James Monroe McLean
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
James Monroe McLean | |
|---|---|
 | |
| 20th President of the Saint Nicholas Society of the City of New York | |
| In office 1873–1874 | |
| Preceded by | Richard Edwards Mount Jr. |
| Succeeded by | Augustus Rodney Macdonough |
| Personal details | |
| Born | December 8, 1818 New York City, New York, U.S. |
| Died | May 13, 1890 (aged 71) New York City, New York, U.S. |
| Spouse |
Louisa Theresa Williams
(m. 1840; died 1857) |
| Children | 2 |
James Monroe McLean (December 8, 1818 – May 13, 1890)[1] was an American insurance executive and banker.
McLean was born in New York City on December 8, 1818.[1] He was a son of Cornelius McLean (1787–1853) and Hannah (née Hammond) McLean (d. 1839), who married in 1807.[2] His younger brother was George Washington McLean, who served as Major in command of the Old Guard.[2]
His paternal grandparents were Elizabeth (née Swaim) McLean and Charles McLean,[2] a descendant of the Clan Maclean of the Isle of Mull in Scotland.[3] His maternal grandfather was Lt. Col. James Hammond, a prominent member of the First Regiment of Westchester County of the New York Militia, during the Revolutionary War.[4]
Career
After a private school education, he began his career with the Guardian Fire Insurance Company, founded by John Jacob Astor and Robert Lenox (father of James Lenox).[4] In 1847, McLean began working for the Citizens Fire Insurance Company, later serving as Secretary and President for nearly forty years.[5]
Beginning in 1860, McLean was elected and served as president of the New York Board of Fire Underwriters for four years.[6] In this role, he was a "prominent factor in creating harmony among local fire insurance companies, and in establishing the present Fire Department." Upon the formation of the National Board of Fire Underwriters in 1866, he served as its first president and was reelected to a second term.[5]
McLean also served as president, and long-time director, of the Manhattan Life Insurance Company (following the resignation of Henry Stokes),[4] an original director and co-founder of the Manhattan Savings Bank, an original director of the National City Bank (predecessor bank of Citibank), and vice-president of the Union Trust Company.[5]
In addition to his corporate work, McLean served as president of the New York City Board of Education for four years, was a trustee of the New York and Brooklyn Bridge, and served as president of the Institute for the Blind. In 1873, he became the 20th President of the Saint Nicholas Society of the City of New York, a charitable organization in New York City of men who are descended from early inhabitants of the State of New York.[5]