Biographical Sketch of Rev. John Baker CLEMSON, D.D. (1893); Chester County, PA Contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by John Morris . *********************************************************************** USGENWEB ARCHIVES NOTICE: Printing this file within by non-commercial individuals and libraries is encouraged, as long as all notices and submitter information is included. Any other use, including copying files to other sites requires permission from the submitters PRIOR to uploading to any other sites. We encourage links to the state and county table of contents. http://www.usgwarchives.net/ *********************************************************************** Source: "Biographical and Portrait Cyclopedia of Chester County, Pennsylvania, comprising a historical sketch of the county", by Samuel T. Wiley and edited by Winfield Scott Garner, Gresham Publishing Company, Philadelphia, PA, 1893, pp. 734-6. "REV. JOHN BAKER CLEMSON, D. D., now deceased, was born in the city of Philadel- phia, August 8, 1803. He was the eldest child of Thomas and Elizabeth (Baker) Clemson, and had the misfortune to lose his father when but ten years of age. He was the last survivor of a family of brothers and sisters, all of whom attained a great age. After obtaining his preliminary education, he entered Princeton college, and was graduated therefrom in 1822, at the age of nineteen, in a class of thirty-nine members, all of whom are now dead, he being the last to pass away. He studied theology with Dr. Boyd, of Philadelphia, and in the Divinity school at Alexandria, Virginia, and entered the ministry of the Protestant Episcopal church at the age of twenty-five, being ordained by Bishop White in St. Stephen's church, Philadelphia. His first work was at Harrisburg, where he remained two years. There he gathered a congregation and built the first Protestant Episcopal church in that city. Later he removed to Pequea, Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, where he became rector of St. John's church, West Caln, and remained there for three years. About the year 1832 he established a school near Wilmington, Delaware, for the practical training of young men for the ministry. Among his pupils at that time were Rev. William Newton, D. D., now of West Chester, and his brother, Rev. Richard Newton, D. D. There he remained until 1837, when he was called to the church of the Ascension, Philadelphia. This was a new parish, and he was the rector during the time of the erection of the church building. He was in Philadelphia for several years, and then spent several months in charge of a church at Williamsport, this State. In 1843 he accepted a call to West Chester, and became rector of the church of Holy Trinity, of this borough, where he spent ten years of very successful work, endearing himself to many who remained his friends all his life. It was during his rectorship of this church that the old rectory on West Chestnut street was planned and built. About the year 1853 he removed to Claymont, Delaware. At that time the place was called Namon's creek, and Claymont was one of the several new names suggested for it by Dr. Clemson, and adopted by the people. He built the church at that place, and established a school which he carried on successfully for many years. Dr. Clemson's ministry in the Episcopal church covered a period of sixty-five years, which is one of the longest terms of service, if not the longest, of any clergymen of his denomination in this country. He was extremely active as a minister, and frequently preached six times during the week and twice on Sunday. He, himself, estimated that he had preached more than six thousand sermons, and his active church work only ended with his life, for during his late residence in West Chester he always regarded it as his greatest privilege and pleasure to assist in the monthly celebration of the holy communion, while he occasionally con- ducted an entire service. Dr. Clemson's deepest regret in his last illness was that he was unable to assist in the same office. The New Year services of the church of the Holy Trinity, a month before his decease, were conducted by Dr. Clemson, at which time he spoke with vigor and animation. His death occurred on February 3, 1891, from the effects of a cold which he contracted just a week previous. He was born August 8, 1803, at Philadelphia, and was therefore in the eighty-eight year of his age at the time of his death. In early life he married Margaretta J. Bull, daughter of Rev. Levi Bull, and sister of James H. Bull, Esq., of West Chester, and of Col. Thomas H. Bull, of East Nantmeal, this county. A family of children were born to them, and after some years of happiness his wife died, during his ministry at the church of the Ascension in Philadelphia. Of their children four daughters are living: Elizabeth, who married Fisher Hazard, of Mauch Chunk, this State; Annie, whose husband was George Washington, a lineal descendant of a brother of the first president of the United States; Mary, who married William Cloud, of Claymont, Delaware; and Mary Martha Sherwood Clemson, now residing in West Chester. Dr. Clemson's only son, Rev. Thomas Green Clemson, of Waddington, St. Lawrence county, New York, died June 27, 1888. Ludlow Clemson, the only grandson of the name, died soon after his father. The previous death of another grandson, John Clemson Washington, and other bereavements in the family, served to exert a sad influence upon the doctor. On the 15th of June, 1882, he was married to Hannah Gibbons, youngest daughter of the late Abraham and Mary T. (Pym) Gibbons, of West Chester, who survives him. "Dr. Clemson was an honored member of the Masonic order, which, by the advice of an old friend, he joined in early youth. He stood very high in the order, having taken all, or nearly all, the degrees. He was the oldest living grad- uate of Princeton. In a recent conversation he stated that he became converted to Christianity at the age of sixteen, while attending a revival service at Princeton. Dr. Clemson's life was one of the unusual health and vigor, which he thought were due to his regular habits of life. His activity of body con- tinued up to the time of his illness, a week before his death. When the weather was favorable he took a daily walk which frequently was prolonged to some distance. Only a short time before the Doctor's death a reporter of the 'News' met him returning from a visit to a poor family at considerable distance away, and after greeting the reporter the doctor remarked, 'You are a long distance from home.' Dr. Clemson was particularly fond of the society of young people, and always interested in their pleasure. His nature was a very social one. In June, 1889, he, accompanied by Mrs. Clemson, visited his alma mater, and attended the Princeton college commencement. None of his college classmates were alive to enjoy a reunion with him. "Dr. Clemson expected and hoped for a long life, and his desires were fulfilled. His years, up to the last, were filled with usefulness and good deeds, and his active interest in all about him undoubtedly kept him well and happy. He leaves behind him the record of a life of energy and helpfulness, which is a worthy example to all, and his familiar figure and well-known voice will not soon be forgotten by the hosts of friends in this and many other places, who felt and expressed the most poignant sorrow at his death."