MySource:Txbluebell6/Obituary Tupelo Daily Journal Tupelo, Mississippi

Tuesday: 31 March 1925 Mr. John Clayton died at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Dee Francis, March 31 aged 94 years and 8 months. A few days before his death, he fell and broke his hip and the shock hastened his death. Mr. Clayton was born in Clayton's Cove, Alabama on August 1, 1830. Birmingham is now located where the Clayton family once lived. When a youth he came with his fathers family to Itawamba County where he spent the greater part of his life. He saw the country develop from wilderness. When the Civil War broke out, he enlisted and served throughout the war. When 21 years of age, he joined the Masonic fraternity and was a member until the end of his life. The precepts of the order were his daily guide and no man could ever say aught against his name. He joined the Baptist church when he was a young man and lived a consecrated Christian life. For a number of years Mr. Clayton was very infirm and lost his sight. In his afflictions he was a patient sufferer and no word of complaint ever fell from his lips. Although he could not see the hour hands of the clock, yet he had a consciousness of the passing hours as they came and went and every afternoon with the punctuality of the watch he wore he wound it when the hour hand reached four. The transformations which took place during the years that he lived were the most wonderful in the history of the world and it was given to him to see the world transformed form its ancient customs to the modernizes which characterize the present time. The remains were taken to Guntown where they were laid to rest by side of his wife, who preceded him to grave eighteen years, in Campbelltown Cemetery. Many friends gathered to pay their last respects. The funeral services were conducted by Rev. West. Mr. Clayton leaves four sons: John R. of Guntown, W. J. from Itawamba County, E. P. and W.L. from A & M College (A & M College is now Mississippi State at Starksville). His three daughters, Mrs. John Arnold, Mrs. Houston Stephens, and Mrs. Dee Francis were also present.

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