Biographies M
Alney McLean
Surveyor, soldier, lawyer and judge. Perhaps Alney McLean epitomizes the spirit and character of the early settler in Muhlenberg County more than any other man.
Born in North Carolina in May of 1779, the son of Ephraim and Eliza Davidson McLean, he came to Muhlenberg County in 1799 at the tender age of twenty and immediately made an impact on his adopted county. He married Tabitha Campbell, daughter of Colonel William Campbell. Alney McLean, shortly after his arrival in the Caney Station area, was given the task of surveying and platting the new-to-be town of Greenville. His plat shows he favored the pioneers in naming the streets, with such names as Campbell, Wing, Bradford and Russell streets (or alleys) honoring the first comers to the area. McLean had been appointed county surveyor at the county's first court in May of 1799. He then was named a trustee for the town and established his own home on Main Cross Street.
A patriot to the end, he organized a company of Muhlenberg soldiers for the second war with England, but the company was soon dissolved, their arms going to more seasoned troops. A second company was formed in 1814 with McLean as Captain, and marched to New Orleans where it took part gallantly in the battle with the British there. Not a favorite of Colonel Andrew Jackson, McLean was given arduous fatigue duty following the battle, complained and was rendered a stinging insult by the colonel, for which McLean never forgave him. When Jackson ran for president, McLean had become such a popular war and political hero and controlled the popular vote to such an extent that Jackson received only one vote in Muhlenberg County, that from his former bodyguard, John F. Coffman. It was written of him that “of all the citizens who took part in the second war with England, none worked with more zeal or did more for his country than Alney McLean.”
McLean became fast friends with Henry Clay and cast electoral votes for Clay in 1824 and 1832. In 1812-13 he served in the state legislature and in 1815-17 and again in 1819-21, McLean served in the United States Congress, the first man elected to that position from Muhlenberg County. In the interim, he practiced law in Greenville. In 1821 he was appointed circuit judge, and served on that bench for 20 years, until his death on December 31, 1841.
Years following his death, McLean County was formed from a part of Muhlenberg County and named in his honor. Incidentally, on land which Alney McLean owned where Airdrie is now located, his son, William McLean found coal and opened the first coal mine in Muhlenberg County.
Alney and Tabitha McLean were the parents of ten children, six boys and four girls.
By Bobby Anderson
Image and text provided by Muhlenberg County Kentucky History Group.
Updated June 29, 2018