| THOMAS CLEMANS, a venerable and aged citizen of Allen Township and pioneer of the county, was born in Champaign County, Ohio, November 10, 1811. He was the fifth in a family of eleven children born to Isaac and Elizabeth (Carpenter) Clemans, who were natives of New Jersey and Virginia, respectively. He chose for his life work the occupation of a farmer. As early as 1835, he came to this county and settled in the woods of Allen Township, where the deer, wild turkeys and Indians were plenty. He immediately set about clearing a farm, and to do this, naturally devolved upon him a great deal of hard work. His strong constitution and iron will, however, proved equal to the emergency, and these coupled with an indefatigable pluck and energy, enabled him to convert his wilderness home into beautiful and well-tilled fields. Unlike most of the early settlers he did not stop at one conquest over the forest, nor two, but for a third time he settled down in the woods and experienced the hardships of the sturdy pioneers. Three of the best farms in Allen Township were placed in a state of cultivation through labor performed by his own hands. He was not only courageous but fearless as well. Nothing will serve better to illustrate his bravery than the following incident which occurred one day while he was riding on horseback, in the vicinity of his habitation, with some loose horses that belonged to him in his advance. His attention was suddenly attracted by the veil of an Indian, whereupon he faced about and two Indians, armed with guns and tomahawks were seen approaching him some two or three hundred yards distant. They ordered him to wait which he did until they came up. One of them approached a loose horse, adjusted a rope around its neck in a manner indicating that he intended to take possession. An exclamation of "Let loose that horse," from Mr. Clemans failed to cause the Indian to desist, whereupon the former bounded to the ground, gathered a well-seasoned club and, drawing it over the Red-skin's head, repeated the command. The Indian, not yet ready for a journey to those Happy Hunting Grounds, immediately obeyed and, joining his companion, walked peaceably away On the i8th of January, 1836, Mr. Clemans was united in marriage to Delilah Wildman. She was born in Jefferson County, this State, June 24, 1820, being the daughter of Joseph and Mary (Underwood) Wildman, who were respectively natives of Virginia and Kentucky. For more than half a century Mr. and Mrs. Clemans have stood side by side, administering to each other's wants and sharing, alike, each other's sorrows and pleasures. They are the parents of twelve children, seven sons and five daughters. Their names are James, Mary, Joseph, David, Samuel, John, Elizabeth, Eliza J., Thomas A., Catharine, Silas and Maggie, of whom James, Joseph, Samuel and Eliza J. are deceased. Our subject and his wife are members of the M. E. Church. In politics the former is a Republican. They have a comfortable home where they are spending the decline of life in a quiet, happy way. They are among the worthy and honored citizens of the township.
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