The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1908-07-17
Hugh MoCurdy at Rest.
(Continued from page ~

Hugn McCuruy, says FREE MaSOn-
ny in Michigan" was born in Hamil-
ton, Lanarkshire, Scotland, December
%, 1929. When only eight years of
age he emmigrated with his parents
to the United States and settled for
the time at Birmingham, Michigan,
which the people of the east regard
ed as the very frontier of American
civilization. The sturdy Scotch char
acter which has stood the man in
good stead was apparent even in the
tender lad. His first stroke for for
tune was in the humble capacity OF
cooper's apprentice. He had early
learned the lesson of doing with his
might whatsoever his hands found to
do and his work as cooper soon be-
gan to take on those peculiarities
of excellence which have since pecu-
liarly distinguished all his work in a
field in which the readers Of this
sketch are too we'll acquainted to
render explanation necessary.
He worked with unceasing dill
gence and faithfulness so long as the
gave hope of any good results for the
future. 1t so CHANGED that certain
broad-minded men who were then
prominent in that part OF the terrific
ny had taken note of this sturdy lad
and by their countenance, though he
did not ask for pecuniary aid, he
found, or rather made and opportuni-
ty to lay the corner stone of an edu-
cation. - ~ .
With that purpose dominating his
every hope, he enrolled himself as
among the pupils Of J. r. Corson,
who had a select school at Birming-
ham. While pursuing his rudimen-
tary studies there, he attracted the
attention of DR.. E. Raynale, who had
in some way informed himself of the
ambitious students pluck and perse-
verance and who later persuaded him
that the law was the field in which
he ought to SOW his best efforts IL he
would reap any commensurate har-
vest.
The thought was audacious! To
be a lawyer in those days and to
reach the eminence of responsibility,
starting from the foot with little to
back his suit, might have appalled,
most lads. But not SO with Hugh
McCurdy. His hardy ancestry, his
own indomnitable courage and the
chance that America gives every son
of toll were enough for him to begin
with and he began the ascent without
a doubt of final triumph.
There was within his soul suf1-
cient of the ego to make all things
possible seem possible to him and he
very soon gave evidence that he had
not>overated his capacity to do and to
endure.
While yet student of the law he
kept his fortunes moving by divers
means. One of his employments was
as freight agent at Birmingham, of
the old Detroit & Pontiac Railroad
when strap rails were in vogue and
railroading was indeed a primitive
science.
In 1S47 he was so far advanced
in general requirements that he was
chosen to teach the village school in
Birmingham and during the follow
ing year he had like employment
in the neighboring village of Royal
Oak. In addition to his work of
teaching he took up the classics, with
c. R. Brownell as guide and tutor.
Later with the little money he had
saved out of his scant salary, he
bought the necessary books and after
surrounding masquerade obstacles,
he found himself actually domiciled
in the Rome Academy.
Here was an achievement, indeed!
Hope gave new strength to ambitions
wing and the now thoroughly ar
reused student made so good use of
his precious academical opportuni-
ties that he soon mastered the curri-
culum and babe adue to his latest
love.
His next step was as regular
student in the law offices Of the dis
tinguished law firm of Baldwin G.
Draper, Of Pontiac. In 1854 he was
first admitted to the bar of Michigan
and his whole life since that crown
ing event of his tentative period has
been marked by successive victories
over fortune.
1t is part of his personal history
that S. Dow Elwood, now cashier of
the Wayne County Saings bank, of
Detroit, but in 1854 the leading law
stationer of Michigan, sold our sub
ject the nuclus of his fine law libra
ry. Mr.. Elwood's attention was call
ed to the incident recently. He re-
membered it perfectly and said to the
writer: Eyes, 1 sold Hugh his first
shelf Of law books and took his word
that they would be paid for. He was
an utter stranger to me, but there
was that in his bearing a frankness
and manliness of speech and alto
gether a determined, hopeful and
confident view of life in what
he said and in his manner of saying
it, that / never had the slightest
doubt of his honesty or of his ulti-
mate ability to pay. l need not say
that mine was one of the first debts
discharged after clients began to find
out the value of his professional
services"
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