D'Alton Corry Coleman

D'Alton Corry Coleman
Born	(1879-07-09) 9 July 1879 Carleton Place, Ontario, Canada
Died	17 October 1956(1956-10-17) (aged 77)
Occupation(s)	Business leader, railway executive
Years active	1899–1947
Known for	President of Canadian Pacific Railway (1942–1947), founding Canadian Pacific Air Lines, leadership during World War II logistics

D'Alton Corry Coleman (July 9, 1879 – October 17, 1956) was a prominent Canadian business leader and railway executive. Beginning his career with the Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR) in 1899, he advanced to serve as president from 1942 until 1947. During his tenure, Coleman oversaw the addition of numerous branch lines across the Canadian Prairies, guiding the railways of Western Canada through the challenges of the Great Depression. His leadership was instrumental in enhancing CPR's logistical support during World War II, which included munitions production, expanded shipbuilding efforts, and the establishment of one of Canada's earliest private blood donation clinics. He also played a key role in founding Canadian Pacific Air Lines and held chairmanships at subsidiaries like the Canadian Pacific Steamship Company and Canadian Pacific Hotels. Coleman emphasized maintaining positive relationships with unionized employees and championed career development from within the organization.

A passionate historian throughout his life, Coleman became city editor of The Belleville Intelligencer by age 18 and amassed a substantial personal collection focused on Canadiana. He fathered sports journalist Jim Coleman, served as vice-president of the Montreal Canadiens, and owned a thriving horse racing stable that secured victory in the 1943 Canadian Derby. His civic engagement extended to leadership roles with the Navy League of Canada, financial institutions such as the Bank of Montreal and Metropolitan Life Insurance Company, and governance positions at educational institutions including the University of Manitoba, McGill University, and University of Bishop's College. Honors bestowed upon him include honorary law degrees from Manitoba and Bishop's, designation as a Knight of Grace in the The Most Venerable Order of the Hospital of St. John of Jerusalem in 1943, and appointment as a Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George in 1946.

Early life and education

Born on July 9, 1879, in Carleton Place, Ontario, D'Alton Corry Coleman was the eldest child among seven siblings to James Coleman and Mary Jane Doherty, both first-generation Irish Canadians. When he was four years old, his family relocated to Braeside, where he attended primary school. From a young age, Coleman exhibited a keen interest in history, subscribing to The Times of London by age thirteen.

Coleman completed his secondary education at Arnprior District High School, where he walked approximately five miles daily and engaged actively in football and baseball. During summers, he worked long shifts—eleven hours per day—at a local lumber yard as a tallyman responsible for inspecting freight on flatcars, earning C$12 monthly. At fifteen, he left school to work full-time at the lumber yard, receiving an increased wage of $30 per month.

With his savings, Coleman enrolled at Belleville Business College to learn shorthand. Following this, he spent a year serving as secretary for George Albertus Cox and Edward Rogers Wood at Central Canada Loan and Savings Company in Toronto.

Pursuing journalism thereafter, Coleman joined The Belleville Intelligencer as a reporter and swiftly rose to city editor by eighteen. He later held the editor position at the Port Huron Times.

After two years in journalism, Coleman accepted an advertised role based in Buffalo, New York. However, after investing his entire savings on travel expenses, he declined the position upon discovering it involved selling pills. Following an overnight stay on the streets, a restaurant owner provided him with food and money to purchase a ticket to visit relatives residing in Sarnia.

Initial period in Western Canada

Coleman commenced his career with the Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR) on November 4, 1899, beginning as an assistant engineer's clerk stationed in Fort William. Between 1899 and 1907, he progressed through various administrative and accounting positions across locations including Winnipeg, Cranbrook, and North Bay. In 1907, he was appointed superintendent of the Kootenay Division based in Nelson, and the following year took on the role of superintendent of railcar service in both Vancouver and Winnipeg. His promotion to general superintendent occurred first in Winnipeg (1912), then in Calgary (1913), before returning to Winnipeg in 1915 as assistant general manager.

By October 1918, Coleman had advanced to vice-president overseeing Western Lines. CPR president Lord Shaughnessy foresaw Coleman eventually ascending to the presidency of the company. In this capacity, Coleman was responsible for all CPR track extending from the Great Lakes to the Pacific Ocean, managing an expansion that added extensive branch lines throughout the Canadian Prairies. Throughout the challenges of the Great Depression, he skillfully navigated Western Lines by adjusting services in response to diminished revenue streams.

CPR leadership in Montreal

In October 1934, Coleman was promoted to CPR vice-president and relocated to headquarters in Montreal. As president Edward Wentworth Beatty’s health worsened, Coleman increasingly assumed executive responsibilities. During the initial years of World War II, serving as senior vice-president, he directed operational growth and oversaw equipment modernization to support wartime logistical needs.

Beyond his railway duties, Coleman held chairmanship at the Consolidated Mining and Smelting Company of Canada and led West Kootenay Power and Light, both integral to CPR’s supply network. His governance extended to numerous railway affiliates: he served as director for Northern Alberta Railways, Minneapolis, St. Paul and Sault Ste. Marie Railroad, and Toronto Terminals Railway; vice-president roles included the Toronto, Hamilton and Buffalo Railway and the Calgary and Edmonton Railway. Additionally, he presided over the Canadian Pacific Express Company (handling ground transportation) and chaired Associated Screen News of Canada, a CPR subsidiary.

At age 63 in May 1942, Coleman was named CPR’s fifth president; one year later, he also became chairman of the board. He was distinguished as the first president not featured in Burke's Peerage, earning him the moniker "the Great Commoner".

Coleman further chaired the Canadian Pacific Steamship Company and led the Canadian Australasian Line (previously known as Canadian-Australian Royal Mail Steam Ship Company). He played a pivotal role in founding Canadian Pacific Air Lines in 1942 following CPR’s acquisition of Canadian Airways along with nine other carriers.

During World War II, Coleman supervised munitions production at CPR’s Angus Shops (Montreal) and Ogden Shops (Calgary), expanded shipbuilding efforts to replenish vessels lost due to enemy action, and supported Allied supply chains. Notably, the Angus Shops hosted one of Canada’s earliest private blood donation centers through a collaboration with the Canadian Red Cross. Under his direction, CPR replaced twelve sunken ships, operated aircraft on the Atlantic Bridge route, transported substantial freight volumes, and manufactured Valentine tanks until 1943.

CPR maintained a network of Canadian Pacific Hotels nationwide. Coleman served as president of the Hotel Vancouver Company, sat on the board of Château Frontenac Company, and presided over the Seigniory Club at Château Montebello. In 1943–44, he negotiated government utilization of Château Frontenac for wartime meetings while ensuring confidentiality through his brother Ephraim Herbert Coleman, who was then Secretary of State for Canada.

Coleman prioritized positive labor relations within CPR by promoting fairness and respect toward employees. His own advancement through company ranks shaped his commitment to nurturing internal talent and empowering skilled leaders.

He stepped down from his role as CPR president on February 1, 1947, but retained a lifetime position as a company director.

Additional Business Ventures

Coleman played prominent roles within the financial industry, notably acting as president and director of The Scottish Mortgage and Trust Company Limited during its expansion throughout North America. His directorships extended to major institutions such as Metropolitan Life Insurance Company, the Bank of Montreal, and Royal Trust.

Within the technology arena, he served on the board of the Canadian Marconi Company, a firm focused on wireless telegraph technology, and contributed to the Canadian committee overseeing the Hudson's Bay Company.

In 1926, when the Western Canada Hockey League encountered financial instability, Coleman attempted to provide aid; however, his intervention came too late to avert the league’s dissolution. After relocating to Montreal, he took on directorial duties at the Canadian Arena Company and was appointed vice-president of the Montreal Canadiens. This company was responsible for building the Montreal Forum, which served as the Canadiens’ home venue.

Coleman also engaged in thoroughbred horse racing, owning a stable that included Western Prince, victor of the 1943 Canadian Derby held at Polo Park Racetrack. His equine interests garnered support from employees of Canadian Pacific Railway, reflecting his influence among the company’s workforce.

University Governance

From 1933 to 1934, Coleman chaired the board of governors at the University of Manitoba, guiding the institution through financially challenging times during the Great Depression. Upon moving to Montreal in 1934, he became a governor at McGill University and joined the executive committee at Bishop's University. In a 1944 interview, he underscored the importance of emphasizing applied education in medical and engineering disciplines to cultivate top-tier professional training.

Engagement in Community Affairs

For a decade, Coleman presided over the Manitoba branch of the Navy League of Canada and held a governance role within its Montreal division. Under his leadership, the Canadian Navy League Cadet Corps received commendation from British naval officer Gordon Campbell, who described it as the "finest cadet corps within the British Empire".

He was affiliated with numerous Canadian gentlemen’s clubs such as the Manitoba Club and served as president of Winnipeg’s Canadian Club, a nonprofit platform for public speaking. Additionally, Coleman held vice-presidential responsibilities at Montreal’s City Improvement League, chaired the Canadian committee of the Newcomen Society, and acted as patron for both the Royal Canadian Legion and Royal Commonwealth Ex-Services League. His governance extended to The Canadian General Council of The Boy Scouts Association (Scouts Canada), Shawbridge Boys' Farm, and Montreal Festivals.

In healthcare administration, Coleman was a board director for three prominent Montreal hospitals: Montreal General Hospital, Royal Victoria Hospital, and Notre Dame Hospital.

Family and Personal Background

In 1906, Coleman married Anna Grant; together they had two sons, including Rowan and Jim Coleman. Following Anna’s passing in 1920, he married Florence Lynch in 1922. His professional life necessitated frequent relocations across Canada, often residing in suites within Canadian Pacific Hotels from Vancouver through to Montreal. Between 1922 and 1930, he spent eight years living at Winnipeg’s Royal Alexandra Hotel.

Coleman attended significant sporting events alongside his sons in both Canada and the United States—these included the 1925 Stanley Cup Finals, horse racing meets at Saratoga Springs, New York, and baseball’s World Series. His sons frequently journeyed by train nationwide to visit him and were customarily met by limousine. Jim Coleman recalled accompanying his father at games, describing him as reserved yet intensely focused.

Though an enthusiast of recreational fishing at Lake of the Woods, Coleman abandoned golf and contract bridge, deeming them unproductive pursuits. Jim noted his father possessed an extraordinary memory for horse racing statistics and British cricket records despite minimal firsthand experience.

Coleman curated an extensive personal collection centered on Canadiana and Western Canadian history—considered among Canada’s finest private libraries during that era. He fostered his sons’ interest in history and current affairs early on by introducing them to publications like the New York Herald Tribune. During World War II, Rowan served with the Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry, while Jim pursued a career as a syndicated sports journalist who credited his father with inspiring his enthusiasm for horse racing, ice hockey, and Canadian football.

His brother Ephraim Herbert Coleman held significant public service roles including Under Secretary of State for Canada (1933–1949), Canadian Ambassador to Cuba and Brazil (1950–1954), followed by tenure as Dean of Law at the University of Manitoba.

Coleman passed away at his Montreal residence on October 17, 1956 after enduring several months of illness. His funeral took place on October 20 at Douglas Church in Montreal with interment following in Arnprior, Ontario.

Honours and legacy

The Winnipeg Tribune characterized Coleman as both "affable" and "modest," highlighting his pivotal role in converting the CPR into a highly effective wartime logistics system for Canada.

He was awarded honorary doctorates, including a Doctor of Law from the University of Manitoba in 1932 and a Doctor of Civil Law from Bishop's College in 1937.

In October 1943, the Governor General of Canada, the Earl of Athlone, appointed him as a Knight of Grace in The Most Venerable Order of the Hospital of St. John of Jerusalem, acknowledging his significant contributions to home nursing. Later, in June 1946, he was named a Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George.

Coleman also held several honorary leadership positions, such as president of the Navy League of Canada and the Association of Canadian Clubs. He was granted life membership in the Canadian Club of Winnipeg and honored with the tribal chief title "Chief of the Iron Trails" by the Piapot.