Andrew J. Clemons Born: 27 Dec 1855, NY Died: 14 Apr 1928, Calhoun, IA Buried: Coggon Cemetery, Coggon, Linn Co., IA Parents: Alonzo B. Clemons, Jeannette Cummings Married: Nina Bell Hamilton, ca 1900 Children: None

Andrew J. Clemons was the oldest surviving child of Alonzo B. and Jeannette. He traveled with the family from New York to Vermont to Wisconsin and finally to Iowa.

In about 1900 he married Nina Bell Hamilton, a widow. Nina's first husband had been James W. Hamilton, brother of John T. Hamilton, one of the leading citizens of nearby Cedar Rapids. James, however, appears to have been the slacker brother. He's the only one who did not become a succesful businessman in Cedar Rapids.

On April 21, 1893, James was appointed postmaster of Coggon. That James' brother was by this time a member of Congress probably had something to do with it. Then James died (at the age of 36) and Nina was appointed to succeed him as postmaster. She held the position until late in 1898.

Andrew married Nina and took in her two young children Wallace Hamilton (b. Jul 1889) and Harriett C. Hamilton (b. Mar 1894).  By 1920 the kids were out of the house and Andrew and Nina had moved to Williamsburg, MA, which may have been the home of Nina's mother. It appears that they soon moved back to Iowa. Andrew died in 1928 and was buried in Coggon. He was a carpenter.

The widow Nina Clemons moved to Calhoun County and died on 17 Sept 1933.

Census Data:
1860:    Federal Census, Vermont, Rutland Co., Town of Benson, p.158, with "Alonzo Clemons"
1870:    Federal Census, Wisconsin, Dane County, Town of Burke, p.91, with "Alonzo B. Clemons'
1880:    Federal Census, Iowa, Allamakee Co., Town of Post, p.433D, with "Alonzo B. Clemens'
1895:    State Census, Iowa, Linn Co., Jackson Twp, Town of Coggon.
1900:    Federal Census, Iowa, Linn Co., Jackson Twp., Town of Coggon, p.151.
1910:    Federal Census, Iowa, Linn Co., Jackson Twp, Town of Coggon, ed 88, p.169.
1920:    Federal Census, Massachusetts, Hampshire Co., Town of Williamsburg, ed 193, p.245.
1930:    Federal Census, Iowa, Calhoun Co., Union Twp, Town of Lohrville, ed 29, p.278, "Nina B. Clemons"

Sources:
Federal Census, 1850, 1860, 1880, 1900, 1910, 1920, 1930.
Iowa State Census, 1895 (from ancestry.com).
WPA, Tombstone Records of Linn County, Iowa, p.59.
Post Office Department, Record of the Appointment of Postmasters, NARA microfilm M-841, Roll 38.
The Biographical Record of Linn County, Iowa. Chicago: The S.J. Clarke Publishing Co., 1901.
Brewer, Luther A. and Barthinius Wick, History of Linn County Iowa, Chicago: The Pioneer Publishing Co., 1911.