Former long-time Montgomery County Councilman Harold M. Barclay died Thursday at home. He was 96.
Barclay, a Republican, served 28 years on the county council. He was first elected in 1978, filling the District 3 seat left vacant by a resignation. Barclay was then elected on his own merit seven times thereafter.
“People knew him as a conservative voice for the council,” said his son, Neil Barclay.
The elder Barclay was one of the first members of the Montgomery County Economic Development Commission. Neil Barclay said their efforts helped bring Pace Dairy to Crawfordsville as well as Coast to Coast, now Penguin Random House, and Shady Knoll Apartment Complex.
Later in Barclay’s tenure on the council, he served many years as council president.
Neil said his father also was quite proud of his role in helping to bring Nucor Steel to Montgomery County. One of his last achievements while in office was helping bring the ethanol plant, Valero Renewable Fuels, to the Linden area.
He also shepherded several road and bridge improvement projects.
“He was really proud to say he was able to rid the county of all weight limit bridges,” Neil added.
When Barclay left office in 2006, he was touted for only missing three meetings in nearly three decades. At his final meeting, he was presented with a plaque honoring his dedication to serving the people of Montgomery County.
Barclay was a lifelong farm owner and operator, retiring in 2009.
