GEORGE McLEAN, farmer, P. O. Sandusky, was born in Wilkesbarre, Penn., March 19, 1839. He was a son of Alexander and Elizabeth (Swan) McLean. Our subject received a liberal education, and when old enough to work, assisted his father, who was a coal operator. In the fall of 1859, he crossed the country to Colorado, and worked for two years in the mines there. When the war broke out, he enlisted September 19, 1861, in what was known as the Nebraska Battalion of the Fifth Iowa Volunteer Infantry. During the service, he served as Orderly Sergeant. He was honorably discharged November 19, 1864. He was wounded in both arms, and also lost the hearing in his left ear by being dragged some distance through some iron filings that had been thrown on the road bed. Immediately after the close of the war, he was tendered and accepted the position of United States Land Office Receiver and Disbursing Agent for Montana, with headquarters at Helena. He remained at his post of duty until 1871, and then went to Nevada, where he engaged in ranching and mining for one year. His health failing, he came to Cairo, Ill. In 1877, desiring a Western trip again, he went to the Black Hills, where he again mined for a season. In 1878, he returned to his old home in Wilkesbarre, Luzerne Co., Penn. In 1880, he returned to Illinois, and purchased his present farm in Alexander County. It is situated in Section 13, Town 15, Range 2 west, and contains 160 acres, of which about 110 are in cultivation, and about three and one-half acres in orchard. Mr. McLean was married on December 24, 1873, to Mrs. Clementine McGee, a daughter of Luther Stencil, of Cairo. She is the mother of one child, William Q. McGee. Our subject is a member of Morning Star Lodge, No 5, A., F. & A. M., of Helena, M. T., and also of Eli Post, No. 97, G. A. R. In politics, he is an Independent.
Extracted 29 Mar 2017 by Norma Hass from 1883 History of Alexander, Union, and Pulaski Counties, Illinois, pages 246-247.
| Cape Girardeau MO |
Union | |
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Pulaski | |
| Scott MO | Mississippi MO | Ballard KY |
