John W. Clement

BAKER, CLEMENT, HARRISON, HUSTON, KERNS, MARTIN, SHEARER

Posted By: Judy Wight Branson (email)
Date: 8/3/2004 at 10:11:12

John W. Clement, a carpenter and builder of Macksburg, was born in Sidney, Shelby County, Ohio, on the 28th of November, 1842, a son of Benjamin and Lydia M. (Baker) Clement, natives respectively of England and Ohio. When about twenty years of age the father emigrated to the United States in order to escape military service and took up his residence in Ohio, where he learned the carpenter's trade, which he followed in that state until 1867. In that year he removed to Clinton County, Iowa, and worked there as a carpenter for a decade. In 1877 he removed to North Loup, Nebraska, where he was living at the time of his demise. His political belief was that of the republican party and he was much interested in public affairs. He was a minister in the Baptist Church and was a leader in its work in the communities in which he lived. He was twice married and was the father of twenty-four children, of whom our subject is the second in order of birth and of whom eighteen lived to maturity.

John W. Clement received the benefit of the early schools of Ohio and was thoroughly grounded in the fundamental branches of learning, although the log schoolhouse and the crude benches would seem altogether inadequate today. When little more than a youth he joined Company E of the Benton Cadets, which organization was General Fremont's infantry bodyguard, and he served with that command in Missouri for three months. After fighting guerrillas in southern Missouri the Cadets returned to St. Louis and when Fremont was superseded by Hunter, the company was mustered out and sent home. Mr. Clement then enlisted in Company K, Twentieth Ohio Infantry, and saw active service in practically every state in the Confederacy, being in Missouri, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia and the Carolinas. He participated in the siege of Vicksburg, the battles of Ball's Bluff, Natchez, Mississippi, Raymond and the siege of Atlanta. At the battle of Atlanta, on the 22nd of July 1862, he was engaged in tearing up a railroad and went to a nearby plantation to get something to eat. While eating he was taken prisoner by five rebels and he and his comrades were about to be hanged when some northern troops put the southerners to rout and he and his companions in danger were taken back to the Union camp. He veteranized after the siege of Vicksburg and reenlisted in the same company and regiment, serving therein until July, 1865, when he was discharged at Louisville, Kentucky. He returned to Ohio but not long afterward removed to Clinton County, Iowa, and learned the carpenter's trade under his father. For ten years he resided in Humboldt, Nebraska, but for the last thirty-five years has made his home in Madison County, Iowa. Since his return from the war he has devoted his entire attention to carpentering and building and has erected many structures which are still in an excellent condition and which are proof of his fine workmanship and thoroughness. He is now living practically retired, having accumulated a competence, and has the respect of his fellow citizens. On the 9th of March, 1868, Mr. Clement married Miss Lydia M. Kerns, who was born in Cassopolis, Indiana, on the 22nd of January, 1849, a daughter of Isaac and Rebecca (Furrow) Kerns. Her father was a farmer and was for a number of years a resident of this county. Mrs. Clement passed away on the 22nd of June, 1911, leaving six daughters: Mary R, now the wife of Hugh Shearer, of Webster township; Viola R., who gave her hand in marriage to J. A. Harrison, by whom she has six children; Ina M, who is keeping house for her father; Josephine, the wife of George Huston, a farmer, and the mother of six children; Theresa, who married Melvin Huston, a resident of Montana, by whom she has one child; and Sibbie, who married Glenn Martin, by whom she has one child.

Mr. Clement is a republican and has been quite active in local political circles. When the J. D. Craven Post, No. 322, G. A. R, of Macksburg was in existence he was prominent in its work and was one of its charter members. Although it has been discontinued he still endeavors to keep in touch with his surviving comrades of the Civil War. Although he is not connected with any church organization his life is in accord with the principle of Christianity, as he has striven to conform his conduct to the Golden Rule and all who know him bear witness to his integrity and kindness.

Taken from the book, "The History of Madison County, Iowa, 1915."