Andrew Allen McLean

MATTHEWS, MCLEAN, LITTELL, BRUCE, MARSAN, CASSADY

Posted By: Fran Hunt, Volunteer
Date: 10/2/2001 at 12:58:52

From the Portrait and Biographical Album of Jefferson and Van Buren Counties – 1890
ANDREW ALLEN McLEAN
Andrew Allen McLean, late of Milton, now deceased, was born in Westmoreland County,
Pennsylvania February 24, 1814. His father, Thomas McLean, was of American birth, but of
Scotch descent, and his mother whose maiden name was Sarah Matthews, was of Irish
descent. Our subject received a common school education, which was supplemented by
self-culture and extensive reading, making him a well-informed man. He learned the trade of
tin and coppersmith in his youth in Somerset Pennsylvania, and in 1837 went to Connellsville,
in that state, where he engaged in business as a dealer in stoves and tinware.
On October 3, 1843 in Connellsville, Mr. McLean married Miss Catherine E. Littell, daughter of
Samuel and Catherine Custer Littell. The lady was born in Uniontown, Fayette County,
Pennsylvania, May 19,1819. Her mother was the daughter of George Custer, a cousin to
President Washington; and Gen. Custer of world-wide reputation in Indian warfare, was a
second cousin to Mrs. McLean. Samuel Littell, her father, was a man of superior mental force,
self educated, a good scholar and an able public speaker. He was a prominent man in public
affairs in his locality, and was especially earnest in his efforts to promote the cause of
temperance. In company with the Rev. Archibald Fairchild and Isaac Nixon, he formed the first
temperance society west of the Alleghenies. This family also had its representatives in the
War of the Revolution, two uncles of Mr. Littell having aided the Colonies in their struggle for
independence.
Mr. McLean continued business in Connellsville Pennsylvania until April 1851, when he sold
out and removed to Athens Ohio. The succeeding six years were spent in farming within a mile
of that city, and in 1857, accompanied by his family, he took up his residence in Columbiana
County Ohio, where he followed the same pursuit for a like period of time. Thence he removed
to Malvern Hill, of the same stare, where he was engaged in the hardware, stove and tinware
business until 1865, which year witnessed his arrival in Iowa, locating near Fremont, Mahaska
County. The previous year in company with A.R. Haines and A. Stewart, Mr. McLean came to
this state bring a flock of eighteen hundred merino sheep, the largest flock of sheep known to
have crossed the Mississippi at Burlington up to that time. The year following, 1866, he came
with his family to Van Buren county and purchased a farm, which is situated six miles south of
Keosauqua and which comprises a part of what is known as the Brooks Farm, one if the oldest
settled places in the county. There Mr. McLean carried on farming until 1871, when he came
to Milton with the extension of the Burlington & Southwestern Railroad to this place. On
coming to the city, he again embarked in mercantile pursuits, carrying a full line of stoves,
tinware, hardware, and farming implements. His son, S.L. McLean, was associated with him in
business as equal partner, and the connection was continued until the death of the father,
which occurred October 29, 1885,since which time, the business has been carried on by the
son.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. McLean were born five children, one son and four daughters—Samuel
Littell, the only son, was born in Connellsville Pennsylvania, August 11, 1844, and on
September 25m 1879, married Maggie Bruce, daughter of Amor Bruce. She was born in Van
Buren County, in March 1860, and died at their home in Milton, September 28, 1881. One
child was born of their union, a son, who died at the age of nine months, four days prior to the
death of the mother. Emma Louisa, the second child of the family was born in Connellsville,
Pennsylvania November 27, 1849, and is the wife of Alonzo L. Marsan, a native of Van Buren
County, now living in Milton; Sarah Belle, born near Athens Ohio, January 11, 1856, died in
Van Buren County October 29, 1872 at the age of sixteen and a half years; Flora C. was born
in Malvern Ohio, May 16, 1861, and is now the wife of E.B. Cassady of Milton.
Mr. McLean was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church for forty years, and then joined
the Methodist Protestant, to which denomination he belonged at the time of his death. In
politics he was an old-line Democrat, and although he was never ambitious of official
distinction, he was always an earnest supporter of his party principles and took a warm
interest in its success. On coming to Milton, he retained the ownership of his farm of two
hundred acres near Keosauqua, which is now the property of Mrs. McLean. The farm is well
improved with good buildings, and comprises one of the most valuable tracts of land in the
locality. Mrs. McLean, who is a bright, intelligent lady, well preserved physically and mentally,
resides at the old homestead in Milton, which is still the home of some of her children. She is a
consistent member of the Methodist Protestant Church and is held in high esteem by all who
enjoy her acquaintance.
Mr. McLean was a man of superior mental force, sound judgment and natural ability. He was
energetic and earnest in whatever he undertook, and was governed by his intercourse with
the world by principles of the strictest integrity and honesty. He accumulated a goodly property
by legitimate means of labor and judicious investments and died in the enjoyment of the good
will and kindly regard of a wide circle of acquaintances and friends.
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I am not related, and am posting this biography for those who may find this person in their family history.