William GRANT

  General Notes:

Here is article from trade magazine about him

MR. WILLIAM GRANT,
Of W. Grant &: Co., Leith
Many of our readers at home and abroad will recognise in this weeks portrait the semblance of Mr. William Grant, one of the most popular members associated with the timber trade in Leith, where be has been familiarly known for the past twenty-five years, his peculiarly agreeable and genial dis­position making him a general favourite, not only throughout the circle of the timber trade, but amongst the whole mercantile community of Leith.

After leaving his University classes, he entered the office of the firm of Hutchinson Brothers, timber agents and importers, where he remained until 1872, during which period his assiduous habits and his quick perception cultivated his natura1 abilities and speedily acquired for him an important position in the firm.

In 1872 he went to Sweden for the purpose of getting a thorough practical knowledge of the foreign system of sorting timber, and engaged himself with one of the leading saw-mill establishments in Sundswall. There he remained for a year, applying his time industriously to the acquirement of the experience which he sought. During this period his kindly and genial nature made him many private and business friends, and to this circumstance is attributable to some extent the large success that attended the business which he ultimately formed in Leith on his own account. The practical experience which he had gained subsequently involved him in the duties of surveyor to an unusual degree in cases of disputed quality, and these duties his strict integrity and conscientious straightforwardness, no less than his prac­tical and commercial experience, make him peculiarly acceptable to all concerned.

On Mr. Grant’s return from Sweden in 1873 he re-entered the firm where he had previously been trained and continued with them until 1880, when he commenced business on his own account under the desig­nation of W. Grant & Co. as timber agents, wood pulp importers, and lathwood mer­chants. Having during his sojourn in Sweden made many business friends, he was entrusted with a number of agencies from the best shippers. This, combined with his great popularity amongst the trade on this side, immediately enabled him to form a business which his commercial capacity and his up­right dealings was certain to develop.. His correspondents on this side now cover the whole area of the timber ports of Great Britain, and he represents many of the best shippers of Sweden, Norway, Finland, &c.

The subject of wood pulp at the time of Mr. Grant’s commencing business was receiving considerable attention in this country and was beginning to take a hold, and fore seeing a great future in this industry Mr Grant gave the matter much study and went enthusiastically into it, with the result that he has developed a business in this commodity far exceeding the most sanguine anticipations. His contracts for both mechanical and chemical pulp extend. throughout Scotland and England, and of recent years a further development has taken place by its manufacture in this country, and for this purpose the contracts made by him for suitable wood from Norway, &c., are largely increasing.

At the timber gatherings in Leith the popularity of Mr. Grant and the esteem in which he is held are at once apparent by the numerous friends who claim his company. We congratulate him on his past successful career, and wish him a long continuance in the future.


Here is a passage from the Grant family history by (Bill Craw, grandson of Eliza):

William Grant (1849 -1911). After schooling at Edinburgh Institution (Melville College) and University classes in commerce etc., combined with a four year apprenticeship which ended on 8th March, 1869, he set up business in Edinburgh as an importer or agent of timber and pulp, especially for the paper trade. In 1888 he purchased number 22 Mansionhouse Road, which he enlarged by adding an extra wing in 1895. In 1882 he married Eliza Usher (1856 -1935), daughter of Thomas Usher of the brewery firm of that name. As a boy he had been friendly with the Tom Ushers of Courthill, [I believe this is near Hawick mentioned above as probable birthplace of William. Roger] through whom the introduction would be made. Their first home was at 7 South Mansionhouse Road, leased from a Mrs Lamb at a rent of £65 a year.

He became a member of the Merchant Company, and was Master of the Company from 1905 to 1907. Grant Avenue in Colinton was laid out about this time and was named after him the Company are the superiors of the land. He was president of the Watsonian Club at the time of his death in 1911- the only president to date who was not in fact a Watsonian.

He had three sons and three daughters, two of the latter dying in infancy. The sons were all educated at George Watsons College.

Eliza M. Usher born 1856. From 1888 lived 22 Mansionhouse Road Edinburgh died 1935 ³

  Research Notes:

In the census of 1881 the following and family was living at 7 Mansion House Road.
Dwelling: 7 S Mansionhouse Rd
Census Place: Edinburgh St Cuthberts, Edinburgh, Scotland
Source: FHL Film 0224011 GRO Ref Volume 685-5 EnumDist 107 Page 26

Marr Age Sex Birthplace
W. D. (Rev) GLENDINNING M 36 M Middlby, Dumfries, Scotland
Rel: Head
Occ: Minister Of Moray F. Church

There was also a Mrs Lamb at No. 17, could this be the William's future landlady.

Census Place: Edinburgh St Cuthberts, Edinburgh, Scotland
Source: FHL Film 0224011 GRO Ref Volume 685-5 EnumDist 105 Page 24

Marr Age Sex Birthplace
Margaret B. LAMB W 52 F Selkirk

  Birth Notes:

probably Cavers, Hawick, Roxburghshire

  Burial Notes:

JEAN DOUGLAS
BORN 3RD FEB. DIED 1st JULY 1889
ELIZA CAROLINE
BORN 20th OCT DIED 23rd NOV 1890
DAUGHTERS OF WILLIAM GRANT, MERCHANT, LEITH
WILLIAM GRANT.
BORN 16th DECEMBER 1849,
DIED 5th AUGUST 1911.
ELIZA MARY USHER
HIS WIFE.
BORN 11TH DECEMBER 1856,
DIED 23rd OCTOBER 1935.
ALSO
AMY BALMER MACDONALD
DIED 8th OCTOBER 1972
BELOVED WIFE OF
LESLIE RENWICK GRANT
DIED 14th AUGUST 1974.

  Noted events in his life were:

• He was educated in Edinburgh, Edinburgh, Midlothian, Scotland, Edinburgh Institution (Melville College). ³

• He was employed in Edinburgh, Scotland. ³ Timber Merchant

• On 27 Jul 1882 he resided at 7 South Mansion House Road, Edinburgh. ²

• He was employed on 27 Jul 1882. ² Commision Agent

• In 1888 he resided at 22 Mansionhouse Road, Edinburgh. ³ added wing 1895

• Miscellaneous: From 1905 to 1907. ³ Master of Merchants Company

• Miscellaneous: Grant Avenue, Colinton, Edinburgh, Scotland. ³ Grant Avenue Colinton named after him

• President: ³President of Watsonian Club at his death the only non-Watsonian to be so

William married Eliza Mary USHER, daughter of Thomas USHER and Eliza Caroline HENDERSON, on 27 Jul 1882 in Newington, Edinburgh.^{1 2} (Eliza Mary USHER was born on 11 Dec 1856 in 3 George Square, Edinburgh,^{6 7} died on 23 Oct 1935 in Newington, Edinburgh, Midlothian, Scotland, 22 Mansionhouse Road ^{6 8 9} and was buried at Grange Cemetery, Edinburgh ⁶.) The cause of her death was Cronnic Rheumatism, Cardiac failure.

  Marriage Notes:

Witnesses:
And. S. Goald
Amy B. Usher (sister to Eliza Mary). ²