James Paton

PATON, JAMES. merchant and business person; b. 5 June 1853 in Paisley, Scotland, son of Alexander Paton and Elizabeth McKechnie; m. first 22 January 1880 Eva Melcora Anderson, and they had one child, Cora E.; m. secondly 21 September 1887 Florence Gertrude Brown, and they had three children. Isobel Evelyn, Beatrice G., and James Rowland, m. thirdly July 1912, Susan Barrett, and there were no children; Methodist; d. 16 September 1935 in Charlottetown. Paton, a Conservative, was elected to the Legislative Assembly in the general election of 1915 for Charlottetown Royalty. He was defeated in the general elections of 1897, 1900, and 1919. Before entering provincial politics, Paton served on Charlottetown City Council from 1902 to 1906, and was Mayor of Charlottetown from 1906 to 1908. Paton was educated at Moores Public School and Nelson High School, both in Paisley, Scotland. At the age of 13, he went to work at Robertson and McGibbon, the leading drapers of Paisley, where he was employed for six years. In 1872 Paton came to the Island. He clerked in Charlottetown for four years, after which he entered into partnership with W. A. Weeks. In 1888 Paton became the sole owner of this business and changed the name of the firm to James Paton and Company. He travelled to Britain to make purchases for his business. In his lifetime, he crossed the Atlantic over 100 times. Paton was actively involved in numerous community organizations. He was a member of the Methodist Church, where he served as a steward and a trustee. He was a director of the Caledonia Club in Charlottetown and a charter member of the Charlottetown Board of Trade, where he served as president. He was also involved in the Provincial Exhibition Association, serving as both a director and as president. James Paton died 16 September 1935 at his home. Eva Paton, the daughter of John Anderson of Sackville, New Brunswick, died 27 April 1885. Florence Paton, the daughter of William and Isabella Jane Brown of Charlottetown, was born 6 October 1863 and died 31 March 1911. Susan Paton, the daughter of James and Sarah Barrett of Charlottetown, was born 31 December 1872.