J. C. McCLELLAND. This gentleman is a worthy representative of the Scottish patriot whose blood flows in his veins. Many years ago, during the rebellion in Scotland, one William McClelland left his native heath, and made a new home in the North of Ireland, where his life was passed in agricultural pursuits. Three children were there born to him as follows: Hans, James and William. Hans McClelland was born in 1756, and when a young man emigrated to America, locating on a farm about two and a half miles from Canonsburg, in Washington county, Penn., where he became 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; he was a member of Miller's Run Presbyterian Church, and in politics was a Democrat. Ebenezer McClelland was born September 16, 1792, in Cecil township, Washington county, 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 as much as 1,300,000 pounds. He was also one of the most extensive breeders of fine-wool sheep in Washington county, having been one of the first to introduce the Merino. In 1823 he was married to Esther, daughter of John Campbell, of Cecil township, this county, a native of Scotland, who came to Washington county in pioneer times; he was often obliged to flee from the Indians, and his father 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. (Mrs. A. G. McPherson), Thomas J., William, Ebenezer, James and Catherine, of whom three are yet living: James, Ebenezer and J. C. The father of this family was emphatically a self-made man; politically he was a Democrat, and in religious faith he was a member of the Union Church. J. C. McClelland was born August 11, 1824, in Cecil township, Washington Co., Penn., and when eight years of age came with his parents to North Strabane township. He attended Jefferson College, and being the eldest son, became his father's principal assistant in business. On May 23, 1858, he was united in marriage with Caroline, daughter of Jacob Probasco, a leading stockman of Muskingum county, Ohio, and the young people settled near Cambridge, that State, where Mrs. McClelland died February 22, 1878, leaving the following children: Ebenezer, William, James, and Campbellena (wife of Joseph Kerr, a prominent business man of Union township, this county); there was also one that died in infancy. Of this family all are yet living at home save William, who is chief engineer of the Homestead Iron Works, Penn. After the death of his wife, Mr. McClelland moved with his family to their present home in Peters township, Washington county. He does an extensive business in general farming, and keeps a fine grade of stock. The place contains 160 acres of the finest land, underlaid with a rich vein of coal. Politically he affiliates with the Democratic party, of which he is a valued member, and in religious faith he supports the Presbyterian Church.

Text taken from page 1352 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 February 1997 on the Washington County, PA USGenWeb pages at http://www.chartiers.com/.

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