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- from "A History of Ontario: its resources and development" by Alexander Fraser, 1907
WILLIAM ROBERT McCLELLAND
William Robert McClelland, a general merchant at Niagara-on-the-Lake, was here born in the 4th of February, 1863. His father, William W. McClelland, was a native of the north of Ireland, born in the county of Armagh and in 1852 he crossed the briny deep to Canada, settling at Niagara-on-the-Lake, where he opened a general store. He has since been associated with mercantile interests, and although seventy-four years of age he is still active in the management and conduct of the business. He represented the west ward as councillor for twenty-five years. In early manhood he wedded Mary A. Davey, the daughter of James Davey of Cornwall, born in the Province of Quebec. One son of the family , Fred, H. McClelland, born at Niagara-on-the-Lake, is employed in his father's store. A sister, Mary Maude McClelland, was also born at Niagara-on-the-Lake.
William R. McClelland, whose name introduces this record, attended the public schools and the York Academy, also the high school at Niagara-on-the-Lake. His mental discipline and training well qualified him for the onerous duties in later life, and after leaving school he was employed for ten years as accountant in his father's store. He then went to Chicago, where he spent two years as a salesman in the store of Neeban & Iciban of Japan. On the expiration of that period he returned to Niagara-on-the-Lake and took full charge of his father's business. Mr. McClelland married Miss Nellie La Barre Cudaback, a daughter of Captain Harvey Cudaback of Yongetown. For six terms he filled the office of town councillor and did effective service in this position. In politics he is a Reformer. He belongs to the Methodist Church and is a charter member of the Niagara Historical Society, being deeply interested in historical research. He belongs to Masonic lodge, No. 2, to Niagara chapter, No. 55, and to Knight Templar commandery, while of the Ancient Order of United Workmen he is also a past master.
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