My Genealogy Hound

L. W. McLENNAN.
In a history of Afton, it is imperative that mention should be made of L. W. McLennan, who is one of the prominent business men and financiers of Union county, having been actively engaged in banking in Afton since 1892. The plans he has followed and the methods he has pursued in his business career are such as have gained for him the unqualified trust and confidence of his fellowmen and have also brought to him gratifying success. A native of Ohio, he was born in Salineville, October 22, 1865, and is a son of Kenneth and Angeline (Casper) McLennan. The mother, who was also a native of Ohio, died when our subject was only four years old. The father was born in Scotland and in early life was brought to America by his parents, who settled in Ohio. He is still living at Lisbon, that state, and has always made farming his occupation.

After acquiring his preliminary education in the common schools and pursuing higher studies, L. W. McLennan entered Oberlin College, while subsequently he spent two years in Amherst College in Massachusetts, being graduated from that renowned institution with the class of 1888. His collegiate course completed, he went west to Kansas and accepted a position in a bank at Ellsworth. He became a leading and well known citizen of that locality and in June, 1889, was made clerk of the house of representatives, serving in that position through one term of the legislature. He then resumed his position as cashier in the bank in Ellsworth and continued to serve in that capacity until 1890. He was then employed in a national bank at South Omaha, Nebraska, where he continued until 1892.

Wishing that his labors might more directly benefit himself, he then joined a Mr. Voss in the purchase of the Afton bank, of which Mr. McLennan took charge. In 1894 they founded the Citizens Bank of Afton, which was organized with a capital stock of twenty-five thousand dollars. That success attended the new venture is indicated by the fact that in 1896 the capital was increased to thirty-five thousand dollars and in 1898 to fifty thousand dollars. This is today one of the substantial moneyed concerns of Union county, the business being conducted along safe principles of banking while a liberal patronage has been secured. In 1903 Mr. McLennan established another bank at Macksburg, Iowa, of which he was sole owner. In 1905 it was merged into a national bank and later he disposed of his interest in that institution. His varied interests have made him widely known in banking circles in this section of the country and his success is the legitimate outcome of his close application, his sound judgment and his thorough reliability.

In 1890 Mr. McLennan was married, in Hazleton, Pennsylvania, to Miss Lulu I. Wright, who was born, reared and educated in the Keystone state. They have but one child, a son, Kenneth W., who is now a student in the Afton high school. The parents are members of the Presbyterian church of Afton and are well known in that city and throughout the county, the hospitality of the best homes being cordially extended them, while their friendship is valued by all to whom it is given. Politically Mr. MeLennan is identified with the republican party, but while his faith in its principles is of a stalwart character he has never sought nor desired office. He is interested in educational progress and has been officially identified with the Afton schools, now serving as school treasurer. He belongs to Afton Lodge, I. O. O. F., is likewise connected with the Canton and belongs to the Knights of Pythias fraternity. In his business career he has worked toward high ideals, making it his object to improve his business in character, personnel and service. He thoroughly understands banking in all of its departments and has opportunities for expansion in his business relations, although the bank has long since become a paying investment. The business is permeated by a spirit of courtesy, thoroughness, enthusiasm, energy and progressiveness, and success is therefore well merited.