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HUGH A. BAIN
Among the influential and public spirited men who have made Riverside their home is Hugh A. Bain, who since 1898
has been identified with the growth and development of this city. He was born in Nairn, Scotland, April 18, 1849.
His parents, Hugh Bain, a native of Edinburgh, Scotland, and Margaret (Fraser) Bain, who was born in Forres, immigrated
to Paisley, Canada, in 1857. The team that hauled their goods into that country was the first team of horses seen
in that section, which at that period was but sparsely settled, while deer and other wild game were very plentiful.
Mr. Bain erected the first frame house ever built in that locality and for a time was engaged in general merchandising.
He retired from active duties and continued to make Paisley his home until his death, in 1893.
Hugh A. Bain was educated in the public schools of Paisley, Canada, and at the age of sixteen years secured a position
as teacher. In 1868 he entered Queen's University, Ontario, from which he was graduated after two years and subsequently
secured an appointment as instructor in mathematics and classics in West End Academy, Montreal, Canada. After three
years of successful work he decided to enter a new field and resigning his position, journeyed to New York City.
Soon after his arrival there he accepted a position in the office of Lewisohn Brothers, hair manufacturers and
importers and dealers in haircloth. He remained as their office manager for a time and later became interested
in the company. This company had large mining interests in the vicinity of Butte, Mont., and Mr. Bain was given
supervision of this branch of the business and traveled throughout the United States and Europe in that interest,
altogether making seventeen trips across the Atlantic. This company was the first to use electricity in separating
gold, silver and copper from the ore. Heretofore, all ore running over a certain percentage was sent to Europe
for separating the metals, and by their introducing the new method enormous expense was saved the company. Mr.
Bain went to the mines and superintended the installation of the plant, which proved a success. For years that
company paid the highest wages in the country for work done at the mines.
Always having in mind the advancement of the interests of the company and the development of that part of the country
Mr. Bain was the means of getting the Northern Pacific Railroad to extend their line into Butte, Mont., and later
interested James J. Hill in that section of the country. This not only developed the country, but it saved the
company thousands of dollars in freight rates and in supplying cheap fuel to their mines and permitted his scheme
of the development of the rich mineral resources of that region. Mr. Bain continued as active manager and retained
his interests in the corporation for many years, giving his entire time and attention to the promotion of their
business. During his active business career he came in contact with some of the greatest financiers of both continents.
In 1898 he retired and shortly after located in Riverside and is now residing in the home which he erected at No.
1484 Orange Grove avenue, this being one of the show places of the city.
In Staten Island, N. Y., February 17, 1897, Mr. Bain was married to Miss Helen L. Snow, a native of Rockland, Me.
As a Republican Mr Bain has always maintained a deep interest in political developments and is a stanch supporter
of Theodore Roosevelt. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, having been made a Mason in Mt. Maria Lodge, Montreal,
Canada. He is a member of the Riverside Presbyterian Church and as a man of high ambition and exemplary principles
he enjoys the esteem of his many friends and associates.
From:
History of Riverside County, California
With a Biographical Review
History by Elmer Wallace Holmes
And other well known writers
Historic Record Company
Los Angeles, California 1912
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