Justice John McLean
(Mar 11, 1785-Apr 4, 1861)
Occupation: Newspaper editor, Congressman, Associate Supreme Court Justice.
Education: Studied law under Arthur St. Clair Jr, admitted to the bar-1807.

Member, Columbus Lodge No. 30, Columbus, Ohio
 
John McLean (1785-1861) was Postmaster General of the U.S.; Justice of the Supreme Court; U.S. Congressman. He was born March 11, 1785 in Morris Co., New Jersey. His family migrated to Morganstown, Virginia, then to Nicholasville, Kentucky, and finally, in 1799 to Warren County, Ohio. He studied law in Cincinnati and was admitted to bar in 1807, practicing at Lebanon. He served in the U.S. congress from 1812-15, and declined a senate nomination in 1815. In that year he was elected to the Ohio supreme court, holding that office until 1922, when President Monroe appointed him commissioner of the general land office. In July, 1823, Monroe appointed him postmaster general, and he was re-appointed by President J. Q. Adams. President Jackson asked him to remain in office in 1829, but as he differed with the president on appointments, McLean declined. Jackson tendered him the offices of War and Navy, but he declined both. He finally accepted an appointment to the U.S. Supreme Court as associate justice (1829-61). In 1856, and again in 1860, he was a contender for the Republican presidential nomination.

Brother McLean was a member of Columbus Lodge No. 30, Columbus, Ohio.