Untitled

Surnames: Haight, Wilbur, Hopkins, Gibbs, Francis, Doud, Miner, Sage, Dudley, Fuller, Russell, Baker

From Commemorative Biographical Record of the Counties of Rock, Green, Grant, Iowa and Lafayette, Wisconsin, publ. 1901 - Page 307-308

JAMES W. CLEMENTS, a retired farmer of the town of Ellenboro, Grant county, whose career through life has been singularly clean and creditable in every way, was born in Herkimer county, N.Y., April 24, 1831, a son of Cornelius and Jenette (HAIGHT) CLEMENTS, both natives of the same county. After their marriage Cornelius CLEMENTS and his wife settled in Chautauqua county, N.Y., where he followed the trade of a carpenter, and also engaged in farming, on his own land, until his death, in 1868. He left his wife, who survived him two years, and three children. She came to Illinois, and passed her last days with her daughter. (1) Sallie, her eldest daughter, was born and reared in New York, where she married Morgan WILBUR. They moved to McHenry county, Ill., where Mr. WILBUR engaged in farming, and there Mrs. WILBUR died, leaving one son, Charles, now a resident of Chicago. (2) Nancy, born in Herkimer county, N.Y., died when a young lady, at the old homestead in Chautauqua county. (3) Emelyne died in childhood. (4) James W. is the fourth member of this family. (5) Edward, born in New York, married Miss Sarah HOPKINS, a lady of that State, and they now reside in Michigan, where he is engaged in agriculture. They have one daughter, Emma. (6) Emily, twin of Edward, married Joseph GIBBS.

James W. CLEMENTS passed his childhood at home, working on the farm, and attending the district schools until he reached his maturity. In February, 1853, he married, in New York, Amanda FRANCIS, who was born in Genesee county, N.Y., in June 1837, daughter of Amos and Isabelle FRANCIS, old and prominent residents of that county. Amos FRANCIS was born in Connecticut, and his wife Isabelle (DOUD), in Vermont. They lived for a time in Genesee county, and then moved to Chautauqua county, where Mr. FRANCIS was a farmer up to the time of his death in 1853. Mrs. FRANCIS died in 1851. Mrs. CLEMENTS is one of fourteen children, and was reared in New York. She and her husband were living on a farm in Chautauqua county at the outbreak of they Civil war. Mr. CLEMENTS enlisted in Company E., 154th N.Y.V.I., which was a part of the 11th Army Corps, Army of the Potomac. Gen. Hooker was their first commander. Mr. CLEMENTS was in the battle of Chancellorsville, where he was taken prisoner and held at Belle Isle by the Rebels for fourteen days, being then released on parole. This gave him an opportunity to make a brief visit to his family, and when his parole was cancelled his regiment was at Bridgeport, Tenn., where he joined it, and served until the close of the war. The regiment was sent West once, becoming a part of the 20th Army Corps, and then joined Sherman's army and took part in the march through the South up to Washington, where it was in the grand review, and finally mustered out.

During our subject's service in the army Mrs. CLEMENTS was left at home with three small children, and Mr. CLEMENTS made haste to rejoin his family. In New York he worked at farming and carpentering until his removal to Wisconsin. Here he purchased a farm from Samuel FRANCIS, in the town of Ellenboro, and there made a permanent home. Substantial improvements were made, and the place became very neat and attractive. In 1897 Mr. CLEMENTS erected a home, furnished with all modern improvements possible in its location, and finished in hardwood; it is one of the elegant homes of the town. Mr. CLEMENTS owns a quarter section of fine farming land in Ellenboro, and for the past few years, on account of his health, has put his son Neil in active charge of his farming interests.

To Mr. and Mrs. CLEMENTS have been born five children: (1) Ella J. was born in Chautauqua county in 1855, where she obtained a good education, and was a teacher in her native State. She is now the wife of Albert MINER, and resides at Chautauqua, where she is rearing two daughters, May and Hattie. (2) Hattie, born in New York in 1857, was well educated, and taught in the public schools prior to her marriage with Theodore SAGE, of Chautauqua. They have two daughters, Olive (Mrs. Walter DUDLEY) and Amy. (3) Alma, born in New York in 1859, married Abel FULLER, and is now deceased. (4) Lida, born in New York in 1866, was educated in her native State and in Wisconsin, married Harry RUSSELL, and has four children, James C., Rosswell, Eva and Ella. They reside in the town of Harrison, Grant county. (5) Neil, born in New York in 1877, grew up in Grant county, remains at home, and has charge of the farm. In 1899 he married Miss Minnie BAKER, of the town of Harrison, and they make their home with his parents.

In politics Mr. CLEMENTS is a Republican, but has never sought an office. He and his family attend the Methodist Church, and socially he is a member of Sherman Post, No. 66, G.A.R., at Platteville.

This biography generously submitted by Carol Holmbeck