Biography of Bernard Sinclair Clements, MD - Mercer Co. WV The History of West Virginia, Old and New Published 1923, The American Historical Society, Inc., Chicago and New York, Volume II, pg. 540-541 BERNARD SINCLAIR CLEMENTS, M. D. Nearly all the min- ing families in the Matoaka District have learned to appreciate both the professional skill and the kindly char- acter of Doctor Clements, who came here as a mine physician some fifteen years ago, and has performed his work con- scientiously and capably throughout the greater part of the industrial history of that locality. Doctor Clements was born on a farm in King William County, Virginia, August 20, 1881, son of Eugene V. and Virginia (Clay) Clements. His mother is related to the family of Henry Clay. Clements is an English name. Eugene V. Clements died in 1914, at the age of sixty-three, and his wife died in 1909, aged sixty. Eugene Clements owned a large amount of land and was an extensive farmer in Virginia, and also had two grist mills and did custom grinding for the patronage of a large territory. He pro- vided well for the educational advantages of his children, always voted as a democrat and was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South. The family consisted of six sons and one daughter, Doctor Clements being the youngest son. Ben P. Clements is a cotton planter near Selma, Alabama; Thomas also lives in Alabama; Eugene, Jr., is on the old homestead in Virginia; Downman is at Richmond; and Vernon died at the age of seventeen. Bernard S. Clements graduated from William and Mary College in 1901 and for two years was engaged in teaching. In 1904 he entered the Medical College of Virginia, graduat- ing in 1907, having carried double work the first two years and passing creditable examinations in every subject. He was also interne in the Richmond City Hospital during 1907, and on leaving there came to West Virginia and for a few months was located at Giatto in Mercer County and then came to Matoaka. Here his practice has been chiefly as a contract physician and surgeon for the mines. This has been heavy and burdensome duty, requiring one or more assistants most of the time, and as he was here during the construction period he had many cases that called for a resourcefulness beyond that of an ordinary medical practitioner. He now has charge of the practice for the Piedmont Mine, the Algonquin, Weyanoke, Thomas No. 2 and Smokeless mines, including about six hundred families besides his general practice in and around Matoaka. Doctor Clements in 1908 married Alice Cobb, daughter of John P. Cobb, of Stoney Creek, Virginia. She died in 1909 at the birth of her son, Bernard, Jr. In 1911 Doctor Clements married Blanch Ashworth, daughter of R. C. Ash- worth, and a native of Marion, Virginia. The two chil- dren of their marriage are Richard K. and Sarah Bonham. Mrs. Clements is a member of the Methodist Church. Doctor Clements is affiliated with Rock Lodge of Masons, Bramwell Chapter, R. A. M., is a stockholder in a number of commercial enterprises, and is affiliated with Mercer County, State and American Medical Associations and the Mercer County Country Club. Submitted by Valerie Crook <vfcrook@earthlink.net> **************************************************************** USGENWEB NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by any other organization or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contributor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. Files may be printed or copied for personal use only. ****************************************************************