Notes for John MCCLAIN

Thurtell and Related Families Thurtell and Related Families

Notes for John MCCLAIN

Much of the information about John McClain and his descendants is from World Family Tree, Volume 10, Tree 0364, submitted by Frankie B. Harth, RR 7, S-13, C44, Vernon, BR V1T 7Z3, Canada, phone 1-250-545-9298, e-mail harth@@bcgrizzly.com, and her 1998 web pages at http://www.familytreemaker.com/users/h/a/r/Frankie-B-Harth/index.html.

The following information is from the internet web pages of Heather Friede, e-mail address heather_friede@@compuserve.com, 14033 Denver West Parkway, Golden, Colorado 80401-3107.

John McClain, the son of Matthew McClain, was born in Warren County, Tennessee, on September 15, 1827. He married Annie Rupp in 1852. Annie was born in Germany in November 1834. Annie was the daughter of John Rupp and Margaret Houff. From a printed history: "John McClain is a well-known farmer in the town of Paris, Grant County, who has lived a long and useful life, devoted to honest industry and many purposes, and is still alert and vigorous. Mr. McClain was born in Warren County, Tenn. Sept. 15, 1827, and is a son of Matthew and Mary (Holland) McClain. The father was born in South Carolina in 1797, and the mother came from North Carolina. They were married in Tennessee, and lived in that State until 1830, the time of her death, when father and son journeyed westward to Jefferson County, Ill., where they found a home for some two years, and in June, 1843, came into Wisconsin to work in the lead mines near Potosi. In the spring of 1850 John McClain crossed the Plains to seek a fortune in the gold fields of California. Four months were required to make the journey. The Indians were numerous and dangerous and the little company in which he traveled had many close calls for their lives. John McClain met with remarkable success in mining, and in three months took thirteen thousand dollars from his claim. With this he returned to Wisconsin and purchased from Nelson Dewey a tract of wild land near Potosi, on which he made extensive improvements, clearing it up, and making a fine farm, on which he lived for some years. In 1852 he married Miss Annie Rupp, the daughter of John and Margaret (Houff) Rupp, both born in Rhine country, Germany. Mr. Rupp and his family came to Pennsylvania in 1836, where he worked as a mason until 1842, when he came west to Wisconsin. Mrs. Rupp died in Pennsylvania a short time before the removal of the family to the West. Mr. Rupp died at Potosi. Mrs. McClain was born in Germany in 1834, and spent the latter part of the girlhood in Wisconsin. After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. McClain went to Kansas in 1857, with the intention of making a permanent home in the State. After a thorough inspection they were satisfied Grant County offered more attractions for a farming career, and they came back to Wisconsin. Mr. McClain purchased an extensive tract of wild land in Grant County, to which he has added from time to time until he now owns a choice farm of five hundred acres, over half of which is under cultivation. In 1868 he put up fine and substantial farm buildings, and from time to time has improved and beautified his residence until this has become one of the more desirable county homes in Southwestern Wisconsin. For many years, in addition to his ordinary farming, he has carried on expensive operations in raising stock. Mr. McClain was formerly a Whig, but later supported the Democratic party. In 1896 he voted the Republican ticket, and is now strongly in favor of territorial expansion. For forty-one years without a break he has held the office of school district treasurer in the town of Paris, and has never been requested to give bonds. Mr. McClain has also served on the town board. He started in life without a dollar, and by his own industry and thrift has come to be one of the most prosperous and extensive farmers and stock of the community are extended to him without measure, and his reputation for honesty and integrity is not questioned."

John McClain and Annie Rupp had the following children:

i. John McClain was born in Grant County, Wisconsin, in 1853. He married Grace Thurtell.

ii. George McClain was born May 17, 1855.

iii. Mary McClain was born in 1857. She married David Wilson.

iv. Margaret McClain was born in 1859. She married S. S. Vannatta.

v. Albert McClain was born in 1861. He married Alice Richards.

vi. Charles McClain was born in April 1864. Charles died in 1879 at 15 years of age.

vii. Laura McClain was born in May 1866. She married Antone Rupp.

viii. Edward McClain was born July 8, 1868.

ix. Henry McClain was born in Paris, Grant County, Wisconsin, in September 1870. He married Hattie Withrow in 1901. Hattie was born in Paris, Grant County, Wisconsin, in January 1878. Hattie was the daughter of Withrow and Margaret (Withrow).

x. Thomas McClain was born in 1872. Thomas died in "Missing Place" no. 149.

xi. Anna McClain was born in July 1875. She married George Woodrome.

xii. Archie Mcclain was born in Paris, Grant County, Wisconsin, in April 1882. He married Ida. Ida was born in Paris, Grant County, Wisconsin in 1883.

Records of Mt. Zion (Cornelia) Cemetery, Harrison Township, Grant County, Wisconsin, show John McClain Sr. was born September 15, 1827, and died May 21, 1914. His wife Ann Rupp is buried there also.

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