From "HISTORY OF THE UPPER OHIO VALLEY,"  Vol. I, page 572.
Brant & Fuller, 1890.


JAMES W. CLEMENS

James W. Clemens was born in Washington county, Penn., May 26, 1795.  
His grandfather emigrated to Loudon county, Va., in 1764, and 
afterward to Washington county, Penn., then considered a part of 
Virginia.  Dr. Clemens graduated at Washington college, Pennsylvania, 
in 1816, after which he removed to Wheeling, where he commenced the 
study of medicine, and at the same time taught school.  He began 
practice in 1819.  In 1822 he engaged in the drug business with J. W. 
Ray, and prospered until 1827, when he lost everything by fire.  He 
graduated in medicine at the University of Pennsylvania in 1824.  He 
was at different times associated in partnership with Drs. Townsend, 
Frissell, R. H. Cumming and others.  Dr. Clemens was ambitious in his 
profession, a constant student of medical literature and always 
informed as to the latest improvements and discoveries in the line of 
his profession.  He was an expert chemist, and is said to have 
introduced several new remedies.  He was also quite a mechanic, and 
manufactured his own splints and other surgical apparatus.  

Dr. Clemens was a ready writer, fluent, and fine speaker, and 
delivered many public addresses, among which may be mentioned an 
address to the students of Franklin college, Ohio; another on laying 
the corner-stone of the court house in Wheeling, by request of the 
Masonic fraternity, of which he was a member; another on laying the 
corner-stone of old Masonic hall, on Market street; another of laying 
the corner-stone of Odd Fellows' hall; another on the reception of 
President Harrison, in 1840; another at a dinner given Daniel Webster 
at the old Virginia Hotel; another on the reception by the citizens 
of Henry Clay, of Kentucky; another addressed to the citizens of 
Wheeling, on the effects of excessive alcohol drinking on the coats 
of the stomach, gastric juices and the brain, illustrated by colored 
maps taken in dissection from actual victims and subjects; besides 
many other orations and discourses not here mentioned.  He died of 
peritoneal inflammation on the 21st of November, 1846, in his fifty-
second year.
   

(Linda Fluharty)