Benjamin E. McLin

Benjamin Earnest McLin (September 22, 1851 – January 31, 1912) was a lawyer, businessman and politician, who was a member of the Florida State Senate, and was the second Commissioner of Agriculture of Florida.

Benjamin Earnest McLin
2nd Commissioner of Agriculture of Florida
In office January 9, 1901 – February 5, 1912
Governor	William S. Jennings (1901–1905) Napoleon B. Broward (1905–1909) Albert W. Gilchrist (1909–1912)
Preceded by	Lucius B. Wombwell
Succeeded by	J.C. Luning
Majority	18,694 (1904)[1]
Member of the Florida Senate from the 23rd district
In office 1895–1899
Preceded by	Alexander St. Clair-Abrams Sr. father of Alexander St. Clair-Abrams
Succeeded by	P. W. Butler
Personal details
Born	September 22, 1851[2] Greene County, Tennessee[2]
Died	January 31, 1912(1912-01-31) (aged 60) Orlando, Florida
Political party	Democratic[1]
Spouses	Malinda "Linnie" Peak Smith ​ ​ (m. 1876; died 1886)​ [2] Josephine Glidewell ​ (m. 1887)​ [2]
Children	Eugene Earnest McLin, born September 1882; Walter Smith McLin, born 1884; John Blair McLin, born January 1882; Linnie P. McLin, born July 1889; Ruby Bearden McLin, born November 8, 1892;
Alma mater	King College; Hampden–Sydney College[2]

McLin was engaged in the milling business in Lake County. He was also extensively invested in growing and shipping oranges. At one time he also operated the largest orange crate manufacturer in Florida; however, his plant burnt down and was entirely wiped out by fire, and he had no insurance on the plant.^[2] Not long after his plant was destroyed, the freeze of 1894–95 swept away his entire orange grove.^[2]

He died on January 31, 1912, while attending the Orlando County Fair.^[3]