Thomas Clague

ANDERSON, CLAGUE, CUBBIN, KINGERY, KNOX, MOORE, RAY, STANLEY

Posted By: Judy Wight Branson
Date: 8/3/2004 at 09:58:55

Thomas Clague, a highly respected farmer and stockman residing 6, Douglas township, was born on the Isle of Man, September 18,1854, a son of Thomas and Ann (Cubbin) Clague, also natives of that place, the father born in 1804 and the mother in 1818. Both are deceased, the death of Mr. Clague occurring in 1859, and that of his widow in 1873. The father was a farmer and stock raiser and passed his entire life in his native locality. He was a member of the Methodist church and held the esteem of those who knew him. To him and his wife were born three children, of whom Thomas is the youngest.

The last named attended school on the Isle of Man and remained there until he was nineteen years of age. In company with his brother, he then emigrated to the United States and began farming in the vicinity of Monmouth, Warren County, Illinois. In 1892, he removed to Madison County, Iowa, and purchased land, upon which he has lived continuously for twenty-two years. His holdings comprise two hundred and eighty acres and he has a good substantial residence. He feeds both cattle and hogs and raised the grains best adapted to soil and climate. The operation of his farm requires his full time and his labors secure him a good income annually.

Mr. Clague was married in 1877, Miss Mary E. Ray becoming his wife. She was born in Warren County, Illinois, of the marriage of G. B. and Mary (Moore) Ray, both natives of Edmonson County, Kentucky. The father was born on the 29th of April, 1824, and passed away on the 23rd of January, 1879, while the mother's birth occurred on the 18th of November, 1829, and she died on the 28th of December, 1872. Mr. Ray removed from Kentucky to Illinois about 1850 and settled in Warren County. He was an organizer and Charter member of the Union Baptist Church of his locality and was quite active in public affairs, although not a Politician. He owned six hundred acres of land at the time of his death and had gained a high reputation as a farmer and stock-raiser. To him and his wife were born six children, of whom Mrs. Clague is the fourth in order of birth.

Mr. and Mrs. Clague have become the parents of the following children: Charles E., born November 30, 1878, died August 16, 1901; Arnold, born March 2, 1880, and died May 22, 1887; Edgar, born June 17, 1882, a land owner of Douglas township, married Delores Kingery, by whom she has one child, Gaylon; Willis E., born September 25, 1884, a farmer of Madison township, married Bernice Knox and has two children, Elsie B. and Earl W.; Nettie is the Wife of Frank Stanley, a farmer of Penn township, by whom she has one child, Glenn; Ralph, born October 7, 1888, married Miss May Anderson and is farming land belonging to his father; Mabel is at home; Glenn, born October 18, 1893, and Evert Ray, born January 29, 1897, are also at home.

Mr. Clague takes a commendable interest in public affairs, although not an office seeker. He is a Baptist but his family belongs to the Methodist Episcopal Church at Worthington, in which his wife and daughter Mabel take a very active interest. Mr. Clague has gained financial success in his adopted country and a place of honor in this county, where he has lived for so many years, his life of efficient labor and unswerving integrity winning him the confidence, good will and respect of all who know him.

This article taken from the book "History of Madison County, Iowa, 1915, Vol. 2"