Bio: McMaster, Hugh H. B. (1881)

Contact: Crystal Wendt

----Surnames: McMaster, Gray

----History of Northern Wisconsin (Eau Claire County, Wis.) 1881, page 327

HUGH H. B. McMASTER, manager of Empire Lumber Co.'s store, came to Eau Claire May 2, 1881. He was born in Belfast, Ireland. July 2, 1843, and came to Pittsburgh, Pa., with his parents in 1849, living there until 1857, when he moved to Reed's Landing, Minn., where he resided until he came to Eau Claire. He was engaged in mercantile business for Knapp. Stout & Co. for eighteen years, the last eight years being manager of their store at Reeds Landing. During an interval of five seasons, he was engaged in steamboating, three years on the Mississippi and two years on the Chippewa River. He was for one year captain of the steamboat "Chippewa," and the rest of the time clerk on boats. Mr. McMaster was married at Reed's Landing, Nov. 30, 1863, to Lena J. Gray, who was born in the town of Wesley, Me. They have two sons, Harry B. and Guy L. Mr. McMaster served as sergeant major of the 1st Minn. Heavy Artillery, from Jan. 1, 1865, until September, 1865. He was a member of the Minnesota State Legislature, from Wabasha County, at the first biennial session, and had held various village offices prior to his election to the Legislature.