M. W. McGrath Grant County, New Mexico

M. W. McGrath, who has been closely connected with the material, intellectual progress and substantial development of Lordsburg along many lines, was born on Prince Edward Island, Canada, and acquired his early education there. When twenty years of age he went to California by way of the Isthmus of Panama and in 1881 he arrived in Deming. He was in the employ of the Southern Pacific Railroad Company and after a year and a half there passed he removed to Lordsburg, where he worked for four years as a master mechanic of the Arizona and New Mexico Railroad. Subsequently he entered the livery and feed business and later turned his attention to merchandising. He also conducted a butcher shop, and in 1900 erected a hotel and business block. He has also put up other buildings in the town and has thus contributed in substantial measure to the improvement of the city. He is now proprietor of the Vendome Hotel and has conducted the varied business interests above mentioned in partnership with his two sons, with whom he divided his entire business after they became of age.

A man of resourceful ability, readily recognizing and improving opportunities, he has, through his marked enterprise, keen discernment and unflagging diligence, won for himself a place among the substantial residents of Lordsburg and at the same time his efforts have been a valued factor in the material development and improvement of the city.

Mr. McGrath was married in Prince Edward Island, Canada, and has two sons, Lemuel C. and Herbert J., who manage and carry on the business. In community affairs Mr. McGrath has been deeply interested and his labors have been of direct benefit in lines of intellectual, social and political progress. He raised the first money and paid the first teacher who held school in Lordsburg, and was the first school director. In fact, he is regarded as the father of the system of public instruction here and he has ever done all in his power to further the work of public education.

He has been justice of the peace of Lordsburg for the past fourteen years and is very active in Democratic politics, being an earnest champion of the principles of the party and doing all in his power to promote its growth and extend its influence. He is a charter member of Pyramid Lodge No. 23, K. P., of which he has been past chancellor.

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Source: History of New Mexico, Its Resources and People, Volume II, Pacific States Publishing Co., 1907.

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