The subject of this sketch is James McArthur, an attorney, the only man of his profession in the town of Miltonvale that has been admitted to the bar. He is associated with Mr. Shay in collection and real estate deals, under the firm name of Shay & McArthur. Mr. McArthur is a native of Scotland, born in Paisley, now a suburb of Glasgow, in 1848. At that time there were a dozen miles between Glasgow and his native town, the space now being built up in a solid city. His father was John McArthur, a shawl maker, working in the factory at Paisley, where the celebrated Paisley shawls are manufactured. When Mr. McArthur was two years old he came with his father's family to America and settled in North Adams, Massachusetts, where his father died in 1857. His mother was Jane Gillespie. She was born near Edinburg, Scotland. She died in North Adams in 1892. Mr. McArthur is one of three living children: A sister in Chicago and one in North Adams.

At the age of fifteen years Mr. McArthur enlisted in the United States army in 1863. but was not accredited until 1864. His first regimental service was in the battle of the Wilderness, when he was but sixteen years old. He was slightly wounded at Cold Harbor. He was in the battles of Spottsylvania and with Sheridan on his famous ride. He saw active and hard service and after the first battle would have welcomed gladly a return home. After the war he returned to Massachusetts and subsequently to Wisconsin, where a sister had preceded him. In 1873-4 he read law in the office of George N. Crawford, of Omaha, Nebraska. Shortly afterward he entered the mail service, was stationed in Texas, where he remained until 1882 and came to Clyde, where he formed a partnership with the law firm of Cornforth & Gray. Early in the year 1885 he was admitted to the bar in Concordia, and a few months later became associated with Charles Proctor in the real estate business and was very successful.

Mr. McArthur was married in Wisconsin, in 1869, to Maria McDonald daughter of Edward and Hannah McDonald, of Elkhorn, Wisconsin. Their family consists of six interesting children. Mr. McArthur is a Republican politically and is an active politician. He was a candidate during his residence in Nebraska for representative of his district, at the age of twenty-six years. His opponent was elected by only four votes. He is a member of Clyde Lodge, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, and of the Washington Chapter at Huston, Texas. Mr. McArthur is a man of pleasing address, genial manner and a highly esteemed citizen.