McClaran, James (b. 1835)

MCCLARAN, REYNOLDS

Posted By: Volunteer (email)
Date: 7/19/2008 at 10:13:30

JAMES McCLARAN. From pioneer times down to the present James McClaran has been a witness of Oregon's development, growth and progress. He was born in Holmes county, Ohio, October 31, 1835, and represented a family of farming people. His parents removed to Indiana about 1850 and afterward became residents of Guthrie county, Iowa, where they spent their remaining days. Unto them were born eleven children, the subject of this review being the third in order of birth. At the usual age he entered the district schools and mastered the branches of English learning usually taught in such institutions. He also became familiar with the work of field and meadow, for from the time of early spring planting until crops were harvested in the late autumn he assisted in the work upon the home farm. When he had reached man's estate he wedded Matilda Reynolds, a native of Indiana, and they remained residents of Iowa until 1863, when, believing that they might better their financial condition in the newly developed but growing northwest, they carne to Oregon, traveling in the usual manner of emigrants at that time. They had nine yoke of oxen, and for about six months were upon the way, but at length the long and tiresome journey was completed and the family were comfortably located upon a farm near Forest Grove. After living there for three years Mr. McClaran secured a claim of one hundred and sixty acres beside his present place of residence. Here he has one hundred and nine acres under cultivation and in addition to this he owns a quarter section of land in Tillamook county. He carries on general farming and stock-raising and today has a well improved place, the present fine condition being the visible evidence of his life of industry and thrift. His home is a modern and substantial residence, in the rear of which stand good barns and other outbuildings for the shelter of stock and grain, and these in turn are surrounded by fine fields of grain. The place is pleasantly and conveniently located in Gales Creek valley, about a mile southwest of the Gales Creek postoffice.

Unto Mr. and Mrs. McClaran were born the following children: John, of Washington county; Henry, who has passed away; Samuel, who died in Iowa; Mary, wife of Lewis Peterson, who is living near The Dalles; Jane, Mrs. Hiett, of Tillamook; Ida, and Nancy, both deceased; and Maggie, wife of Carr Iler, of Washington county. The parents have a large circle of warm friends in this portion of the state where they have resided since pioneer times, their residence here covering forty years. Within this period much. of the land has been reclaimed by the white man and transformed into productive farms which have become the homes of a contented and prosperous people. In all other lines of progress and improvement there has been marked advancement and the county of today bears little resemblance to the district in which Mr. McClaran located four decades ago. For a number of years he has been a member of the school board and the cause of education has found in him a faithful' and helpful friend. He also served as supervisor for a number of years and he votes with the Republican party, believing firmly in its principles.

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD PORTLAND AND VICINITY OREGON Chapman Publishing Co. Chicago 1903