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Bernard Johnson Claggett 1919
Of Lexington, Illinois
From The Biographical Record of McLean County, Illinois: Illustrated.
HON. Bernard Johnson Claggett (1861-1919), an ex-mayor of Lexington and well known citizen of McLean county, is a native of the same county, born February 12, 1861, and is the of Sanford Ramey Claggett and Nancy (Terry) Claggett, both of whom were early settlers of McLean County, and well known throughout its length and breadth. Sanford R. Claggett was twice married, and by his first wife he was the father of one daughter, Ella A., who married S. J. VanDyke, and they now reside in Lexington. His second marriage was with Miss Nancy Terry, a native of Ross county, Ohio, born April 1, 1830, and a daughter of Barton and Mary Terry, natives of Virginia.
By the second marriage to [Nancy Terry] there were six children born: Jessie, who died in infancy; William H. who is in partnership with our subject in the mercantile business in Lexington; Bernard J. our subject; Edna, who died in 1890, at the age of twenty-three years; Blanche, who married Lewis B. Strayer, but who died August 9, 1896, leaving two children, Jane and Elaine, who are living in Lexington; Carrie, who married Robert E. Hatcher, and resides with her husband and two children in Colfax, Illinois. The latter passed to his reward August 28, 1890, but his widow is still living, and yet makes her home in Lexington. In politics he was a Democrat, and fraternally he was a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He was well and favorably known, and a man who was held in the very highest esteem. At his funeral, ex-Vice-President Stevenson, Judge Scott, Hon. James Ewing and Dr. William Hill were the honorary pallbearers.
The subject of this sketch grew to man hood in his native city, and in its public schools received his primary education. In 1876 he entered Wesleyan University, at Bloomington, where he remained one year. He then went to South Bend, Indiana, and became a student in the University of Notre Dame, where he spent three years, taking the classical Course. Having decided on a business career he left the university and went to St. Louis, Missouri, and took a business course in Jones' Business College, from which he graduated in 1881.
Returning to Lexington after his graduation, Mr. Claggett entered his father's store as a clerk, continuing in that position one year, when he was admitted to the firm of Claggett Brothers & Company. On the organization of the First National Bank of Lexington, in December, 1882. He was chosen cashier, and served as such til 1896; when the bank went into voluntary liquidation. In the management of the bank he showed good financial ability and had the confidence of the entire community. On the death of his father he was made administrator of the estate, and in its management and final disposition displayed unusual executive ability.
On the 13th of December, 1882, Mr. Claggett was united in marriage with Miss Nettie McCurdy, of Bloomington, born in Lexington, August 30, 1862. By this union one child was born, Ralph Bernard, October 13, 1883, now a student in the school in Lexington. On the 27th of December, 1886, Mrs. Claggett passed to her reward, and on the 24th of April, Mr. Claggett married Miss Gertrude McNaught, who was born in Lexington, August 13. 1869 and daughter of William N. McNaught, of that city. By this union there are two children: Loretta and Blanche Mildred.
In politics Mr. Claggett is a steadfast Democrat, with which party he has been identified since attaining his majority. He has always taken an active interest in political affairs, and has been honored by his party and fellow citizens with various offices of honor and trust. His first office was that of alderman from his ward, and he was elected president of the council, and was the youngest man ever elected to that position. He has practically been continued in office since he arrived at man's estate. In 1892 he was elected as a minority member of the legislature from his district, and was a very active member of that body. He was uncompromisingly in opposition to trusts and corporations, and always voted in the interests of the people. He was re-nominated without opposition, but declined the nomination to accept the nomination of state treasurer on the Democratic ticket, but Was defeated with the rest of the state ticket, the state going Republican. In May, 1897, he was again elected mayor of Lexington on the anti-saloon ticket and had the satisfaction of closing the saloons of the city in a very short time.
Fraternally Mr. Claggett is a member of Lexington Lodge, No. 482. A. F. & A. M.; Chenoa Chapter, No. of McLean Lodge, No. 206, I. O. O. F.; and of Ideal Lodge. No. 338. K. P. Socially he is a member of Bloomington Club, in which are some of the best people of that city and county. He is a member of the Christian church at Lexington, of which body his wile is also a member. No man in McLean County is held in higher esteem than the subject of this sketch. and no man is more worthy of the honors bestowed on him.
The Biographical Record of McLean County, Illinois: Illustrated (1899). United States: Brookhaven Press. p 346-347