Background
McClelland was born at Black Creek, near Nundle, and was educated at Nundle Public School.
McClelland was born at Black Creek, near Nundle, and was educated at Nundle Public School.
He was an Australian Labor Party member of the New South Wales Legislative Assembly from 1920 until 1927, representing Northern Tablelands, and from 1930 to 1932, representing Dubbo. He worked as a shearer and bushworker after leaving school, and was active in local affairs, founding the Nundle League in 1902. He was appointed as an organiser with the Australian Workers" Union in 1914, and was an executive councillor and the vice-president of the union"s Western branch from 1916 until his election to parliament in 1920.
McClelland twice attempted to enter state politics before his 1920 victory, losing to Labor-turned-Nationalist Modern Language Association George McDonald in Bingara at a 1916 by-election and again in 1917.
In 1920, on his third attempt, he was elected as the sole Labor member in the multi-member electorate of Northern Tablelands. He was easily re-elected in 1922 and 1925, but faced a very difficult race in 1927.
He again contested the seat in 1935, but was defeated, and did not run for public office again. McClelland became a farmer at Northmead after leaving politics.
He died in Sydney in 1969, and was cremated at Rookwood Cemetery.