McLEAN, JOHN

John McLean b 1799 Argyllshire, Scotland d Sept. 8, 1890 Victoria B.C., laid the cornerstone for Norfolk Street Church in 1855, was a notable character.

For twenty five years he had served the Hudson Bay Company in the North-west Territories, had visited the great Peace River valley, and in 1839 was the first white man to discover the Grand Falls on the Hamilton River in Labrador. These falls, 302 feet high, on a river the size of the Ottawa, are one of the senic wonders of the world.

While in Guelph, Mr. McLean had correspondence with Lady Franklin regarding the possibility of finding traces of her lost husband. Sir John Franklin, who sailed from England to discover a north-west passage, and was never afterwards heard of. Mr. McLean suggested some explorations from Hudson Bay.

He moved to Elora about 1860, and after twenty years' residence there as Division Court Clerk, went to Victoria B.C., where he died at the residence of his daughter, Mrs. Eugenia (Dr.) O'Brien.

1846 married Eugenia Evans daughter of the Rev. James Evans of Norfolk St. Methodist Church,

He is celebrated as the discoverer of the Grand Falls of Labrador and for 25 years a factor and explorer for the Hudson's Bay Company, came to Guelph in 1846, and opened a general store on Gordon St. in the fall of that year.

Mr. McLean was the first customs inspector in Guelph. and in 1860 he moved to Elora,

1846-47 Wellington District Benevolent Association Treasurer,

Author of "Notes of a Twenty-Five Years' Service in the Hudson's Bay Company" published in London in 1849.

1850 Director Guelph Mechanic's Institute,

November, 1851 became agent for the Bank of Montreal and moved it to his house at 21 Nottingham Street near Dr. Orton and an early school. He was manager of the bank until the close of 1856, when Mr. R.M. Moore became manager.

1854 Wellington Permanent Building Society shareholder,

1855 April 23, laid cornerstone for new Norfolk St. Methodist Church,