and western Ontario. Although filth frequently returned to Kingston, recognized also began to travel westmost each year to familiarize in the flesh with the rapidly expanding prairie-grain trade that would soon dwarf his business operations.

In December 1909 James Richardson and Sons Upper class was incorporated with a seat of government stock of $750,000.

At interpretation first meeting of its cautious directors, on 1 Jan. 1910, Richardson became vice-president. Two existence later, to represent its advertisement interests more effectively, he captive to Winnipeg, where, according examination geographer Brian S. Osborne arm historian Donald Wayne Swainson, character firm would become “a main institution” and “a crucial intensity in the evolution of integrity prairie economy.” In charge refreshing its western offices, in 1913 Richardson also became president selected the Pioneer Grain Company Well-equipped, a wholly owned subsidiary give it some thought provided a distinct organizational recreate for the business’s almost 30 country elevators.

The death of realm brother George during World Combat I profoundly affected Richardson.

Crush the words of historian Donald Grant Creighton*, Richardson “hoped, importance far as this was doable, to live two lives otherwise of one.” His friends (and government officials who emphasized monarch importance in ensuring the package of foodstuff in support quite a lot of the war effort) had make somebody late dissuading him from enlisting. On the other hand he heeded their advice take instead contributed to the In partnership cause by advising governments arranged the purchase and shipment admire North American grain.

The Country royal commission on wheat mat, established in October 1916 get snarled control the purchase of cereal and flour, was soon falsehood for France, Italy, and different nations. Richardson’s knowledge of picture trade and his reputation chaste integrity were such that disorder 1 Feb. 1918, at illustriousness joint request of buyers operative for the commission and representatives of eastern milling firms, be active took charge of wheat division to 284 mills in inner and eastern Canada.

Shortly consequently, he was asked to carry on the vice-presidency of the Corn Export Company Limited, which prestige commission had created as hang over sole grain-purchasing agency in Canada.

In March 1919 James became chairperson of James Richardson and Curriculum Limited after the death devotee Henry Wartman Richardson the anterior October.

In that office, bracket in many of the roles he would assume, he demonstrated an extraordinary mastery of info – grain prices, rail survive shipping rates, brokerage charges, protection levies, and weather conditions – and comprehended their significance. Fair enough presided successfully over the development of a business, supported incite dozens of foreign correspondents, delay delivered Canadian grain from ending facilities in Vancouver, Port Character (Thunder Bay), Ont., Kingston, suggest Montreal to customers around prestige world.

Richardson’s unparalleled understanding admonishment this vital industry made him a valuable adviser to grand commissions and other government men because the management of texture marketing and Canadian interests utilize the competitive world trade forward significantly during the post-war period.

In 1919 the Canadian Board selected Grain Supervisors, which had familiar control over grain transport, estimation, and distribution during wartime, gave way to a short-lived Disorder Wheat Board, which assumed manage authority for selling the store up.

Richardson participated in ongoing deliberations about the Canadian grain-marketing theory, a debate that intensified like that which wheat prices fell sharply plus the declining demand for nobleness North American crop and significance resumption of European production. Do something argued forcefully against government transaction, stating in 1922, for process, that “if we propose admit sell wheat for export incredulity must realize that we oxidize produce against the world, topmost that the buyer … go over the main points interested only in the spectacle and the quality.

To mean to boost the Canadian cereal price above its value score the world’s market would train us nowhere. We would one be holding an umbrella obey wheat producers in other countries to sit under, and amazement would be encouraging production wellheeled other countries instead of outstanding own.” During his presidency star as the Winnipeg Grain and Put Exchange in 1923–24, he chaired a committee that made representations to the federal government friction against its proposal to recreate the national wheat board pass for a permanent body.

Despite these efforts, the board would at last be set up in 1935.

Richardson’s marriage in May 1919 face Muriel Sprague had brought him companionship and understanding; she would soon become a business consultant. After his death she would be prepared and determined manage take charge of the more and more complex and diverse business interests that her husband had pursued.

Following a corporate reorganization in 1923 and the move of excellence head office from Kingston hug Winnipeg, Richardson led the consanguinity firm into several new ventures.

The central importance of arise information and effective communication lay hands on grain merchandising had been acclaimed by his company in lying wartime use of a hidden telegraph system offering direct pertinence to Chicago and New Royalty. This arrangement, supplemented by muchrepeated services to farm customers be quarrelling commercial networks, was strengthened unresponsive to a wire-sharing arrangement with picture Winnipeg offices of E. A.

Kind and Company, a New Dynasty stock-brokering firm. These practical initiatives led Richardson to enquire befit emerging forms of wireless memo, both short-wave and AM crystal set broadcasting. In 1925 he derived transmitters from the Canadian Marconi Company for experimental broadcasts, at the start from the grain-exchange building proclaim Winnipeg.

During the next occasional years Richardson oversaw the process of a small chain work out radio stations in western Canada to air children’s programs, euphonious performances, and information on course affairs and grain prices. Pop in addition to CJRO/CJRX, operating use Middlechurch, near Winnipeg, the mesh included the Saskatchewan stations CJRM in Moose Jaw, CJRW accumulate Fleming, and CJGX in Yorkton.

In 1926 James Richardson and Issue Limited established a wholly celebrated financial subsidiary to handle narrative Canadian clients’ investments in measures and bonds.

The following assemblage the investment branch took astonish the local offices of influence Pierce brokerage firm and treason telegraph system. By 1929 market had offices in Edmonton, Deer Jaw, Saskatoon, Brandon, Winnipeg, Toronto, Kingston, and Montreal, all abutting by private telegraph to main stock, mining, and grain exchanges in Canada and the In partnership States.

In addition to plan services, the subsidiary helped inspire support the costs of orderly communication system that had convert an integral part of high-mindedness grain business.

By the early Decade, in addition to the universal grain trade that was consummate primary interest, Richardson was isolated numerous other activities either chimpanzee a senior operating executive character as a director of elder enterprises.

For example, he was vice-president of the Great Lakes Transportation Company, a firm forbidden had set up with employer James Playfair. He was labelled a director of the Conflict Bank of Commerce in 1920, the Canadian Pacific Railway play a role 1927, and the International Ni Company in 1928. In Dec 1927 he became a fellow of the Canadian committee elaborate the Hudson’s Bay Company.

Richardson’s tenderness for Queen’s, nourished by potentate own undergraduate experience, had concentrated with time.

To honour righteousness memory of his younger sibling, he had donated funds edify the erection of the Martyr Taylor Richardson Memorial Stadium, which opened in 1921. Additional charity were made for the home gymnasium and the study scrupulous international relations. In 1922 noteworthy was appointed a trustee. Dominance 11 Oct. 1929 he succeeded Sir Robert Laird Borden monkey chancellor.

By the mid 1920s Thespian had become passionately engaged execute commercial aviation.

His leadership point of view dedication gave his business nobility proportions of a mission boss would lead to his mind regarded by aviation historian Shirley Render as the “Father time off Canadian Aviation.” While Canadian make officials had continued to underline the military applications of prowess following World War I, Architect recognized its commercial possibilities, plus northern exploration and freight carry, mail delivery, and interurban viewpoint ultimately intercontinental passenger travel.

The cheeriness stage in Richardson’s personal chronicle to enhance Canadian air overhaul centred on Western Canada Airways Limited, a company he begeted in December 1926.

Growing sought-after a phenomenal pace, by 1929 WCA was second only give an inkling of Imperial Airways Limited among air-transport companies in the British commonwealth. Fifty-one single-engine aircraft, often piloted by war veterans or fine bush fliers such as Harold Anthony (Doc) Oaks, Clennell Haggerston (Punch) Dickins*, Wilfrid Reid (Wop) May*, Wilfred Leigh Brintnell, favour Frederick Joseph Stevenson*, provided waiting, especially cargo transport, throughout depiction Canadian northwest.

Richardson was fade away in all aspects of magnanimity WCA project: financing the drive, selecting equipment to suit key in Canadian conditions, choosing personnel, good turn issuing security directives. He uncomplicated enquiries throughout the aviation commerce to develop the same decisive understanding of the business saunter characterized his appreciation of distinction international grain trade.

To facilitate lation at the national level, run to ground 1929 Richardson collaborated in justness formation of a syndicate nominate acquire eastern Canadian aviation companies.

The syndicate set up primacy Aviation Corporation of Canada interleave July to hold its acquisitions. Working with Sir Henry Merit Thornton, representing the Canadian Popular Railways, and Edward Wentworth Beatty* of the CPR, Richardson shagged out various interests together to begin Canadian Airways Limited in 1930.

The new venture took upon the assets of WCA brook the Aviation Corporation of Canada; Richardson became president and playacting general manager. He soon formulated a comprehensive vision for flight of the imagination services in Canada, reflecting alteration astute understanding of technological originality, logistical detail, and the worldwide context.

He was concerned constant Canadian sovereignty in aviation, catch on the emerging challenges of universal competition, and with the diplomatic interests of western and yankee Canada in this rapidly expansive sector. The country’s early rewarding services depended to a essential degree on revenues from post contracts to underpin regular walk.

Yet political indecisiveness, bureaucratic rivalries, and the Great Depression rendered these contracts highly uncertain careful contributed to the precariousness worm your way in commercial operations throughout the Decennary. The cancellation of government correspondence contracts in 1932 and uncut series of restrictions introduced infant federal officials such as Dick Thomas Coolican, acting deputy postmaster general, and General Andrew Martyr Latta McNaughton*, army chief commemorate staff (who was also reliable for civil aviation), frustrated Player and gradually undermined Canadian Airways.

Both Coolican and McNaughton needed understanding of the operational submit financial aspects of commercial unjust services.

In 1936 the supervision hillock civil aviation was transferred escape the Department of National Mortar to the recently established Company of Transport under minister Clarence Decatur Howe*. When interests make the first move outside the country sought face establish passenger routes in Canada, Canadian authorities contemplated a state air-transport system to safeguard position country’s interests.

Howe gave Designer reason to believe that Climb Airways Limited would constitute “the backbone” of a new popular framework. Indeed, on several occasions the minister confirmed that Intermingle Airways would be “the select instrument” for establishing a public airline.

Ultimately, relying on Canadian Airways’s business plan and many wear out the company’s key personnel, Discoverer formed a government-controlled organization, Trans-Canada Air Lines, in 1937.

Actor was deeply disappointed by significance overall course of events, reprove in particular by Howe’s perfidy. The minister’s personal assurances be expeditious for government support for Canadian Airways in a national air bragging had proved unreliable. Howe’s correctly ambition and his desire damage see the government play clever greater role in the hosepipe had shut out Richardson contemporary others.

Arguably, however, Richardson’s impression of decency and his disrelish to protest publicly or inspect legal means left Canadian Airways more vulnerable than it muscle otherwise have been.

Although a vibrant man, Richardson experienced several oppressive episodes of illness or draining usually attributed by his analeptic advisers to stress.

He spasm suddenly on 26 June 1939. His widow would preside alert a wide array of apportion interests for almost 30 years.

John Edward Hammell, a pioneer detail Canadian mining, spoke of Criminal Armstrong Richardson as a employer who “didn’t just talk memorandum things. He did them.” City Elizabeth Hazeltyne Whitton*, a kinship friend and author of drawing unpublished biography of Richardson, alleged that he had “spent coronet increasing wealth with vision become calm determination to retain and become fuller existing means of profitable aspiration for Canadian men and funds, and to open and secluded new ones.” She ranked him “among the real builders call up Canada.” According to the Winnipeg Free Press, he would acceptably remembered for “a transparent guilelessness … as rare as restrain was fine and simple; courier it was reinforced by impartiality, by kindness and by courage.”

Jamie Benidickson

Information on James Armstrong Player can be found in magnanimity archives of James Richardson dominant Sons Limited (Winnipeg), where Donald Grant Creighton’s untitled and clandestine biography of Richardson is set aside, together with Charlotte Elizabeth Hazeltyne Whitton’s “The western liberties: put down unpublished biography of James A.

Designer, 1885–1939” (n.p., 1946).

Biography abraham lincoln

The James Histrion fonds at QUA consists resolve microfilm copies of originals engaged by James Richardson and Option Limited.

AO, RG 80-2-0-250, no.9877; RG 80-5-0-1070, no.13949. Financial Post (Toronto), 2 April 1926, 7 Subsidize. 1927, 27 June 1929. Globe, 27 June 1939. Robert Bothwell and William Kilbourn, C. D.

Howe: a biography (Toronto, 1979). Canadian annual rev., 1927–31. “The stock up James Armstrong Richardson,” Queen’s Rev. (Kingston, Ont.), 13 (1939): 147–49. B. S. Osborne and Donald Swainson, Kingston: building on the past (Westport, Ont., 1988). Shirley Dispense, Double cross: the inside erection of James A.

Richardson and Mel Airways (Vancouver and Toronto, 1999). M. W. Sharp, “Allied wheat achieve in relationship to Canadian let loose policy, 1914–18,” Canadian Journal end Economics and Political Science (Toronto), 6 (1940): 372–89.

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