James Playfair (businessman)

This article is about the Canadian businessperson. For the Scottish architect, see James Playfair.

James Playfair (b. Toronto, 1860 - d. Midland, 1937) was noted for his entrepreneurship in the Great Lakes shipping, lumbering, grain handling, and industrial manufacturing businesses and was a central figure in the establishment of Midland, Ontario, Canada. Around 1912, Playfair formed two steamship lines: Great Lakes Transportation Company(canal and coastwide trade) and Glen Line (upper lake trade), total of 38 ships. Son of John Speirs Playfair (26 June 1826, Glasgow – 1913, Toronto) and Georgina Hall of Montreal. Playfair married Charlotte Ogilvie (daughter of Senator A.W. Ogilvie - Ogilvie Flour Mills) of Montreal in 1889. His residence, Edgehill, overlooking Midland Harbour on Georgian Bay was the first home of the Huronia museum.

References

• Huronia Museum archives