Clay Henry
Strict attention to business and undaunted faith in his ability to succeed have been foremost factors in the rise of Clay Henry, proprietor of a prosperous jewelry business at Ironton. His original business equipment included a good name, a fair endowment of intellect, a practical school education and a knowledge of the jewelry business, and with these he has combined ambition, energetic action and untiring persistence to such good effect that today he is one of the most substantial business men of his community. Mr. Henry was born in Lawrence County. Ohio. August 23, 1848, and is a son of Brice and Cassie (Davisson) Henry, his mother being a daughter of Judge John Davisson, a pioneer, sketch of whose life is given elsewhere in this history.
Mr. Henry also belongs to an old and honored family of this part of Ohio on his father's side. His great-grandfather. Rev. John Lee, came to the Hanging Rock Iron Region in 1811. built one of the first log cabins in the lower section near where Ironton now stands, and became one of the prominent men of the community. James Henry, the grandfather of Clay Henry, and a cousin of Hon. Patrick Henry, the orator, was born in Virginia and came to the Hanging Rock Iron Region of Ohio in 1811, and in the following year built a log house just back of Ironton and near the Henry cemetery. This was replaced by him in 1832 by a frame house, which still stands, and which is now one of the landmarks of the vicinity. James Henry married Elizabeth Lee, a daughter of the Rev. John Lee. Brice Henry was born in the original log house near the Henry Cemetery in Lawrence County, Ohio, March 9, 1815, grew to manhood amid pioneer surroundings, and in 1838 erected a sawmill on Storms Creek, one mile from its mouth. He continued to operate this mill until his death, in 1850, and although still a young man when he died had already become known as a substantial and successful citizen. He was married to Jane Sloan, who was born July 11, 1810, in Gallia County, Ohio. Mrs. Henry died May 30, 1845, having been the mother of six children: John S., Patrick, Clark, James B., Peter and Elizabeth. On July 22. 1847, Mr. Henry was again married to Cassa Davisson, who died June 2. 1901, having been the mother of two children, namely: Clay and Brice.
Until sixteen years of age, Clay Henry attended the public schools of Ironton, and at that time began to learn the trade of jeweler. From 1864 until 1874 he worked for others as a clerk, and in the latter year embarked in business on his own account, being the proprietor of an establishment at Ironton until 1881. Succeeding this, he went to Canton, Ohio, where he remained until 1885, then returning to Ironton and engaging in the same business until 1901. That, year saw his removal to Portsmouth. Scioto County, but in 1905 he again came back to Ironton, and this has continued to be the scene of his activities and success. Mr. Henry has one of the most thoroughly stocked jewelry establishments in this section of the state. He is a man of exceptional ability in his line and, as a merchant, has succeeded by many years of fair and honorable dealing in gaining the confidence and respect of his patrons to a notable degree.
On October 6, 1881, Mr. Henry was married to Miss Pearl Mae Whitcomb, daughter of Rev. W. W. Whitcomb, of Ironton, and three children have been born to this union: Howard W., an electrical engineer now of New York City: Walter L.. now a partner with his father in the jewelry business; and Chester B., who died at the age of 3½ years. Howard was married to Miss Bess Ann Rowe. of Portsmouth, Ohio, in 1911. Walter was married to Miss Bess Lehman, of Portsmouth in 1905 and to them have been born six children: Clay L., Ralph, Chester, Ruth, Jean and Helen. Ralph and Chester died in infancy within two months of each other.
Mr. Henry was raised a Baptist and has long been a member of the Knights of Pythias. He is a republican politically, but has not allowed public life to interfere with his business operations. As may be judged by his name his father was a stanch whig and a great admirer of Henry Clay, hence his name reversed. In addition to his own comfortable home, he owns other realty in Ironton, besides stocks in bank and manufacturing enterprises, and in the evening of life he is passing the years in the enjoyment of the comforts that a long and useful career has brought, surrounded by his devoted family and a wide circle of appreciative friends.
From "A Standing History of the Hanging Rock Iron Region of Ohio" by Eugene B. Willard, Daniel W. Williams, George O. Newman and Charles B. Taylor. Published by Lewis Publishing Company, 1916