As Researched by Stephen D. Bowling

Son of Elisha and Paulina (Cope) Clay

Born- about June 1872 in Breathitt County, Kentucky

1880 Breathitt County, Kentucky Federal Census
Georges Branch Precinct, house #324-325
Elisha Clay              39
Paulina Clay             38
     Sarah Clay          17
     Henry Clay          16
     Greenville Clay     13
     Patsy Clay          11
     John Clay           7
     Elijah Clay         5

Married- July 27, 1892, to Mahalah Brown Russell (1876- before 1900) at David Russell’s near Lost Creek, Breathitt County, Kentucky- David C. and Lavina (Miller) Russell.

Military Service
Spanish American War
Troop B, 1st Regiment, Kentucky Cavalry
Enlistment: May 12, 1898
Date of Discharge: October 14, 1898
Highest Rank: Private

1900 Breathitt County, Kentucky Federal Census
Georges Branch Precinct, house #204-206
Elisha Clay              59
Paulina Clay             58
     John Clay           28     Widowed
     Elijah Clay         25

Married- May 13, 1903, to Isabell Bush (1880-1974) at Whick, Breathitt County, Kentucky- daughter of Elijah and Nancy Ann (Deaton) Bush.

1910 Breathitt County, Kentucky Federal Census
Georges Branch Precinct, house #6-6
John Clay                36
Isabell Clay             27
     Elizabeth Clay      6
     Luly Clay           4
     Birtha Clay         3
     Mandy Clay          2 months

1920 Breathitt County, Kentucky Federal Census
Georges Branch Precinct, house #178-178
John Clay                48
Isabell Clay             39
     Lizzie Clay         16
     Lula Clay           13
     Belva Clay          11     (Bertha)
     Maude Clay          9
     Alberta Clay        7
     Rosa Clay           5
     Grace Clay          3

1930 Breathitt County, Kentucky Federal Census
Georges Branch Precinct, house #52-58
John Clay                56
Isabell Clay             50
     Rosa Clay           16
     Gracey Clay         13
     Golden Clay         11       

Newspaper Announcement
The Jackson Times
Friday, January 23, 1931
page 2
Whick News

1940 Breathitt County, Kentucky Federal Census
Precinct #9, house #206
John Clay                66     Merchant operating a store     
Isabelle Clay            60

Newspaper Announcement
The Jackson Times
Thursday, June 13, 1940
page 4

Newspaper Announcement
The Jackson Times
Thursday, December 30, 1943
page 4
Whick News

Died- on November 30, 1948, at the Nichols General Hospital in Louisville, Jefferson County, Kentucky

Newspaper Obituary
The Jackson Times
Thursday, December 2, 1948 
page 1

Buried in the Clay Cemetery at Copeland, Breathitt County, Kentucky

Military Tombstone
Aplication- 1949, January 4 by Isabell Clay
Ordered- 1949, February 25 from the Georgia Marble Company
     at Tate, Puckens County, Georgia

© 2023 Stephen D. Bowling