ARTHUR RITCHIE and CO.
DALHOUSIE, AND CAMPBELTOWN,
NEW BRUNSWICK
Opened about 1833
Closed about 1842

Arthur and Robert Ritchie, brothers of William Ritchie, Montreal, and nephews of Allan Gilmour senior, were sent out together to Miramichi, like the others from the Mearns, in or before 1825, as they were there at the time of the great fire of that year. Some time after that event they went to Restigouche to open a house at Dalhousie and a branch at Campbeltown. As already indicated, the state of communication in those days was such, that they had to travel round by the shore of the Bay of Chaleur, a distance of about 16o miles, instead of about So miles direct—owing to the thick woods. It was probably about 1833 or 1834 that they commenced business, and in 1842, the year in which Robert Ritchie died at Restigouche, their connection with Pollok, Gilmour & Co. ceased. On the closing of the connection, the taking delivery of stock was made a matter of much difficulty and dispute, but eventually a settlement was arrived at, one under which the senior firm suffered considerably. Thereafter Arthur Ritchie continued the business on his own account under his own name, but not too successfully, and ultimately he went to Quebec, where also he was not altogether successful.

Among his staff he had his nephews David and John Ritchie, who subsequently established themselves apart from their uncle. John opened the firm of Ritchie Bros. at Liverpool, David that of D. & J. Ritchie, Mirarnichi. David subsequently came home and joined the Liverpool firm; his son John to-day conducts the business, and in 1919 completed a most successful Mayoralty year. Both men were of most kindly disposition and personality. I owe much to the kindly interest of Mr. John during. the early days of my business career.