Introduction

It is hoped that in this biography we may become acquainted with our ancestor, Raphael Clement, and learn to love him for the noble man he was, and for the blessings he earned for us with his sacrifices. 

The Lord promised to send to earth Elijah, unto whom He had committed the keys of the power of turning the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the hearts of the children to the fathers.  We are not left to await the fulfillment of this prophecy in complacency. By direct commandment we are told to do all in our power to bring about the accomplishment of that great miracle of latter days. We are told to come to know and appreciate our progenitors.

To write a real character sketch of Raphael Clement, we are under the necessity, consciously or unconsciously, of passing judgment upon the character, actions and achievements of the life that we chronicle here. To do this, we have tried to be just, as just as the Lord, who "judges all by their works and by the desire of their hearts." Also to understand his inmost motives, see occurrences through his eyes, and know his ideals and ambitions and the goal he sought to achieve, and yet realize the handicaps of the times under which he strove. 

What follows is an effort to show a glimpse into the character of a good and brave man. A man who had his life shaped largely by the events and history of his times, and the forces which played about him, developing his character and circumscribing his achievements.

During his life span, 1899-1955, Raphael experienced the many new scientific inventions which cascaded down through the years. Born onto a family farm, Raphael learned the skills of a farmer and later acquired his own farms, converting his harvests to cash. He simultaneously ran side businesses, like coal mining as one example, to support his family economy during the Great Depression and World War II. Horse drawn equipment was replaced by automated grain threshers, etc., and both were found in Raphael's fields. Although tractors came on the scene, it seems Raphael did not use them. Horse and buggy, sleighs, wagons, trains, vintage cars, motorcycles, modernized automobiles, streetcars, buses and airplanes were all enjoyed by Raphael for transportation.

So in addition to the statistical facts presented in this biography, there are many portraits and stories collected about Raphael that will make him live again in our minds, our memories, and our hearts.