Henry Westman Richardson was a Canadian businessman and Senator. He was the head of J. Richardson and Sons Limited, a commodities firm based in Kingston, Ontario that was founded by his father which handled virtually all of Canada's grain exports to the United Kingdom during World War I. Richardson became president of the firm following the death of his brother, in 1906. He was president until his own death in 1918. Richardson also sat on the boards of directors of several railway companies as well as Dominion Canneries. He was a member of the Boards of Trade in Toronto, Montreal and Winnipeg. He was an Alderman in Kingston and President of the Board of Education. He was appointed to the Senate of Canada on 22 January 1917 and sat as a Conservative until his death a year later.
Early life
Henry Westman Richardson was born the son of James A. Richardson and Susannah Wartman on 21 July 1855 in Kingston. He attended Kingston Collegiate Institute. On 14 April 1885, he married Alice Ford, daughter of R.G. Ford of Kingston. Together they had three daughters and three sons.
Professional life
Richardson was involved in a number of business, and educational organizations, as follows:
J. Richardson and Sons Limited - President 1906-1918
Kingston, Portsmouth & Cataraqui Electric Railway - President
Kingston Feldspar and Mining Company - President and General Manager
Dominion Canners. Limited - Director
North American Smelting Company - president and general manager
Travelers Life Assurance Company of Canada - Officer and Shareholders' Director
In anticipation of the end of World War I, Ontario Premier, Sir William Hearst, asked, "In the day when Canada has a population equal to the British Isles, does any suggest that she should leave the question of peace and war to a Parliament over which she has no control?". As a result a number of Senators, including Richardson, signed an agreement to define the role of Canada in a post-war Imperial Age. The agreement including these ideas:
Canada strengthened its ties to Great Britain by participating in WWI
Effective Empire government must not sacrifice domestic policy nor surrender fiscal responsibility.
The Dominions need to share defense of the Empire and should have a voice in policy with other states.
Political leaders throughout the Empire should meet to discuss the ideas.
As the war had not concluded, Ontario Liberal Leader, N.W. Rowell, advised that the priority should be save the Empire first and plan to reorganize it after the war.
Death
Richardson died suddenly from angina pectoris on 27 October 1918. In December 1918, the Kingston Hosiery Company entered into voluntary liquidation as Richardson was the principal stockholder and his son did not wish to continue the business of the company. James Armstrong Richardson, Sr. became president of James Richardson and Sons in 1919.
