For
Muscatine County Iowa
1911
| Biographies For Muscatine County Iowa 1911 | |
Source: History of Muscatine County Iowa, Volume II, Biographical, 1911, page 775
ADELBERT HICKMAN McCLUN....The history of West Liberty with the name of A. H. McClun omitted would be very similar to the play of Hamlet with Hamlet eliminated. For forty-two years he has been one of its forceful citizens. No other man has given more of his time and talent toward the upbuilding of every material interest of town and community then this modest,unassuming man.Adelbert Hickman McClun was born at new Baltimore, Ohio, May 26, 1847, the third son and youngest child of Isaac Perkins and Hannah ( Hickman ) McClun. The former was born December 13, 1810, and the latter November 6, 1808, both natives of Columbiana, county, Ohio. The father was a teacher in early manhood, later becoming a merchant. He moved to New Baltimore, Ohio, in 1834 and to Marlboro the same state in 1860. He was a man of high standing in the community, serving for nine years as justice of the peace and for the same length of time as postmaster at New Baltimore, holding the office for township treasurer at the time of his death, which took place November 25, 1874. The beloved wife and mother was called away November 4, 1872. Five children composed the family : William W., who was associated with the subject of this sketch until 1899, passing away September 15, 1909 ; Joseph, who died in infancy ; Rachel, who died at Marlboro, Ohio, in 1875 ; Lydia H., who resides in West Liberty, and Adelbert H.
A complete genealogical record has been compiled, covering a period of more than two hundred years. Thomas McClun, the founder of the family, was born in County Down, Ireland, about 1607. His wife was a native of the same county. They were members of the Society of Friends and emigrated to America in 1729, first settling in Pennsylvania and later in Loudoun county, Virginia, and the grandfather of the subject of this sketch emigrated from that section, to Columbiana county, Ohio, in 1804, being one of the pioneer settlers. It was in the same year that the ancestors upon the mother's side, the Hickmans and Mercers, also emigrated from Chester county, Pennsylvania, to this same locality.
Adelbert H. McClun received a common-school education in Ohio. In 1869, at the age of twenty-two, desiring to establish a business and home of his own, he made a prospecting tour of the west in quest of a location, in the course of which he called upon his friend, J. W. Gaskill, then in the clothing business in West Liberty, Iowa. Mr. Gaskill pointed out the natural advantages of the little town and its splendid citizenship. All this so impressed Mr. McClun that he formed a partnership with is friend, under the firm name of Gaskill, McClun& Company. The building occupied by the firm then stood on the lot where the Peoples State Bank now stands. It will be something of a coincidence if the fates decree that Mr. McClun shall eventually end his long and honorable business career on the spot where it began.
On September 12, 1872, Mr. McClun was united in marriage to Miss Ella Mayers, a schoolmate in the Buckeye state, whom he had known from childhood. Comrades in youth, they remain comrades still, though the irrepressible hand of time has silvered the heads of both. Mrs. McClun was born December 17, 1849, in Pittsbirg, Pennsylvania, a daughter of Aaron and Mary Meyers, both of whom are now deceased. One son came to bless their union, Edward Adelbert, born January 24, 1875, now in the employ of a mercantile house in Chicago.
In 1875 Mr. Gaskill's interest in the clothing business was purchased by the late W. W. McClun, elder brother of the subject of this sketch, the firm changing to McClun Brothers, and so remaining for the next twenty-four years, when in 1899 the business was disposed of by mutual consent. For twenty-seven years Mr. McClun was connected with the clothing business in one location, at the northwest corner of Third and Calhoun streets. At the time of the dissolution of the partnership he was the oldest business man in West Liberty, in point of continuous service. In those thirty years he gave to his business the closest application, rarely taking a day off. By reason of his brothers ill health and other interests, he was the active partner in charge, personally looking after the buying and a large part of the selling, the bookkeeping and all the details of an extensive and prosperous business.
While deeply engrossed in his private affairs, he gave to the community invaluable service in minor but none the less important places, invariably conscripted into the public service by those who appreciated his worth. An ardent support of the cause of education, he was a member of the school board for several years. He has been identified with the Commercial Club since its inception and for two years was its chairman. From 1891 to 1893 he was a member of the city council, being elevated to the ofice of mayor in 1894, again in 1895, and again in 1897. The following year he went back to the council, concluding his service three years later. During his first term on the council he urged the lighting of the streets and offered the resolution which ultimately provided the first street lighting system of gasoline street lights for the town. During his last term as mayor the splendid water-works and lighting system, owned and operated by the municipality, were constructed, of which he had almost entire supervision, being chairman of the building committee. Largely through his personal efforts, West Liberty was among the first of the small towns of the state to adopt the electric lighting system. With but meager knowledge of the power and possibilities of the electric current, his enthusiasm increased with research until he became almost an expert. When the Carnegie Free Public Library was broached, Mr. McClun immediately became an enthusiast. He was made chairman of the building committee, and, to properly prepare for his duties of his position, visited many libraries throughout the state. The splended structure at the corner of Fourth and Spencer is an enduring monument to his fidelity in everything of a public character.
He had much to do with the improvement of Oakridge cemetery and the adoption of the lawn plan. Largely through his efforts a reservation was made in West Oakridge for the Grand Army of the Republic, a place upon which to hold memorial day exercises, and the erection of the beautiful soldier's monument thereon, which as a committeeman he assisted in purchasing and at the dedication of which he had the honor to preside. He was also one of the prime movers in building the concrete sidewalk to the cemetery.
In 1896 M. McClun became connected with the Peoples State Bank. From 1897 to 1902 he served as its vice president. In the later year, having enjoyed three years of rest, largely under his own vine and fig tree, he was called to the presidency of the bank. This position he held to this time ( 1911 ), when by reason by advancing years he voluntarily shifted to younger shoulders the burdens incidental to the presidency. He does not relinquish his connection with the bank, however, retaining the title of vice president and remaining near at hand as counselor to his associates and a friend and advisor to all who may apply.
Such is a brief outline of a quiet, unobtrusive man who has made an indelible impress upon the community. It would require an entire volume to set forth the countless things he has done to make brighter and better the environment of his fellowmen. As a merchant, he was the soul of honor ; as a public official, his integrity stands unchallenged in a single instance ; as the head of the leading financial institution of the community for forty-three years, he has conservatively husbanded the savings of the widow and orphan, though generous and helpful to the meritorious borrower ; as a man and a citizen his example and influence have invariably been cast on the side of truth and right. Legions of acquaintances hope the remaining number of his days may be many, that he may remain unto them in the future as in the past, a veritable guide, philosopher and friend.
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