James Bailey Clement was born at Welton, Iowa, November 1, 1866. He was one of five sons and seven daughters born to Benjamin Clement. His early years were spent with the family at Welton, attending school in the little school house only a short distance from the home.
In 1879, when James was thirteen years old, the family moved to Nebraska settling on a farm on Davis Creek. The large family made it necessary for some of them to work away from home. James was the logical one to work out. His summers were spent herding cattle on the prairie for some of the neighbors, or driving a team in the fields. In 1883 he took charge of the farming operation of the home farm.
After leaving the farm he learned the carpenter trade with his brothers. Subsequently he worked at Fort Duchesne, Utah; Fort McKinney, Wyo.; Santee Indian reservation in Nebraska, the Uncompagne and Cantonment Indian Reservation in Oklahoma. During much of the time he spent in government work he was in company of one or more of his brothers. These years of close association with his brother George saw an adoration of a young brother ripen into an understanding friendship.
In October 1892 he married Genora Dette Lawton, to which union a daughter, Bernice Eliza and a son, Rex Royal were born. His wife died July, 1899.
In March 1900 he married Louise Deborah Craft to which union a son, Orrin William and a daughter, Zoe Fern were born. His second wife died in September, 1904.
The removal by death of his wives twice disrupted his home. He remained in and around North Loup, sometimes working for others, more often contracting on his own.
Two years after the death of his second wife, leaving the children in the care of relatives, he went to Washington, D. C. where he accepted a position previously held by his brother George, as superintendent of carpentry within the Soldier’s Home. He retired after twenty-seven years of service and went to live with his son, Orrin in Alexandria, Va., where, he passed away March 5, 1944 at the age of 77 years, 4 months and 4 days.
James Clement was energetic in his work, always willing to give a full day’s work to his employer. Nothing but the best workmanship would satisfy him. His experiences of pioneer life on Davis Creek well fitted him for the part he was to play in affairs of the world.
He held a life membership in the Elks Lodge where he was chosen to fill responsible positions.
He leaves to mourn his passing two sons, Rex of North Loup, and Orrin of Alexandria, Va., and two daughters, Mrs. John Burrows, Cascade Locks, Ore., and Mrs. R. D. Harris, Philadelphia, Penn,; twelve grandchildren and six great-grandchildren; one grandson is now serving in the Army Air Corps and one grandson, Verne Clement Stewart, was lost in a bomber raid over Germany in January 1943. The third grandson, Everett Stewart enters the service of his country in a few days. Of the large family of brothers and sisters only Mrs. Ottis Sweet, Mrs. G. W. Furgason and Mrs. Fred Green of Cashmere, Washington and one brother, Peter, of Lincoln, Nebr., are still living.
Funeral services were held Saturday afternoon from the Seventh Day Baptist church in North Loup, Rev. Ehret in charge, and burial was in the family lot in Hillside cemetery. Pall bearers were nephews of Mr. Clement, Hugh, George, and Clare Clement, Floyd Hutchins, Bert Sayre, Glen Johnson. A trio of three nieces, Mrs. Harlan Brennick, Mrs. Edward Christensen and Mrs. Russell Hayden sang while two more nieces, Mrs. Glen Johnson and Mrs. Chas. Fuller were at the piano and organ.
