US Congressman. Born in North Carolina, he moved to Kentucky in June of 1799 to accept an appointment as the first Surveyor of Muhlenberg County. One of the founders of Greenville, Kentucky, he was elected as a trustee. He studied law, was admitted to the bar in 1805, and commenced to practice as an attorney in Greenville. McLean was elected to the Kentucky General Assembly in 1812 and 1813. He organized a company of militia immediately after news arrived that a second war with England was declared. McLean was commissioned as Captain of the 1st Regiment of Kentucky Mounted Militia and served under Lieutenant Colonel Samuel Caldwell. In 1814, he commanded a company of detached militia, the 24th Kentucky Regiment under Lieutenant Colonel William Mitchusson, and participated in the Battle of New Orleans on January 8, 1815. After the battle, McLean and his company was accused by General Andrew Jackson of retreating against orders and were assigned to fatigue duty. McLean came to resent Jackson and his policies and helped to form the National Democratic Republican Party in opposition to him. After the war, McLean returned to Kentucky and was elected to represent Kentucky's 5th District in the United States House of Representatives. He served from 1815 to 1817 and again from 1819 to 1821. He became a Circuit Court Judge and presided over the 14th District of Kentucky from 1821 until his death in 1841. A close friend of Henry Clay, he was the Presidential Elector from Kentucky on the Clay ticket in 1824 and on the Clay and Sargent ticket in 1832. He died near Greenville. McLean County, Kentucky, established in 1854, is named for him. His brother, Robert D. McLean was a prominent surgeon.
US Congressman. Born in North Carolina, he moved to Kentucky in June of 1799 to accept an appointment as the first Surveyor of Muhlenberg County. One of the founders of Greenville, Kentucky, he was elected as a trustee. He studied law, was admitted to the bar in 1805, and commenced to practice as an attorney in Greenville. McLean was elected to the Kentucky General Assembly in 1812 and 1813. He organized a company of militia immediately after news arrived that a second war with England was declared. McLean was commissioned as Captain of the 1st Regiment of Kentucky Mounted Militia and served under Lieutenant Colonel Samuel Caldwell. In 1814, he commanded a company of detached militia, the 24th Kentucky Regiment under Lieutenant Colonel William Mitchusson, and participated in the Battle of New Orleans on January 8, 1815. After the battle, McLean and his company was accused by General Andrew Jackson of retreating against orders and were assigned to fatigue duty. McLean came to resent Jackson and his policies and helped to form the National Democratic Republican Party in opposition to him. After the war, McLean returned to Kentucky and was elected to represent Kentucky's 5th District in the United States House of Representatives. He served from 1815 to 1817 and again from 1819 to 1821. He became a Circuit Court Judge and presided over the 14th District of Kentucky from 1821 until his death in 1841. A close friend of Henry Clay, he was the Presidential Elector from Kentucky on the Clay ticket in 1824 and on the Clay and Sargent ticket in 1832. He died near Greenville. McLean County, Kentucky, established in 1854, is named for him. His brother, Robert D. McLean was a prominent surgeon.
Bio by: K Guy
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