Family Group Sheet
NameWilliam Leslie McClain [Lancaster]
Birth28 Mar 1912, Rowan Co., Kentucky
Death17 Dec 1947, Clearfield, Rowan Co., Kentucky
FatherThomas Leslie McClain (1881-1955)
MotherLucy Evalena Switzer (1880-1955)
Marriageabt 1939
SpouseAlene
Birthabt 1916, Kentucky
Notes for William Leslie McClain [Lancaster]
The Kentucky birth index lists William L. Lancaster, born 28 Mar 1912 in Breathitt Co. (a misindexing of Rowan Co.11), mother’s maiden name Lucy Switzer.
In the 1920 census, he was recorded as Leslie Switzer, age 7, and as an adult, he went by Leslie McClain.
His death certificate records William Leslie McClain, age 35 years 8 months 20 days, born 28 Mar 1912 in Rowan Co., Ky, died 17 Dec 1947 in Clearfield, Rowan Co., Ky, veteran of World War II, widowed, name of wife Alene Switzer (divorced), occupation coal miner, father Leslie McClain, mother’s maiden name Eva Jones, both born in Ky, cause of death carbon monoxide gas, fume from automobile, accidental, informant Oscar Switzer, Clearfield, Ky.
I’m not sure how the informant figured Leslie’s marital status to be widowed, while his wife’s marital status was divorced, but that’s what it says.
In the 1920 census, he was recorded as Leslie Switzer, age 7, and as an adult, he went by Leslie McClain.
His death certificate records William Leslie McClain, age 35 years 8 months 20 days, born 28 Mar 1912 in Rowan Co., Ky, died 17 Dec 1947 in Clearfield, Rowan Co., Ky, veteran of World War II, widowed, name of wife Alene Switzer (divorced), occupation coal miner, father Leslie McClain, mother’s maiden name Eva Jones, both born in Ky, cause of death carbon monoxide gas, fume from automobile, accidental, informant Oscar Switzer, Clearfield, Ky.
I’m not sure how the informant figured Leslie’s marital status to be widowed, while his wife’s marital status was divorced, but that’s what it says.
Census Notes for William Leslie & Alene (Family)
1940 census of Fayette Co., West Virginia, Kanawha precinct, Boonesborough unincorporated place, ED 10-28, enumerated 5 April, lists on p. 4A as family #57:
McClain, Leslie, 28, b. Ky, living in rural Fleming Co., Ky in 1935, coal loader Koppers; Ahlena, wife, 24, b. Ky, living in rural Rowan Co., Ky in 1935.
The next household is headed by Burley Ingle, age 21, with wife Stella age 15, born born in Kentucky and living in rural Rowan Co., Ky in 1935.
McClain, Leslie, 28, b. Ky, living in rural Fleming Co., Ky in 1935, coal loader Koppers; Ahlena, wife, 24, b. Ky, living in rural Rowan Co., Ky in 1935.
The next household is headed by Burley Ingle, age 21, with wife Stella age 15, born born in Kentucky and living in rural Rowan Co., Ky in 1935.
