THOMAS J. McCLELLAND. This gentleman was a worthy representative of the Scottish patriots whose blood flowed in his veins. Many years ago, during the rebellion in Scotland, one William McClelland left his native heath and came to Ireland. There his life was passed in agricultural pursuits, and three children were born to him, namely: Hans, James and William. Hans McClelland was born in 1756, in Ireland, and there passed his boyhood. When a young man he emigrated to America, locating on a farm two and one-half miles from Canonsburg, Washington Co., Penn., where he was engaged in distilling and general farming. He was married to Catherine Carson, a native of Ireland, who bore him the following children: William, James, Ebenezer, John, Ann, Nancy and Sarah, all of whom lived to be over fifty years of age. The father died in 1818. Ebenezer McClelland was born in 1772, in Cecil township, Washington Co., Penn. He was reared to agricultural pursuits, and became one of the most extensive wool buyers in Washington and neighboring counties, his annual purchase of wool sometimes amounting to 1,300,000 pounds; and he was also one of the most extensive breeders of finewooled sheep in Washington county. In 1823 he was married to Esther, daughter of John Campbell, of Cecil township, this county. Her father was born in Scotland, and coming to Washington county in pioneer times, was often obliged to flee from the Indians. Her grandfather Campbell was killed May 26, 1782, at Crawford's defeat. To the union of Ebenezer and Esther (Campbell) McClelland children were born as follows: J. C., Sarah J., Thomas J., William, Ebenezer, James and Catherine. The three yet living are James, Ebenezer and J. C. Thomas J. McClelland was born May 21, 1828, on the old home farm in Cecil township, Washington Co., Penn. He was four years of age when the family moved to North Strabane township, where his education was received. He also attended Jefferson College, and assisted his father in business. On December 18, 1851, he was married to Mary E., daughter of Andrew Borland, who emigrated from County Antrim, Ireland, and settled on Brush run, Peters township, this county. He was married to Elizabeth McClure, of South Strabane township, and resided on the old place until 1856, when he moved to Clokey, same county, where he died, leaving the following children: Alexander, Mary E. (widow of Thomas J. McClelland), Rebecca, Margaret A., Ann, Elizabeth, Sarah, Andrew, Catherine, Rachel, Martha and James, of whom Rebecca, Catherine, Rachel and Martha are deceased. Mary E. was born July 2, 1827, on Brush run, Peters township, this county, where her girlhood was passed. To the union of Thomas J. and Mary E. (Borland) McClelland, five children were born, viz.: Catherine M., Elizabeth (wife of Thomas Hill, Union township), Ebenezer E., living on the home farm (married to Georgia M., daughter of Hugh Flannigan, of Union township, has two children: Ethel B. and Helen J.), Thomas J. and an infant daughter. The father died March 13, 1884, in his fifty-sixth year. He was a stanch member of the Democratic party, and served as school director for fifteen years, as well as in various other capacities. The home place contains 188 acres of very fine land, and part of the rich coal vein underlying the farm has been sold for $11,500.

Text taken from page 509 of: Beers, J. H. and Co., Commemorative Biographical Record of Washington County, Pennsylvania (Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co., 1893). Transcribed May 1997 by George & Mary Ann Plance of Gainesville, FL as part of the Beers Project. Published June 1997 on the Washington County, PA USGenWeb pages at http://www.chartiers.com/.

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