John Alexander McClung (1804 - 1859)

Born 25 Sep 1804 in Washington, Kentucky

Ancestors

Descendants

Died 6 Aug 1859 at age 54 in Niagra Falls, New York

Biography

Birth and Parents

Reverend John Alexander McClung, D.D. was born near Washington, Kentucky on September 25 in 1804. He was the son of William McClung and Susan Marshall. He was an older brother of the notorious duelist, Alexander Keith McClung, The Black Knight of the South.^[1]

Princeton

The Reverend was Educated at "Buckpond", by his uncle, Louis Marshall, and while he was there he united with the Presbyterian Church. He entered Princeton College at the age of eighteen, but on account of ill health returned to Kentucky in 1824.

Author

In 1827, he was licensed to preach by Ebenezer Presbytery. Another account says he entered Princeton Theology Seminary in 1823, graduated and was licensed in 1829. John preached several years in Washington, Kentucky; became unsettled in his religious views; resigned his church and retired to his large farm in the Ohio bottom below Maysville, Kentucky, and engaged in literary pursuits until 1835. In 1830 he published a novel entitled "Camden, a tale of "Western Adventure", a book of thrilling interest which enjoyed a large sale. He contributed largely to Collins' first edition of the history of Kentucky, and was regarded as one of the most chaste and forcible writers of his day.

Degree of Divinity

During an evangelistic meeting in Maysville on February 23, 1849, he reunited with the Presbyterian Church and was agina orgained to the ministry. he preached for several month to crowded houses in Louisville. He then accepted a call to the the First Presbyterian Church of Indianapolis, Indiana, where he preached for several years. South Hanover College conferred upon him the drgree of D.D., Degree of Divinity.

His Death

The Reverend McClung frequently suffered from stomach ailments, dyspepsia, most likely stomach ulcers. It was the reason for much of his difficulty in holding evangelical assignments that were so many during his lifetime. However, his ailment overtook his ability to succeed and after seeking a 'water-cure' therapy, he ended his life at Niagra Falls, New York. His lifeless body was found below the falls near the mouth of the Niagra River, in an eddy on the American side. The body was taken to Maysville, Kentucky, for interment. His tomb bears the following inscription:

Tomb Inscription

"In memory of Reverend John A. McClung, D.D., late pastor of the Presbyterian Church at Maysville, Kentucky, born Sep. 25, 1804; d. Aug 6, 1859. How is the strong staff broken, and the beautiful rod, Jerimiah 43:17. This monument is erected by members of the church and by friends of hisyouth and mature years, to whom he was endeared by every quality that can sanctify friendship and dignify and adorn manly character.

The Reverend was an eloquent speaker with a nervous, eccentric manner. He was a master in logic, appealing to the reason rather than to the emotions of his bearers. Being an exceedingly conscientious man, he possessed the unbounded confidence of all.^[2]

Sources

1. ↑ Lee McClung article by James B. Morrow; The Boston Globe, August 28, 1910
2. ↑ The McClung genealogical and biographical record of the McClung family from the time of their emigration to the year 1904; by William B. McClung; Published 1904; McClung Printing Company, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; pages 87-89.