Clinton Joseph Bemis (1852-1930) was born and raised in the Daysville area. After the death of his wife, Ida A. Hardesty, daughter of Daniel and Abigail Ferguson Hardesty, he moved to Denver, Colorado for an asthma condition and died there in February, 1930.
Obituary: Pioneer Ogle Resident - Clinton Bemis Called From Life at Denver, Colorado
Clinton Bemis, son of Stephen and Mary Bemis was born April 2, 1852 on what is now known as the Bemis homestead in Nashua townsip. It was in this vicinity that he grew to manhood. On January 25, 1875 he was united in marriage to Ida Hardesty and to this union were born seven chilcren, six of whom survive and are: Mrs. Clarence Hepfer, Mrs. James Hay, Mrs. Harry Jourden, Joseph and William all residing in this immediate section and Mrs. Roe Millard of Rockford. One son Earl preceded the father in death last April. One brother John survives and is a resident of Rockford.
The Bemis home was made on the old homestead where the son Joseph now resides, until 1910 when they moved to Rockford where in December 1918 Mrs. Bemis passed away. Since that time on account of ill health Mr. Bemis resided in Denver, Colorado, where his death occurred Tuesday, February 4, he having reached the advanced age of 77 years.
Clinton Bemis was a man of strict integrity, firm in his convictions and abhored sham or pretense. He was a true friend and a good citizen.
Funeral services were held last Sunday from the home of Joseph Bemis in Nashua Township in charge of Rev. F. D. Sheets, pastor of the Lighthouse M. E. church after which the remains were laid to rest in the Daysville cemetery.
The life Mr. Bemis lived emphasized to a large extent the sentiment expressed in the following verse:
"I'd like to think when life is done
That I had filled a needed post,
That here and there I'd paid my fare
With mroe than idle talk and boast;
That I had taken gifts divine,
The breath of life and manhood fine,
And tried to use them now and then
in service to my fellowmen."Submitted by Sue Cramer
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