This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Surnames: LAIDLAW, DOW, MCVEY, LAMB Classification: Biography Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/RRB.2ACE/5971 Message Board Post: LAIDLAW, William Grant representative, was born near Jedburgh, Roxburghshire, Scotland, Jan. 1, 1840; son of Gilbert and Margaret (Lamb) Laidlaw. He emigrated from Scotland with his parents and the other members of the family in 1852, and settled in Franklinville, N.Y., where he worked on his father's farm and received an academic education at a private school. He served in the U.S. navy on board the Montgomery, Tawa and Cincinnati, 1862-64. He was admitted to the bar in 1866; was school commissioner of Cattaraugus county, 1867-1870; removed to Ellicottville in 1870; was assessor of internal revenue for the 31st collection district of New York, 1871-77; district attorney of Cattaraugus county, 1877-83, and a representative in the 50th and 51st congresses, 1887-1891. He was married, Sept. 1, 1864, to Elizabeth, daughter of William and Margaret (Dow) McVey; and of their three sons, Gilbert William became an Episcopal clergyman in Middleboro, Mass., Archibald McVey entered upon the practice of law in! partnership with his father, and Clarence Scott engaged in business. Biographical Dictionary of Notable Americans