Clarinda McClallen (née Miller) (she went by Clara or Clary in close circles) was born May 1, 1793 in Bedford, NY to Josiah Miller and Paulina Miller (née Titus). She was the youngest of ten children. Her siblings were Robert Miller, Elijah Miller, Anner Schooley (née Miller), Martha Miller, Elisha Miller, Sarah Miller, Elizabeth Miller, Lewis Titus Miller, and Ezra Miller.

For part of her adult life, Clara lived with her brother, Elijah and their mother in Auburn, NY where she helped raise Elijah’s daughters, Lazette and Frances Miller. In early 1835, Clara married Hugh McClallen, an Auburn firearms manufacturer. Clara moved out of her brother’s home although she and her husband remained in Auburn.

Clara and and her husband did not have children. She died on September 5, 1862, outliving her husband by two years. Clara is buried in Fort Hill Cemetery in Auburn next to her husband.