C. H. McLeod, nephew of A. B. Hammond, was left in charge of Hammond interests when Hammond left for the West Coast. Unlike Hammond, McLeod was well-liked in Missoula. He gave lavishly to Missoula charities, which sometimes brought curt letters from Hammond who was not inclined to give things away.
McLeod took care of his Missoula Mercantile employees, often helping them in times of crisis. McLeod often loaned money to start-up businesses when area banks would not. He was often consulted for many Missoula community issues.
"C.H." retired in 1941 and left management to his son Walter McLeod. Walter had started working at "The Merc" in 1911 as a door tender during the Christmas season and later served as floor sweeper, clerk, then management. Walter also served on the Board of Directors for Hammond Lumber Company in California, Montana Power Company, Northern Pacific Railway, and on the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis from 1948-50.