James George McLean, tailor

James George McLean was the son of James McLean, (born 1825, Dalhousie Twp., died 1910 McDonalds Corners, Dalhousie, Twp.) and Catherine "Kate" Gunn, (born 1830, near Hopetown, Lanark County, died 1908, McDonalds Corners, Dalhousie Twp.) Both are buried in Crawfords Cemetery, Dalhousie Twp. James Senior was the son of Hugh McLean and Sarah McFadden.

• The other children of James McLean and Catherine Gunn were:
  • Christina, b. 1863, m. Andrew Paul (b. 1859 Dalhousie, d. 1930, Kingston, Ont.);
  • John (?);
  • Hector (?);
  • Sarah Jean, died 1947 in San Diego, CA, maried Dugald C. Campbell in Winnipeg, Manitoba on 9 Jan 1901;
  • Hugh (b. 1856 Dalhousie Twp., d. 1932 McDonalds Corners, buried Crawfords Cemetery). He m. Harriet McVean (1867-1912);
  • Jessie Ann, b. 1861 McDonalds Corners, d. 1935 Perth, buried Hopetown. She m. Thomas Molyneaux (1858-1922) (my gr. grandparents);
  • Finlay, b. 1874 Dalhousie Twp. m. Annie Crain.

James George McLean was a tailor with his shop on the main St. of Lanark Village, next door to his mother-in-law's, Marion Umpherson Prentice, millinery shop. In the mid 1990's his name could still be seen in the cement sidewalk in front of that building.

In 1907 he ran an advertisement stating he was committed to: " 1 - use only the very best cloth; 2 - to employ the best "mechanics" available; 3 - to shrink all cloth thoroughly before cutting; 4 - to deliver garments on the day agreed to; 5 - to ensure a perfect fit".

In later years James and Agnes ran the post office in Perth, living in the back part of the lovely old heritage stone building.

James, his wife Agnes Kathleen Prentice and daughter Marion spent winters in California (Los Angeles and San Diego) every year until Marion was older, travelling by train and sending postcards from stopovers in Chicago (cards still remain). The Lanark Era announced on Mar 23, 1910 that "Mr. Nelson R. Baker has bought the stock and goodwill of Mr. J.G. McLean's Tailoring establishment" and reported again on April 6, 1910 "owing to hundreds of requests from the people of Lanark and surrounding country, McLean the tailor has decided to stay with his customers instead of going back South".

James's sister Sarah Jean McLean married Dugald Campbell "of Los Angeles" – this is likely why James and his family spent the winter months in Los Angeles and San Diego.