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County, and at the expiration of his term in 1884, was re-elected. At this conclusion of his second term he established himself in the mercantile business in Bellefonte, in which he was personally active until 1891. In May, 1892, he removed to Cambria County and located at Spangler, which was then in its infancy. With his keen business acumen he saw a bright future for the place and at once erected a building and stocked it with merchandise. He also opened stores at Hastings and Barnesboro, in all of which he did an extensive and profitable business. He opened and operated two coal mines, one at Spangler and the other at Bakerton, and in the development of the vast coal fields of North Cambria he was a leading factor. As one of the organizers of the Spangler Water Company he was instrumental in erecting a large reservoir and installing a water system which supplied the towns of Barnesboro and Spangler, and he is now president of the company, which is known as the Northern Cambria Water Company. He was the promoter of the Spangler Building and Loan Association, which was organized in 1893, and for many years occupied the position of secretary, and upon its reorganization was chosen president. He was also a member of the Spangler Improvement Company, which had for its object the building up of the town. The First National Bank of Spangler, which was incorporated March 1, 1904, and is one of the most flourishing banks in Cambria County, owes its existence to him, for it was through his personal and indefatigable efforts that his fellow townsmen were prevailed upon to invest their capital in such an institution. He was elected president Jan. 1, 1925, after having served as cashier for many years. Mr. McClain was one of the organizers in 1920 of the First National Bank of Bakerton, of which he has since served as president. He is secretary and treasurer of the Miners' Hospital of Northern Cambria, at Spangler, and is treasurer of the Blubaker Coal Company
In 1873 Mr. McClain was married to Miss Mary A. Brown, the daughter of Joseph and Nancy (Campbell) Brown, of Centre County, both deceased. Mrs. McClain died Dec. 16, 1902, and is buried at Altoona, Pa. To James A.
and Mary A. (Brown) McClain were born seven children, as follows: (1) Thomas Brew, born Feb. 9, 1874, married Sept. 16, 1908, to Norma Geiger, and they live in Philadelphia, where he is an insurance broker; (2) Richard, born in June, 1875, died Dec. 18, 1889; (3) Mary, born Aug. 3, 1877, married June 26, 1901, to Harvey S. Lingle, lives in Washington, D. C., where he is engaged in government work, and they have three children: Richard McClain, born May 16, 1902, died Feb. 1, 1903; Mary Harvey, born Feb. 22,
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