William B. McClellan

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William Blount McClellan
Portrait of Brig. Gen. William B. McClellan, circa 1850; from family photo collection
Board Member & Director of the State Bank of Alabama in Decatur
In office
1833–1845
Personal details
Born(1798-01-22)22 January 1798
Died11 October 1881(1881-10-11) (aged 83)
Talladega, Talladega County, Alabama, United States
Resting placeOak Hill Cemetery, Talladega County, Alabama
Spouses
  • Martha Roby (1809-1858)
  • Mary Stout (1820–1904)
Children14
EducationWest Point
Occupation
Military service
RankLieutenant Colonel
Colonel (CSA Army)
Brigadier General (Militia)
Battles/wars

William Blount McClellan (1798–1881) was an American banker, military officer, and farmer who served in the American Civil War.[1] McClellan was a Brigadier General in Alabama, commanding local militia in Talladega County, Alabama.[2]

Life and career

William McClellan was born in 1798 to Col. John McClellan (1768–1842) and Mary Wallace (1774–1857).[3] He was an early settler of Alabama and was a founder, board member, and Director of the State Bank of Alabama in Decatur.[4] He was a graduate of West Point in the 1810s. He commanded local militia units during the Second Creek War and during the American Civil War. McClellan also served as a Lieutenant Colonel for the 25th Alabama Infantry, seeing several battles. In his life, McClellan held several personal relationships with other local bankers and military leaders, such as Thomas McElderry, John T. Rather, and Reuben Chapman.

Circa 1880 from left to right: Br. Gen. William B. McClellan, age 83; Capt. John T. Rather, age 87; Col. Thomas McElderry, age 90; Gov. Reuben Chapman, age 79; from McElderry's families photo collection

Death and legacy

McClellan died in 1881, aged 83, leaving behind 14 children, and his historic home, Ildewild Plantation which is listed on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places.[5][6]

References

  1. "Idora McClellan Plowman thesis (AUM Digital Archives)" (PDF). Auburn University at Montgomery. Retrieved April 12, 2026.
  2. "25th Alabama Infantry Regiment". National Park Service. Retrieved April 12, 2026.
  3. Owen, Thomas McAdory (1921). History of Alabama and Dictionary of Alabama Biography. Vol. 3. Chicago: S. J. Clarke Publishing Company. Retrieved April 12, 2026.
  4. Bowman, Camille A.; Melanie A. Betz (January 8, 1993). "Idlewild". National Register of Historic Places Registration Form. National Park Service. Archived (PDF) from the original on March 11, 2014. Retrieved March 10, 2014. See also: "Accompanying photos". Archived (PDF) from the original on March 11, 2014. Retrieved March 10, 2014.
  5. Bowman, Camille A.; Melanie A. Betz (January 8, 1993). "Idlewild". National Register of Historic Places Registration Form. National Park Service. Archived (PDF) from the original on March 11, 2014. Retrieved March 10, 2014. See also: "Accompanying photos". Archived (PDF) from the original on March 11, 2014. Retrieved March 10, 2014.
  6. "Idlewild (Talladega County, Alabama) mirror". WikiHandbk. Retrieved April 12, 2026.