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Mecklenburg People
William Thomas "W.T." Harris
William Thomas (W. T.) Harris, of the Harris Teeter grocery store chain, was a prominent businessman, self-made millionaire, Baptist devotee, politician, and community advocate
Mecklenburg People
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Duncan Ochiltree
Duncan Ochiltree was one of the original signers of the Meckenburg Declaration of Independence. Although Duncan Ochiltree was credited as being one of the original signers, his name was removed from all subsequent accounts of documents because he became a traitor by becoming a Quartermaster for the British. He owned a mercantile store as well as land, but he knew his fellow citizens would punish him for his change of heart and political leanings.
James Torrance
The Torrance house and store still stand today as reminders of this family's wealth and prominence. Hugh Torrance married a widow with eight children, and James Torrance (1784-1847) was the only child of that union. The family came to Mecklenburg County from Rowan County in 1788. Soon young James was sent to live with an uncle.
Williams Myers
Though his family wanted him to attend the University of North Carolina, William Myers (1818-1901), born in Anson County, chose instead to go Texas and join the army in 1837.
James Osborne
Born in Salisbury, young James Walker Osborne (1811-1869) was sent when his mother died to live with Mecklenburg relatives Robert and Margaret Davidson. He graduated from the University of North Carolina in 1830 before his 19th birthday. He studied law and from 1836-38 served as Mecklenburg County Solicitor.
Zebulon Vance
Zebulon Vance (1830-1895) was a lawyer, state legislator (1854), congressman (1858), U.S. senator (1870, 1878, 1885, 1891) and N.C. governor (1862,1864, 1876). He began his law studies in Tennessee, but came to the University of North Carolina in 1851. It was during this time that his true talent in politics emerged.
Benjamin Heath
Benjamin Dawson Heath was the founding president of Charlotte National Bank. The bank was chartered in 1897. The Charlotte National Bank later merged with Wachovia Bank and Trust Company of Winston-Salem. B.D. Heath was active in local civic and business affairs. In addition to his association with the bank, Heath was a major real estate developer and land owner.
William Owens
William Allison Owens (ca 1834 - July 19, 1864), the first mayor of Charlotte, was elected in 1861; he was re-elected in 1863. In 1864, at the age of 28, Owens resigned his office to serve in the Civil War. He served in the Bethel Regiment and the 11 and 13th Regiments N.C. troops. He was appointed colonel of his regiment on May 6, 1863. He was killed at Snicker's Ferry, Virginia, July 18, 1864.
Documentation
(1) North Carolina Troops, v.13, p.64., edited by Weymouth Jordan.