The Franklin Evening Star, 27 Jun 1929, Thur. pg 1
DONEL M'CLAIN, 70, DIES THURSDAY MORN
Was Street Commissioner of Franklin During Administration of H. C. Hougham
--------
Donel McClain, age 70, a resident of Johnson county during his entire life and street commissioner of Franklin during the administration of Harry C. Hougham as mayor, died Thursday morning at 7:00 at his home, 601 North Yandes street, after a long illness from arteriosclerosis. He had been unable to leave his home during the past month of his illness….Burial in Greenlawn cemetery, Franklin.
Mr. McClain was a son of Mr. and Mrs. Mathias McClain who came to Johnson county almost four score years ago from Brown county. He was one of a family of ten children, seven brothers and three sisters. The three sisters are still living, but all of the brothers are dead but one. The surviving brother is William W. McClain of Franklin, and the sisters are Mrs. John W. Gaunce, of Needham; Mrs. Roma McClain of Shelbyville, and Mrs. Alonzo Davis, of New Augusta.
Mr. McClain had been engaged in farming all of his life until about eight years ago, when at the insistence of Harry C. Hougham, he was persuaded to move to Franklin and accept the position of city street commissioner. Mr. McClain had been a highway superintendent in Needham township for many years and had lived on one of the Hougham farms. Mr. Hougham knew of his ability in directing road work and had faith that he could apply the same knowledge to street work, and, although Mr. McClain was of the opposite political faith of Mr. Hougham, he was named to one of the leading places in the Hougham administration.
HAD GOOD RECORD –
Mr. McClain did not disappoint his friends and proved to be one of the best street commissioners Franklin had ever had, and he served during the entire four years of the Hougham administration.
Mr. McClain was also experienced in the use of dynamite and was called upon every year by farmers who wanted stumps or rocks removed from tillable fields. He had probably used more dynamite than any other person in central Indiana and was always so careful in its use that he never had the slightest approach to an accident.
Mr. McClain had been married four times. His first wife was Miss Sarah Caplinger and four children survive this union. They are Virgil McClain and William McClain of Indianapolis; Mrs. George O'Neal, of Indianapolis, and Mrs. William Morgan, of South Bend. His second marriage was to Miss Jennie Morgan, and one son, Donel McClain, Jr. of Needham, survives this union. His last marriage was to Mrs. Anna Pool, widow of Millard Pool and she also survives.
Mr. McClain united with the Rocklane Methodist church when a young man and held membership in that church until it was abandoned a few years ago. He had never placed his membership with any other church. He was also a member of Mineola tribe of Red Men of Franklin.
[NOTE - The obit says he was married 4 times but only listed 3 of the wives' names. Katie Ann and Celia Wildman were omitted. See below.]
------------
Indiana Death Certificate shows Donel McClain, a 70 year old married white male, retired farmer.
Spouse is Anna McClain
Parents are Mathis McClain b. Indiana and Eliza Devore b. Missouri.
The 1880 Census of Pleasant, Johnson, Indiana, shows a 20 year old 'Donald' - living with grandparents: John and Mary McCain
The 1900 Census of Clark, Johnson, Indiana shows a 40 year old married 'Donald' McClain. Wife, Sarah E., 40, married 19 years (1881). She reports having had 10 children, 4 living.
Children: Daisy 12; Stella 7; Eli 4; and Paul 2.
The 1910 Census of Needham, Johnson, Indiana shows a 50 year old 'divorced' male. Donel McClain.
The 1920 Census of Needham, Johnson, Indiana shows a 60 year old 'widowed' male. "Donnell McClain"
1ST MARRIAGE -
1900 Census shows married to Sarah E. for 19 years - Marriage approximately 1881
Birth of infant born and died 1890 has parents as Donald McClain and Sallie Caplinger in Johnson County.
2ND MARRIAGE -
Johnson County WPA Index to Marriage Records, 1900-1920, page 193, referencing book H-10 page 17, records that Donnell McClain married Jennie McClain on December 12 1904 in Johnson County.
3RD MARRIAGE
Donnell McClain, Feb. 21, 1912, Bartholomew Co., Indiana. Celia was about 15 years older than Donnell, and reported herself as born 1857, rather than 1844, on this record. They divorced not long afterward.
4th MARRIAGE
Johnson County WPA Index to Marriage Records, 1900-1920 referencing book H-12 page 34 records that Donel McClain married Kate Brown on November 17 1914 in Johnson County.
5TH MARRIAGE -
(From Obit) Mrs. Anna Pool, widow of Millard Pool and she also survives.
DONEL M'CLAIN, 70, DIES THURSDAY MORN
Was Street Commissioner of Franklin During Administration of H. C. Hougham
--------
Donel McClain, age 70, a resident of Johnson county during his entire life and street commissioner of Franklin during the administration of Harry C. Hougham as mayor, died Thursday morning at 7:00 at his home, 601 North Yandes street, after a long illness from arteriosclerosis. He had been unable to leave his home during the past month of his illness….Burial in Greenlawn cemetery, Franklin.
Mr. McClain was a son of Mr. and Mrs. Mathias McClain who came to Johnson county almost four score years ago from Brown county. He was one of a family of ten children, seven brothers and three sisters. The three sisters are still living, but all of the brothers are dead but one. The surviving brother is William W. McClain of Franklin, and the sisters are Mrs. John W. Gaunce, of Needham; Mrs. Roma McClain of Shelbyville, and Mrs. Alonzo Davis, of New Augusta.
Mr. McClain had been engaged in farming all of his life until about eight years ago, when at the insistence of Harry C. Hougham, he was persuaded to move to Franklin and accept the position of city street commissioner. Mr. McClain had been a highway superintendent in Needham township for many years and had lived on one of the Hougham farms. Mr. Hougham knew of his ability in directing road work and had faith that he could apply the same knowledge to street work, and, although Mr. McClain was of the opposite political faith of Mr. Hougham, he was named to one of the leading places in the Hougham administration.
HAD GOOD RECORD –
Mr. McClain did not disappoint his friends and proved to be one of the best street commissioners Franklin had ever had, and he served during the entire four years of the Hougham administration.
Mr. McClain was also experienced in the use of dynamite and was called upon every year by farmers who wanted stumps or rocks removed from tillable fields. He had probably used more dynamite than any other person in central Indiana and was always so careful in its use that he never had the slightest approach to an accident.
Mr. McClain had been married four times. His first wife was Miss Sarah Caplinger and four children survive this union. They are Virgil McClain and William McClain of Indianapolis; Mrs. George O'Neal, of Indianapolis, and Mrs. William Morgan, of South Bend. His second marriage was to Miss Jennie Morgan, and one son, Donel McClain, Jr. of Needham, survives this union. His last marriage was to Mrs. Anna Pool, widow of Millard Pool and she also survives.
Mr. McClain united with the Rocklane Methodist church when a young man and held membership in that church until it was abandoned a few years ago. He had never placed his membership with any other church. He was also a member of Mineola tribe of Red Men of Franklin.
[NOTE - The obit says he was married 4 times but only listed 3 of the wives' names. Katie Ann and Celia Wildman were omitted. See below.]
------------
Indiana Death Certificate shows Donel McClain, a 70 year old married white male, retired farmer.
Spouse is Anna McClain
Parents are Mathis McClain b. Indiana and Eliza Devore b. Missouri.
The 1880 Census of Pleasant, Johnson, Indiana, shows a 20 year old 'Donald' - living with grandparents: John and Mary McCain
The 1900 Census of Clark, Johnson, Indiana shows a 40 year old married 'Donald' McClain. Wife, Sarah E., 40, married 19 years (1881). She reports having had 10 children, 4 living.
Children: Daisy 12; Stella 7; Eli 4; and Paul 2.
The 1910 Census of Needham, Johnson, Indiana shows a 50 year old 'divorced' male. Donel McClain.
The 1920 Census of Needham, Johnson, Indiana shows a 60 year old 'widowed' male. "Donnell McClain"
1ST MARRIAGE -
1900 Census shows married to Sarah E. for 19 years - Marriage approximately 1881
Birth of infant born and died 1890 has parents as Donald McClain and Sallie Caplinger in Johnson County.
2ND MARRIAGE -
Johnson County WPA Index to Marriage Records, 1900-1920, page 193, referencing book H-10 page 17, records that Donnell McClain married Jennie McClain on December 12 1904 in Johnson County.
3RD MARRIAGE
Donnell McClain, Feb. 21, 1912, Bartholomew Co., Indiana. Celia was about 15 years older than Donnell, and reported herself as born 1857, rather than 1844, on this record. They divorced not long afterward.
4th MARRIAGE
Johnson County WPA Index to Marriage Records, 1900-1920 referencing book H-12 page 34 records that Donel McClain married Kate Brown on November 17 1914 in Johnson County.
5TH MARRIAGE -
(From Obit) Mrs. Anna Pool, widow of Millard Pool and she also survives.
The Franklin Evening Star, 27 Jun 1929, Thur. pg 1
DONEL M'CLAIN, 70, DIES THURSDAY MORN
Was Street Commissioner of Franklin During Administration of H. C. Hougham
--------
Donel McClain, age 70, a resident of Johnson county during his entire life and street commissioner of Franklin during the administration of Harry C. Hougham as mayor, died Thursday morning at 7:00 at his home, 601 North Yandes street, after a long illness from arteriosclerosis. He had been unable to leave his home during the past month of his illness….Burial in Greenlawn cemetery, Franklin.
Mr. McClain was a son of Mr. and Mrs. Mathias McClain who came to Johnson county almost four score years ago from Brown county. He was one of a family of ten children, seven brothers and three sisters. The three sisters are still living, but all of the brothers are dead but one. The surviving brother is William W. McClain of Franklin, and the sisters are Mrs. John W. Gaunce, of Needham; Mrs. Roma McClain of Shelbyville, and Mrs. Alonzo Davis, of New Augusta.
Mr. McClain had been engaged in farming all of his life until about eight years ago, when at the insistence of Harry C. Hougham, he was persuaded to move to Franklin and accept the position of city street commissioner. Mr. McClain had been a highway superintendent in Needham township for many years and had lived on one of the Hougham farms. Mr. Hougham knew of his ability in directing road work and had faith that he could apply the same knowledge to street work, and, although Mr. McClain was of the opposite political faith of Mr. Hougham, he was named to one of the leading places in the Hougham administration.
HAD GOOD RECORD –
Mr. McClain did not disappoint his friends and proved to be one of the best street commissioners Franklin had ever had, and he served during the entire four years of the Hougham administration.
Mr. McClain was also experienced in the use of dynamite and was called upon every year by farmers who wanted stumps or rocks removed from tillable fields. He had probably used more dynamite than any other person in central Indiana and was always so careful in its use that he never had the slightest approach to an accident.
Mr. McClain had been married four times. His first wife was Miss Sarah Caplinger and four children survive this union. They are Virgil McClain and William McClain of Indianapolis; Mrs. George O'Neal, of Indianapolis, and Mrs. William Morgan, of South Bend. His second marriage was to Miss Jennie Morgan, and one son, Donel McClain, Jr. of Needham, survives this union. His last marriage was to Mrs. Anna Pool, widow of Millard Pool and she also survives.
Mr. McClain united with the Rocklane Methodist church when a young man and held membership in that church until it was abandoned a few years ago. He had never placed his membership with any other church. He was also a member of Mineola tribe of Red Men of Franklin.
[NOTE - The obit says he was married 4 times but only listed 3 of the wives' names. Katie Ann and Celia Wildman were omitted. See below.]
------------
Indiana Death Certificate shows Donel McClain, a 70 year old married white male, retired farmer.
Spouse is Anna McClain
Parents are Mathis McClain b. Indiana and Eliza Devore b. Missouri.
The 1880 Census of Pleasant, Johnson, Indiana, shows a 20 year old 'Donald' - living with grandparents: John and Mary McCain
The 1900 Census of Clark, Johnson, Indiana shows a 40 year old married 'Donald' McClain. Wife, Sarah E., 40, married 19 years (1881). She reports having had 10 children, 4 living.
Children: Daisy 12; Stella 7; Eli 4; and Paul 2.
The 1910 Census of Needham, Johnson, Indiana shows a 50 year old 'divorced' male. Donel McClain.
The 1920 Census of Needham, Johnson, Indiana shows a 60 year old 'widowed' male. "Donnell McClain"
1ST MARRIAGE -
1900 Census shows married to Sarah E. for 19 years - Marriage approximately 1881
Birth of infant born and died 1890 has parents as Donald McClain and Sallie Caplinger in Johnson County.
2ND MARRIAGE -
Johnson County WPA Index to Marriage Records, 1900-1920, page 193, referencing book H-10 page 17, records that Donnell McClain married Jennie McClain on December 12 1904 in Johnson County.
3RD MARRIAGE
Donnell McClain, Feb. 21, 1912, Bartholomew Co., Indiana. Celia was about 15 years older than Donnell, and reported herself as born 1857, rather than 1844, on this record. They divorced not long afterward.
4th MARRIAGE
Johnson County WPA Index to Marriage Records, 1900-1920 referencing book H-12 page 34 records that Donel McClain married Kate Brown on November 17 1914 in Johnson County.
5TH MARRIAGE -
(From Obit) Mrs. Anna Pool, widow of Millard Pool and she also survives.
DONEL M'CLAIN, 70, DIES THURSDAY MORN
Was Street Commissioner of Franklin During Administration of H. C. Hougham
--------
Donel McClain, age 70, a resident of Johnson county during his entire life and street commissioner of Franklin during the administration of Harry C. Hougham as mayor, died Thursday morning at 7:00 at his home, 601 North Yandes street, after a long illness from arteriosclerosis. He had been unable to leave his home during the past month of his illness….Burial in Greenlawn cemetery, Franklin.
Mr. McClain was a son of Mr. and Mrs. Mathias McClain who came to Johnson county almost four score years ago from Brown county. He was one of a family of ten children, seven brothers and three sisters. The three sisters are still living, but all of the brothers are dead but one. The surviving brother is William W. McClain of Franklin, and the sisters are Mrs. John W. Gaunce, of Needham; Mrs. Roma McClain of Shelbyville, and Mrs. Alonzo Davis, of New Augusta.
Mr. McClain had been engaged in farming all of his life until about eight years ago, when at the insistence of Harry C. Hougham, he was persuaded to move to Franklin and accept the position of city street commissioner. Mr. McClain had been a highway superintendent in Needham township for many years and had lived on one of the Hougham farms. Mr. Hougham knew of his ability in directing road work and had faith that he could apply the same knowledge to street work, and, although Mr. McClain was of the opposite political faith of Mr. Hougham, he was named to one of the leading places in the Hougham administration.
HAD GOOD RECORD –
Mr. McClain did not disappoint his friends and proved to be one of the best street commissioners Franklin had ever had, and he served during the entire four years of the Hougham administration.
Mr. McClain was also experienced in the use of dynamite and was called upon every year by farmers who wanted stumps or rocks removed from tillable fields. He had probably used more dynamite than any other person in central Indiana and was always so careful in its use that he never had the slightest approach to an accident.
Mr. McClain had been married four times. His first wife was Miss Sarah Caplinger and four children survive this union. They are Virgil McClain and William McClain of Indianapolis; Mrs. George O'Neal, of Indianapolis, and Mrs. William Morgan, of South Bend. His second marriage was to Miss Jennie Morgan, and one son, Donel McClain, Jr. of Needham, survives this union. His last marriage was to Mrs. Anna Pool, widow of Millard Pool and she also survives.
Mr. McClain united with the Rocklane Methodist church when a young man and held membership in that church until it was abandoned a few years ago. He had never placed his membership with any other church. He was also a member of Mineola tribe of Red Men of Franklin.
[NOTE - The obit says he was married 4 times but only listed 3 of the wives' names. Katie Ann and Celia Wildman were omitted. See below.]
------------
Indiana Death Certificate shows Donel McClain, a 70 year old married white male, retired farmer.
Spouse is Anna McClain
Parents are Mathis McClain b. Indiana and Eliza Devore b. Missouri.
The 1880 Census of Pleasant, Johnson, Indiana, shows a 20 year old 'Donald' - living with grandparents: John and Mary McCain
The 1900 Census of Clark, Johnson, Indiana shows a 40 year old married 'Donald' McClain. Wife, Sarah E., 40, married 19 years (1881). She reports having had 10 children, 4 living.
Children: Daisy 12; Stella 7; Eli 4; and Paul 2.
The 1910 Census of Needham, Johnson, Indiana shows a 50 year old 'divorced' male. Donel McClain.
The 1920 Census of Needham, Johnson, Indiana shows a 60 year old 'widowed' male. "Donnell McClain"
1ST MARRIAGE -
1900 Census shows married to Sarah E. for 19 years - Marriage approximately 1881
Birth of infant born and died 1890 has parents as Donald McClain and Sallie Caplinger in Johnson County.
2ND MARRIAGE -
Johnson County WPA Index to Marriage Records, 1900-1920, page 193, referencing book H-10 page 17, records that Donnell McClain married Jennie McClain on December 12 1904 in Johnson County.
3RD MARRIAGE
Donnell McClain, Feb. 21, 1912, Bartholomew Co., Indiana. Celia was about 15 years older than Donnell, and reported herself as born 1857, rather than 1844, on this record. They divorced not long afterward.
4th MARRIAGE
Johnson County WPA Index to Marriage Records, 1900-1920 referencing book H-12 page 34 records that Donel McClain married Kate Brown on November 17 1914 in Johnson County.
5TH MARRIAGE -
(From Obit) Mrs. Anna Pool, widow of Millard Pool and she also survives.
Family Members
Siblings
-
![]()
Thurett Devore
1849–1850
-
![]()
John L McClain
1850–1927
-
![]()
Mitchell McClain
1853–1854
-
![]()
Moses M. McClain
1855–1904
-
![]()
Squire McClain
1857–1927
-
![]()
Thomas J McClain
1858–1899
-
George B. McClain
1863–1918
-
![]()
David E. McClain
1864–1865
-
![]()
Jennie Lucinda McClain Gaunce
1865–1939
-
![]()
Anna M. McClain Davis
1868–1951
-
![]()
Miranda Belle McClain McClain
1870–1965
-
![]()
William Webb McClain
1873–1966
-
![]()
Travis M. McClain
1875–1875
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
Records on Ancestry
Advertisement
