McLennan Family Fond

Hugh McLennan was the son of John McLennan, born on 27th June 1825. He attended school and worked on the family farm, however, he was unsatisfied with this life so he began working in business. His son John described him as “Wayward and determined” (McLennan. page 4). His first job was in a hardware business firm called Scott and Shaw but after a short period of time there he felt the wages and conditions were unfair so he left. Hugh spent some time working on the steam boats that travelled between Montreal and Kingston. He then applied to for management for command for the new steamboat being build called “Canada”, but he did not receive the job as he was deemed too young. Wanting to work in the transport business Hugh moved to Montreal, as this was soon to become “the economic heart of Canada” (Levine) and already had an established canal system and growing railway network. In a letter to his wife he wrote

“My perseverance for four long years shows that it was no empty impulse of a vacillating mind, --and, that my energies have not been misapplied, my present position and (I flatter myself) reputation, testify. Wealth I have not had time to acquire, but I have better far, a good reputation and the independence of feeling that I can earn a respectable competence for myself and those who may depend on me” (McLennan p.23)

This emphasizes Hugh’s drive for a successful career whilst showing care and regard for his wife and children. In April of 1853 Hugh and his brother John set up the J and H McLennan company, which then expanded. In 1856 he, and his family moved to Chicago as it was “a rising place with possibilities of expanding trade with Canada” (McLennan p.31). He moved back and forth between the two several times before his death on 21st November 1899.