Dennis, Clay Dean

DENNIS, JACKSON, BAUM, CAREY, DAVIS, RICHARDSON, STABLER, HALL

Posted By: Volunteer Transcriber
Date: 8/28/2009 at 21:27:05

Dennis, Clay

The subject of this sketch, Clay Dean Dennis, is a native of Iowa, having been born August 23, 1860, in Wapello County. His father, Benjamin H., and his mother, Matilda (Jackson) Dennis, were both natives of Brown County, Ohio. The father, Benjamin Dennis, was born May 27, 1830, and his childhood and youth were spent in his native County. On attaining his majority, he left his home in Ohio and came west, locating in Lee County, Iowa, about the year 1852. Remaining here only about one year, he went on to Wapello County, where he purchased land, and the next year, on August 23, 1854, he married Matilda Jackson, daughter of Richard and Isabella (Baum) Jackson, whose birth occurred on November 5, 1833. To this couple were born three sons and two daughters, all of whom first saw the light of day in Wapello County, Iowa, and whose names are as follows: Wesley, born in June 1855, died at Dexter, Iowa, November 3, 1909; Minerva, born October 17, 1856, married James Carey, and lives near Kilduff; Willmer, born December 17, 1857, lives in Newton; one child who died in infancy and Clay Dean, the subject of this review. In the year 1864, Mr. Dennis traded forty acres of land in Wapello County for two hundred and forty acres in Jasper County, near Kilduff, where he removed his family in March 1865. Here Mrs. Dennis died on January 7, 1872. On April 23, 1874, Mr. Dennis again married, choosing as his wife Mary J. Davis, daughter of C. M. Davis. In 1878 he built a splendid home in Newton, and retired from active labor, and here he lived until his death, which occurred January 31, 1900. Mr. Dennis was an active worker in the Disciples Church and was always allied with every good work. For ten years he was a member of the official board of the church, with which he united in 1856.

Clay Dean Dennis began working for himself at the age of eighteen years. In 1881 he came into possession of eighty acres of land from his father, which he still holds, and he has since then acquired other lands through his energy, industry and successful operations until he is now the owner of three hundred and twenty acres of the best land in Jasper County.

On March 4, 1883, Mr. Dennis was united in marriage to Margaret A. Richardson, daughter of James and Ann (Stabler) Richardson, both natives of England, the mother born at Molerat Row, Long Benton Parish, England, March 21, 1827. Mrs. Dennis was the only child of this marriage, but by a former marriage of the mother to a man by the name of Hall there were three children, namely: Lizzie, who died in infancy, and Henry and Thomas Hall, both living in Grundy County, Missouri. The mother, who was born on March 27, 1827, is living with her son, H. S. Hall, in Missouri. Mrs. Dennis was born May 13, 1865, in New Castle, England, and when she was one year old, the family came to the United States, and settled in Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania. Six years later they removed to Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, and five years later they came to Jasper County, Iowa, where they purchased the old Cradlebaugh farm of one hundred and twenty acres near Kilduff, and here the husband and father, James Richardson, departed this life on June 18, 1894.

After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Dennis lived on their farm until in October 1908, when they removed to Newton, where they now reside. On account of the failing health of Mrs. Dennis, she was no longer able to continue the arduous duties pertaining to life upon the farm.

To Mr. and Mrs. Dennis have been born four children, as follows: James Arthur, born February 6, 1884, married Helen Vinall and lives near Kilduff; Benjamin H., born June 28, 1885, married Bertie De Bruyn, lives near Kilduff; Leah A., born January 6, 1893, now attending high school in Newton; Thomas Clifford, born September 9, 1890, attending school in Newton.

Both Mr. and Mrs. Dennis are consistent and faithful members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, having been so affiliated for the last twenty-five years.

Although Mr. Dennis's home is now in Newton, he still takes an active part in overseeing his farm, and in raising, buying and selling stock for the market. He is a Republican in politics. At one time Mr. Dennis was severely kicked by a sick horse, which he was doctoring, and the report was widely circulated that he was killed. Some enterprising firm got up a memorial card and sent it to him. He considers it quite a unique experience. Mr. Dennis was treasurer of the school board in his township for a number of years. He owns a fine automobile and goes back and forth to his farm in his car. Past and Present of Jasper County Iowa B. F. Bowden & Company, Indianapolis, IN, 1912 Page 565.