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James R. Grant |
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JAMES R. GRANT, proprietor of quarries, was born in 1831 in Butler
county, Pennsylvania, son of Alexander and Elizabeth (Say) Grant. He
received a common school education, and was reared to farm life. He
afterward learned the tailor trade, which he followed until the spring of
1854, when he went to California and was engaged in the gold mines until
the latter part of 1860. He then came to Venango county, and went into the
oil business. On the 14th of October, 1861, he enlisted in Company K,
Fourth Pennsylvania Cavalry, and the following month was promoted to third
sergeant. In November, 1862, he was commissioned first lieutenant, and
November 18, 1864, became captain of his company. He participated in the
following engagements: Antietam, Fredericksburg, Kelley’ s Ford, Rapidan
Station, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, Culpepper, Sulphur Springs,
Kilpatrick’s raid, the Wilderness, Spottsylvania, Cold Harbor, Petersburg,
Deep Bottom, Stony Creek Station, Dinwiddie Court House, and Appomattox.
He was mustered out with his company July 1, 1865, and returning to
Venango county, once more engaged in the oil business for a short time. He
then went into the lumber business in Scrubgrass township. In the fall of
1869 he was elected treasurer of Venango county, and after the expiration
of his term he engaged in the manufacture of brick, with which business he
has been more or less connected ever since. In 1880, he made a trip to the
Rocky mountains, organized a mining company, and spent four years in the
West, where he still retains some mining interests. Mr. Grant is at
present engaged in operating a quarry, and deals in all kinds of flag and
building stone. In 1866 he was married to Mrs. Martha J. Moore, daughter
of Peter Smith, of Rockland township. She died June 8, 1885, leaving seven
children: Carrie J., Alice M., Emma E., Myra M., Orvill S., Maggie C., and
Martha J. Captain Grant is an ardent Republican, and served in the city
council in 1887-1888. He is a member of the G. A. R. (and present
commander of his post), F. and A. M., and E. A. U., being president of the
last mentioned society.
History of Venango County, Pennsylvania
: its past and present, including its aboriginal history, the French and
British occupation of the country, its early settlement and subsequent
growth, a description of its historic and interesting localities, its rich
oil deposits and their development, sketches of its cities, boroughs,
townships, and villages, neighborhood and family history, portraits and
biographies of pioneers and representative citizens, statistics, etc.,
etc.
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