Bio, Judge Frank McLellan 
 
Portrait and Biographical Record of Northern Michigan. Chicago: Record 
Publishing Co., 1895. 
 
JUDGE FRANK McLELLAN, Probate Judge of Clare County, is now making his 
home in the village of Farwell. He has served for one term in the capacity of 
Sheriff, was Justice of the Peace for twelve years, and was Postmaster for one 
term, besides serving in many minor offices. He is numbered among the early 
settlers of this county, as in March, 1871, he settled at Farwell. By trade he was a 
carpenter, and was the first man to begin the erection of a frame residence in this 
section. Subsequently he put up numerous buildings in Farwell, in pursuance of 
his calling. During the years which followed he was interested in various 
enterprises, and in each of these undertakings displayed good business and 
executive ability. 
 
Born in the northern part of Ireland, June 22, 1836, our subject is a son of 
Alexander and Mary (Dunn) McLellan. The former died about 1842, leaving three 
children. His eldest child, Mary, has been twice married, her first husband having 
been Michael Kelley, after whose death she became the wife of Mr. McAuliff. She 
is now a resident of Port Credit, Ontario. Our subject is the next of the family; and 
Alice, the youngest, died unmarried. At an early day the family emigrated to 
Ingersoll, Ontario, and in that province the mother is still living, though in her 
ninetieth year. 
 
It was in the year 1845 that Frank McLellan crossed the Atlantic and became a 
resident of Ontario. He attended the common schools, and while still a young lad 
began learning the trade of cabinet-making, at which he served a four-years 
apprenticeship. On beginning the active business of life for himself he located in 
Stratford, Ontario, and later, removing to Goderich, worked as a ship-carpenter. It 
was in 1863 that he came to this state. At Saginaw he and his wife found 
employment on the Chippewa River, with a Mr. Hall, a well known lumberman. 
For the past twenty-four years he has been a leading citizen of Farwell. For some 
time he worked as a millwright, and was employed in a planing-mill. In 
November, 1879, he established a furniture and undertaking business, the first of 
the kind in the place. A few years later his store and stock were destroyed by fire. 
His next enterprise was in conducting a grocery, his interest in which he sold out 
in 1892, and once more turned his attention to dealing in furniture and to the 
undertaking business. 
 
In 1860 Mr. McLellan married Hulda, daughter of Abraham Smith, both natives of 
Ontario. Mrs. McLellan proved a faithful helpmate and companion to her 
husband, assisting him to get a start in life. She had been previously married to a 
Mr. McCollum, by whom she had two children. Johanna, the elder, now 
deceased, was the wife of Lawton Knapp, of this place; and James is engaged in 
the grocery business here. Mrs. McLellan died April 26, 1890, and April 22, 1891, 
Mr. McLellan married Margaret Smith, who was born in Ireland, and came to the 
United States with a sister. 
 
Religiously our subject is identified with the Methodist Episcopal Church. He is a 
good citizen, and never fails in his duty toward others. In politics he is a 
Democrat, and stands high in the estimation of his party friends. He has been 
quite unfortunate in fire losses, and has had two residences consumed by the 
devouring element, but at the present time owns a substantial and well furnished 
home.