Howard P. McLain

As printed in 1890

Howard P. McLain, a dealer in hardware at Ames, Iowa, was born in Hardin County, Ohio, July 9, 1845, being a son of John H. and Elizabeth C. (Ingham) McLain, the former of whom was born in Bedford County, Penn., in 1821. He left his native State when he was about twenty years of age, and went to Hardin County, Ohio, where he remained until 1849, at which time he removed to Illinois, where he made his home until the spring of 1854. He then came to Nevada, Story County, Iowa, being the head of the second family settling in the town. He built the first tavern in the place, known far and near as McLain's tavern. Mrs. McLain was a native of Ohio, was a good cook and housekeeper, and those who lived at, or frequented their tavern, were always sure of a clean, comfortable bed and a square meal. If the old logs of the attic could repeat the wit of Finch, the humor of Crocker and the broader jesus of McFarland, Hull and "Old Timber," which were wont to house the echoes in that primitive bed-chamber, it would be better entertainment than any circus. The McLains made their home in Nevada until 1865, then moved to Marshalltown, and for three years Mr. McLain was the proprietor of the William House at that place. He then returned to Story County, and settled at Ames, where he was engaged in the hardware business until 1871. The following year he removed to Colorado, but at the end of twelve years removed to Montana, his home being now at Glendale. He was married in 1844, in Ohio, to Miss Elizabeth Ingham, who died at Ames, Iowa, in 1871. Their son, Howard P. McLain, came with his parents to Story County, in 1854, and here he has since made his home. He was a student in the school of Nevada until he was eighteen years of age, then entered the employ of the American Express Company, and for two years was on the stage coaches running from Marshalltown to Des Moines as express messenger, after which he was transferred to the North- Western Railroad, from Boone to Omaha, a position he held for ten years. The following eight years he was agent for the company at Ames, and since 1887 he has been in the hardware business at that place, and has built up an excellent business. He was married, in 1 873, to Miss Julia F. Tilden, who was born in the State of New York. To them have been born a family of two children: Albert C. and Willis H. In his political views Mr. McLain is a Republican, and socially belongs to the I. 0. O. F.

As printed in Biographical and historical memoirs of Story County, Iowa (1890). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.