CLEMENTS, ZAKERY T. , of Springfield, Ill., was born in Boone County, Ind., January 13, 1849, son of Denman J. and Alice (Coonson) Clements, the father born in 1812 and the mother in 1811, both natives of Kentucky. The parents of Denman J. Clements were farmers and natives of Kentucky and he moved to Indiana from Kentucky as a young man. He carried on farming there thirty-seven years and in 1858 moved to Illinois, locating on a farm in Macon County, where he died, in 1862. He was always successful in his operations and an able farmer. His parents and those of his wife were natives of Kentucky. Three sons of Denman J. Clements served in the Civil War, namely: David T., who was killed in the Battle of Chickamauga; Edwin T., lives on a farm in Macon County, where he has a family; James M. served three years in the One Hundred fifty-second Illinois Volunteers, afterward moved to Carthage, Mo., where he died. The two first mentioned served in the One Hundred Fifteenth Illinois.

Zakery T. Clements spent his boyhood on a farm and early learned to work. He was educated in Macon County and afterward engaged in farming which he has carried on most of his life, except the past eight years, when he has lived in Springfield. He accompanied his parents to Illinois from Indiana and about 1894 moved to Missouri, where he lived eight years, then came to Springfield. He is a member of Stuart Street Christian Church and is a stanch Republican. Fraternally he is a member of the I.O.O.F. He is well known as an honest, upright citizen and has many friends.

Mr. Clements was married, at Blue Mound, Ill., July 22, 1882, to Miss Mary M. Abbott, who was born in Taylorville, Ill., in 1853, daughter of Maj. Thomas and Mary (Brewer) Abbott. Major Abbott served in the civil War under General Logan and was a prominent man in his community. Both he and his wife were natives of Illinois and of good pioneer stock. Six children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Clements, namely: Willie, born at Blue Mound, Ill., in 183, deceased; Stella, born at Blue Mound, in 1885, deceased; Dean, born in Taylorville, in 1902, deceased; Lura B., born in Missouri, January 8, 1887, married Thomas York, lives in Springfield, and they have one child, Mary Estella; Flora G., born in Missouri, August 9, 1889, married Ernest La Rosae, of Springfield, and they have one child, Harry H .; Minnie A., unmarried, is in the employ of the Interstate Telegraph & Telephone Company, of Springfield.