William H. McClain, a prosperous and well-to-do farmer of Pleasant Township, was born in Marion County, this state, December 17, 1839, and was the son of Nathaniel and Lovina (Billingsly) McClain, who were respectively natives of Kentucky and North Carolina. He was the son of a farmer, and during his boyhood and youth he helped to clear the land and cultivate the crops in summer, and occasionally attended the district school in winter. He was placed in the family of his grandfather when four years old, and remained with him until he reached the age of twenty-one. At this age he came to Johnson County, and engaged in agricultural pursuits in Clark Township. He was married in that township, September 22, 1864, to Mary Margaret Cope, daughter of John and Eliza (Mock) Cope. She was born in Virginia, in July, 1848. Mr. McClain entered upon his married life as an agriculturist, on a farm in Clark Township, and in December, 1870, he removed to his present home in Section 26, Pleasant Township. He owns a good farm of 110 acres, about ninety of which are in cultivation. When Mr. McClain began life for himself, his only capital was willing hands. With these he went to work, and his comfortable home and good farm are the results of the industrious life he has led. His first wife died January 17, 1872, and on the 22nd day of September, 1872, he was married to Lucinda Hendrickson. She was born in Clark Township, this county, June 27, 1850, being the daughter of Josiah and Sarah Margaret (Parr) Hendrickson, the former a native of Kentucky, and the latter a native of this county. To the first marriage of Mr. McClain three children were born: George B., born July 8, 1865; Eliza J., February 11, 1868, deceased, and Lucinda A., February 3, 1869, deceased. He and his present wife have had six children: the first was a daughter, born September 12, 1874, died unnamed; Cora A., October 2, 1875, deceased; William L., January 29, 1877; Josiah, September 13, 1880; Edgar, January 29, 1884, and Lester, November 24, 1886. Mr. and Mrs. McClain, are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. In politics, Mr. McClain is a democrat.