Moses H. Clagett, M. D. Biography


	This biography appears on pages 1225-1226 in "History of South 
	Dakota" by Doane Robinson, Vol. II (1904) and was scanned, 
	OCRed and edited by Maurice Krueger, mkrueger@iw.net.

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	MOSES H. CLAGETT, M. D., of Menno, Hutchinson county, is a native 
of the fine old Blue-grass state of Kentucky, having been born in 
Grayson county, on the 16th of March, 1861, and being a scion of staunch 
old southern stock. To his parents, John G. and Mary J. (Harrold) 
Clagett, were born eight children, and of the six surviving we enter the 
following brief record: Charles W. is sheriff of Grayson county, 
Kentucky; John H. is a successful teacher in Bowling Green, that state; 
Mary A. is a missionary of the Baptist church in Japan, where she has 
been stationed for the past fifteen years; Martha J. is the wife of Hon. 
W. O. Jones, of Litchfield, Kentucky; Emma is the wife of W. P. Adams, 
of Pleasure Ridge Park, that state; and Moses H. is the subject of this 
sketch. The father was born in Maryland, in 1818, the family having 
early been established in the state and being of English extraction. As 
a young man he removed to that portion of Virginia which later became a 
portion of Grayson county, Kentucky, and there he continued to reside 
until his death, having been a successful farmer and a man who commanded 
unqualified respect and esteem. He was a Democrat and served about eight 
years as sheriff of his county, being incumbent of this office at the 
time of the Civil war. He was summoned to his reward on the 28th of 
December, 1899, in the fullness of years and honors, at the home of his 
eldest son; the widow is still living. 

	Dr. Clagett was reared on the old homestead and after completing 
the curriculum of the common schools he entered Center College, at 
Danville, Kentucky, where he continued his studies for four years. In 
1885 he began reading medicine, his preceptor being Dr. A. J. Slayton, a 
prominent physician and surgeon then of Milwood, Kentucky, and now of 
Litchfield, that state. In the fall of the same year our subject was 
matriculated in the medical department of the University of Louisville, 
where he was graduated in March, 1887, receiving his degree of Doctor of 
Medicine and coming forth well equipped for the active and responsible 
duties of his chosen profession. He entered practice by establishing. an 
office at Caneyville, Kentucky, where he remained two years, and in 
September, 1889, he came to Menno, South Dakota, where he has ever since 
retained his home, having built up a large and representative 
professional business. In 1893 Dr. Clagett established a telephone 
system in Menno, and two years later extended its usefulness by 
constructing a line to Olivet, while in 1898 he disposed of the latter 
line to the Western Electric Company, still retaining and operating the 
Menno exchange, which includes about fifty telephones in the village and 
several in the surrounding country. He is a member of the State Medical 
Society, in politics holds to the faith in which he was reared, being a 
staunch Democrat, and fraternally he is identified with Scotland Lodge, 
No. 52, Free and Accepted Masons; Scotland Chapter, No. 3l, Royal Arch 
Masons, both of Scotland, Bon Homme county; and with Menno Camp, No. 
3071, Modern Woodmen of America. He is held in high esteem in 
professional and social circles and is one of the leading physicians and 
surgeons of this section of the state. 

	In October, 1888, Dr. Clagett was united in marriage to Miss Suda 
Frances Porter, of Caneyville, Kentucky, daughter of George E. Porter, 
whose parents brought him to Kentucky from Virginia when but a child. 
Her mother's maiden name was May Hulda Kennedy, of Kentucky. Mrs. 
Clagett was born in Kentucky and was educated in the public schools 
there. She has become the mother of four children, all of whom are 
deceased but one, Mary, who was born July 16, 1889, and is now attending 
the public schools.