JOHN M. CLAY AND FAMILY, Smith County, TX ********************************************************************** Copyright. All rights reserved. http://usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm Submitted by Linda M. Redding - maukabear@aol.com 25 May 2001 ********************************************************************** JOHN M. CLAY AND FAMILY, "Some Biographies of Old Settlers." Historical, Personal and Reminiscent. Volume I By Sid S. Johnson,1900: Sid S. Johnson, Publisher: Tyler, Texas Chapter LXXVII - Pages 314-317 J.M. Clay emigrated from the State of Mississippi to Smith county in 1849. He was an old-timer of good standing, devoting his life to farming. He died some years ago in this county. He was the father of John M., Robert C., E.L. (Loss), and Martha. These children raised families and died in Smith county. Each bore a good name for honesty and integrity, performing the duties of life faithfully. Hence you see several branches of the Clay family are citizens of this county. John M. Clay was the father of several children, but the data is not at hand to give the particulars. They reside mostly in the Indian Territory. John M. was a jolly good fellow, industrious and as a good story teller, he was hard to beat. He was a companionable and pleasant associate. Robert C. Clay was a Baptist minister of force of character. He was a number one preacher. His children reside in this city. He died a number of years ago to the deep regret of relatives and many friends. He was the father of Thos. J., Wm. L., Johnnie, Emma and Robert O. William and Johnnie are dead. Thos. J. Clay is a business man of Tyler, a dealer in pianos and organs, doing a big trade. He is full of energy and pushes his business to the front in a method to reach success. His first wife was the pretty and attractive Miss Lena Murphy, the daughter of Arch Murphy, deceased, who was one of Tyler's most prominent and successful business men. She died some years ago. His second marriage was with M iss Annie Seibel, of San Antonio, one of the fairest and most intelligent young ladies of the Alamo City. He has a handsome home and pleasant surroundings. Wm. L. Clay was a good business man. He died a few years ago. He married Miss May James, of Marshall, Texas, who now resides in that city. She is an amiable, accomplished woman. Emma married James L. Lavender of this county. Mr. Lavender is a good business man and a rustler along the line to "get there." His wife is quite a lovely woman possessing attractive traits of character that makes womanhood so charming. Robert O. Clay possesses fine business qualifications. He is a genial pleasant associate and an intelligent young man. E.L. Clay (Loss) married Miss Sue Hill, one of the attractive daughters of Wm. (Uncle Billy) Hill, who people of Tyler so kindly remember. She was pretty and accomplished. E. L. Clay was a successful man, leaving at his death a handsome estate. They raised four children--Emmett, Orkey, Ben, James and Will Tom. Emmett has a good paying position in Mexico. Miss Orkey married Judge Young, of Kentucky, a prominent lawyer of the blue-grass state. Ben and James are in business and Will Tom is in school. E. L. Clay was a man of pleasant address and popular as a busines man and citizen. His wife is a charming woman--very popular when a girl. The widow resides in a handsome residence on West Ferguson street. The three brothers--John, Robert and Loss, were in the Confederate army and made first-class soldiers. The elder Clays helped to build this county from a wilderness resulting in its present teeming population. How well did the old pioneer build? The younger generation are traveling the beaten path, but it's strewn with more flowers and less thorns than then. Martha J. CLay married Wm. D. Walker, the father of Lee and Frank. They will receive mention in another chapter, as will other members not mentioned here.