John Donald McLean

McLean was born in Kilmuir, Inverness-shire, Scotland, the youngest son of Donald McLean, landowner, and his wife Flora née Nicholson.^[1] McLean emigrated to New South Wales in 1837, and ultimately went largely into squatting pursuits, being at one time interested in no less than forty stations. Latterly he resided on his property at Westbrook, Darling Downs, Queensland.^[2]

On 2 May 1862 McLean was elected to the Queensland Legislative Assembly for Eastern Downs, a seat he held until his death.^[3]

McLean was Colonial Treasurer from 21 Jul 1866 until his death.^[3] Maclean took office in the midst of a monetary crisis, but quickly restored the equilibrium of the finances, when his career was cut short by a fall from his horse which ended fatally on 16 December 1866^[2] in Westbrook, Queensland.^[1]