FROM "OVER 50 PAGES OF XEROXED MATERIAL," CARNEGIE PUBLIC LIBRARY OF STEUBEN COUNTY, ANGOLA, INDIANA. HENRY CLAY LEMMON, 18 Aug 1844 - 13 Feb 1917 Clay Lemmon was born in Otsego township, Steuben county, Ind., on the 18th day of August, 1844, and departed this life in Angola, Ind., Feb. 13th, 1917, at the age of 72 years, 5 months and 26 days. He was born of sturdy pioneer stock, and lived the full span of his life in this county, except three years which were spent in the military service of his country. He was one of a family of eight children-six boys and two girls. His brother, Adhill, preceded him in death several years ago. His brothers Burt, Riley, Brace and Burr, and his sister, Mrs. Tina Morse of Steuben county, and his sister, Mrs. Mildred Swift, of Edon, Ohio, still survive him Mr. Lemmon lived his childhood days on the farm of his parents, and attended the public school with the other boys of the neighborhood. When he was 17 years old the Civil war broke out, and he enlisted in the 44th Indiana, and marched to the front with the brave boys of that regiment. He served a year and a half, and returned home broken in health. Under his mother's care for a year he was nursed back to health, and on the restoration of his former physical condition he returned again to the war. This time he enlisted in the 74th Indiana, and remained in the service until the war was over. He was at the bloody battle of Shilo, Jonesboro, Chicamauga and many other fierce engagements of the terrible days of the `sixties, and was with Sherman and his fifty thousand invincible fighters in the historic march from Atlanta to the sea. On 1869 he was married to Jane Cameron, who still survives him. To this union were born four children, Erdine Kratz, Ernest, Edith Cook and Earl. All these are still living, and reside in Steuben county, except Ernest, who died in infancy. Mr. Lemmon held various positions of trust and profit. He was justice of the peace in Otsego township for many years. He was the township's trustee for four years, and for four other years was Steuben County's treasurer, and rendered a just and exact account of every penny entrusted to his care. Since 1885 he has been a constant resident of Angola. After his services as county treasurer he took a course in optics in the College of Opticians at South Bend, Indiana. He graduated from this school, and received the highest grades of any member of his class. He practiced his profession in Angola successfully from the time of his graduation until within a few days of his death. Mr. Lemmon did not retire from active life as do many men long before they reach his age. He was always active, and always busy, and kept up a lively interest in everything whether local or world wide in its significance. There was no waste about him. Life meant a great deal to him, and his life was full of purpose. At an early age he made a profession of religion at the Methodist church in Hamilton. He was for a long time superintendent of the Sunday school at the school house near his farm, and put into it all the intensity of his vigorous nature, for he never did things by halves. He was for more than 20 years chaplain of the J. B. Crosswait G. A. R. Post in Angola. He communicated his abiding faith in an over ruling Providence and many of those who knew him will live in the afterglow of his teaching and example. He spent three of the best years of his life fighting for his countrymen, and his country's flag. He was an intense patriot, and had a military record of which he was justly proud. He loved his flag and his countrymen,and gave the highest evidence of his devotion for them when he marched away to southern battle fields to give his life for them, if necessary. "Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friend." It is scarcely a week since Mr. Lemmon was stricken with fatal sickness. Everything that medical skill, his faithful wife, his dutiful son and affectionate daughters could do was gladly done for him. But in spite of all these tender ministrations and anxious hearts the fell destroyer took him. And thus we leave him, respected by his acquaintances, beloved by his widow, children and grand children, and his neighbors. His body we return to the earth, and his just and generous spirit to the God who gave it. His comrades of the G. A. R. conducted the service of the order at the home on Thursday afternoon. Funeral services were held on Thursday afternoon, at the home, conducted by Rev. Millard Pell; burial in Circle Hill cemetery. (Picture included with obituary) ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: Henry Clay Lemmon, 18 Aug 1844 - 13 Feb 1917, on 19 Sep 1869, married Jane C. (Cameron) Lemmon, 27 Jan 1846 - 1926. They are buried at Circle Hill Cemetery, Angola, Steuben County, Indiana. Jane was the daughter of Sarah (Carlin) Cameron and her 1st marriage to William Cameron. Henry Clay was the son of Lucinda (Rathbun) Lemmon, 14 Oct 1819 - 07 Feb 1868, and her 1st marriage to Maurice Lemmon, 14 Feb 1813 - 09 Aug 1845. Maurice is buried at Clark Cemetery, Steuben County, Indiana. Lucinda's 2nd husband was a brother of her 1st husband, David Lemmon, 10 Jun 1815 - 08 Apr 1856. Lucinda is buried with David at Clark Cemetery. Lucinda was the daughter of Chaplin Rathbun, 04 Jul 1793 - 01 Jun 1864, and Lucinda (Sutliff) Rathbun, 03 Apr 1792 - 29 Jul 1852. They died at Green Creek, Sandusky County, Ohio. CHILDREN OF THE MARRIAGE OF HENRY CLAY AND JANE C. (CAMERON) LEMMON: Sarah Erdine (Lemmon) Kratz, 19 Oct 1871 - 20 Jan 1950, married Dr. John E. Kratz, 27 Jul 1865 - 04 Jun 1931, son of Henry Kratz Sr., and Barbara (Deichle) Kratz. Sarah and John are buried at Circle Hill Cemetery. Ernest C. Lemmon, 05 Apr 1875 - 20 Feb 1876, buried at Circle Hill Cemetery. Edith (Lemmon) Cook, 25 Aug 1877 - 10 Mar 1918, on 04 Jan 1898, married Alpheus R. Cook, 1873 - 1950. They are buried at Circle Hill Cemetery. Earl C. Lemmon, 17 Sep 1883 - 1954, in Nov 1907, married Ethel G. (Dirrim) Lemmon, 26 Sep 1890 - 1979, daughter of Abraham Lincoln Dirrim and Lucy (Quick) Dirrim. Earl and Ethel are buried at Pleasant Lake Cemetery. "History of Steuben County, Indiana, 1885;" pages 834, 835, 836, biography of self, (Henry) Clay Lemmon; page 836, biography of grandfather, David R. Lemmon; page 818, biography of father-in-law, William Cameron. "History of Northeast Indiana - 1920," page 358, biography of son Earl Lemmon. "Marriage Records of Steuben County, Indiana, 1837 - 1899. "Cemeteries of Steuben County, Indiana, 1990," by Audree Seibel Lewis, Vol. 1, page 398; Vol. 2, pages 1071, 1072, 1115, 1116, 1117. www.familysearch.org Submitted by Mona Hilden-Beckwith e-mail: hilbeck123@att.net