JOHN McCLAIN, proprietor of the U.S. Auction Syndicate, doing business as a department store at Troy and handling almost every commodity, has been a resident of this city for the past twenty-two years. He was born in 1858, at Alliance, Ohio, where he was reared and educated. Mr. McClain started into business as a traveling salesman and for ten years he represented commercial firms on the road, but after he came to Troy, in 1887, he embarked in business for himself, establishing here the U.S. Auction Syndicate and investing in other enterprises. He is a director in the First National Bank and is treasurer of the Troy Telephone Company and has stock in other business houses. He is a very active and public spirited citizen and is serving as president of the Board of Public Service, this being his fourth year, and has also been a useful member of the City Council. Mr. McClain married Miss Lois Liddell, of Cleveland, Ohio, and they have five sons and one daughter: John W., of Detroit; William H., a high school student; Harold; Carroll; and Howard and Helen, twins. Mr. McClain is a member of the Catholic Church and, fraternally, he is an Elk.