Biographical Sketch of

George McClelland

Transcribed by Barbara Voss for the Marquette Co WI Pages


Source: Portrait and Biographical Album of Green Lake, Marquette and Waushara Counties, Wisconsin, 
published 1890 by Acme Publishing Co., Chicago, Pages 664 - 665 


George McClelland, one of the progressive and enterprising farmers of Green Lake County, residing on section 25 
in the town of Berlin, is a native of the Buckeye State. He was born on the 24th of May, 1834, in Knox County and 
is a son of Thomas and Mary (Wilson) McClelland. Though of Scotch descent, Thomas McClelland was born in Ireland 
in 1815, and when about three years old he came with his parents to the United States, the family locating in Knox 
County, Ohio, where he grew to manhood and married Miss Mary Wilson, who was about six years his senior and was a 
native of that State. After residing in Ohio for a number of years, they decided to try their fortune in Michigan, 
but not meeting with the success they anticipated they removed to Nobles County, Indiana in 1839. About seven years 
later, in 1846, Mr. McClelland, accompanied by our subject, his eldest son, came to Green Lake County for the purpose 
of selecting a location and entered the southeast quarter of section 26, Berlin Township, upon which he built a log 
cabin, 16x20 feet. They lived in bachelor style for a few months, but in the fall of the same year he returned to 
Indiana and accompanied the remainder of his family to the home which he had prepared for them. They began life in 
true pioneer style and were forced to endure many hardships, but after a time, owing to the rise in the value of 
land and the success which attended their efforts in farming, Mr. McClelland was able to place his family in more 
comfortable circumstances. As soon as possible, he replaced the first cabin by a substantial log house built on the 
southwest quarter of section 25, which he had added to his farm. That in turn was replaced, in 1868, by the fine 
brick veneered dwelling, in which our subject now resides. It is one of the most palatial residences within the 
borders of Berlin Township. Mr. McClelland was in very limited circumstances when he came to the county, but he 
became one of the wealthiest farmers of the community, owing to his indefatigable industry, perseverance and 
judicious management. He was a man of scholarly tastes, a logical reasoner, and possessed not only the thought 
but the power and ability to express his ideas in well chosen words. He supported the Whig party in early life 
but afterward became a Republican and both he and his wife were members of the Universalist Church. He died in 
1881 and his wife was called home the following year. In their family were seven children who reached maturity, 
but only two are living in this county; George and William; Samuel and Truman reside in Nebraska; Alexander is 
living in Oregon; Melissa makes her home in Iowa; and Sallie is a resident of Clark County, Dakota. 

Our subject is the oldest of the family. As his early life was spent on the frontier of Michigan, Indiana and 
Wisconsin, he received but limited educational advantages, for the schools in the pioneer settlements were not 
such as we find today scattered all over the country. On attaining his majority he started out in life for 
himself to make his own way in the world. Going to Minnesota, he engaged in farming in that State for eight 
years, during which time he did his own house work, in other words kept bachelor�s hall. In 1863, he sold out 
and returned to Green Lake County, purchasing land adjoining the old home farm. Afterward, however, he spent 
four years in Montana, Idaho and Oregon, being engaged in mining the greater part of the time, although one year 
he ran a supply train.  We again find him in this county in 1867, since which time he has made it his home. On 
his return he bought the old homestead and now owns and operates 310 acres of land. Politically, he is a Republican 
and takes an active interest in political affairs, but has never sought the honors or emoluments of public office. 
He has also been prominently identified with the advancement of the cause of education. 

On the 31st of December, 1876, Mr. McClelland was united in marriage with Miss Mary Lynch, who was born in this 
county. Their union has been blessed with three children, George G., Myrtle M., and Guy W.







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