Our Family Tree

Sam'l D. McLean age 48; Elizabeth C. McLean age 48; John L. McLean age 18; Emeline E. McLean age 16; Sarah A. McLean age 13; Samuel M. McLean age 7

Private, Company K, 3rd (Lillard's) Tennessee Mounted Infantry Regiment

Twice he was seriously wounded. At Raymond, Mississippi, his leg was broken by a bullet, and at Jonesboro, Georgia, he was wounded in the face and head by a minnie-ball.

"McLean, John L., county trustee, was born in this county December 4, 1840, the son of Samuel D. and Elizabeth C. (Wasson) McLean, natives, respectively, of Kentucky and Indiana. Samuel D. when a boy came to this County, 1817, locating at McLean's Spring, three miles east of Lawrenceburg. Here the grandfather, Samuel, raised a family of five sons and four daughter, and followed the occupation of farming until his death, in 1850. The father of John L. was reared in this county, married here and reared his family on the old homestead. He was a useful citizen, his death occurring in 1880, and his wife's in 1884. John L. was reared a farmer, securing a limited education. At the age of twenty-four years he began farming for himself on his father's farm. In 1872 he bought land in the Eighteenth District, where he resided until 1880, when he moved to near Lawrenceburg. Mr. McLean is a Democrat, through his ancestors were Whigs. In 1861 he enlisted in Company K, Third Tennessee! Confederate Regiment, and served until the cessation of hostilities. Twice he was seriously wounded. At Raymond, Miss., his leg was broken by a bullet, and at Jonesboro, Ga., he was wounded in the face and head by a minie-ball. He was also slightly wounded at Fort Donelson and at Powder Spring Road, Ga. In 1871 he was made deputy sheriff, and in 1884 was elected county trustee. In 1870 he married Miss Rachel C. Norman, who died in 1874, leaving two children: Coda and Thomas. In 1881 he married Mrs. Dora L. Carter, who has borne two children: Walter and Burgie."

Many of the dates in this Goodspeed article are incorrect. One example is that he has John immigrating to Tennessee in 1817 with his father and grandfather. John L. not born until 1840.

"Lawrence County's first recruits of the Civil War - The Third Tennessee Infantry Regiment, Company K - Later known as "The Invincibles."

"The Third Tennessee Infantry Regiment, Company K. was the only complete unit from Lawrence County to serve during the Civil War. There was a large number of men going to Nashville to join up. But before they got there the battle forced them to split up and join different units.
"The last battle of the Civil War in Tennessee was at Sugar Creek near Appleton in Lawrence County in December, 1864.
"The Lawrence County Courthouse was spared from being burned late in 1863. Because Major Gibbon and the Union soldiers feared damage to the Mexican War Monument erected beside the courthouse."

in hh 421-431 as Saml D McLean, Age: 59, Male, White, Farmer, $600/$800, TN, Citizen; Elisabeth C., Age: 58, Female, White, Keeping house, TN; John L., Age: 28, Male, White, Farm Laborer; Citizen; Sarah A, Age: 23, Female, White; Samuel M., Age: 17, Male, White, Attended school; Wm C.C. [grandson], Age: 11, Male, White; Nancy, H.D. [grand daughter], Age: 9, Female, White. All individuals TN.

in hh 238-249 as John L. McLean, Head, White, Male, Born: Dec. 1840, Age: 58, Married: 18 yrs., TN KY IN; Home: owner, free, farm# 20; Dora I., Wife, White, Female, Born: Jan, 1860, Age: 40, Married: 18 yrs, Children born: 8, Children living: 8, TN TN TN; Bergam, Daughter, White, Female, Born: July 1884, Age: 15, Single, Attended school: 5 mo; Lilly Bell, Daughter, White, Female, Born: July 1887, Age: 12, Single, Attended school: 5 mo; Booker K. Son, White, Male, Born: Jan. 1889, Age: 11, Single, Attended school: 5 mo; Claudie L. Son, White, Male, Born: June 1890, Age: 9, Single, Attended school: 5 mo; Robert Taylor, Son, White, Male, Born: Oct 1892, Age: 7, Single, Attended school: 5 mo; Frank Boyd, Son, White, Male, Born: Jan 1896, Age: 4, Single; William H. Carter, Stepson, White, Male, Born: Mar 1879, Age: 21, Single. All children TN TN TN.

in hh 14-14 as John L. McLean, Head, Male, White, Age: 69, 2nd Marriage, Married: 28 years, TN TN TN, Farmer, General Farm, Emp; Home: owner, free, farm# 9; Dora J.,Wife, Female, White, Age: 50, 2nd marriage, Married: 28 years, Children born: 8, Children living: 8, TN TN TN, None; Lillie B., Daughter, Female, White, Age: 22, Divorced, Children born: 1, Children living: 1, None; Booker, Son, Male, White, Age: 21, Single, Laborer, Odd jobs, Wages, Unemployed: 4 months; Robert, Son, Male, White, Age: 17, Single, Farm laborer, Home farm, Wages, Attended school; Joe, Son, Male, White, Age: 13, Single, Farm laborer, Home farm, Wages, Attended school; Browne Appleton, niece, Female, White, Age: 2, Single, None. All children TN TN TN.

TennKin web site says his date of death is in 1918. His tombstone says 1912.

double tombstone inscription: McLEAN; John L. "Papa"; 1840- 1912 / Dora Richardson, "Mama"; 1860- 1934