BIO: David E. McCLAIN, Huntingdon County, PA

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Commemorative Biographical Encyclopedia of the Juniata Valley: 
Comprising the Counties of Huntingdon, Mifflin, Juniata and Perry, 
Pennsylvania, Containing Sketches of Prominent and Representative 
Citizens and Many of the Early Settlers.  Chambersburg, Pa.: J. M. 
Runk & Co., 1897, page 410.
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  D. E. MCCLAIN, Saltillo, Huntingdon county, Pa., was born April 27, 
1862, in Cass township, Huntingdon county, son of Samuel and Esther 
(Barnett) McClain. Samuel McClain was born in Tod township, near Cooks 
Mill, Huntingdon county, in 1819. He was brought up on a farm, learning 
the business of agriculture practically as a boy, and followed the same 
calling throughout his life. Left an orphan at three years of age, he 
had to make his own way in the world, which he did with honor and 
success, becoming a man of respectable character and position. He was a 
Republican, and active in party affairs. The children of Mr. and Mrs. 
Samuel McClain are: Oliver W., of Wauseon, O.; Catherine A. (Mrs. 
Samuel Keith), of Woodbury, Bedford county, Pa.; Mary E. (Mrs. John D. 
Crotsley), of Cass township; John W. and James Allison, twins, both of 
Tod township; Joseph Newton, farmer, of Tod township; Amanda B. (Mrs. 
Clayton Houck), of Tod township; D.E.; Ida J. (Mrs. Thomas Shaver), of 
Pittsburg, Pa.; and Sarah A., died in 1867, aged seventeen. Samuel 
McClain and wife were members of the Methodist Episcopal church for 
nearly fifty-five years. He died September 28, 1891; his wife died in 
1894; both are buried at Cornelius chapel, Cass township.
  Until he reached his fourteenth year, when his parents removed to 
Saltillo, D. E. McClain resided with his father on the farm. His 
earlier education was such as was afforded by the common schools of the 
rural districts of Cass township, and of Saltillo and Three Springs; 
also the high schools of Cassville, Huntingdon and Everett, Pa. After 
passing through those schools, Mr. McClain taught school for two terms. 
From 1882 to 1887 he was engaged in canvassing with books, among them 
being the well-known work "Mother, Home and Heaven," of which he sold 
1,850 copies, and his agents about 700. He also handled the work 
"Perfect Jewels," with which he was very successful. He sold 375 copies 
of "The Beautiful, the Wonderful and the Wise." During the last year of 
his canvass Mr. McClain sold 450 copies of John B. Gough's "Platform 
Echoes." The Bible was always among the books he had for sale, and he 
sold many hundred copies. He worked almost exclusively through Bradley, 
Garrettson & Co., of Philadelphia, Pa. Near the close of his canvassing 
engagement, Mr. McClain took a course of instruction at Pierce's 
Business College, of Philadelphia, completing the business course in 
less than six months. While a student at that celebrated school of 
business, Mr. McClain, with characteristic industry, devoted his 
Saturdays and other unemployed hours in canvassing, in the city, 
thereby earning almost enough to pay his expenses. While engaged in 
this business, Mr. McClain traveled through Pennsylvania, Ohio, 
Maryland and West Virginia. In the spring of 1888 he opened his present 
store, which he purchased from J. W. Senft. Mr. McClain has somewhat 
improved the building; he deals in a large variety of goods, including 
hardware, cutlery, stoves, glass, oils, tinware, harness and farming 
implements, furniture, carpets and wall paper. He also conducts a tin 
shop, employing an experienced tinner. Being active and energetic in 
business, he succeeds well, and is becoming a heavy taxpayer. Mr. 
McClain is interested in the Saltillo Telephone Company, and has a 
separate phone in his store, which affords him direct connection with 
his brothers in Tod township. The line and its connections make this a 
valuable and convenient addition to the facilities of the store. Mr. 
McClain is a Republican.
  D. E. McClain was married December 28, 1887, to Nora M. Bowser, of 
Johnstown, Pa., formerly of Bedford county, Pa. They have one child, 
Esther, who is six years of age.