The Bermingham & Seaman Company of Chicago, with George M. Seaman as president, was one of the largest paper jobbers in the county. When they decided to open a Detroit office in 1911, they sought out Robert A. Patrick, a young Detroiter who was well known in the paper trade. The Detroit Corporation was called Bermingham-Seaman-Patrick Company, with Mr. Patrick serving as president and manager. In 1917 the name Seaman-Patrick Paper Company was adopted for the Detroit house, and the Chicago firm was known as the Seaman Paper Company. The Detroit organization, under the management of Mr. Patrick, quickly reached the point of being the largest wholesale paper business in the State of Michigan, dealing in fine printing papers exclusively. After Mr. Patrick died in 1920, Forrest W. Starling managed the company. Located at the corner of Cass and Larned Streets in Detroit, Mich., the Seaman-Patrick Paper Co. moved to 1225 Vermont Ave. in Jan. 1925. George Seaman remained president of the company throughout the early 1920s. By 1928 John G. Starling was president. His son Forrest was treasurer and general Manager. As of 2008, the company still exists, located at 2065 W. Fort St. in Detroit, Mich.
Robert Alexander Patrick was born in Detroit on Feb. 5, 1881. In 1812 he was married to Mary G. Everson and they had two children. Mr. Patrick died of pneumonia on Feb. 6, 1920, at the age of 39.
From the description of Seaman-Patrick Paper Company records, 1905-1982 (Detroit Public Library). WorldCat record id: 298437933
