This series consists of private and business-related correspondence, estates, financial records, diaries and personal files of Norman M. Paterson which begins with his early years in Fort William. The files are arranged alphabetically by title and calendar year. The principal areas of concern include Paterson's grain and shipping interests, mining ventures, investments and other business matters; his involvement in community organizations; and his recreational activities.
This series contains the oldest photographs within the fonds. They illustrate the life and the career of Norman M. Paterson, his wife, children and the other members of his family. They also pertain to their personal activities such as sports, hunting, fishing, camps, houses, travels, boating, clubs, skiing, vacations, etc. They are predominantly black and white. These images are particularly useful for social studies illustrating the day to day life of the Paterson family and their recreational activities. Below are some of the subjects documented:
- Wedding day; - Parents of N.M. Paterson (oldest photos) and brothers (father, mother, brothers: Jack and Hamilton); - Hugh Paterson photo of his marriage 1881; photos of Norman M. Paterson when he was young with his brothers and photographs of the Paterson ancestors; - King George VI and Queen Elizabeth I visit to Fort William, Ontario; - Some photographs of Louisiana Purchase Exchange World's Fair, St. Louis, Mo. a visit of this fair 1904; - View of residential streets in Fort William, Winnipeg, etc; - Paterson Sailors Park Memorial: photographs of the erected monument for the Paterson Steamship sailors who lost their lives in the Second World War; - Personalized/signed photograph from Norwegian ski jumper, Reidar Andersen, to Mrs. and Mr. Paterson (container 711 file 10 and container 712 file 2): photographs of the 1939 Dominion Championship, Fort William Ski Club; - The Quebec Conference, 1943: Canadian Prime Minister Mackenzie King, U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt and British Prime Minister Winston Churchill seated in front of other state officials (container 712 file 1 item No. 6848); - Photograph of Senator Norman M. Paterson taken by Yousuf Karsh in the foyer of 500 Wilbrod Street, Ottawa; - Photographs of Norman M. Paterson when he was Senator and portraits with his children John and Donald; - Photograph of Norman M. Paterson with painting of himself (container 709 file 10); - Many family photo albums which belonged to the Paterson children.
Art material was found among one album of photographs: a collection of 22 colour Imperial Cigarette "Game Bird Series" collectible cards (container 519 at the end of the album).
In addition to being active in business, Norman M. Paterson along with his wife and other family members, shared a lifelong passion for collecting paintings, artefacts and other art material. Lists of painting collections and their values are available in container 645 files 6 to 9.
Paterson, Norman M., 1880-1983 : Norman M. Paterson was born in Portage La Prairie, Manitoba in 1883, the son of Hugh S. Paterson (died in 1936) and Ella Snider (died in 1942). He was educated in Portage Public Schools and at Wellesley School in Toronto, Ontario. At the age of 15, he began his career as a junior worker for the Manitoba Railway and Canal Company. In 1897, he joined the Great Northern Railway of Canada as a telegraph operator, and then being promoted to private secretary, then chief clerk and by the time he was 20 years of age, to the position of purchasing agent. He resigned in 1903. With his father he developed a keen interest in the grain business and, accordingly, went to work in the Winnipeg Grain Exchange in 1903.
In the winter of 1908, Paterson migrated to Fort William, Ontario (now Thunder Bay) and founded the company under the name of N.M. Paterson Co. On June 2, 1915, he married Eleanor Macdonald, the daughter of John M. MacDonald of Winnipeg, Manitoba. They had six children, Elizabeth, Donald S., John N., Mary, Nancy and Joan.
By 1940, N. M. Paterson Co. Limited had become one of the largest Canadian grain and steamship companies. He controlled and operated more than one hundred elevators in Manitoba and Saskatchewan, a five bushel terminal elevator at Fort William and thirty four lake vessels trading on the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River. Paterson became President of N.M. Paterson & Sons and many others companies such as Kaministiquia Lumber Company, Western Engineering Services, Traders' Building Association, Chairman of Royal Edward Hotel, Director of Canadian General Insurance, Ducks Unlimited (Canada), etc.
In February 1940, Paterson was appointed to the Senate of Canada by Prime Minister William Lyon Mackenzie. He moved to Ottawa with his youngest children. He soon became involved in federal politics and community-based work in Ottawa, Thunder Bay, Winnipeg, Saskatchewan and in the Northwestern Ontario. He made many contributions to the nation, notably by his war efforts during World War II and by his philanthropic activities. In 1951, a donation from Paterson established the Presbyterian Church Fund for Ministerial Assistance. He was a strong supporter of the creation of the Carleton University by financing programs, funding student awards and by establishing a graduate School of International Affairs for people preparing for careers in government, academic institutions, business, journalism and other fields. He also helped to build Lakehead University in Thunder Bay. He donated his home in Fort William (Thunder Bay) to McKellar Hospital and a medical treatment unit to the Port Arthur General Hospital. He made financial contributions to many other hospitals and social organizations such as the Ottawa Civic Hospital, Victorian Order of Nurses for Canada, the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters, as well as the Orpheus Operatic Society. In 1970, he founded the Paterson Foundation, which makes grants available to charitable and non-profit organizations in the field of education, health care, religion, social welfare, culture areas and/or arts.
He was appointed member of the Board of Governors, Chancellor and Honorary chairman of Carleton University and Lakehead University. During his career, Norman M. Paterson was invested Officer, Commander and Knight of Brother of The Order of St. John. He received several honorary degrees from various Canadian universities. Senator Norman M. Paterson died on August 11, 1983 at the age of 100.