Biography of William R. Mclane, Franklin Co, AR

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        Date: 16 Aug 1998
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SOURCE: History of Benton, Washington, Carroll, Madison, Crawford,
Franklin, and Sebastian Counties, Arkansas. Chicago: The Goodspeed
Publishing Co., 1889.

Hon. William R. McLane was born in Trigg County, Ky., July 8, 1832,
and [p.1256] is a son of Samuel R. and Martha (Sholar) McLane, who
were also born in Trigg County. The father was a farmer and tobacco
manufacturer, and acquired a goodly fortune in pursuing these
callings. He was a minister of the Missionary Baptist Church, a
Democrat in polities, and after his wife's death, which occurred in
Trigg County, Ky., when her son, William R., was an infant, he was
married to Nancy Jane Lacy, who died in Callaway County, Ky. William
R. McLane is the only child by his father's first union, but he has a
half sister and two half brothers, who are living: Martha B., now Mrs.
Adkins, of Henry County, Tenn.; Thomas J., also of Henry County, and
Henry H., a farmer of Kansas. William R. made his father's house his
home until 1854, and acquired a good English education in the common
school near his home, and at Conyersville (Tenn.) Academy. After
leaving home he went to St. Clair County, Mo., in 1856, where he was
engaged in farming until 1862, and then went to Saline County of the
same State, in which he made his home for seven years. He then resided
in Bates County, Mo., for one year, since which time Franklin County,
Ark., has been his home. In 1850 he joined the Missionary Baptist
Church, and in 1858 was ordained a minister of that denomination by J.
B. Box, J. C. Brashear and Obadiah Smith. During his career as a
minister he has organized many churches in Missouri and Arkansas, and
is now pastor of Reboboth and Shiloh Churches. November 8, 1854, he
was married to Mary H., daughter of Slaton Bourland. She was born in
Kentucky, May 1, 1838, and became the mother of ten children, nine of
whom are living: Albert M., Ella A. (wife of J. L. Swaim), James G.,
John A., Minnie (wife of John W. Lancaster), Charles L., Samuel S.,
Mary C. and William Paul. Malissie T. died in infancy. Mr. McLean is a
Democrat; in 1884 he was elected on the Brothers of Freedom ticket (a
farmers' organization, of which he was a member at that time, though
none the less a Democrat), to represent Franklin County in the State
Legislature, filling the office one term. He is a member of the
Masonic fraternity, and is a man who commands the respect and esteem
of all who know him.