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The Cyclopedia of New Zealand [Otago & Southland Provincial Districts]
McLean, John Brown
McLean, John Brown , “Brackenridge,” Thornbury. Mr McLean was born on the 12th of February, 1827, in Lanarkshire, Scotland, where he was educated and brought up to farming. He came to Port Chalmers by the ship “Ben Lomond,” in 1863, and after working for six months at Long-bush, settled at Thornbury, where he purchased 250 acres of land. The property was then covered with tussocks, and as there were no fences, ditches or roads in the district, Mr McLean had to endure many hardships, in common with the other early settlers. Mr McLean has since brought his property into a state of cultivation, and has acquired a further 470 acres in another part of the district. Before leaving Scotland he was a member of the 37th Lanarkshire Volunteers. In the early days he was a member of the Flint's Bush school committee. Mr MeLean was married, in 1863, to a daughter of the late Mr Gavin Fallow, of Lanarkshire. His wife died in June, 1893, leaving four sons and four daughters. Their eldest son had died in 1877.