Lieutenant Jacob E. Long Profession Businessman Succeeded by Oliver Max Gardner Spouse(s) Margaret French McLean Party Democratic Party | Political party Democratic Role Executive Preceded by Cameron A. Morrison Name Angus McLean | |
 | ||
Born April 20, 1870
Robeson County, North Carolina ( 1870-04-20 ) Alma mater University of North Carolina Died June 21, 1935, Washington, D.C., United States Education University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill | ||
Angus Wilton McLean (April 20, 1870 – June 21, 1935) was an American lawyer and banker who was the 56th Governor of North Carolina from 1925 to 1929. McLean also served as Assistant Secretary of the United States Department of the Treasury from 1920-1921.
Contents
Biography
He was born in Robeson County, North Carolina and educated at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where he earned a law degree in 1892. McLean first entered politics in 1892, serving as the chairman of the Robeson County Democratic Executive Committee. A supporter of Woodrow Wilson, he was a delegate to Democratic National Conventions and sat on the Democratic National Committee. From 1918 to 1922 he served on the War Finance Corporation board, and from 1920 to 1921 he was the assistant secretary of the Treasury.
McLean secured the Democratic gubernatorial nomination in 1924 by defeating Josiah W. Bailey. During his tenure, an executive budget system was initiated; a department of conservation and development was established; and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park was formed. Governor McLean continued the practice, established by his predecessors Thomas Bickett and Cameron Morrison, of deploying National Guard troops to prevent potential lynchings. After completing his term, McLean retired from political life.
He died on June 21, 1935.
Legacy
His son, Hector (1920–2012), became a bank president and state senator.