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 AMES H. McCLELLAND, Sheriff of Coles County, and one of the prominent citizens of Charleston Township, was born Jan. 13, 1834, in Fairfield County, Ohio, and is the of Alexander and Minerva (Spangler) McClelland. His grandfather, James McClelland, was a native of Pennsylvania, and afterward removed to Fairfield County, Ohio, where he carried on an extensive farming business, and passed the closing years of his life. Alexander McClelland was born June 3, 1807, on the old homestead in Ohio, where he still lives, his farm containing 400 acres of valuable land. He was an active leading man in the community, and held the office of Justice of the Peace twenty-one years. The following are the names of his children, all of whom are residents of Ohio, with the exception of James H.: John A., James H., Samuel, Salem, Susanna, Enos and Charles. The boyhood and youth of James McClelland were passed on his father’s farm, where he acquired much experimental knowledge in the various branches of agricultural work, receiving at the same time a good common-school education. He remained at home until he was twenty-two years of age, and in the year 1857 resolved to seek his fortune in the West. Illinois was then advancing on the road to that prosperity which has since been so signally attained, and accordingly he proceeded thither, and engaged in farming in Humbolt Township, Coles County. After the Civil War broke out our subject relinquished his business and entered the service of his country, enlisting in 1862, as Sergeant in Co. C, 123d Ill. Mtd. Inf. He was promoted to the rank of First Lieutenant and served three years, proving himself on every occasion a brave and efficient officer. He fought in the brilliantly contested siege of Atlanta, and was engaged in the battles of Perryville, Chickamauga, Murfreesboro, Farmington, Milton and Selma, besides taking part in numerous skirmishes. After the close of the war he returned to Illinois, and engaged in farming and stock-raising in Charleston Township. In 1876 he was elected to the office of Clerk and Recorder of the Circuit Court for a term of four years, and was also Assessor and City Marshal, serving one year in each office. In 1886 he was elected Sheriff for a term of four years. His marriage to Miss Zelda A. Hedges, a native of Ohio, took place in 1858. She is the daughter of William Hedges, of this city. They have a family of five children Salem W., Willis W. Jessie B., Mary E. and Bertha B. As a soldier and civilian, Mr. McClelland has been faithful in the discharge of his public duties, and possesses the respect and confidence of his fellow-citizens. He is a Republican, a member of the Odd Fellows Society, and also belongs to the G. A. R. and the Knights of Honor. His residence is on Mechanic street. |
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