Source:Mclain-obit/content
Benjamin McLain, aged seventy-seven years, died yesterday afternoon at the residence of his son-in-law, Thomas S. Maple, Thirty-first ward.
Mr. McLain was born in Priestland, in the north of Ireland, on February 23, 1809. He came to this country when a child. He has lived in this city since 1820. He was a hatter by trade and embarked in business while yet a young man. In 1838 he was a member of the firm of McLain, King & McCord, but he shortly afterward retired from that firm and was in business alone. In 1854 he went into the real estate business and laid out Allentown, now the Thirty-first ward. He also laid out the borough of Beltzhoover. He continued in the real estate business until a few years ago, when he practically retired from business, his eyesight having become affected. He was the oldest living member of the Second Presbyterian church of this city. He served as an elder of that church for over fifty years. His wife died last October.
The deceased was well and favorably known and innumerable friends will mourn his death.