It was to that business that James Paton turned his attention, when his school days were over, joining his father and acquainting himself with every phase of the business in which he was destined to win substantial success. The firm of Laird Paton & Sons took high rank among the contractors of the city and erected many of Montreal’s best buildings. James Paton was capable of watching and directing the slightest detail as well as the most important features of his business and could turn with equal energy and enthusiasm to sporting events. In a word, he had the power of concentrating his entire energy upon the interest of the moment and it was this that gained him prominence along each line. Whenever the name of James Paton was seen in connection with any sport, it was a guarantee that it was clean and honest and he rendered great service to the city in the promotion of amateur sports. He belonged to the Montreal Amateur Athletic Association and was one of the moving spirits in the development of that organization and in the efforts which eventually lead to the securing of the present handsome quarters of the organization on Peel Street. He was also instrumental in securing the establishment of its swimming-pool and he belonged to the Montreal and Caledonian Curling Clubs, was always ready to take an active part in the water carnivals, and was a favorite of the membership in the different organizations with which he was identified. He found pleasure and manifested marked proficiency in ice-boating and tobogganing. He loved sailing and seemed a born sailor, displaying great ability in managing his craft and taking part in many sailing contests of note.
JAMES PATON
Mr. Paton married Miss Annie M. Thompson of Ottawa and they had four children. He was but fifty-two years of age at the time of his death. He possessed in a large measure the quality of camaraderie and his friends were legion so that his death was deeply regretted outside the immediate family circle.
RICHEMONT LE MOYNE DE MARTIGNY.
Richemont Le Moyne de Martigny, for many years engaged in the real-estate business in Montreal, was born at Varennes, Quebec, September 25, 1852, and is descended from a distinguished French family that was founded in Canada in 1654. Of the three brothers who first crossed the Atlantic to the new world Charles became governor of Montreal, Jacques established himself at Varennes and was a farmer and active participant in the early Indian wars, while Pierre proceeded westward to what is now Detroit.
Prime de Martigny, father of Richemont Le Moyne de Martigny, was a farmer at Varennes, well known in both military and official connections, serving as colonel of the militia and mayor of Varennes. He married Charlotte Perreault, of Quebec, and their sons were: Prime, a physician of Omaha, Nebraska; Richemont Le Moyne; and Alexander, chief engineer of the Ottawa River Navigation Company.