The prosperity of any community, town or city depends upon its commercial activity its industrial interests and its trade relations, and therefore the real upbuilders of a town are those who stand at the head of the leading enterprises. Among the prominent representatives of commercial life in Silver City is S. D. McLain, who as a partner in the firm of Shea, McLain & Crete is at the head of the most extensive mercantile establishment of the town. This well appointed store, with its large and carefully selected stock, is a credit to the proprietors as well as to the city, and in its management Mr. McLain displays that executive force and able management that rank him among the leading business men of the community.
Mr. McLain was born at Chariton, Iowa, January 3, 1869, and is of Scotch descent. His father, Clinton J. McLain, is a native of Ohio, and now resides in La Grande, Oregon, where he is engaged in the sale of farm implements. He married Miss Eva Hollingsworth, a daughter of M. Hollingsworth, a farmer living in Iowa. Six children were born to them, of whom five are living, the subject of this sketch being the eldest.
In the public schools our subject acquired his education, and as soon as old enough to engage in business on his own account went to Kamela, Oregon, where he was engaged in general merchandising for two years. He then removed to La Grande and organized the firm of Coy & McLain, remaining there for two and a half years. In 1896 he removed from that place to De Lamar, Idaho, where he was in business with T. Shea until May 1, 1898, when he came to Silver City, and the present firm of Shea, McLain & Grete was established. They purchased the large general mercantile business of Dave Adams, and now carry an extensive stock of salable goods to meet all the tastes and requirements of the public. Their able management and honest dealing, combined with their courteous and accommodating manner to all, have secured to them a liberal patronage, which is constantly increasing.
Mr. McLain was married August 30, 1895, to Miss Lizzie Ormand, who was born in Braidwood, Illinois. In politics he is a Republican, and favors the free coinage of silver, but has never been active in political work, his time being occupied entirely with his business and social duties.