J.F. McCLAY, one of the progressive and industrious young farmers of Canton township, is a native of the same, born May 24, 1859. He is a grandson of Samuel McClay who emigrated from Ireland to America at an early date, finally locating in Washington county, where his children were born. David McClay, father of subject, was born June 11, 1811, near the home farm in Canton township, this county, and there passed his youth, where long hours of toil, brightened with but little recreation, was the rule of life. His early education was much neglected, the only problem which he had leisure or opportunity to solve being how to maintain an existence. Thus, amid the wilds of the forest, educated in the rough but thorough school of nature, and surrounded by all the privations of pioneer life, was formed the character of the man who was destined to be a leader among his associates. From the stern teacher, experience, he learned hard lessons, which in after life developed into priceless habits of economy and industry that made his future a success. Notwithstanding the lack of school training Mr. McClay became an earnest reader, and with the aid of keen observation soon overcame the deficiencies of his early youth. On January 31, 1840, he was united in marriage with Margaret McElroy, whose family were among the earlier settlers of the county. After their marriage the young couple settled on the farm which is the present home of their son, J. F. It was then in a rude state of cultivation, but has since been improved until it is now one of the finest places in the township. Mr. and Mrs. McClay had children as follows: James (deceased in infancy); James M. (who enlisted in Company B, First West Virginia Cavalry, and died February 25, 1862, from disease contracted in the service); William A.; Nannie (deceased); Samuel; David (deceased), and J. F. Mr. McClay was a Republican and an active worker in the party, and was elected to the same office for three terms, and was serving in that capacity at the time of his death. In l855 he united with the Christian Church at West Middletown, which was under the ministry of Isaac Everett, but eventually he became a member of the Christian Church at Washington. He owned 400 acres of land at the time of his death, which occurred April 5, 1887. J. F. McClay spent his early youth upon the farm, securing his education at the common school. On November 6, 1879, he married Sarah E. Fergus, daughter of John Fergus, of Washington county, and they reared the following family; Charles G., Nannie B., John F. and Thomas M. Since his marriage Mr. McClay has continued to remain on the home farm, which he now owns. He is a promising young man, and is always interested in any enterprise tending to the advancement of the community. He is a valued member of the Republican party. Both he and his wife are members of the Christian Church at Washington.

Text taken from page 630 of: Beers, J. H. and Co., Commemorative Biographical Record of Washington County, Pennsylvania (Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co., 1893). Transcribed March 1997 by Judy and Lee Schaeffer of Pittsburgh, PA 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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