THE ancient city of Brechin, on the Braes of Angus, has produced many strong and courageous men in their varied spheres of life, who have left their impress upon their generation both at home and abroad.

David Webster O‘Neil was born in Brechin, April 3, 1850, the eldest son of William O‘Neil and Elizabeth (Webster) O‘Neil, who were active members of the Auld Kirk under the ministry of James McCosh, late President of Princeton, and afterward of the West Free Church, where the father was an elder for forty years. He was also a leader in the co-operative movement and an officer for fifty years. His son, David, left school at the age of ten to enter the paper-works, and later worked in a flax-mill until he was fifteen, when he was apprenticed for four years to the joiner trade. He continued studying at evening school and, in the winter of 1870, studied geometry and drawing in the evening classes in Edinburgh. April 12, 1870, he sailed from Glasgow for America by way of Quebec, arriving in Boston, May 2, with only his tools and fifteen cents in his pocket. His interesting diary and cash-account, kept during this voyage, is his most highly-prized possession. The following day he secured employment as a stair-builder. Beginning at eighteen dollars a week, he advanced rapidly, studying stair-construction in all its phases, while attending evening classes of the Boston Technical Institute, and in a short time became a recognized expert on circular-stair construction; four months before his twenty-first birthday, he was made foreman of the factory.

In 1873, he organized with Charles N. Freeman, of Claremont, N. H., the firm of Freeman & O‘Neil, manufacturers of stair-builders’ supplies. In the same year a selling arrangement was made with Bradley & Currier, New York, the foremost dealers in house trim in the country. In 1889, this firm persuaded Mr. O‘Neil to assume the management of its business. On the retirement of Messrs. Bradley & Currier in 1901, Mr. 0 ‘Neil organized the Empire City Woodworking Co., which, in 1910, was merged as the Empire City-Gerard Co., Brooklyn, one of the largest in the country. He is also President of the Miami Realty Co., and Panmure Realty Co., and is interested financially in other realty corporations. He has long been a recognized factor in business and labour circles. As President of the Manufacturing Woodworkers’ Association, he was presented, in 1903, with a handsome watch in appreciation of his labours and devotion. He was a prime mover in forming the Building Trades Employers’ Association, serving for many years on the Board of Governors, also as member of the Arbitration Board and member of the Executive Committee for many years. At a banquet, in 1910, the association honoured him with a bronze medal, specially designed to illustrate the success of arbitration, and a silver service suitably inscribed.

Mr. O‘Neil is a man of strong individuality. In business he is a strict disciplinarian, a great worker, quick to grasp every situation and adapt himself to it; yet generous to the extreme to his employees and competitors, commanding the respect and admiration of all. He is a member of the St. Andrew’s Society of the State of New York, the New York Chamber of Commerce, Merchant Association, Harlem Board of Commerce, and General Society of Mechanics and Tradesmen, where his labours are highly appreciated. He is an enthusiastic fisherman, and a member of the Carman River Fishing Club, Long Island, the Huddersfield Fish and Game Club, Quebec, and with his partner has fitted up Glen Carey Lodge, Clyde River, Nova Scotia, where he seeks recreation in his favorite sports of fly-fishing and moose-hunting. He is a member of the Baptist Church. In 1888, he was a delegate from New Hampshire to the presidential convention in Chicago which nominated Benjamin Harrison. He is a gifted public speaker and debater; has travelled extensively at home and abroad and made frequent visits to Brechin, in whose affairs he takes a keen interest.

Mr. O‘Neil married, August, 1872, Jane Ann Gray, of Brechin, who died in May, 1891, leaving three children. In July, 1903, he married Mrs. Ella Carey Whipple, of Claremont, N. H. In their beautiful home on Riverside Drive, New York, surrounded by hunting and fishing trophies, and a large and rare collection of books and pictures, their happiest hours are spent with their children, grandchildren and a wide circle of devoted friends.