Biography - S McLean
DR. S. H. McLEAN. Few, perhaps none save those who have trod the arduous paths of the profession, can picture to themselves the array of attributes, physical, mental and moral, and the host of minor graces of manner and person essential to the making of a truly successful physician. His constitution must needs be of the hardiest, to withstand the constant shock of wind and weather, the wearing loss of sleep and rest, the ever-gathering load of care, and the insidious approach of every form of fell disease to which his daily round of duties momentarily expose him, Free and broad should be his mind to seek in all departments of human knowledge some truth to guide his hand; keen and delicate the well-trained sense, to draw from nature her most treasured secrets and unlock the gates where ignorance and doubt have stood sentinel for ages.
Closely approaching the ideal we have attempted to sketch in the above paragraph is Dr. S. H. McLean, one of the most prominent physicians and surgeons of Hillsboro, Ill. He is a native-born resident of Montgomery County, Ill., having been born six miles south of Hillsboro, on a farm, April 12, 1849. His father, Robinson McLean, was born in the old North State, and he grew to manhood there. Led by the promises of the Western prairies of Illinois, he came direct to Montgomery County, and entered land from the Government. His father, William McLean, was a descendant of Scottish ancestors. Our subject's mother, whose maiden name was Emma Barry, is a native of Kentucky, and is now residing on the old homestead in Montgomery County. The latter's father, Richard Ban-y, it is supposed was a native of Kentucky, and was one of the early settlers of Illinois. The parents of our subject had born to their union seven children, four daughters and three sons, all of whom grew to mature years and are now living. Only one is unmarried.
Dr. McLean, the second in order of birth of the above-mentioned children, became familiar with the tedious details of farm life at an early age, and, like the average country boy, received his first educational advantages in the district schools, j Desiring a more complete education, he entered ' Hillsboro Academy and remained there during 1867 and 1868, after which he entered Lincoln University at Lincoln, Ill., and was graduated at the E. M. Institute of Cincinnati, Ohio, in the I year 1874. The same year he located at Donnellson, Ill., and entered actively upon the practice of his profession. In 1877, he came to Hillsboro and immediately entered upon a successful career as a practitioner of the healing art. Since the year of 1874, he has devoted his life to the highest temporal mission among men, a combat with disease and death, and his efficiency, skill and signal success in this calling are well known.
Dr. McLean is a member of the Montgomery County Medical Society, and is a member of the Illinois State Medical and National Medical Associations. He is a member of Mt. Moriah Lodge No. 51, A. F. & A. M., also of Hillsboro Lodge of the Modern Woodmen. He is examining physician for many of the insurance companies, and is President of the Pension Examining Board, which meets at Litchfield weekly. He is a good Republican, and was Mayor of the city of Hillsboro in 1887 and 1888, during the time the water works were established, and many other improvements were made. The Doctor is now Chairman of the Republican Central Committee of Montgomery County, and is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church and a Trustee of the same. The Doctor selected his wife in the person of Miss Lina Kerr, and they were married in September, 1875. Mrs. McLean was born in the Buckeye State, but was reared in Illinois. Her parents were Robert and Caroline (Hughes) Kerr. Dr. and Mrs. McLean have one son, Benjamin O., who was born February 2, 1886.
Extracted 04 Dec 2016 by Norma Hass from 1892 Portrait and Biographical Record of Montgomery and Bond Counties, Illinois, pages 215-216.
