My Genealogy Hound

THE McLEAN FAMILY are of Scotch origin, and for many generations the clan owned and resided upon the island of Mull, in Castle Duard. Their ancestors fought in the crusades, as shown in their coat-of-arms by the dexter hand grasping the cross. Sir Fitzroy Donald McLean, the recent chief of the clan, resides in Castle Duard. He visited America during the World’s Fair at Chicago, and was hospitably entertained by his American cousins.

The first ancestor of the McLean family of whom we have any authentic information was driven from his home in Scotland on account of his earnest support of the Stewart cause, which ended in the battle of Culloden. He settled in Colerain, county Derry, Ireland, where he married and where all his children were born. Of his descendants, Daniel McLean married Elizabeth Douglas, who was a descendant of Lord Douglas, of Scotland, the celebrated “Black Douglas,” who was the leader of the Douglas clan. The Douglas estates are located at Douglas, in the province of Liddisdale, Scotland, and are in the possession of descendants of James, who was called the “Black Douglas.” He was the friend of Robert Bruce, and fought at the battle of Bannockburn.

The following named children were born to Daniel and Elizabeth (Douglas) McLean: James, Sarah, Daniel, Douglas, Margaret, John, and Hugh Douglas. Of these James and Sarah, the two eldest, emigrated to the United States before the rest of the family, settling at Summit Hill, Carbon county, Pennsylvania, and their favorable report of the country resulted in the removal of the entire family from Ireland. In the year 1857 Daniel McLean, father of these children, removed to Montgomery county and purchased a farm in Norriton township, which is now owned by the estate of John McLean. He died there in 1860, his wife passing away in Philadelphia in 1869, and their remains are interred in Pottstown. They were members of the Brown Presbyterian church in Norristown. Pennsylvania. Mr. McLean was a man of means, and well educated.

James McLean, the eldest son of Daniel and Elizabeth McLean, was a merchant at Summit Hill, Carbon county, and was interested in coal shipping. It was during his time that the first coal was shipped from Summit Hill to Mauch Chunk.

Sarah McLean, the eldest daughter of Daniel and Elizabeth McLean, became the wife of Alexander Sampson, who settled near Pottstown when the family left Summit Hill, and there followed agricultural pursuits. Alexander Sampson was cousin to the late Admiral Sampson of the United States Navy.

John McLean, fourth son of Daniel and Elizabeth McLean, was born in county Derry, Ireland, and at the age of nine years came with his parents to the United States. After acquiring a common school education he attended Lafayette College, and in 1849 went with his brother Douglas to California, that being the time of the gold fever. They went by the way of Cape Horn in a sailing ship, and were six months in making the voyage. They engaged in gold mining, in which John was very successful, but his brother died there, and his remains lie in California. Upon his return from California, John joined his parents on the farm, and at his father’s death purchased the interest of his brothers and sisters in the property, which he owned up to the time of his decease. He was a Democrat in politics, and served as school director for several years in Norriton township. He was among the first to advocate the public school system and the purchase of school books out of the funds of the township, and at all times manifested great interest in the cause of education. He was judge of elections for many years, and also a delegate to his party conventions. In 1881 he was elected prothonotary in Montgomery county on the Democratic ticket. He held the office one term, and was re-nominated by his party, but defeated at the election in 1884 by William B. Woodward, the Republican nominee. He was a member of the Lower Providence Presbyterian church for many years, to which his wife and family also belonged. He was a member of its board of trustees for several years, and was active in Sunday school work, being a Bible class teacher. He was one of the charter members of Charity Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons, of Norristown, and a member of Hutchinson Commandery, Knights Templar.

Mr. McLean married, July 21, 1868, Margaret McIntyre, daughter of James and Margaret (Sinclair) McIntyre, who was born in county Antrim, near Giants’ Causeway, Ireland, May 6, 1838. In 1846 her father came to America with his family, which consisted of his wife, son and daughter, and settled in Whitemarsh township, near Chestnut Hill, on a farm more recently owned by the estate of Daniel Williams. On this farm he remained twenty-one years, for a time as a farm hand and afterwards as a renter. In 1859, having accumulated some money, Mr. McIntyre purchased a farm in Whitpain township, on which he remained until 1866, when he purchased a farm now forming part of the tract belonging to the Norristown Hospital for the Insane. He then purchased the Summers farm, on which he resided until his death, April 11, 1887. His wife died January 5, 1881, and was buried by her husband in the cemetery attached to the Lower Providence Presbyterian church. Mr. McIntyre was a Republican in politics, but never sought or held office. He and his wife were for many years members of the Lower Providence Presbyterian church. Their children were: Margaret, aforementioned as the wife of John McLean, and James, both in Ireland. The children of Mr. and Mrs. McLean were as follows:

Elizabeth, born May 21, 1869, married William Taggart, their children being: Margaret S., Martha L., Austin L., and Elizabeth McLean Taggart. John Douglas, born October 19, 1870. He graduated at the Norristown high school in 1888, and also graduated at Prickett’s Commercial College, in Philadelphia. He then entered the University of Pennsylvania, graduated from its medical department in 1894, and is now practicing medicine in Philadelphia. He married Agnes R. Williams, of Philadelphia. They have one child, Sydney R. McLean. Mary Agnes, born May 25, 1872. She graduated in 1889 at the Norristown high school, spent two years in the State Normal School at West Chester, and has been a teacher in the schools of Montgomery county for twelve years. James S., born November 29, 1875. He graduated from the Norristown high school in 1895, and later from the Drexel Institute as an electrical engineer, and is following that profession at Rochester, New York. Hugh D., born August 13, 1878. He attended the public schools of his neighborhood and the Norristown high school, and is now conducting the operations on the home farm. John McLean, the father of these children, died January 28, 1888. He was buried with Masonic honors in the Lower Providence Presbyterian cemetery.

Dr. Hugh Douglas McLean, the youngest son of Daniel and Elizabeth McLean, was born in Colerain, county Derry, Ireland, in 1837, and two years later came with his parents to this country, they locating at Summit Hill, Carbon county, Pennsylvania. He attended the public schools, and previous to 1850 entered Lafayette College, later matriculating at Jefferson Medical College, from which he was graduated with the degree of Doctor of Medicine. He had but just graduated when the rebellion began, and he at once offered his services, which were accepted, and he was appointed by Governor Andrew G. Curtin as assistant surgeon of the One Hundred and Sixth Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, commanded by Colonel Moorhead. The regiment became a part of the second corps, and Dr. McLean served with it two years. Then on account of sickness he came home, and shortly afterward resigned. He was with his regiment in all its marches, skirmishes and battles until after the battle of Gettysburg. Immediately after the war Dr. McLean opened an office at No. 1331 Pine street, Philadelphia, where he practiced up to a few years ago, when he retired from active duties. He has been a member of the Philadelphia Medical Society for many years. He has also been actively identified with the Masonic order for nearly half a century. He is a member of the Loyal Legion of the United States; and has been a member of George G. Meade Post No. 1, Department of Pennsylvania, Grand Army of the Republic, since its organization. He is a member of the Chambers-Wiley Memorial Presbyterian church of Philadelphia. In politics he is a Republican. He has been abroad four times, his travels extending over Europe, Asia, Africa and Australia.

In 1876 Dr. McLean married Mary Simpson daughter of John Simpson, who was an attorney of Belfast, Ireland, where both he and his wife lived and died, and where Mrs. McLean was born. Samuel Simpson, brother of Mrs. McLean, now deceased, was for many years a prominent attorney in New York city. Mrs. McLean died October 15, 1899.