My Genealogy Hound

WILSON McLEAN, lumber-dealer, Wilkinsburg, was born in Peters township, Washington county, Pa., in 1843, son of William John and Margaret Jane (McWhinney) McLean, who were natives of the Counties Donegal and Derry, Ireland, respectively. They married in 1842, and at once set sail for America. The father, who was a carpenter, worked for a few days after his arrival in Pittsburgh, but finally settled permanently on his land in Peters township in 1845. He died in 1886, at the age of sixty-six, and at the time was owner of two farms. He was identified with the United Presbyterian Church; in politics he was a democrat; his widow resides on the old homestead. They had three sons and five daughters: Wilson, Eliza Jane, Sarah Martha Bryan (now deceased), James Herron, Samuel Neil, Henrietta (Williams), Mary Euphemia and Zilla May Balfe. The last two died when about twenty years old. Wilson Mc Lean spent his early life on the farm, attending the common school, and when fourteen, years old began work with his father, thus acquiring his trade. He went to Pittsburgh in 1867, and worked as journeyman till the end of 1871, when he came to Wilkinsburg and established himself as contractor. In 1886 he bought out a lumber-yard on Penn avenue, and has since confined himself exclusively to the sale of lumber. He is a member of the United Presbyterian Church in Wilkinsburg, of the R. A., and in politics is independent. In 1863 Mr. McLean married Annie McNary, who was born on the same farm where her father, who now resides in Nottingham township, adjoining Peters, was born. Her grandfather, James McNary, came from Ireland, and was an early settler there. Her parents, James and Belle McNary, were born in that township and West Virginia, respectively. Mr. and Mrs. McLean’s eldest child, Fanny Belle, is the wife of Dr. J. R. Vincent, residing in Wilkinsburg; William Wilson, the third, died when three years old; the others, Ida Jane, Minnie May, Frank Wilson, Samuel Oliver, Sadie Burchfield and James Clyde, are at home.