Tammy Davis submitted this narrative on John H. Clement- she has contributed a large majority of material on this website!
This is really a treasure!
John H. Clement, an important factor in the affairs of Madison Township, Grant County, was born in Northwestern Georgia, December 12, 1845. He is the son of James W. Clement, a native of South Carolina, and his wife, Clarenda Clement (nee Trammel), of Georgia birth. The former died in Grant County, Arkansas., in 1878, in his fifty-fifth year. His wife is living with her children in Grant County. In 1855, James Clement and his wife moved to Mississippi, where they remained four years, removing thence to Arkansas in 1859, and locating in this neighborhood on a farm. During the war, he was in the Confederate service for 12 months, taking part in no engagement, however. Himself and wife were members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, for many years. He was a Mason and a Granger, and in politics voted the Republican ticket.
His career as a farmer was a very successful one. By his marriage he became the father of twelve children, of whom John H. was the eldest. Six of the children are now living, all in Grant County except Joseph A., who is in the wagon yard business in Pine Bluff, this state. The principal in this sketch, John H., received his education in the country schools of Georgia, Mississippi and Arkansas. In the last days of the war he enlisted in the Federal Infantry, Company H, 16th Iowa Regiment, and after the war remained with his father until 1867, where he commenced to farm for himself, engaging in that occupation ever since. Upon beginning, he was very limited in his resources, but today owns 390 acres of find land as Grant County contains.
His prosperity is the legitimate outcome of his untiring energy and able management. On September 5, 1867, he was married to Catharine Wafford, daughter of James L. Wafford, of Grant County. She was born in this neighborhood, March 22, 1848. The result of this union was the birth of eleven children: Clarinda D (wife of James Trammel, mail contractor of Montgomery County, this state), James L., and Mary E. (at home), Marth F. (deceased in infancy, Susie M. (at home), Noah J., Sarah L., Willie, Johnnie, Charles, Georgia (deceased in her fourth year). Mr. Clement is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, while his wife is a Baptist. He is a member of the Masonic order, and a Republican in politics. No enterprise having as an ultimatum the welfare of the county, fails in finding the endorsement of Mr. Clement. He is always on the side of good government and advancement in public affairs.