e and
eminent jurist of spotless record. By legislative enactment, five
times since its organization, valuable portions of McLean--aggregating
nearly four-sevenths of its original territory--have been carved
in the formation of the counties of Logan, Livingston, Piatt,
De Witt, and Woodford. Notwithstanding all this, McLean County yet
remains--and by constitutional inhibition and the wisdom of our
people will for all time remain--the largest county in the State.

"A word now of the man whose name was upon every invitation to this
home-coming, in honor of whom this county was named, John McLean, one
of the ablest and most distinguished of the first generation of
public men in Illinois. Born in North Carolina in 1791, his early
years were spent in Kentucky. In the last-named State he studied law
and was admitted to the Bar. He removed to Illinois in 1815 and
located in Shawneetown upon the Ohio River for the practice of his
profession. The county of Gallatin, his future home, was then one
of the most populous in the Illinois Territory. In fact, at the
time mentioned, and for some years after the organization of the
State, there were few important settlements one hundred miles north
of the Ohio River.

"In the largest degree Mr. McLean was gifted with the qualities
essential to popular leadership in the new State. He was present at
all public assemblages whether convened for business or pastime,
and a leading spirit in all the amusements and sports of the hour.
But 'men are as the time is.' At all events, if the testimony
of his contemporaries is to be taken, his popularity knew no bounds.
The late General McClernand, his fellow-townsman, said of Mr.
McLean:

"'His personality interested and impressed me. The image of it
still lingers in my memory. Physically, he was well developed,
tall, strong, and stately. Socially, he was affable and genial,
and his conversation sparkled with wit and humor.'

"The following words of another contemporary, Governor Reynolds,
are of interest:

"'Mr. McLean was a man of gigantic mind, of noble and manly form, and
of lofty, dignified bearing. His personality was large, and formed
on that natural excellence which at all times attracted the attention
and admiration of all beholders. The vigor and compass of his
intellect was exceedingly great, and his eloquence flowed in
torrents, deep, strong, and almost irresistible.'

"At the election immediately succeeding the adopt