Jessie E. Clemons Born: 10 Feb 1860, Benson, Rutland Co., Vermont Died: 20 Dec 1942, probably Coggon, IA Buried: Coggon Cemetery, Coggon, Linn Co., IA Parents: Alonzo B. Clemons, Jeannette Cummings Married: Hugh M. Sheldon, ca 1889. Children: Sybil R. Sheldon (b. 12 Aug 1893)

Jessie was the oldest surviving daughter of Alonzo B. and Jeannette Clemons. She was born during the time the family lived in Benson, Vermont. She traveled with the family to Wisconsin and finally to Coggon, Iowa. In about 1889, she married Hugh M. Sheldon (1864-1904), a furniture dealer, and they had a daughter that they named Sybil.

After Hugh died at the age of 40 (on 9 Sept 1904), Jessie and Sybil moved in with Jessie's brother William--possibly in the family hotel. Jessie was a milliner, who made a living by trimming women's hats in a milliner's shop. Apparently they had one of those in Coggon. By 1920, Jessie was doing her millinery on her own account and Sybil was teaching at the local high school. By 1930, Jessie was unemployed and living with the family of her sister Margaret Crosby. Sybil was out of the house and married to a man named Hines.

Sybil died on 31 Dec 1932 at the age of 39. Jessie died on 20 Dec 1942 at the age of 82.

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. Clemons.
1895:    State Census, Iowa, Linn Co., Jackson Twp, Town of Coggon, as Jessie Sheldon.
1900:    Federal Census, Iowa, Linn Co., Jackson Twp, Town of Coggon, ed 77, p.151, with Hugh Sheldon, as Jessie Sheldon.
1910:    Federal Census, Iowa, Linn Co., Jackson Twp, Town of Coggon, ed 88, p.173, with William M. Clemons, as Jessie E. Sheldon.
1920:    Federal Census, Iowa, Linn Co., Jackson Twp, Town of Coggon, ed 97, p.131, with William M. Clemons, as Jessie Sheldon.
1930:    Federal Census, Iowa, Linn Co., Jackson Twp, Town of Coggon, ed 19, p.67, as Jessie Sheldon.

Sources:
Federal Census, 1860, 1870, 1880, 1900, 1910, 1920, 1930.
Iowa State Census, 1895.
Tombstone Records of Linn County, Iowa, p.289.