Born in Glengarry County, Upper Canada, the son of James Grant and Catherine Dingwall, Grant received his education at the schools of Glengarry County, and until twenty-six years of age, assisted his father on the farm.

Early in life, he took an active interest in municipal matters, holding the office of councilor for twenty-five years, and afterwards was elected warden.

In 1874 Canadian federal election, he was nominated as an Independent candidate for the riding of Glengarry for the House of Commons of Canada, but was defeated.

He has also held the positions of vice-president and president of Glengarry County Agricultural Society, director of the Farmers' Institute of his township, also Captain of No.

This article incorporates text from The Canadian album: men of Canada, Vol.