JAMES McCLEERY, a prosperous farmer, wool-grower and stock raiser of Hopewell township, was born October 7, 1854, in West Finley township, Washington Co., Penn. He comes of pioneer stock, his parents, Alexander and Mary (Davidson) McCleery, being natives of West Finley township, while his grandparents, James and Catherine (Ferbis) McCleery, were reared in this county. James McCleery (the grandfather) was born in Ireland, and his parents sailed for America when he was small. They came to Donegal township, this county, where he grew to manhood and was married to Catherine Ferbis. After their marriage they removed to West Finley township, where their children were reared: John, Alexander, Joseph, Thomas, Jane and James, the latter dying in youth. Alexander McCleery was reared on the farm, receiving such education as was afforded in his time. When he was thirty-one years of age he married Mary Davidson, and afterward purchased a farm. His wife died in 1866, leaving four children: William D., James (subject of this sketch), Nettie J. and Robert D. His second wife was Elizabeth Ackley, of Greene county, who has borne him one daughter, Mary Elizabeth. He resides in West Finley township with two of his unmarried children, Robert D. and Mary E. His eldest son, William D., is a physician at Hanoverton, Ohio. Nettie J. is married to R. J. Buchanan, and is residing in Ohio county, W. Va. James McCleery, son of Alexander and Mary (Davidson) McCleery, received his early education in the public schools of West Finley township. He then went to Oberlin, Ohio, where he pursued a scientific course of study for nine terms. After leaving college he turned his attention to farming, remaining with his father until 1885. On January 24, 1884, he was married to Lulu V., daughter of Robert and Jane (Lucas) Sutherland. In 1885 he removed to a farm in the southwestern part of Hopewell township. He now owns 171 acres of well-improved and well- stocked land. Politically he is a Republican, but while taking a lively interest in political affairs, voices his sentiment by his ballot alone. Mr. McCleery has two children, Frank Ross and Mary Templeton.

Text taken from page 1169 of: Beers, J. H. and Co., Commemorative Biographical Record of Washington County, Pennsylvania (Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co., 1893). Transcribed February 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/.

[ [Back to Beers Table of Contents] [Back to Beers Project Page]