USA > Illinois > McDonough County > History of McDonough county, Illinois, its cities, towns and villages with early reminiscences, personal incidents and anecdotes and a complete business directory of the county > Part 45
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On his return home Captain McClellan embarked in the drug business in Industry, continuing in it about five years, in which time he built up an excellent trade, and laying by a little money for "a rainy day. After closing out his drug trade, he removed to his farm, in Industry township, where he remained one year, from which place he removed to Macomb in the fall of 1871. Shortly after coming to Macomb he engaged as salesman in the dry goods house of Luther Johnson, where he remained one year, when he purchased of Messrs. Knapp & Hamilton the bookstore on the northeast corner of the square, in which line of trade he continued for about two years, when having a favorable oppor-
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tunity to dispose of the stock, he sold the same and immediately purchased the well known clothing store of S. P. Dewey, in which line of trade he still continues, having an excellent and prosper- ous business.
In 1852 Captain McClellan made a profession of religion, unit- ing with the M. E. Church, with which body he yet remains con- nected.
On the organization of the Republican party in 1854, he gave adhesion to its principles as enunciated in its national platform, but living in a slave state, he dared not express his sentiments as publicly as he desired, though his sentiments were well known. In the first presidential campaign of that party, though he was not permitted to vote for the candidate of his choice, he did the next best thing, and voted for Millard Filmore for president. As soon as he arrived in the free State of Illinois the seal was re- moved from his lips, and he could enjoy the right of free speech and vote his sentiments without fear of molestation. From that time to the present hour he has been a consistent Republican, the men and measures of that party receiving his cordial and active support.
Captain MeClellan is above medium height, well and strongly built, has a good head, wears full beard, and as a citizen enjoys the respect and confidence of his fellow men. As a business man he has been eminently successful in every enterprise in which he has engaged. He is quite cautious in his business ventures, and calculates with certainty the result of every step. In the family he is kind and indulgent, and as a friend and neighbor he is uni- versally esteemed.
HON. ALEXANDER M'LEAN.
Alexander McLean, eldest son of Hector and Catherine (Mc- Millan) McLean, was born in the city of Glasgow, Scotland, on the twenty-fourth day of September, 1834. As soon as he ar- rived at a suitable age he was sent to a private school in his na- tive city, where he remained until he was thirteen years of age.
On the fifth day of June, 1849, with his parents, he bade fare- well to his native land, and in one of the slow sailing vessels of that day, took passage for the United States, with the intention of making that free country his home in the future. After a tedious voyage of forty-two days the family arrived in New York on the sevententh day of July following. Here they embarked
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in a steamer on the Hudson river, their final destination being MeDonough county, Illinois. Leaving the steamer at Albany they proceeded by canal to Buffalo, where in one of the celebrated lake steamers they passed on to Chicago, thence by canal to La- Salle, from which place they continued their journey by the Illi- nois river to Sharpe's Landing, where a conveyance was secured which carried them to MeDonough county, where they arrived in the vicinity of Camp Creek, about eight miles south of Ma- comb, on the fourteenth day of August, making a comparatively speedy journey for that day.
At this time the subject of our present sketch was about fifteen years of age. With his parents he remained in the neighborhood of Camp Creek, where they had friends residing, until the follow- ing spring, when the family removed to the town of Macomb. Here he worked with his father for several years at the trade of stone-mason. Notwithstanding he belonged to the class of "greasy mechanics," and procured his living by the "sweat of his face," he was admitted to the society of the best families in the place, and soon became a favorite with all. Having au excellent mem- ory, with a pretty thorough knowledge of the literature of the day, and possessed of good conversational powers, he made many friends and secured the attention of those who were enabled to advance his interest in many ways, as is evinced from the fact that before he attained his majority he was selected by Hon. William HI. Randolph, then Circuit Clerk of the county, as deputy, which position he accepted and during the remainder of the term served in that capacity, giving the utmost satisfaction, not only to Mr. Randolph but to the members of the bar and citizens generally. In the discharge of his duties as deputy circuit clerk, on account of his efficiency and strict attention to the work of the office, Mr. Randolph became attached to him and there sprang up a friend- ship between them that was lifelong in its duration, and on the advice and consent of no one did Mr. R. more firmly rely than on young Alex. MeLean.
When the term of office of Mr. Randolph expired, on his sug- gestion Mr. McLean, with others, opened an office for the purchase and sale of real estate, under the firm name of MeLean, Randolph & Co. This firm, for several years, did quite an extensive busi- ness in that line, but in 1858, Mr. McLean withdrew from it.
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On the thirty-first day of December, 1858, he was united in mar- riage to Miss Martha J. Randolph, daughter of Benjamin F. Ran- dolph, one of the pioneers of the county. As a result of this union eight children were born unto them, seven sons and one daughter, six of whom are now living, two having gone to the "better land."
In February 1864, Mr. McLean left Macomb, for New York city, having received the appointment of clerk of a large real es- tate dealer, who was engaged in the purchase and sale of western land. For the seven years following he was a citizen of that city and Brooklyn. The firm with which he was connected enjoyed a very extensive and lucrative trade, and the knowledge acquired by personal dealing enabled Mr. McLean to be of great assistance in the selection of lands.
While a citizen of Brooklyn, N. Y., together with his wife, he united with the Clinton Avenue Baptist church, in the month of December, 1867. Shortly after uniting with the church, he was elected Superintendent of its Sunday School, and for two years officiated in that capacity. After returning to Macomb, in 1871, he was chosen to fill the same position in the Baptist Sunday School of that city, retaining that position for two years. In this particular field of labor he has been an earnest worker, devoting to it much time and thought. In the County Sunday School As- sociation, he has been one among its most zealous members, doing much to promote its interests. For some years he has been chosen by that body as editor of the Sunday School column of the Ma- comb Journal, which position he has satisfactorily filled. .
Mr. McLean, on several occasions, has been chosen by the peo- ple to fill some public office, each time discharging its duties in a satisfactory manner. The first public office which he was called upon to fill, as has already been remarked, was that of Deputy Circuit Clerk under William HI. Randolph. The next was that of Clerk of the Board of Trustees of the town of Macomb. The first office to which he was elected was that of Alderman, in 1863, when he carried his ward against one of the strongest men in the opposite and ruling party-the Democratic. On this occasion many Democrats voted for him on personal grounds, notwithstand- ing he was regarded as a very radical Republican. That he was qualified for the position, and would discharge its duties faithfully, was doubted by no one. In 1873 he was nominated by the Re-
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publicans of the city of Macomb to the office of Mayor, to which position he was duly elected by a good majority. In 1874, 1875 and 1876, he was re-elected each year by an increased majority over the one preceding it. As an officer he brings to the discharge of his duties a will and determination to do all things well. In the four years that he has held the office of Mayor, more public im- provements have been made than in the same period during the existence of the city ; more sidewalks have been built and kept in repair; more miles of road faithfully worked; a handsome and costly school house erected and paid for ; gas introduced, and many other things accomplished, while at the same time taxes have never been materially increased. This in a measure is the result of personal attention given the office, more time having been given by him in the discharge of the duties of the office than by any one by whom previously filled.
As a politician, Mr. McLean is a thorough and consistent Republican, believing firmly in the principles advocated by that party, never yielding what he considers to be right at any time for present success. During the presidential campaign of 1876 he was the candidate for elector for the Tenth District, of which MeDonough county forms a part. As a worker in a campaign he is indefatigable, and it success is possible he will help largely to secure it. The State having been carried by the Republicans, he was, of course, chosen an elector, and in the meeting of the elect- oral college at Springfield, he was chosen by his colleagues as messenger to carry the returns to the city of Washington and place them in the hands of the Vice President of the United States, in whose custody they are kept until they shall be opened according to law.
. Mr. McLean has made one trip to Europe since his settlement in this country, traveling over a large portion of the continent and visiting the scenes of his childhood. He returned more reconciled than ever to the home of his adoption. Every part of this grand union he loves, and its free institutions he cherishes.
The cause of education finds in Mr. McLean a most earnest supporter, and whether it be for the common school or for the higher and collegiate institutions of the land, he is at all times willing to sacrifice time and money for the good of either. Recognizing this fact, Governor Cullom lately appointed him one of the Trustees of the Illinois Industrial University, a position
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HISTORY OF M'DONOUGII COUNTY.
which he is eminently qualified to fill, and we hesitate not in assert- ing that no member of the board will attend more faithfully to the duties of the office.
In religious, as in educational matters, he takes great interest and in every part of the work in which a lay member is called upon to labor, he is ready to perform. He is now moderator for the third time, of the Salem Baptist Association, of which the Baptist Church in Macomb forms a part.
Mr. McLean is about five feet nine inches high, of good pro- portions, well developed museles, light hair, blue eyes, a good head and a benevolent looking face, which is always smoothly shaved. As a citizen, he enjoys the respect and confidence ot all who know him. No enterprise for the public good but what receives his earnest and undivided support. Time and money with him is no object, provided good can be accomplished. As a friend and neighbor he is kind and generous, never turning a deaf ear to the unfortunate ; as a husband and father he is affectionate and in- dulgent.
WILLIAM C. M'LEOD.
Perhaps no citizen of the county, having resided here no longer than Mr. McLeod, is better known. He is not a pioneer by any means, but has, since becoming a resident of the county, occupied many positions of trust, positions which he has filled in so satisfactory a manner that his name has become a household word.
William C. McLeod was born near New Town, Frederick county, Virginia, on the twenty-fifth day of March, 1825. His parents were John B. and Ann S. (Carson) McLeod, both natives of the same county in which their son was born. The elder McLeod was a practicing physician, who for thirty years followed, his profession in New Town, and was well and favorably known in all the region round about. He was a man of good mind, public spirited, and served his county in the State Legislature for two years. In company with his wife, Dr. McLeod came on a visit to his son in this county in 1865, and while here was called to his long home, departing this life on the fifth day of May, in the sixty-sixth year of his age. The widowed mother returned to her Virginia home, where she lived until the twenty-seventh day of May, 1874, when she was called to join her departed husband in the better land, aged seventy-five years.
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Dr. McLeod lived upon a farm adjoining the village of New Town, and here the subject of this sketch passed his early life. Until eighteen years of age he passed his time in working upon the farm and in attending the select school of the village, where he made rapid progress in securing an education. When he reached the above mentioned age he engaged with a firm in New Town to learn the trade of carpenter, choosing this rather than the profession that his parents desired him to study. At this trade he labored for eleven years, becoming quite proficient in all its branches.
In 1850 Mr. McLeod left his native State, and for several years resided in Palmyra, Missouri. Here he continued to follow his trade, and for a time, in company with a Mr. Phelps, under the firm name of Phelps & McLeod, carried on the business of lum- ber dealers in addition to contracting and building. Many of the public and private buildings of Palmyra were erected under his supervision.
In 1858 Mr. MeLeod received the appointment from the Gov- ernor to superintend the enlargement of the State Penitentiary at Jefferson City, Missouri, and while attending to the work he received word of the sudden and dangerous illness of his wife, who was then on a visit to relatives in this county. Leaving the work in charge of another, he hastened to the bedside of his wife, expecting to return as soon as possible to finish his contract, but circumstances conspired to prevent this, and compelling him to resign the position. Some years previous to this he had visited this county, and was impressed with the fertility of its soil and the natural advantages which it enjoyed. He now determined on locating here and making this his future home. That decision he has never since regretted. He came to MeDonough county in October, 1858, and settled upon section fourteen, Emmet town- ship, where he has since continued to reside.
Mr. MeLeod has been twice married : first to Miss Mary W. Miller, daughter of Robert F. Miller, one of the pioneers of old MeDonough county ; second to Miss Martha E. Simpson, of War- ren county, Va. Eight children was the result of the first union, five girls and three boys, four of whom yet live, the rest, with the mother, having crossed over the river. Mrs. McLeod died in May, 1865. The second marriage of Mr. MeLeod occurred October 5, 1868. They have had two children, one living.
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While a citizen of Palmyra, Mr. McLeod held the offices of Constable and City Marshal some years. Since coming to Me- Donough county he has held the offices of Town Clerk, Collector and Treasurer, and for fourteen years has been a member of the Board of Supervisors, a great part of the time Chairman of the Board. In the discharge of his official duties he brings to bear upon his lazors a zeal which, united with a determined will, ena- bles him to accomplish a great amount of work. No man that has ever lived in the county has taken more interest in its affairs, or has devoted more time to its improvement. All public im- provements have found him their earnest advocate, and McDon- ough county owes him a vote of thanks for what he has done. As Chairman of the Board he has rendered the best satisfaction, not only to his political friends, but to his political foes. He has always exercised the utmost impartiality in his rulings and in his conduct toward members. By the Board of Supervisors he was appointed to superintend the erection of the new jail building for the county, a work which he discharged to the satisfaction not only of that body, but the people at large.
In politics Mr. McLeod has always been a consistent Democrat, the principles of that party being dear to his heart. As a Demo- crat he has always been elected to office, and no man labors more zealously for the success of the general and local tickets of the party.
In height Mr. McLeod is about five feet eleven inches, of good, proportions, and will weigh about one hundred and seventy-five pounds. His general health has been good, and he is seemingly now in the prime of life. As a husband and father he is kind and indulgent, and visitors to his residence are welcomed with true old Virginia hospitality. As a neighbor and citizen he en- joys the confidence and respect of every one. Such is William C. McLeod, of Emmet township, Chairman of the Board of Super- visors of McDonough county.
JOHN MUSTAIN.
One of the oldest families in the county is that of the Mustains -living in the northern part. Although none have never occu- pied high official positions, they still have traits of character which distinguish them from others, and are as highly respected as any living in the county. John Mustain, with his family, came to MeDonough in the fall of 1832, having left his native State the
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latter part of August, previous. He was born in Pittsylvania county, Virginia, in September, 1782, and was left an orphan at a very early age-his mother dying when he was only about two weeks old, and his father when he was but four years old-the latter being killed by being thrown from a horse. While yet very young, he was apprenticed to learn the trade of a hatter, which occupation he followed for four years, when, not being sat- isfied with it, and preferring that of the carpenter, he was appren- ticed to that trade, which he learned and followed for some thirty years, but during the greater portion of the time he was engaged in farming. In this latter branch of business his success was greater than in that of any other, and the accumulations of after years were the result of his efforts in this direction. As previ- ously remarked, he arrived in MeDonough county in the fall of 1832, and proceeded to the neighborhood of Job's settlement, so often mentioned in this work. Here he purchased some four hundred acres of school land, (the sixteenth section) for which he paid $1.25 per acre. After purchasing his land he had some three or four hundred dollars left in foreign gold which he re- ceived from a bank in Lynchburg, Virginia, before leaving, the value of which he knew nothing save what was told him by the bank officer. Here he found no one that knew the value of a single piece of the coin, and all were afraid to receive it at any price. He was now in a perfect dilemma, being a stranger in a strange place, without credit or funds of any kind save that men- tioned. Having heard of Hon. James M. Campbell, of Macomb, he proceeded to that place to consult him in the matter. He had never seen Mr. Campbell, and, riding into town he met a gentle- man, when the following dialogue ensued :
"Can you inform me where I can find the Circuit Clerk of this county ?"
"If you desire to see the Circuit Clerk," replied the other, "you are looking square at him."
"I beg your pardon ; it is probably the County Clerk I wish to see."
"I am the County Clerk, also."
"Well, can you tell me who is Postmaster ?"
"I am Postmaster."
"Is your name Campbell ?"
"Yes, sir; that is my name."
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HISTORY OF M'DONOUGHI COUNTY.
"Well, then," responded Mr. Mustain, who could hardly be convinced of the identity of Mr. C., "you are the man I want to see. "
He then proceeded to explain to him the condition in which he found himself with respect to the gold, and asked Mr. Campbell to take it and have it changed for him into currency which he might use. An arrangement was effected by which Mr. C. was to take the gold and let Mr. Mustain have such goods as he wanted out of his store, and also from time to time a little money for his necessities, this arrangement to continue until Mr. Campbell should go to St. Louis to purchase goods, when he was to take the gold with him and have it exchanged. This business transae- tion was the commencement of a close friendship that lasted until the close of the life of Mr. M., without a break or jar of any kind, and we have heard Mr. Campbell remark that no man did he ever esteem more highly than John Mustain, and from no one would he be more sure of receiving a favor, or to none would he more quickly render one.
On the third day of June, 1812, he was married to Miss Eliza- beth Glenn, by whom he had ten children, seven boys and three girls, as follows : William D., who now lives on a farm just west of Blandinsville, was born June 21, 1813. Daniel C., was born January 9, 1815, died October 26, 1870. Thomas A., living four miles north of Blandinsville, was born January 13, 1817. Nathan G., born March 23, 1819, died November 26, 1876. Jane M. L., born January 12, 1821, and died the twenty-fifth of July, 1845. John T., born November 15, 1824, living on section 21 township. Elizabeth A., born January 14, 1827, the widow of Archibald Owen, late of Hancock county. James A., born September 24, 1829, living in Sciota township. George W., born March 2, 1832. Gilly G., born September 23, 1824. The living members of the family all fill honorable positions in society. Shortly after their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Mustain wisely came to the conclusion that the advantages enjoyed in their native State was not such as they desired, and therefore determined to seek a home and fortune in a better country, or where the advantages would be much greater, especially in raising a family. This determination ac- corded with sense and duty, for nowhere could a family be reared where the opportunity for amassing wealth, or gaining destinetion was or has been greater than in MeDonough county. Coming
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here when all was a bleak wildness they lived to see it "blossom as a rose." John Mustain was a large portly man, of good appear- ance, pleasant and agreeable in his intercourse with friends and neighbors ; in the family cirele, while kind to his children, he was strict in discipline and taught each member to know that his yes meant yes, and his no meant no, from which there could be no appeal. In business with the world his word could always be relied upon his promises always being held sacred, and invariably carried out to the letter. He was a good friend and neighbor, living at peace with all men and a hard working farmer. In politics he was a strong Democrat as are all his sons. His education was limited, but having strong common sense, strong will aud with a deter- mination to do, the lack of a finished education was not such a drawback with him. He departed this lite on the first day of March 1869, in the eighty-seventh year of his age. His loved companion died on the twenty-sixth day of October, 1863.
WILLIAM D. MUSTAIN.
The subject of this sketch was born in Pittsylvania county, Virginia, on the twenty-first day of June, 1813, and is the eldest of a family of ten children. His parents were John and Eliza- beth (Glenn) Mustain, pioneers of MeDonough county, removing here with their family, including William, in 1832. As frequently remarked in these pages, children of pioneers had few opportuni- ties in securing an education, the common schools, in which were taught only the rudiments, being the entire school facilities of the country. In these common schools young William obtained such knowledge of the arts and sciences as were taught therein. His entire life, we believe, has been spent on a farm, the tilling cf the soil being his principal occupation, occasionally varied in laboring at the trade of blacksmith, gunsmith, etc. In these trades he never served a regular apprenticeship, but followed them as his inclinations and necessities required. In the early days master workmen were not as plentiful as in this day, and one having skill to perform any work would soon find his services in demand.
Although never attaining any special prominence in the public affairs of the county. Mr. Mustain has yet been called on from time to time to accept local office. He has been Justice of the Peace, Overseer of Highways, Township Collector, School Di - rector, etc. In every position he has endeavored to render his duties faithfully.
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On the eleventh day of August, 1835, Mr. Mustain was united in marriage with Miss Jane Woodside, daughter of John Wood- side, another old and well known pioneer of the county. Ten children blessed their union, three of whom, with the mother, having passed on to that "bourne from whence no traveler returns." Mrs. Mustain was a member of the Christian Church and died in the full assurance of hope. Of the remaining children, all are married save one.
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