The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1888-12-28
JAMES MeMtLLAN's CARE Err.
Sketch Of the Life Of Michigan's
Next senator-A Man WAC Plans
Great Enterprises, Gives Employ
mont to Thousands Of Men and is
Generous WITH His Wealth.
From the Detroit Evening Journal

From the Detroit Evening Journal.
The Michigan Legislature meets Wednes-
lay January ., at noon. On Tuesday even
ing the house caucuses will convene and tht
candidates for speaker will be selected. On
Wednesday night the Republicans will prob
hut one candidate will be seriously named
James Mcmillan of Detroit.
Widely as Mr.. Mcmillan is known through
out Michigan, some errors of fact have crepl
into the various brief biographies of him
which have appeared from time to time in
the state papers. The facts given below are
accurate in every particular. What is in the
nature of opinion in the article comes from
a comparison of the opinions of men who
have known him intimately in business,
POLITICS and social life.
William and Grace Mcmillan came to
America from Scotland i'm 1888 and settled
in Hamilton, Ont. Mr.. Mcmillan became
well known throughout Ontario by reason
Of his connection with the GIeat Western
railway, connection which lasted from the
inception of the road until the day of his
death. He was director i'm one of the
Hamilton banks and in the city gas light
company. Personally he was one of those
straightforward men who hold well-defned
opinions on matters in church and state, and
who are fearless in the championship of
every worthy cause. When he died, in
1874, he left handsome property to be de-
vided among those of his sons who survived
him.
James Mcmillan was the second of a
family OF six sons and one daughter. He
began his education under DIR. Tasse, then
the celebrated principal of the English de-
partment of the Hamilton grammar school,
The favorite fitting school for the Toronto
college. Instead of entering college, how
ever, Mr.. Mcmillan decided to learn the
hardware business, taking four years
course In practical business life in Hamil-
ton.
Thus prepared for life, he came to De
troit and spent two years with the whole
sale house of Bull Il Ducharme. Then,
through his fathers influence, he was APP
pointed purchasing agent for the Detroit &
Milwaukee railroad. While occupying this
position he attracted the attention of rail-
road contractor, who gave him large salary
to purchase supplies, hire the men and take
charge of the finances of large business.
This happened when he was but 20 years
old The pier at Grand Haven for the De.
troit IL milwaukee, road, was built under
Mr.. McMilan's supervision; and it was
while he lived In Grand Haven that he be-
came intimately acquainted with the Ferry
family and that friendship has been con-
tinued to this day in an effective manner.
The work Of railroad building being ended,
the contractor desired Mr.. Mcmillan to ac-
company him to Spain, where he had con-
tracts. Mr. Mcmillan, however, preferred
to return to his former position with the De
troit g. Milwaukee.
IN BUSINESS FOR HIMSELF.
In 1864 Mr.. Mcmillan joined Messrs
Newberry, T.. G. Dean and Geo. Eaton in
organizing the Michigan car company. Out
OF this company have sprung the Detroit car
wheel company, the Baugh steam forge
company and the Detroit iron furnace COM
pany. Mr.. Mcmillan is now the president
of all OF these companies and Is the largest
owner in each Of them. The business of
these various companies aggregates from
$1,000, 900 to S7,00O,OOO year; and they
employ an average of 5000 men the year
around.
When an opportunity came to purchase
the car works at st. Louis, Mo-, Mr.. Nc
MILAN stepped in and secured that business
for younger brother, who left the hard
ware business in Detroit to take the position
as manager Of the st. Louis works. A
third car works was established at Cam
bridge, Ind, and fourth at London, Ont.
In time VIM. Mcmillan was able to purchase
the entire business at st. Louis and Cam
bridge, and he has since removed the latter
shops to Kansas City. He is now a very
wealthy man. Mr.. Mcmillan subsequently
scld his interest in the London works.
During the panic of 1873, however, Mr.. Nc
MILAN had all these large concerns on his
shoulders and his work of carrying them
through that trying time was one of the
great labors and triumphs of his life.
Mr.. McMillan's own success has enabled
him to assist four of his brothers to the pos
session of fortunes.
About nine years ago, together with as
sociates in Detroit and New York, he built
the Detroit, Mackinac & Marquette railroad,
which has opened up to settlement and
commerce the rich upper peninsula. This
road, now known as the Duluth, South
Shore IL Atlantic railway, extends from
Sault Ste. Marie TO Duluth-about 600
miles. Mr.. Mcmillan has been the president
since its inception. Hon. Peter White, of
Marquette, one of the leading Democrats of
Michigan, said the other day that the new
impetus that has been given to Marquette
Is due TO that road, and that James McMil-
ias's courage, his pluck and skill, his
diplomacy and LARGELY his money poured