Background
He was born in Oxford Mills, Ontario and became a clothing retailer. The son of William John McClenaghan and Sarah Boyd, he was educated in Ottawa and went into business there.
He was born in Oxford Mills, Ontario and became a clothing retailer. The son of William John McClenaghan and Sarah Boyd, he was educated in Ottawa and went into business there.
From 1900 to 1908, he served as a public school trustee. In 1912, he became controller for the city of Ottawa. McClenaghan also served as president of the Liberal-Conservative Association from 1914 to 1918.
In 1917, he was president of the Central Canada Exhibition Association.
He was elected to Parliament at the Ottawa (City of) riding in the 1925 general election. After serving his only term, the 15th Canadian Parliament, McClenaghan was defeated in the 1926 election by Edgar-Rodolphe-Eugène Chevrier of the Liberals.
From 1908 to 1911, he was a member of the Collegiate Board.