McCLAIN, Albert Turpin - 1890 Bio (1854-1890)

MCCLAIN, MCNEILL, LAVELL, MANATREY

Posted By: Joey Stark
Date: 8/14/2007 at 19:31:25

Portrait and Biographical Album of Jefferson and Van Buren Counties, Iowa, Printed 1890 by Lake City Publishing Co., Chicago
Pages 462-463

Albert Turpin McCLAIN, deceased, once a leading citizen of Buchanan Township, Jefferson County, was born in Clermont County, Ohio, November 2, 1854, of Scottish descent. The founder of the family in America, his paternal great-great-grandfather, emigrated from Scotland to America prior to the Revolutionary War, in which he was a participant, and his son, the great-grandfather of our subject, was also a member of the Colonial Army in the same struggle. His father, George W. McCLAIN, was born in Clermont County, Ohio, June 14, 1827, and on reaching manhood, he married Miss Rebecca McNEILL, who was born in the same county, April 28, 1826. Their marriage was celebrated January 30, 1851. Three years previous, in 1848, he had made his first visit to Jefferson County but did not make a permanent location until 1861, since which time he and his wife have resided at their pleasant home in Buchanan Township. Both are zealous Methodists and in the church to which they belong they bear no inconsiderable part of the burden of the burden of (sic) the work, but are ever ready to perform any task which will aid in the promotion of the cause.

Our subject was third in a family of seven children and from five years of age until his death, Jefferson County was the scene of his life and business enterprises. In his youth, he prepared himself for the profession of teaching, supplementing his course in the common schools by training in Howe's Academy, of Mt. Pleasant, Iowa. After teaching a few terms, however, he decided that farming was better suited to his tastes and hence turned his energies exclusively in that direction which insured his success, for anything to which he gave his attention he labored at with untiring zeal and industry.

On February 13, 1877, Mr. McCLAIN was joined in marriage with Mary C., the daughter of John P. and Mary J. (LAVELL) MANATREY, both of whom were natives of France, the former born in Loraine, November 19, 1821, and the latter in Balfour, on July 20, 1828. In 1837, Mr. MANATREY came to the United States but it was not until 1847, that he made a location in Jefferson County. Here he married Miss LAVELL, who crossed the Atlantic to America with her parents and settled in Jefferson County, in 1845. Subsequent to his emigration to this country, Mr. MANATREY learned the carpenter's trade which proved of much use to him. for as the result of his knowledge of that business he was enabled to add many improvements to his farm, thereby greatly enhancing its value. He came to the county a poor man but by industry and good management acquired a handsome competency and ere his death was numbered among the wealty citizens of the community. Both he and his wife were faithful members of the Catholic Church and in politics, he was a stanch Democrat. He was called to the home beyond, June 12, 1880, but his wife still survives him. They had but two children, a son and daughter -- John P. and Kate.

Mrs. McCLAIN was born in this county on June 11, 1855, and remained at home until her marriage, after which the young couple located upon the farm in Buchanan Township which is still her home. Their union was blessed with three children, namely: Nellie G., Frank L. and Julia M., all still with their mother.

In his political sentiments, Mr. McCLAIN was a Republican and for one term held the office of Trustee of his township. In the Methodist Church of which he was a member he took front rank among the active workers, was liberal in its support and took a deep interest in its welfare and success. As a business man he displayed much ability, and thrift and industry were among his chief characteristics, as a glance at his fine farm of two hundred and eighty-three acres would indicate. A commodious and pleasant home was surrounded by good barns and outbuildings, which in turn were enclosed by well tilled fields, and high grades of stock were found upon the premises, showing that the owner was keeping pace with the times in all things. In all church and social affairs, Mr. McCLAIN took a leading part; he was a wide awake young man, held in high esteem and his death was truly a calamity to the community in which he made his home. His widow still resides upon the homestead farm where she is surrounded by an interesting family of children and all the comforts and some of the luxuries of life.

*Transcribed for genealogy purposes; I have no relation to the person(s) mentioned.