BIO: George W. McCLAIN, Huntingdon County, PA Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by JO Copyright 2008. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/pafiles.htm ********************************************************** __________________________________________________________________ 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 296. __________________________________________________________________ GEORGE W. MCCLAIN, Eagle Foundry, Pa., was born April 11, 1830, in Tod township, son of James and Nancy (Cook) McClain. Samuel McClain, his grandfather, was a native of Maryland, who moved to Tod township, Huntingdon county. He was a farmer and miller. He was married twice and was the father of twelve children, all of whom grew to manhood and womanhood, save one. Mr. McClain was a Democrat. He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. He died in 1838. James McClain was born in Tod township in 1804, and attended the subscription schools. He assisted his father in the mill and on the farm until his marriage, then rented a farm for two years, and then moved to the farm of 125 acres on which George W. McClain now resides, and there passed the remainder of his life. He married Nancy Cook, daughter of Isaac and Rebecca (Stephens) Cook. Their children are: George W.; Solomon C.; Sarah A., deceased; Rachel, deceased; Margaret (Mrs. Ezra Heeter); Isaac A., deceased; and Wilson L., deceased. In politics Mr. McClain was very liberal; he was a Whig. He served as class leader and steward in the Methodist Episcopal church. His death occurred in 1854. George W. McClain attended the public and subscription schools of Tod township; remained on the farm until his father's death; he and his brother, Solomon, then had charge of the homestead for seven years. In 1864, George W. purchased his brother's interest in the place, and has conducted it ever since. Mr. McClain attended Cassville Seminary, and then taught three terms in the public schools of Tod township and one term in Carbon township. He has served as school director and for two terms as assessor. He was a candidate for the nomination for associate judge on the Republican ticket, and although he received more popular votes than his opponent, was defeated. He is an active member of the Methodist Episcopal church. He is associated with the A.P.A., and Grange No. 444, P. of H., of which he has served as secretary, treasurer and master. His mother, Mrs. James McClain, was married, secondly, to George Hoffman, a native of Germany. She died June 20, 1896, at the venerable age of ninety-one, having lived to be the oldest person in the township.