Biography - Martin McLean
Martin McLEAN, farmer, P. O. Girard, was born in Ireland in 1819; his education was limited, owing to the fact that his early life was spent in assisting his father upon his farm, and that the facilities for gaining an education were also limited; at the age of twenty-six, he embarked upon his career in life as a farmer upon his own account. In 1845, he emigrated to America, and remained in New York seven months, and in New Jersey about fifteen years, engaged as a farm hand, at the end of which time he removed to Montgomery County and purchased 160 acres of prairie land, upon which he has made all the improvements necessary for comfort, and which are found only upon the best regulated and cultivated farms; by his energy, industry and economy, he has continued to add to his possessions until now he has the satisfaction of overseeing the cultivation of 480 acres of as choice prairie farm land as can be found in Montgomery County, and to him are due all honors that can be paid any man who has begun the battle of life as a poor boy, and has, by energy and enterprise, worked his way through the world until he is now known and recognized as one of the most successful and practical farmers of the county; although he grows all the usual farm crops, he makes a specialty of grain, and raises nearly all the stock handled upon his farm; he is a man who ranks high in the estimation of the community, and of which he is well worthy; he is a public-spirited man, and has long been identified with the growth and prosperity of Bois D'Arc Township, and especially in gaining the position it has attained as being one of the best townships in the county; although he takes no leading part in politics, he is identified with the Democratic party. In 1847, he married Mary CAREY, who was born in Kings County, Ireland, and emigrated to America when she was twenty-seven years of age; she is the mother of two boys and one girl, viz.: John James, William Henry and Margaret, all of whom are still living; John is Circuit Clerk at Hillsboro; William H. married and living on the homestead farm; Margaret, living at home. James McLEAN, the father of Martin, was a native of Ireland, a farmer by occupation; he died in 1868; his wife Julia QUINLAND, was also a native of Ireland; she died in 1866; she was the mother of thirteen children, of whom Martin was the seventh child; himself and family are connected with the Catholic Church. St. Martin's Cemetery is located upon Mr. McLEAN's farm, the property being donated by him to the society, and the cemetery named St. Martin in honor of Mr. McLEAN.
Extracted 20 Nov 2016 by Norma Hass from 1882 History of Bond and Montgomery Counties, Illinois, Part 2 Biographical Department, page 274.
