Degree Recipient

Life Experience

William Edward McLean was born in Maryland. His parents died early in his life. At age seventeen, he came to live with his maternal grandmother in Terre Haute, Indiana. He was educated in the common schools of Terre Haute and Bloomington. In 1849, he graduated from IU. He continued on to obtain his law degree, but he left his junior year. He subsequently resided in Terre Haute, Indiana. In 1851, he became editor of the Terre Haute Journal. In 1853, he was admitted to the bar and became prosecuting attorney for the Greene County court. From 1854 to 1861, he served in the Indiana State Legislature, including four years in the Senate and three years in the House. He worked as an attorney-at-law.

In 1861, McLean enlisted in the Union Army. He rose to the rank of colonel and commanded his regiment through thirteen battles. He served during the entire Civil War and was considered one of only two Indiana soldiers of that rank to do so (the other being classmate, Robert Milroy). McLean was engaged with his regiment in the capture of Little Rock, Arkansas, the capture of Memphis, Tennessee, the Banks Expedition, the Battle of New Madrid, the capture of Island #10, the assault on Fort Pillow, the Battle of Helena, and the Battle of Jenkins’ Ferry. He returned to politics and served in the Indiana State Legislature and various elective state offices from 1865 through 1896, including a year as the principal secretary of the Indiana Senate. He was also a trustee of the Indiana State Normal School and director of the First National Bank.

Marriage and Family

McLean married  Juliette Eliza Barnes. In 1889, Juliette, who had been an invalid for several years, died. By then, for unknown reasons, his children were estranged from him. Juliette’s cousin came to his aid after his house was torn down, and she took care of him in his last months. He married her six weeks before his death.

Interesting Anecdote

Jackie Carrell wrote, “he gave money to everybody...he gave money to everyone” including donating money to the city of Terre Haute in his final year.

References

1. Wylie
2. Findagrave.com
3. waymarking.com/waymarks/
4. The Wabash Courier 09/01/1849
5. Newport Hoosier State 10/16/1889
6. “Courts of Greene County” in Bowen (1908), pp. 161-235
7. Greater Terre Haute and Vigo County, Closing the First Century’s History of City and County (1909)
8. Tribune-Star 06/28/2008
9. Hunt, Roger D. (2014) Colonels in Blue – Indiana, Kentucky, and Tennessee (Jefferson, NC: McFarland & Company)