Person:Ira McLain (1)

The youngest son, Ira, stayed on the farm with William and Maria until their death. He took care of them in their elder years in trade for the farm. This was found in the deed. He became a skilled woodsman, very adept with the broadaxe a proficient blacksmith, and a master stonemason. He was skilled with the use of the muzzle loader rifle. (From Gail's stuff.)

Ira married his young neighbor sweetheart. they built a new home on the farm up near the highway. The new home burned one night in 1869 and the family stayed with Eli, next door, until the home could be rebuilt. Ira served in the civil war and survived. He built many field stone foundations in the area and many of the buildings still stand today well over a hundred years later. He became the minister of the United Bretheren Church where he and the family are buried.

He took part in no battles as he was on patrol duty in Cleveland, Tennessee.

1880 Census of Williams County, Ohio p. 447D McLain, Ira A. 41 M Farmer MI NY VT

   Catharine          35  F    Keeping House  PA   NJ   Eng
   Harry                18  M    Works on Farm  OH  MI  PA
   Alva                  16   M   Works on Farm  OH  MI  PA
   Jeremiah          13   M                              OH  MI  PA
   Ezra                  9    M                              OH   MI  PA
   Richard             5    M                              OH   MI  PA
   Fred                  1    M                              OH   MI   PA

Ira appears to have bought land from his father on October 30, 1858. 80 acres in Northwest Twp. for 300 dollars. On November 28, 1860 he either sold or leased this land back to his father. Then on Sept. 17, 1861 he bought it back for 1000 dollars. When he passed away his executor sold the land to Catharine S. McLain (his wife) on December 14, 1895 for 1200 dollars. She later sold it to her son Fred on February 1, 1913 for one dollar.

Louise McLain Shambaugh has that he was born in 1839 and that he died of pericarditis. At his enlistment he was 5'8", blue eyes, brown hair and light complexion. He was a stonemason, blacksmith and ordained Uniter Brethren minister. Veteran of the Civil War, Co. I & K, 11th MI. Inf, under Capt. John Bosenback, enrolled Feb. 22, 1865 for one year at Coldwater, Branch County, Michigan. Mustered at Jackson, Michigan. Sent to Camp Blair in Jackson, MI, he stood, newly enlisted, all afternoon in the rain until almost dark, and then they were put into the barracks with no cots and no fire, the weather turned very cold; he became ill with a severe cold, heavy cough, and high fever, that developed into neuralgia of the face, neck and breast, and catarrh, with pain and inflammation. Then sent to Chattanooga, TN, Apr 1865 and contracted severe rheumatism in his hips and legs. It sounds as though he contracted strep throat which went into rheumatoid arthritis and rheumatic fever. Discharged Sep 16, 1865, Cleveland, Nashville, TN, honorably discharged at jackson, MI, 30 Sep 1865. She also has another child. An Alfred Pherris McLain born Nov. 28, 1881 in Bryan, Williams County, Ohio, minor child at father's death and listed in pension request.

Victoria Beck and Richard Turnock have that the middle name was Alzinus.

Marion Watt has: SOURCE: BOOK: ref . # 977.1113, d3B. Family History Library Also listed, Ely and Ira. "Ira McClain, b. 14 Jan. 1839, Monroe, Mich. md. 18 April 1861, Camden, Mich. to C. S. McCarthy, 8 children. Ira's parents were William A. and Maria Nelson McClain. He was a farmer when he enlisted at Coldwater, Mich. 22 Feb. 1865 at age of 26." born January 14, 1839 in Whiteford, Monroe Co., Michigan, SOURCE CITATION: Page: Page 613

  Text: !History: "Ira McClain a native of Monroe county, Michigan , was born  Jan. 14, 1839, and married April 18, 1864, in Camden, Mich., Catherine S. McCarthy, born in Pa., Oct 27, 1844; eight children have been born to the union--Harry H., Alva, Jerry, a member of the 7th Calvary, stationed at Ft. Riley, Kan., Ezra, Richard W., Frederic, Alfred P., and Robert K.  The parents of Mr. McClain are William A., and Maria (Nelson) McClain, both deceased, as are the parents of his wife, John and Mary (McGowan) McCarthy. Mr McClain was a farmer living in Williams county, when he enlisted at Coldwater, Mich., Feb 2, 1865, at the age of 26, in Co. I, 11th Regt. Mich. V.I., 3rd Brig. 4th Div. 14 A.C.; he took part in no       battles as he was on patrol duty at Cleveland, Tenn. in June, 1 865, also acted as escort to guard a drove of horses from Sweetwater to Knoxville, Tenn., in Sept. 1865; he received an honorable discharge

Sept. 30, 1865. One brother of Mr. McClain served during the late war; his ancestors took a prominent part in the Revolutionary war, and the war of 1812; his wife's father and two brothers were also in the army, William, who died at Little York, from wounds received and John C., who was Andersonville for 14 months. Comrade McClain has held the office of Justice of Peace for two years, draws a pension, and is a farmer with P.O. address at North West Williams County, Ohio."

OBITUARY, THE LEADER ENTERPRISE, MONTPELIER LIBRARY, MONTPELIER, OHIO. page 5, 20 Dec 1894. "Ira McLain died at his residence in Northwest township, Williams county, O., Dec. 10, 1894, after a long continued illness of five months. He leaves a wife and eight sons to mourn their loss. Funeral services were held from Pleasant View church conducted by Rev. J. Martin assisted by Rev. S. G. Neil. Text was Mr. McLain's own selection found in II Cor. XIII and II, which together with the beautiful and appropriate music rendered by the memorial choir added greatly to the solemnity of the occasion. The deceased was born at Whiteford, Monroe county, Mich., Jan. 14, 1839, moved with his parents to Northwest, O., in Sept., 1844, where he has lived ever since. He was married to Sidney McCarthy, April 18, 1861, who survives him. Mr. McLain enlisted in the late civil war at Coldwater, Mich., Feb. 22, 1865, in Co.I, 11th Reg't, Mich. V.I., 3rd Brig., 4th Div. Received an honorable discharge Sept. 30, 1865. He has held positions of trust in his township many times, being the incumbent of the office of Justice of the Peace at the time of his death. Mr. McLain was converted to Christ in early manhood; was ordained to preach the Gospel in the Church of the United Brethern in Christ Sept. 3, 1879, and has been a local preacher ever since. He has not outlived his usefulness, for everybody who knew him loved and respected him. His family and the community sustains an irreparable loss. Farewell husband, father, brother and friend; the loved ones waiting here have only the memory of a devoted life ended on earth but continued in heaven above where death never comes."

1870 CENSUS, Northwest Township, Williams County, Ohio. Listed with the family of Eli McLain, " McLain, Ira, 31, male, white, born in Michigan. Sidney, 26, female, white, keeping house, born in Penn. Harry, 9, male, white, at school, born in Ohio . Alva, 7, male, white, at school, born in Ohio, Jeremiah, 4, male , white, born in Ohio John 1, male white, born in Michigan. PROBATE JOURNAL WILLIAMS CO. OHIO, vol 7-8, 1880-1885, film # 0914032. "Ira McClain is guardian of ______________McCarthy - and has paid the bills with a said sum remaining to be given to McCarthy. " HILLS OF HOME BY ROBERT K. MCLAIN, Ordained a Minister to the UNITED BRETHERN CHURCH, 3 Sept 1879. THE HILLS OF HOME, by Robert K. McLain: page 15: "Ira McLain enlisted February 22, 1865 at Coldwater, Michigan in Conpany I, 11th Regiment, Michigan Volunteer Infantry. He was discharged Sepember 30, 1865, having served seven months. Ira became skilled in the laying of field stone foundations for modern farm buildings which began to spring up in the area. Many examples of his craftsmanship still exist after nearly one hundred years. He also established a blacksmith shop where he pursued the usual routine - shoeing of horses and general repair work. Fire destroyed their home about 1869 forcing them to flee in night clothes through deep snow. They took temporary refuge with his brother Eli, whose home was on the adjacent fifty acres.

p. 20-21  married to Catherine Sidney McCarthy" (his name was) Ira Alzinus McLain."  This book is in the Montpelier Ohio library, and in the Michigan library in Lansing, Michigan. 

NOTES: p. 21 "......was "an iternerant preacher."

Tombstone says: Ira A. McLain of the 11 Mich Inf d., Dec 10, 1894 aged 55y 10m 26d

Richard Turnock has that his middle name was Alzinus

This appears to be him: Name: Ira C McLain , Enlistment Date: 21 February 1865 Distinguished Service: DISTINGUISHED SERVICE Side Served: Union State Served: Michigan Unit Numbers: 1085 1085 Service Record: Enlisted as a Private on 21 February 1865 at the age of 26 Enlisted in Company I, 11th Infantry Regiment Michigan on 21 February 1865. Mustered out Company I, 11th Infantry Regiment Michigan on 16 September 1865 in Nashville, TN

1. ↑ ^{1.0 1.1 1.2} Cecelia Headley Hinkle. Northwest Township, Williams County, Ohio Cemetery Records
   p. 137.
2. ↑ Family record book found in Gail McLain's book.
3. ↑ Gail McLain.
4. ↑ 1850 Census of Williams County, Ohio
   p. 101.