BIO: James 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, pages 285-286.
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  JAMES McCLAIN, Eagle Foundry, Huntingdon county, Pa., was born in 
Trough Creek Valley, Huntingdon county, November 21, 1852, son of Isaac 
and Sarah N. (Shoop) McClain. His grandfather, Samuel McClain, was a 
native of Huntingdon county, and of Scotch-Irish stock. He was a farmer 
and miller, and owned several acres of land in Tod township, where he 
passed his life. He was a faithful and active member of the Methodist 
Episcopal church. His son, Isaac, followed the same vocation. He owned 
more than 300 acres of land, and combined stock raising with his other 
agricultural operations. His politics were Democratic. Isaac McClain 
was twice married; his first wife was Ellen Thompson, of Tod township; 
they had one child, Wilson, who died when four years old. Mrs. Ellen 
McClain died in 1850. His second wife was Sarah N. Shoop, born in 
Huntingdon county, September 4, 1826. Their children are: James and 
Oliver, twins, both farmers of Tod township; Ellen (Mrs. John W. 
McClain), of Tod township; Susan J. (Mrs. Miles B. Wright), of Kansas; 
Mary E. (Mrs. John E. Henderson), of Kansas; and John W., farmer, of 
Illinois. Isaac McClain, like his father, was a consistent member of 
the Methodist church, deeply interested in her welfare, and active in 
her work. The McClain have been among those whose steady and 
conscientious lives not only exemplify the power of high and fixed 
principle, but also give healthy moral tone to the community. Isaac 
McClain died February 27, 1880; is wife still resides in Tod township.
  James McClain, the worthy successor of these two good men, was 
educated in the Greene school of Tod township. He shared the 
agricultural labors of his father until he arrived at his majority; he 
then rented G. W. Reed's farm in Tod township, and cultivated it for 
four years. Then, after working one year for wages, Mr. McClain rented 
the homestead, farmed it for two years, and finally, in 1881, purchased 
the farm of 147 acres on which he has his home. In 1889 he lost his 
house by fire, since which time he has built a large brick dwelling, at 
an expense of more than $1,500, in addition to his other improvements. 
He has been very successful as a stock raiser, and in buying and 
selling stock. His politics are Democratic. He is connected with Grange 
No. 444, P. of H.
  James McClain was married in Cass township, in 1883, to Jennie R., 
daughter of Andrew Crotsley, farmer of Penn township, where Mrs. 
McClain was born. Their children are: Mary A.; Harmon H.; Helen L.; 
Miles Ray; and Lizzie M., who was but an infant when she died. Mr. 
McClain is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church; has been for 
half his lifetime a teacher I the Sunday-school, and has since served 
as superintendent.