James A. McDiarmid Biography


	This biography appears on page 840 in "History of Dakota Territory" 
	by George W. Kingsbury, Vol. IV (1915) and was scanned, 
	OCRed and edited by Maurice Krueger, mkrueger@iw.net.

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				JAMES A. McDIARMID. 

	Since 1885 James A. McDiarmid has been connected with mercantile 
interests of Aberdeen and during the intervening years has risen to a 
place of prominence and importance in commercial circles. He is a 
member of the McDiarmid Slater Company, controlling one of the largest 
grocery enterprises in this part of South Dakota, and his business 
ability, enterprise and progressiveness have been forceful factors in 
building up the gratifying reputation which this house enjoys. 

	Mr. McDiarmid was born in Canada in 1865, of Scotch parentage, 
and when he was seventeen years of age went to Boston, Massachusetts, 
where he was employed by the Jamaica Pond Ice Company. In 1885 he 
removed to Aberdeen, South Dakota, securing a position with C. A. 
Bliss, a general merchant of this city, with whom he remained until 
1903. In February of that year the grocery firm of McDiarmid & Slater 
was established and succeeded to the business of the Red Front Grocery 
founded by Jewett Brothers and Harry Olwin. The present store was 
erected in 1910 and is a modern two story brick structure, fifty by one 
hundred and forty-two feet in dimensions. The second floor is fitted up 
as offices and contains also the lodge rooms of the Red Men and the 
Moose. The entire lower floor is occupied by McDiarmid Slater Company 
and here they maintain one of the largest groceries and bakeries in 
Aberdeen, the latter department giving employment to twenty-six people. 
The business was incorporated January 1, 1914, under the name of 
McDiarmid Slater Company. They have since doubled their capacity in the 
bakery and have added a market, which makes their establishment now one 
of the most complete of its kind in South Dakota. The firm has been 
accorded a liberal and representative patronage, for the house has 
built up a reputation for fair and honorable dealings, high quality of 
goods and reasonable prices. 

	On the 8th of September, 1902, Mr. McDiarmid married Miss Jessie 
Cameron, a daughter of Donald Cameron, who came to America in 1881. 
They have become the parents of a daughter. Mr. McDiarmid is connected 
fraternally with the Elks and the Ancient Order of United Workmen, 
affiliates with the Presbyterian church, and gives his political 
allegiance to the republican party. His attention is largely centered 
upon his business interests, in which he has won gratifying success 
while contributing in substantial measure to the commercial growth of 
the community.