The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1908-05-13


commissioner OF Agriculture
Particularly is this SO since the &C
I tions of the last legislature, which
increased the duties, scope and I'M
portance OF the office, in the enact
nient of the pure food and other
laws. The affairs of the office,
We verify believe, have never
reached anything like their pres
ent state of efficiency in the his
tory /of Florida. Mr.. McLin, a
vertitable statistician, a systemat-
Ic and hard working, far see
Jig manager, has all of the bust
ness of the office, widespread and
'aried as it is, in perfect running
oder, with every department kept
III neat and systematic manner,
y 18th it's store of information at his
finger tips, SO that it is a pleasure
TO seek for information in his de-
yAtnent. and it is a pleasure for
him to supply the same. The state
IS reaping vast benefits from the
wise management OF this depart
ment, and the money expended in
the Department of Agriculture of
Florida is a good investment and
comes back to the people in bene-
fits, MANY fold.
Evidently the people are we'll
satisfied with Mr.. McLin'S steward
ship, for no one has come forward
with the idea that he could take
his place, and Mr.. McLin is not
unmindful of the honor and trust
bestowed on him. and is naturally
very happy that he may pursue the
even tenor of his office routine,
and watch the political ballot from
his office at the capital.
Benjamin E. McLin was born
i'm Green county, Tennessee, 1851.
AT the opening of the Civil war his
father entered the Confederate ar
my, and young McLin during
those strenuous years worked on
his uncle's farm, and in company
with his cousins, attended school,
Al the close OF the war he entered
King College at Bristol, of which
Institution his uncle had in the
meantime become president Later
on he became a student at the Vol
stem Institute at Jonesboro and in
1871 he entered Hampden and
Sidney College in Virginia, where
he remained until 1873, in. the
meantime winning the Speakers
medal"
Upon his graduation Mr. McLin
read law with his father, being adj
United to the bar in 1875; and one
year later marrying Miss Linnie
Peak Smith.
After his fathers death, he car
4 lied on the firm until his removal
Ito Florida, wher in 1885 he settled
III Umatilla in Lake county. His
wife died the following year and
some time after he married Miss
Josephine Glidewell, who is still
living.
Mr.. McLin was engaged in the
milling business in Lake county,
and up to the time of the freeze
was also extensively interested in
orange culture and trucking. At
one time he also operated the larg-
; est crate mandatory in the State.
the entire plant, however, being
wiped out by fire, with no insur-
ance." 1t was not long after this
that the freeze of ISo4-5 swept
away his entire orange grove; and
another fire and the second freeze
soon forced him to begin the battle
: Of life over again.
While never in any sense OF the
word politician. Mr.. McLin has
always taken legitimate interest
III politics, and served three SEES
sions in the State senate in a man
ner that contributed largely to his
nomination in 1000 for the position
lie now holds. and for which he is
a candidate for reelection to his
third term. without opposition.
, Eaxu oeo,,1e raa1i7e tI1e irnDOrt-