WILLIAM N. McCLAIN was born October 30, 1847, in Franklin township, Washington Co., Penn. He is a grandson of John McClain, a native of Ireland who emigrated to America about 1779 and located in this county. He was soon afterward married to Rachel Tucker, who bore him the following family: Sarah, Elizabeth, James, Simeon, John and William. In political life John McClain was one of the first adherents of the Whig party in Washington county. In religion he was a member of the Presbyterian Church. His remains, with those of his wife, are interred near their pioneer home. Simeon McClain passed his youth in working on the home farm, and attending the common schools. In early manhood he was married to Jane, daughter of Isaac Carter, who bore him children as follows: John, Elizabeth (Mrs. H. K. Bell), William N. and Ellen (twins, the latter of whom is married to S. S. Bell), W. Ross, and Mary (Mrs. Holmes Andrews). Mr. McClain was the architect of his own fortune, and an industrious, enterprising man. He was formerly a Whig, afterward becoming an active member of the Republican party, although he would never accept any political office. William N. McClain passed the days of his boyhood on his father's farm, and received, in connection with a good grammar-school education, that practical home training, which was no doubt the foundation of his subsequent successful business career. He is now one of the most progressive farmers of his section, and though residing in Washington, Penn., supervises the work of his tenants, doing a large share of the same himself. He has several times held township office, faithfully discharging the duties thereof, and by his upright moral character winning the highest esteem of all his friends and acquaintances. His farm of nearly 200 acres is rich and productive and yields him a large annual income. In March, 1873, he was united in marriage with Flora E., daughter of Josiah Cooper, also a resident of Franklin township. Mr. Cooper was a member of the old Cooper family which settled in that section in the pioneer days, and was married to Clarissa Penn, who bore him on son and one daughter, Flora E. and Herschel (the latter deceased). Mr. Cooper was an active member and liberal supporter of his church, and a man prominent in his community. He was first a Whig then a Republican, at one time serving as county commissioner in the latter party. Later he became an ardent Prohibitionist, leading the forces of the cold water advocates in Washington county, and by his activity in the lecture field and genuine enthusiasm for the cause enabling them to make large inroads into the ranks of the old parties. He died an honored and respected citizen. Mr. and Mrs. McClain now live quietly in their Washington home, enjoying the well-earned fruits of a successful life of economy. They have no children.

Text taken from page 981 of: Beers, J. H. and Co., Commemorative Biographical Record of Washington County, Pennsylvania (Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co., 1893). Transcribed March 1997 by Neil and Marilyn Morton of Oswego, IL as part of the Beers Project. Published March 1997 on the Washington County, PA USGenWeb pages at http://www.chartiers.com/.

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