James McLay, dealer in automobiles, carriages and wagons at New Haven, was born March 5, 1865, in Glasgow, Scotland, a son of the late James McLay who in 1870 came to the United States. Coming direct to New Haven he located on the Snow farm where the Yale armory now stands. He was a shoemaker by trade and engaged in the boot and shoe business on State street to the time of his death, the business being conducted for a considerable period under the firm style of James McLay & Son. The father passed away March 15, 1897, in New Haven, when sixty-five years of age. He married Anna Marshall, a native of Scotland, who came to America with her husband and eight children. Ten children were born to them but two of the number have passed away. The wife and mother died in 1916, at the advanced age of eighty-one years.

  James McLay was the fourth in order of birth in his father’s family. He had very limited educational advantages, being compelled to leave school when ten years of age, when financial reverses overtook the family. He then started out and has since been dependent upon his own resources, so that he deserves much credit for the success which he has achieved. His first employment was that of a delivery boy for Robert Veitch, a florist, who paid him two dollars per week for his services, and his hours of work were from seven o’clock in the morning until nine o’clock in the evening. He was next employed by the Diamond Match Company until he reached the age of twelve years and at thirteen years of age he secured a position with the Candee Rubber Company. When a lad of fourteen he entered the employ of Henry Hooker & Company on State street and there learned the trade of carriage trimming. He had become a journeyman when eighteen years of age and he was employed in that way until he attained his majority. He then started in the shoe business with his father on State street and the partnership between them was maintained for a year, at the end of which time James McLay entered the carriage manufacturing business on his own account on Franklin street. He remained at that location for a year and then removed to Park street in order to secure larger quarters to meet the growing demands of his trade. In 1891 he purchased the old Lincoln skating rink, also called the Quinnipiac skating rink, which is one hundred and twenty feet on Grand avenue by one hundred and eighty feet on Bright street. He then remodeled the building for the purposes of his business and continued in the carriage making business there until 1909, when he turned his attention to the automobile business. He has since successfully continued in that line and handles the Seldon car and the Denby and Commerce trucks, being sole agent in New Haven county for these trucks. He also handles wagons and harness and has built up a business of large and gratifying proportions. Into other fields he has extended his activities and he is now a stockholder in the American Bank & Trust Company. He also has become interested in various lines of amusement. He started the State Rolley Polo League and he established a moving picture business. He is interested in still other lines of pleasure and amusement and is very widely and favorably known in this connection. He has studied public interests and tastes and has put forth various original ideas which have proven popular and profitable.

  On the 23d of April, 1887, in New Haven, Mr. McLay was united in marriage to Miss Jennie Page, a native of England and a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. George Page, who became residents of New Haven and have now passed away. Mrs. McLay died February 13, 1917, in New Haven, at the age of fifty-two years, and was laid to rest in Westville cemetery. She had many excellent qualities and there were many friends who greatly mourned her demise. In the family were eight children: Grace, now the wife of Frederick Beatson, of Fairhaven; Nettie, the wife of August Chipman, living in Westville; James, who married Phyllis Blockman and lives at Fairhaven; Harry, who married a Miss Foster; Clarence, George, Irvin and Leonard, all at home. There are also three grandchildren. The son George is a member of Troop D of the Connecticut Volunteers for service in the present war and Irvin is a member of the Second Regiment of the Home Guard.

  In his political views Mr. McLay is an earnest republican but does not seek nor desire office. He belongs to the New England Order of  Protection and the rules which govern his life are indicated in the fact that he holds membership in the East Haven Congregational church. His entire career has been one of unremitting industry, intelligently directed. Starting out when most boys are in school and are engrossed with boyhood pleasures, he developed a spirit of industry which has been a dominent [sic] factor in his later years and which has led him out of humble surroundings into a position among the representative, respected and valued business men of his city.