BIOGRAPHY: Henry CLEMENS, Mifflin County, PA

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The Commemorative Biographical Encyclopedia of the Juniata Valley, Comprising 
the Counties of Huntingdon, Mifflin, Juniata, and Perry, Pennsylvania.
Chambersburg, Pa.: J. M. Runk & Co., 1897, Volume I, pages 591-592.

  HENRY CLEMENS, Reedsville, Mifflin county, Pa., was born March 30, 1817, in 
the village of Rombach, near Wiesbaden, Nassau, Germany, and is the son of Henry 
and Catherine (Kaltwasser) Clemens.  Their only other child is Catherine (Mrs. 
Philip Klee).  After receiving his education in the common schools of his native 
land, at the age of fourteen, Henry began to learn shoemaking, serving a three 
years' apprenticeship.  He afterwards traveled, as journeymen do in the 
fatherland, working at various places throughout the country, until 1846, when 
he decided to emigrate to America.  He sailed from Havre, France, on the ship 
"Franz I," and after a voyage of thirty-eight days, landed in New York, December 
8, 1846.  He soon found employment at this trade, and worked in New York City 
for a year;  then at Allentown, Pa., still as a journeyman, for three years.  In 
1850, Mr. Clemens began business in Reedsville on his own account, in the house 
where John Wilson now resides;  in 1851, he bought his present home.  Constant 
and close application to business made it thrive well, and among Mr. Clemens' 
customers were some of the best families of the neighborhood.  He has always 
been a persevering and energetic worker, whose principle it is to give his 
customers the full equivalent of their money.  Mr. Clemens is noted as having 
felled the largest tree in the State;  it stood on the land of John Wilson, near 
Reedsville, and measured fifty-nine feet in circumference.  His political views 
are Democratic;  although he is interested in local politics, he has never 
desired to hold office.  He is a worthy and useful citizen, always ready to 
promote the welfare and advancement of the community.
  Henry Clemens was married in October, 1849, to Mary, daughter of Henry and 
Catherine (Klee) Kesty.  Their children are:  John, married Jane Shunkweiler, 
has one child, Ottie;  William, died July 9, 1885;  Mary, died when fourteen 
months old;  Charles, born January 20, 1857, was appointed postmaster at 
Reedsville during President Cleveland's second administration;  David, born 
August 21, 1858;  James F., born October 12, 1860;  Sarah, born May 7, 1862, 
died February 14, 1863;  Frank, born January 30, 1864;  Emma, born September 9, 
1866;  and Catherine, born March 8, 1871.  Mr. And Mrs. Kesty, the parents of 
Mrs. Clemens, have had ten children;  the nine others are:  Eliza;  Elizabeth 
(Mrs. Kesty), residing in Germany;  Catherine (Mrs. Hill), of Columbia county, 
Pa.;  Margaret (Mrs. Andrew Solleder), of Bloomsburg, Columbia county, Pa.;  
Lydia, was married two years when she was left a widow, and resides in New York;  
Peter, married Miss Fisher, resides at Bloomsburg, Pa.;  John was married and 
also resides at Bloomsburg, enlisted in the United States army for the war of 
the Rebellion, and was killed while on picket duty;  Phebe, married and resides 
in Williamsport, N. Y.;  and Carl, who died aged four years.  Mr. and Mrs. Kesty 
were residents of Bloomsburg, Pa., where they died, both aged about sixty-three 
years.  Mr. And Mrs. Clemens are members of the Lutheran church at Reedsville, 
and are active and liberal in promoting its work.