Captain James  CLAY

JAMES FRANKLIN CLAY, of Henderson, was born in the city which is still his home, on 29 Oct 1840, and belongs to a family whose identification with Kentucky dates from its pioneer epoch. 

His grandfather, Benjamin Marston CLAY, came from Virginia to this state about 1812.  His father,  James William CLAY, was born in Jessamine County, Kentucky.  He became a tobacco merchant and did an extensive business. 

His mother, Clarissa M. BERRY, was a daughter of Benjamin BERRY, of Berryville, Virginia, who removed thence to Hopkins County, Kentucky, in 1804.

 James Franklin CLAY acquired a common-school education in Henderson and then entered the Georgetown College, of Georgetown, Kentucky, where he graduated in 1860.  He read law in Henderson in the office of the firm of DIXON & GLASS, the senior partner being Archibald DIXON.

 James Franklin CLAY was married in 1868 to Miss Bessie EAVES, daughter of Sanders EAVES, who for a number of years was the judge of the first county court of McLean County, Kentucky.  His children are: Margaret, wife of Joseph SHORT, of Sequin, Texas; Richard A.; C. Leslie; James W.; Irene E.; Addison Y.; Sanders and Bessie.  Mr. Clay is essentially a home-loving man who finds his greatest happiness in the midst of his family.

 He is especially gifted as an orator, with a finely modulated voice and graceful delivery, and when interested he throws his whole soul into the cause with an earnestness and energy that has the power of winning success.  His fine command of language, attesting a keenly analytical mind, is able to sway an audience or jury with a force equaled by few advocates.  It has been said of him that “he is every inch a man, his integrity and uprightness being beyond question.” 

Source:  “Lawyers & Lawmakers” by the Henderson Co. Historical & Genealogical Society, Pages 378 & 379, excerpts from The Lawyers & Lawmakers of Kentucky, arranged and edited under the supervision of H. Levin, of the Illinois Bar, dated 1897. 

As an evidence of his ability, during the days of the St. Louis & Southeastern Railway Company, Consolidated, Mr. CLAY was the retained attorney for the Company, and since the formation of the Ohio Valley Railway Company, he has been retained attorney for that road.  He served four years as attorney for the city, and has held other minor offices.

 Source:  “History of Henderson County, Kentucky” by Edmund L. Starling, Page 799, dated 1887