The Friends of Jennie Wade are proud to present Captain John McClain and his wife Isabel, their candidate for the Fall Back into Time contest. This choice is to honor the many forgotten pioneer river men and women of this Ohio River region.

Captain John McClain, 1798- 1853 would marry Isabel Massey 1829. She would help him, a widower, raise his young daughter Rachel. The Captain was one of eight McClain brothers who settled in this Ohio River valley. All were river men who made their mark on this region. Isabel and Rachel would remember the Captain fondly with an impressive monument at his gravesite in Neville Ohio. A riverboat is carved on the monument. Captain McClain’s forgotten story has recently been retold by the Friends of the Jennie Wade. To read more about the story of the McClains click here.

Portraying the Captain and his wife are Bill and Mary Thompson, current residents of the 1830’s home the Captain built for his wife and daughter.