Dickinson Co., KS AHGP-Portrait and
Biographical Record of Dickinson, Saline, McPherson and
Marion Counties-James J. Clemons
Portrait and Biographical
Record of Dickinson, Saline, McPherson and Marion
Counties
Chapman Brothers, Chicago, 1893
JAMES J. CLEMONS, who is engaged in general
farming on section 26, Sherman Township,
Dickinson County, was the second son
and third child in a family of seven children,
numbering four sons and three daughters.
The parents, Julius P. and Martha (Hart) Clemons,
were natives of Oneida County, N. Y. The father
died of cholera in Schenectady County, N. Y., and
the mother spent her last days in Macomb County,
Mich.
Our subject was born November 11,1820, in
Livingston County, N. Y., where he resided for
eleven years, and then accompanied his parents to
Monroe County, N. Y., where he made his home
until 1838. In that year he returned to his native
county, and on the 13th of January, 1842, was
united in marriage with Rebecca L., daughter of
John and Margaret (Garnhart) Litchard. Her parents
were natives of Pennsylvania, born near Muncy,
and they departed this life while residing in
Livingston County, N. Y. Their family numbered
nine children, five sons and four daughters, Mrs.
Clemons being the seventh in order of birth. She
was born in Livingston County. N. Y., October 22,
1822, and there our subject and his wife began
their domestic life, making it their home for two
years after their marriage. They subsequently spent
two years in Steuben County, where Mr. Clemons
engaged in farming. He was afterward engaged in
boating on the canal for two years. His next place
of residence was in Allegany County, N. Y., where
he carried on farming until 1856, when he returned
to Steuben County. Making his home in that locality
until the spring of 1870, he then came with
his family to Kansas, locating on section 26, Sherman
Township, Dickinson County, where he has
since resided.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Clemons were born nine children
as follows: Royal R., who wedded Miss Mary
Gilbert; J. Edgar, who married Helen Carter; Elmer,
who married Kate Norman; Leila, wife of
Samuel Gaston; Adilla, wife of Alex Gaston; Loretta,
wife of Wellington Norman; Luthera, wife
of Eli Crayden; Clarence R. and Ernest. They
have also lost three children: Byron, who died at
the age of four years; and Melvin and Luthera,
both of whom died in infancy.
Throughout the greater part of his life, Mr.
Clemons has followed agricultural pursuits, and in
connection with his sons he owns eight hundred and
eighty acres of land, which is under good cultivation
and well improved. He exercises his right
of franchise in support of the Republican party,
and takes quite an active interest in political affairs,
but has never been a politician in the sense
of office-seeking. Himself and wife are members
of the Congregational Church.
(c) 2009 Sheryl McClure for
Dickinson County KS AHGP