William McClelland (politician)

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William McClelland (March 2, 1842 – February 7, 1892) was a Democratic member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Pennsylvania.

Formative years

Born in Mount Jackson, Pennsylvania, on March 2, 1892, McClelland attended Westminster College in New Wilmington, Pennsylvania.

He served in the American Civil War for four years, mustering out as captain of Battery B, 1st Pennsylvania Light Artillery. He the attended Allegheny College, studied law, and was admitted to the bar.

Career

Following the completion of his legal studies, McClelland opened a private law practice in Mount Jackson in 1870.

Elected as a Democrat to the Forty-second Congress, McClelland was an unsuccessful candidate for reelection in 1872. He resumed the practice of his profession and, in January 1891, he was appointed adjutant general of the Pennsylvania National Guard, a position he held until his death.