Individual Details

William James MCLAIN

(21 Jan 1866 - 22 Oct 1935)

Mr. McClain came to Poweshiek Co with his parents about 1867 or 68, where his father purchased land in Scott Twp. He received his schooling in the schools in and around Brooklyn, later attended Grinnell Academy. After completing his education, he returned to farming, where he remained for some time. Eventually he went to Colorado, remaining there for about 6 months. He met and married Minnie Breniman there. They returned to Poweshiek Co, and remained there for the remainder of their lives. He raised Chester White hogs and Shorthorn cattle on quite an extensive scale. In addition to his property here, he also had interest in farm land in Dakota and Montana.
In politics Mr McClain was a Republican and for two terms served as township trustee. His religious faith was indicated by his membership in Harmony Methodist Episcopal Church.

Events

Birth	21 Jan 1866	Rock Island, Illinois, USA
Birth	21 Jan 1866	Rock Island Co., IL
Census	26 Aug 1870	Coal Valley, Rock Island, Illinois, USA
Census	11 Jun 1880	Scott Twp., Poweshiek, Iowa, USA
Occupation	11 Jun 1889	Farmer: Attends Cattle - Scott Twp., Poweshiek, Iowa, USA
Residence	Abt 1896	Colorado, USA
Marriage	24 Dec 1896	Fort Collins, Weld, Colorado, USA - Minnie Louise (Eda?) BRENIMAN
Marriage	24 Dec 1896	Fort Collins, Larimer Co., CO - Minnie Louise (Eda?) BRENIMAN
Residence	Abt 1897	Lincoln Twp, Poweshiek, Iowa, USA
Census	1 Jun 1900	Lincoln Twp, Poweshiek, Iowa, USA
Census	15 Apr 1910	Lincoln Twp., Powesheid, Iowa, USA
Description	1911
Residence	1920	Lincoln, Poweshiek, Iowa, United States
Census	1 Jan 1925	Lincoln Twp., Poweshiek, Iowa, USA
Marriage-shared	20 Oct 1928	(Marvin Leland "Mac" MCLAIN and Nina Irene STONE) Brooklyn, Poweshiek, Iowa, USA
Marriage-shared	7 Dec 1929	(Maynard James MCLAIN and Frances Hazel WILLETT) Brooklyn, Poweshiek, Iowa, USA
Occupation	1930	Brooklyn, Poweshiek, Iowa, USA
Death	1935	Poweshiek Co., IA
Burial	1935	IOOF Cemetery, Brooklyn, Poweshiek Co., IA
Death	22 Oct 1935	Brooklyn, Poweshiek, Iowa, USA
Burial	24 Oct 1935	Brooklyn Memorial Cemetery, Brooklyn, Poweshiek, Iowa, USA
Reference No		751
ChildParent

Families

Spouse	Minnie Louise (Eda?) BRENIMAN (1867 - 1952)
Child	Mildred Elizabeth MCLAIN (1897 - 1967)
Child	Margery Ruth MCLAIN (1899 - 1925)
Child	Miriam Maxine MCLAIN (1903 - 1997)
Child	Marvin Leland "Mac" MCLAIN (1906 - 1997)
Child	Maynard James MCLAIN (1908 - 1999)

Father	John MCCLEAN MCLAIN (1823 - 1896)
Mother	Sarah Ann MIDDLEHAM (1833 - 1919)
Sibling	Robert John MCLAIN (1856 - 1934)
Sibling	Ella J. MCLAIN (1859 - 1871)
Sibling	Margaret Ann "Maggie" MCLAIN (1861 - 1930)
Sibling	Mary Faith MCLAIN (1864 - 1954)
Sibling	Sarah Maria MCLAIN (1867 - 1938)
Sibling	Elizabeth Susan "Lizzie" MCLAIN (1870 - 1912)
Sibling	Ella Jane MCLAIN (1872 - 1945)
Sibling	Charles Alexander MCLAIN (1872 - 1944)

Sibling

Lizzie S. MCLAIN (1870 - 1912)

Notes

Description

History of Poweshiek County

WILLIAM JAMES McLAIN.
William James lVlcLain has followed farming on his present property of
three hundred and sixty-seven acres, located on section 5, Lincoln township,
since 1897. He was born in Rock Island county, Illinois, January 21, 1866,
a son of John and Sarah (Middleham) McLain, the former a native of Ireland
and the latter of England. In 1848 the father emigrated to the 'United States'
and followed farming in Pennsylvania until about 1850, when he continued his
journey westward, locating on a farm in Rock Island county, Illinois. About
r867 or 1868, he removed to Poweshiek county, Iowa, purchasing land in Scott
township, which he cultivated until the time of his death in 18g6 at the age
of seventy years. He was a republican in his political faith and was a mem674
HISTORY OF POWESHIEK COUNTY
ber of the United Presbyterian church, in which he filled various offices, and he
also assisted in building several chur~hes. - The mother of our subject still survives
and makes her home on the farm in Scott township.
William James McLain was but an infant when' brought to Poweshiek county
by his parents, and in, the schools of his home district he acquired his early
education, but later attended Grinnell' Academy. During the periods of vacation
he was trained in the work of the home farm and after completing· his education
he returned to the farm and there remained for some time. Eventually.
however, he went to Colorado, where he remained for six months, but in 1897
returned once more}o Powes?iek county and since that time has lived on his
present pla,ce, co:risistit,lg of three hundred and sixty-seven acres on section 5,
Lincoln township. He has here a valuable property, his fields having been
placed under a 'high, state of cultivation, and in addition to general farming
he raises Chester White hog~ and shorthorn catt!e on quite, an extensive s..:ale,
making his shipments to the Chicago market. In· addition to this .property
he is also interested·. in farm lands in Dakota and Montana. He has made wise
use of his capital, investing it· where it has brought substantial returns, and
today he is classed with the well-to-:-do citizens of his section of the county.
M~. ¥cLain was ~arriedon the 24th of, December, r8g6, in Fort Collins,
Colorado, to '.Miss Minnie· L. B~eniman, a daughter of .Reuben and· Minnie
(Pierce) ~reniman. The former, of ,Swiss descent, is a farmer by, occupation,
while the mother is ,of English descent. The father formerly owned the farm
on which our s~bject now resides. Unto Mr. and M~s.'McLain have been
born three daughters and. two sons, Mildred, Margery, Miriam, Marvin and
Maynard.
In politics Mr. McLain ·is a republican and for two terms served as township
trustee. His religious faith is indicated by his membership in Harmony
Methodist -Episcopal church.,. His genial, cordial. nature has. endeared him to
all with whom he comes in contact, and no man in the community has a wider
circle of warm friends.

Death

Erysipelas (streptococcus baterial) infection on neck, complicated by diabetes.

FUNERAL SERVICES FOR W.J. MCLAIN TO BE THRUSDAY

Funeral services will be held Thursday, Oct 24 at the Methodist church for Hon. W. J. McLain whose death occurred Monday morning at his home here. The Rev. J. H. Freedline will have charge of the services.
Mr. McLain was only acutely ill a few days. His death came as a complete surprise to most of his friends. Not only his devoted family, but hte whole community suffers from the death of Wm. McLain. He was one of the most progressive and public spirited farmers of his time.
He was a great reader and well informed not only on farm problems but financial and national matters of general interest. He was a keen business man and his advice in business matters was considered very valuable. He was a most devoted husband and father, and his grandchildren were perhaps his greatest pleasure. He was a kind friend in trouble and always generous and kindly in his judgments. he had friends everywhere he went. People had confidence in him and recognized him as a man not only of unusual ability, but one who bore "malice toward none and charity for all."
W. J. McLain was born in Rock Island county, Illinois, Jan. 21 1866, the son of John and Sarah McLain, the former a native of Ireland, and the latter a native of England. In 1848 his father came to the United States, locating on a farm in Pennsylvania until 1850 when the family came to Rock Island county, Illinois. In 1867 they came to Scott Township where the family lived many years.
William James McLain attended schools in his home district and later attended the Grinnell Academy. On the 24th of December, 1896 he was married to Miss Edith Breniman (Minnie Louise). They lived a short time in Colorado, but after a few months, returned to htis county to take up farming. They bought their farm in Loncoln Township from Reuben Breniman, Mrs. McLain's father, and lived there many years.
Here the five children were born. They are Mrs. Mildred Breckenridge of Ames, Marvin of Brooklyn, Mrs. Miriam Mollison of Grinnell and Maynard of Brooklyn. Marjorie died in 1925. There are eleven grandchildren to whom Mr. McLain was devoted. Mr. and Mrs. McLain moved to Brooklyn some eight or ten years ago. During the lifetime of Mrs. Breniman's (McLain's) father Reuben Breniman, they spent many winters with him in California.
Mr. McLain was an active and faithful member of the Methodist church and of the Masonic Lodge. He was a Republican in politics and served as state representative one term in about 1930. He served his consitiuents well in the same manner in which he handled many trust placed in him. Practically everyone in the community knew Mr. McLain and everyone liked him and realizes the great loss in his death not only to his family but to the whole community.

Individual Details

William James MCLAIN

Events

Families

Notes

Census

Census

Marriage

Residence

Census

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Description

Census

Occupation

Death

Burial

Endnotes