David W. Clayton (1846-1928)

CLAYTON, BEALL, GERLACH, ROWLAND

Posted By: Dorian Myhre (email)
Date: 5/17/2021 at 16:53:11

From Nevada Evening Journal June 22, 1928 (page 5)

Claytons Were Real Pioneers of County

A number of Nevada people were at Ames to attend the double funeral of David W. Clayton and his good wife Mary Elizabeth, pioneers of the county, who died within three days of each other at their home in Ames.

Both had been failing very rapidly for several weeks. At the time of their deaths they were approaching their sixtieth wedding anniversary which would have been June 18.

Mrs. Mary Elizabeth Clayton was born in Tennessee, July 30, 1850 and passed away June 11, 1928 at the age of 77 years, 10 months and 12 days. Of her own family, two sisters survive her; Mrs. Harriet J. Love of Newton, Iowa, and Mrs. Ammanda Ellen Francis of Greenfield, Ind.

David W. Clayton was born in Fayetteville, Brown county, Ohio, Sept. 7, 1846 and died June 14, 1928, age 81 years, nine months and seven days. He enlisted in troop B 5th Ohio Cavalry, September 9, 1861 and was honorably discharged January 29, 1865. In the same year he went to Illinois to teach school during the winter of 1867-68 but came back to Iowa in the spring.

Mr. and Mrs. Clayton were married June 18, 1868 at Greencastle, Jasper county, Iowa. They spent the first years of the married life in Jasper county, then moved to Shelby county and about 35 years ago came to Story county, which had been their home ever since. For the past 10 yeas they lived in Ames.

Seven children were born to them. One, a daughter, Lulu Elizabeth, died in infancy. The surviving children are: Mrs. Fannie Laura Beall of Eckert, Colo., Dr. Geo. R. Clayton of Lima, O., Mrs. Alda Edith Gerlach of Boulder, Colo., Mrs. Ruth May Rowland of Pomona, Cal., Miss Pearl Olive Clayton of Ames, Iowa and Rev. Elmer Ellsworth Clayton of Mahomet, Ill. There are also nine grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

Both Mr. and Mrs. Clayton were members of the Ames Methodist church. Their church relationship had meant much to them all through their married life and their home was always a Christian home. A simple service was held Wednesday at the home on Burnett avenue, Rev. Shipman, their pastor, in charge, and both were laid to rest in the Ames cemetery.