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William H. Clements

"William H. Clements, proprietor of the St. Cloud Hotel, of Brush Creek, has the honor being a native-born citizen of Iowa. His birth occurred in Clayton County, September 3, 1856, his parents being Henderson and Margaret (Wood) Clements. In a manner not unlike that of most farmer lads he was reared to manhood. The scholastic training which he received was very limited but by private study he prepared himself for teaching and for five terms followed that profession with good success. He was only two years old at the time of the removal of the family to this county, hence almost his entire life has here been spent. In earlier years he devoted his energies to farming in the summer months and in the winter season to school teaching.

In Brush Creek, February 15, 1881, Mr. Clements was married to Miss Jessie C. Manson, daughter of Walter and Jane (Rattray) Manson, both of whom were natives of Scotland. Bidding good-by to their old home in 1851 they crossed the broad Atlantic to America and located at Dubuque. Later they engaged in keeping hotel in Rockdale, a suburb of Dubuque. About 1862 they came to this county and after a residence of a quarter of a century here removed in 1887 to Kingman, Kan., where they still reside. Mr. Manson was born June 9, 1830, and his wife on the 18th of June, 1833, and both are believers in the Presbyterian faith. In their family are six children, three sons and three daughters, of whom Mrs. Clements is third. She was born in Rockdale, Iowa, February 15, 1860, and for five years prior to her marriage engaged in teaching. She is a lady of culture, highly educated and carefully looks after the interests and comfort of the guests of the St. Cloud Hotel. Two children have been born of their union - Walter H. February 19, 1883, and Margaret J. May 29, 1886.

Mr. and Mrs. Clements began their domestic life upon his farm in Illyria Township, which he operated for two years when he purchased a farm on sections 11 and 12, Fairfield Township, comprising one hundred and twenty acres. On the 25th of August, 1890, he took possession of the St. Cloud Hotel in Brush Creek and in connection with this carries on a livery. He has now been proprietor of the hotel but a short time, yet his management thus far justifies us in the belief that he will be successful in that enterprise. He has now resided in the county for thirty-two years and is a worthy citizen, respected by those who know him. Politically, he is a Republican and in social relations is an Odd Fellow and Woodman. His parents found religious fellowship in the Presbyterian Church."