The Skaggs-Files

Birth & dates verified by my personal knowledge (DB).

Baptized: Jan. 31, 1912 Christian Church

According to my sister, Mary, our father, William H. Jr. was injured at birth. She said he was a breech baby and the midwife pulled on his legs and either dislocated or broke one of his legs and it was never properly taken care of, so his one leg was shorter than the other. It never seemed to be a handicap for him as he spent his life as a farmer, meat cutter and operating grocery stores in the Story Co. area and in his later life was a meat cutter for the Council Oak Stores of Iowa. He had a very easy going personality and got along tremendously well with all his customers and was very well liked by all who knew him. At the time of his death he was in Spencer, IA. setting up the meat market in the Council Oak Store there. He died of a massive heart attack at the age of 54.

Bromley, IA., William's birthplace was platted Sept. 21, 1881, by Charles E. Bromley, and located in Section 1, Minerva Township, Marshall Co., IA. on the Story City branch of the Iowa Central Railroad.

1895 census-Lincoln Twp., Story Co., IA.=
Bertha M., age 7 born Marshall Co., IA.,
M. F. (Mary Frances) age 26, born in IL.,
Roy, age 8, born in Marshall Co., IA.,
William H., age 30, born in Marshall Co.,IA.
Willie, age 1, born in Marshall Co., IA. The last name was spelled Clemmons.

1900 census Lincoln Twp. Zearing Story Co. IA.
T623 Roll 460 Page 97
June 5, 1900
Clemons, W. H., head, age 36, born Apr. 1864, occupation salesman, married 13 years, owns home with mortgage, born in Iowa with parents born in IN.
Mary, wife, age 31, born Aug. 1868, married 13 years, 3 children with 3 living, born in IL., parents born in IL.
Roy, son, age 13, born May 1881 in IA., Bertha,dau, age 11, born Oct. 1888 in IA.
Willie, son, age 7, born Mar. 1893 in IA.

1905 census-Name was spelled Clemons. Entire family living in Zearing, Story Co., IA.

1910; Census Place: Lincoln, Story, Iowa; Roll: T624_424; Page: 4B; Enumeration District: 191; Image: 196.
CLEMONS
William, head, age 46, real estate, married 24 yrs., parents born in IN.
Mary, wife, age 41, married 24 yrs., 3 children with 3 living, born in IL., parents born in IL.
Willie, son, age 17, single, laborer on farm., born in IA.

1920 census Jacksonville Twp., Chickasaw Co., Iowa
Series: T625 Roll: 482 Page: 206
Jan. 9 & 10, 1920 C. J. Slindee
Lines 76 thru 81
CLEMENS, William H., head, age 55, farming, born in IA.
Census sheet was difficult to read, very faint.
6 family members listed. Probably:
Mary, wife
William, son
Vera, daughter in law
John, grandson & the last one being Mary, granddaughter

1925 Iowa State Census
Franklin, Bremer Co., IA.
IA1925_1617
CLEMENS
NOTE: Census transcriber read name as Clemens, but the census form clearly states Clemons. I believe that they were all living in the same household as they always did until 1935 when Mary F. died.
Clemons, W. H., head, age 60.
Waldie, Mary, wife, age 56.
Clemons, W. H. Jr., head, son, age 31, born in IL., parents born in IL.
Norman, Verie (Vera), wife, age 28.
Clemons, John M. , son, age 9.
Clemons, Mary L. , dau., age 5.
NOTE: This census listed the birth place of William Sr. as Illinois., this is an error.

1930 census-Iowa, Story Co., Washington Twp., Ames-Apr. 11, 1930
220 Lincoln Way
William Sr., age 65, born in IA., parents in IN., collector
Mary F., wife, age 61, born in IL., parents born in IL.
William Jr., son, age 37, born in IA., no occupation listed
Vera, daughter-in-law, age 33, born in IA., father born in OH. & mother in IN.
John M., grandson, age 14, born in IA.
Mary L., granddaughter, age 10, born in IA.

William died at 10:30 a.m.
Clergyman @ funeral: John R. Kirby of the Methodist Church, Pocahontas, IA. Burial was at 4 p.m.
Pallbearers: Dwain Randall, Charles Light, Chris Wallikite, Henry Westerbach, Phil Muehl, Harry Green & Roy Scott.

Burial in Section 1, Block 10 Lot 6. Waldie plot.