Sub-series consists of records maintained by the Canadian National Railways. These records relate to the activities of C.J. Smith, an officer of Canadian National Railways.
Charles J. Smith (1862-1947) commenced his railway career in 1879 with the Hamilton and North Western Railway. Between 1880 and 1890 he worked in the auditing, purchasing, construction and traffic departments of various American and Canadian railways. In 1890 he joined the Canada Atlantic Railway, becoming General Traffic Manager in 1898. He was General Manager of the Richelieu and Ontario Navigation Company from 1904 to 1912 and Manager and Secretary of the Montreal Warehousing Company from 1915 to 1923. With Canadian National Railways he was General Manager, Elevators and Warehouses, 1923-1924; Executive Assistant to the President (1924-1925) and Vice-President in charge of European business from 1925 until his retirement in 1931.
The records - which date from the period 1883-1947, but are primarily from ca. 1920-1935 - include daily diaries and appointment books, personal accounts, correspondence and social memorabilia, newspaper clippings, documents relating to his railway and shipping activities and various publications. There are also miscellaneous postcards, Christmas cards, menus, posters and drawings.
More specifically, here are some highlights from the various volumes:
Vol. 11728: Daily Diaries 1904-1947, Menus and invitations, 1925-1935, Passes and membership cards 1931 - 1948
Vol. 11729: Various souvenir books, post cards, and correspondence relating to Montreal Warehousing Company 1925-1930, Buffalo and Crystal Beach Corporation 1927 - 1932, National Terminals of Canada, 1925-1931, Saint James Club of Montreal, 1925-1932.
Vol. 11730: Investments, correspondence receipts and certificates, 1896-1943, various family photos and photos on launching of CN Lady Ships 1928, correspondence on property mortgages.
Vol. 11731: Congratulations on appointment as Vice-President CNR, personal letters 1925-1938.
Vol. 11732: Speeches and letters re. appointment as Vice-President of CNR, humorous notes and drawings, personal cash books 1911-1928
Vol. 11733: Map showing the system CNR, 1928; correspondence with various investment organizations and banks
Amongst the textual records, there is personal correspondence between Smith and his wife Kitty, as well between Smith and his son Bruce.
Additionally, there are family photographs, and photographs of the launching of various CNR ships.
