Paterson, James
James Paterson, managing director of the Paterson Shoe Company, Limited, at Victoria, is a well-known businessman in this city, and as a principal member of one of the largest shoe firms of the Northwest he has made his influence widely felt in commercial circles. He is progressive, capable and public-spirited, a comparatively young man hardly past forty-five, and his energy and enterprise are valuable factors in the general welfare of Victoria. The Paterson Shoe Company, Limited, are wholesale and retail dealers, and conduct five stores in this province, three at Victoria, one in Vancouver and one in Nanaimo. Mr. Paterson founded this shoe business in Victoria in 1888, and ten years later the business was incorporated under the present name. The company are also special agents of the Granby Rubber Company. They have a large warehouse on Langley Street, Victoria, and their extensive trade extends throughout this province.
Mr. Paterson was born in the city of Toronto, Canada, June 19, 1858, being of Scotch ancestry. His father, John Paterson, was a shoe manufacturer in Toronto, but is now retired from active affairs and residing in Alberta, being seventy years old. His wife and the mother of Mr. James Paterson was Miss Elizabeth Walker. They are Presbyterians, and highly respected people.
Mr. Paterson's early education was received in Aberdeen, Scotland, and he learned the shoe business with his father. He was in the employ of the Hudson's Bay Company at Winnipeg for a time, and in 1887 came to Victoria and in the following year established his present business, which has been developed under his firm control and executive management into the foremost shoe business of Victoria.
In 1886 Mr. Paterson was married to Miss Jennie McIntyre, of Strathroy, Ontario. Their only child, Gilzean, was born in Victoria. Mr. and Mrs. Paterson are valued members of St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church, in which he is one of the managing board. He is also a member of the board of trade of the city, and during the period of his residence here he has never lacked the civic spirit which means so much for the progress of a city.
R. E. Gosnell, A History of British Columbia, (Vancouver, B. C.: Lewis Publishing Co., 1906). pp. 395-396.