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 JOHN ROLL McLEAN cLEAN, JOHN ROLL, journalist, capitalist, owner of the Cincinnati "Enquirer" and the Washington "Post," was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, September 17, 1848, the son of Washington and Mary L. McLean. His father was of Scotch descent, a large manufacturer, a prominent leader in Ohio politics, and latterly & successful printer, publisher and journalist. From 1882 until his death on December 8, 1890, the elder McLean was a resident of Washington, District of Columbia, where he made large investments in real estate, and where his son, John Roll McLean also took up his residence. Washington McLean was regarded as an astute and influential politician, and earned for himself the title of the "Warwick of the Democracy."

John R. McLean was educated in the public schools of Cincinnati and at Harvard university; and subsequent to his graduation studied and traveled for several years in Germany, France and other European countries. While at college he developed a fondness for outdoor sports which still form a part of his pleasures and pastimes. On his return from travel he entered the office of the Cincinnati "Enquirer," at the bottom of the ladder, and passed by gradations through all the details of newspaper management until he reached the post of editor. In 1873, he acquired his father's interest in the paper; in 1877 assumed its editorial control; and in 1881, he became sole owner. Immediately after taking entire charge of the "Enquirer" he began to take a prominent part in the politics of his native state, and for many years thereafter wielded a dominant influence in party councils. He was delegate-at-large from Ohio to the Democratic national conventions of 1884, 1888, 1892, 1896 and 1900, as well as the Ohio member of the Democratic national committee. In 1885 his party made him its candidate for United States senator from Ohio, and in 1899 he was the Democratic candidate for governor, but was defeated by Judge George K. Nash. In the Democratic national convention of 1896, he was supported by his state for the presidential nomination and received fifty-four votes on