James McMillan (politician)

James McMillan was a businessman and a Republican U.S. Senator from Michigan.

McMillan was born in Hamilton, Ontario to William and Grace McMillan, both Scottish natives. He attended Hamilton public schools before moving to Detroit, Michigan in 1855 to embark on a career in business. McMillans first position was as a clerk for Buhl, Ducharme amp Co., a wholesale hardware firm. At the age of 20, he left to become the purchasing agent for the Detroit amp Milwaukee Railway. In 1863, he helped, along with John Stoughton Newberry, to organize the Michigan Car Company for the manufacture of freight cars. This business grew very rapidly, and in ten years it was one of the largest in the United States. Its success led to the formation of the Detroit Car Wheel Co., the Baugh Steam Forge Co., the Detroit Iron Furnace Co., and the Vulcan Furnace Co.

Source: Wikipedia