A respected Colored Civil War Veteran and noted to be one of the best-known individuals on the Pacific Coast. He was a native of Howard County, Missouri. Born around 1844, he died on July 13, 1918, at his family home on Second Street, in the city of Marysville at the age of 74 years.
In December of 1863 the 62nd Missouri Regiment of Colored Infantry was organized at Benton Barracks, in St. Louis, Missouri. At that time Henry enlisted in the Union Army in Company C of that regiment. He directly participated in combat in the Civil War during the years of 1863-1866. In August of 1900, Clay was granted $8 a month for his time in service. His father-in-law, William Douglas, fought in the same regiment and company. Douglas is also buried in the Marysville Cemetery in the Grand Army of the Republic Plot.
In 1870, Henry was living on the Boessen farm in Washington, Osage County, Missouri, working as a laborer. By 1872 he was living in Marysville, as he is listed in the Yuba County Voter's Registry of that year. He owned substantial portions of property in Marysville, and also in the town of Watts, County of Los Angeles. It was stated in his will that he bequeathed the property in LA to his sister Mrs. Lou Boggs.
He was employed by W. T. Ellis, Sr., for over twenty years. During that time, Clay had taken charge of W. T. Ellis, Jr. and trained him to be the finest young janitor.
W.T. Ellis, Jr. writes: "Father had a janitor, a colored man by the name of Henry Clay, who had been with him for quite a number of years and Henry Clay was much perturbed at first, thinking that he had possibly lost his job to me, but he was evidently "tipped off" by Father as the next day, Henry Clay took me in charge and kept me busy all day and every day on various clean-up jobs; in fact, whenever I finished one job, Henry Clay seemed always waiting with another job for me--he never gave me a chance to loaf a minute." - Chapter 25; Ellis, William Turner. Memories. My Seventy-two Years in the Romantic County of Yuba
Throughout his last twenty-four years, Henry was the Night Watchman at the Marysville Plant of the California Fruit Canners' Association. He was a member of Corinth Post, Grand Army of the Republic of Marysville, Laurel Lodge No. 4, Free and Accepted Masons, of this city. He was also a member of the Grand United Order of Odd Fellows, No. 3099, of Marysville, and an active member of Mt. Olivet Baptist Church.
According to the Marysville Appeal, dated July 14, 1918, Mr. Clay leaves a daughter, Ethel Williams (husband Leon), of Marysville; two sisters, Mrs. Lou Boggs, of Los Angeles, and Mrs. Ellen Pierson of Missouri and a brother, Major Nash of Missouri. Funeral services were held at the Mt. Olivet Baptist Church. Interment in the Marysville City Cemetery, under the direction of R. E. Bevan & Son.
Henry S. Clay is buried in the family plot near the front of the cemetery along Main Avenue. The Family Plot is marked with a beautiful zinc monument. Although it does not bear his name, on one panel is a symbol of the Grand Army of the Republic, consisting of an Eagle clutching a sword above two Crossed Cannons, and a draped Flag over a Star; the Square and Compass, symbol of the Free Masons; and the three linked chains, the Odd Fellows symbol.
In 2007, Henry S. Clay received a granite Military headstone to mark his final resting place.
In December of 1863 the 62nd Missouri Regiment of Colored Infantry was organized at Benton Barracks, in St. Louis, Missouri. At that time Henry enlisted in the Union Army in Company C of that regiment. He directly participated in combat in the Civil War during the years of 1863-1866. In August of 1900, Clay was granted $8 a month for his time in service. His father-in-law, William Douglas, fought in the same regiment and company. Douglas is also buried in the Marysville Cemetery in the Grand Army of the Republic Plot.
In 1870, Henry was living on the Boessen farm in Washington, Osage County, Missouri, working as a laborer. By 1872 he was living in Marysville, as he is listed in the Yuba County Voter's Registry of that year. He owned substantial portions of property in Marysville, and also in the town of Watts, County of Los Angeles. It was stated in his will that he bequeathed the property in LA to his sister Mrs. Lou Boggs.
He was employed by W. T. Ellis, Sr., for over twenty years. During that time, Clay had taken charge of W. T. Ellis, Jr. and trained him to be the finest young janitor.
W.T. Ellis, Jr. writes: "Father had a janitor, a colored man by the name of Henry Clay, who had been with him for quite a number of years and Henry Clay was much perturbed at first, thinking that he had possibly lost his job to me, but he was evidently "tipped off" by Father as the next day, Henry Clay took me in charge and kept me busy all day and every day on various clean-up jobs; in fact, whenever I finished one job, Henry Clay seemed always waiting with another job for me--he never gave me a chance to loaf a minute." - Chapter 25; Ellis, William Turner. Memories. My Seventy-two Years in the Romantic County of Yuba
Throughout his last twenty-four years, Henry was the Night Watchman at the Marysville Plant of the California Fruit Canners' Association. He was a member of Corinth Post, Grand Army of the Republic of Marysville, Laurel Lodge No. 4, Free and Accepted Masons, of this city. He was also a member of the Grand United Order of Odd Fellows, No. 3099, of Marysville, and an active member of Mt. Olivet Baptist Church.
According to the Marysville Appeal, dated July 14, 1918, Mr. Clay leaves a daughter, Ethel Williams (husband Leon), of Marysville; two sisters, Mrs. Lou Boggs, of Los Angeles, and Mrs. Ellen Pierson of Missouri and a brother, Major Nash of Missouri. Funeral services were held at the Mt. Olivet Baptist Church. Interment in the Marysville City Cemetery, under the direction of R. E. Bevan & Son.
Henry S. Clay is buried in the family plot near the front of the cemetery along Main Avenue. The Family Plot is marked with a beautiful zinc monument. Although it does not bear his name, on one panel is a symbol of the Grand Army of the Republic, consisting of an Eagle clutching a sword above two Crossed Cannons, and a draped Flag over a Star; the Square and Compass, symbol of the Free Masons; and the three linked chains, the Odd Fellows symbol.
In 2007, Henry S. Clay received a granite Military headstone to mark his final resting place.
A respected Colored Civil War Veteran and noted to be one of the best-known individuals on the Pacific Coast. He was a native of Howard County, Missouri. Born around 1844, he died on July 13, 1918, at his family home on Second Street, in the city of Marysville at the age of 74 years.
In December of 1863 the 62nd Missouri Regiment of Colored Infantry was organized at Benton Barracks, in St. Louis, Missouri. At that time Henry enlisted in the Union Army in Company C of that regiment. He directly participated in combat in the Civil War during the years of 1863-1866. In August of 1900, Clay was granted $8 a month for his time in service. His father-in-law, William Douglas, fought in the same regiment and company. Douglas is also buried in the Marysville Cemetery in the Grand Army of the Republic Plot.
In 1870, Henry was living on the Boessen farm in Washington, Osage County, Missouri, working as a laborer. By 1872 he was living in Marysville, as he is listed in the Yuba County Voter's Registry of that year. He owned substantial portions of property in Marysville, and also in the town of Watts, County of Los Angeles. It was stated in his will that he bequeathed the property in LA to his sister Mrs. Lou Boggs.
He was employed by W. T. Ellis, Sr., for over twenty years. During that time, Clay had taken charge of W. T. Ellis, Jr. and trained him to be the finest young janitor.
W.T. Ellis, Jr. writes: "Father had a janitor, a colored man by the name of Henry Clay, who had been with him for quite a number of years and Henry Clay was much perturbed at first, thinking that he had possibly lost his job to me, but he was evidently "tipped off" by Father as the next day, Henry Clay took me in charge and kept me busy all day and every day on various clean-up jobs; in fact, whenever I finished one job, Henry Clay seemed always waiting with another job for me--he never gave me a chance to loaf a minute." - Chapter 25; Ellis, William Turner. Memories. My Seventy-two Years in the Romantic County of Yuba
Throughout his last twenty-four years, Henry was the Night Watchman at the Marysville Plant of the California Fruit Canners' Association. He was a member of Corinth Post, Grand Army of the Republic of Marysville, Laurel Lodge No. 4, Free and Accepted Masons, of this city. He was also a member of the Grand United Order of Odd Fellows, No. 3099, of Marysville, and an active member of Mt. Olivet Baptist Church.
According to the Marysville Appeal, dated July 14, 1918, Mr. Clay leaves a daughter, Ethel Williams (husband Leon), of Marysville; two sisters, Mrs. Lou Boggs, of Los Angeles, and Mrs. Ellen Pierson of Missouri and a brother, Major Nash of Missouri. Funeral services were held at the Mt. Olivet Baptist Church. Interment in the Marysville City Cemetery, under the direction of R. E. Bevan & Son.
Henry S. Clay is buried in the family plot near the front of the cemetery along Main Avenue. The Family Plot is marked with a beautiful zinc monument. Although it does not bear his name, on one panel is a symbol of the Grand Army of the Republic, consisting of an Eagle clutching a sword above two Crossed Cannons, and a draped Flag over a Star; the Square and Compass, symbol of the Free Masons; and the three linked chains, the Odd Fellows symbol.
In 2007, Henry S. Clay received a granite Military headstone to mark his final resting place.
In December of 1863 the 62nd Missouri Regiment of Colored Infantry was organized at Benton Barracks, in St. Louis, Missouri. At that time Henry enlisted in the Union Army in Company C of that regiment. He directly participated in combat in the Civil War during the years of 1863-1866. In August of 1900, Clay was granted $8 a month for his time in service. His father-in-law, William Douglas, fought in the same regiment and company. Douglas is also buried in the Marysville Cemetery in the Grand Army of the Republic Plot.
In 1870, Henry was living on the Boessen farm in Washington, Osage County, Missouri, working as a laborer. By 1872 he was living in Marysville, as he is listed in the Yuba County Voter's Registry of that year. He owned substantial portions of property in Marysville, and also in the town of Watts, County of Los Angeles. It was stated in his will that he bequeathed the property in LA to his sister Mrs. Lou Boggs.
He was employed by W. T. Ellis, Sr., for over twenty years. During that time, Clay had taken charge of W. T. Ellis, Jr. and trained him to be the finest young janitor.
W.T. Ellis, Jr. writes: "Father had a janitor, a colored man by the name of Henry Clay, who had been with him for quite a number of years and Henry Clay was much perturbed at first, thinking that he had possibly lost his job to me, but he was evidently "tipped off" by Father as the next day, Henry Clay took me in charge and kept me busy all day and every day on various clean-up jobs; in fact, whenever I finished one job, Henry Clay seemed always waiting with another job for me--he never gave me a chance to loaf a minute." - Chapter 25; Ellis, William Turner. Memories. My Seventy-two Years in the Romantic County of Yuba
Throughout his last twenty-four years, Henry was the Night Watchman at the Marysville Plant of the California Fruit Canners' Association. He was a member of Corinth Post, Grand Army of the Republic of Marysville, Laurel Lodge No. 4, Free and Accepted Masons, of this city. He was also a member of the Grand United Order of Odd Fellows, No. 3099, of Marysville, and an active member of Mt. Olivet Baptist Church.
According to the Marysville Appeal, dated July 14, 1918, Mr. Clay leaves a daughter, Ethel Williams (husband Leon), of Marysville; two sisters, Mrs. Lou Boggs, of Los Angeles, and Mrs. Ellen Pierson of Missouri and a brother, Major Nash of Missouri. Funeral services were held at the Mt. Olivet Baptist Church. Interment in the Marysville City Cemetery, under the direction of R. E. Bevan & Son.
Henry S. Clay is buried in the family plot near the front of the cemetery along Main Avenue. The Family Plot is marked with a beautiful zinc monument. Although it does not bear his name, on one panel is a symbol of the Grand Army of the Republic, consisting of an Eagle clutching a sword above two Crossed Cannons, and a draped Flag over a Star; the Square and Compass, symbol of the Free Masons; and the three linked chains, the Odd Fellows symbol.
In 2007, Henry S. Clay received a granite Military headstone to mark his final resting place.
Family Members
Parents
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
Explore more
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
