Rutland

CLEMENT, Percival W.

Men of Vermont: Illustrated Biographical History of Vermonters & Sons of 
Vermont. Ullery. Brattleboro: Transcript Publishing Company, 1894, pp 72-74

Percival W. CLEMENT, of Rutland [Vermont], was born 07 July 1846 in Rutland 
[Rutland County, Vermont], son of Charles and Elizabeth (WOOD) CLEMENT. 
Percival W. CLEMENT, whose home has always been in the town of Rutland, 
belongs to a family which has long been prominent in Rutland County, and his 
work has from the first been in the larger business interests of the section. 
His beginning was in the marble business, in connection with the quarrying 
and manufacturing enterprise established by his father, and in later years he 
has been prominent in railroad and other affairs. He was educated at the 
Rutland high school, St. Paul's School, Concord, New Hampshire, and Trinity 
College, Hartford. He began business life as a clerk in the Rutland office 
of the marble firm above mentioned, Clement & Sons, and became a partner in 
in 1871. This firm sold out to the Rutland Marble Company in 1876 for a 
price which made the transaction the largest then known in the marble 
business of this county. The members of the firm then organized the State 
Trust Company, and afterwards the Clement National Bank, both in Rutland, and 
both corporations have since remained under their control.

Mr. CLEMENT was engaged in the banking business until 1882, when he began 
buying largely of the stocks of the Rutland Railroad Company. He became the 
active manager of the affairs of this corporation in 1883. The finances of 
the company were demoralized and its securities greatly depressed, and for 
four years Mr. CLEMENT gave his attention to property, finally accepting 
absolute control of it. The stock and bonds of the corporation advanced in 
price enormously and its credit was restored, and in 1887 Mr. CLEMENT sold 
out to the Delaware & Hudson Canal Company. He remained with the railroad 
company, however, as its president and in 1891 negotiated a lease of the 
property to the Central Vermont Railroad. Besides his connection with the 
Rutland banks named, Mr. CLEMENT is director in the Howe Scale Works and the 
chief owner of the "Rutland Herald," and concerned in many other local 
enterprises.

In 1868 Mr. [Percival W.] CLEMENT married Maria H., daughter of Henry W. and 
Caroline (HINMAN) GOODWIN, of Hartford [Hartford County], Connecticut, and 
has ten children, of whom six are living: Elizabeth Wood, Caroline Hinman, 
Ethel Scovil, Margaret Goodwin, Anna Elizabeth, and Robert. Mr. CLEMENT has 
been little before the public except as a business man. He has always been a 
Republican, but has never sought political office and has held none except 
that of Rutland town representative, to which he was elected in 1892. His 
special work in this position was in getting the Rutland city charter. He 
was the active spirit in organizing the Rutland Board of Trade in 1889 and 
its president three years. He has been led by his affairs to spend 
considerable time in the cities and is a member of the Union League Club of 
New York, the Algonquin Club of Boston, and of some other similar 
organizations.

Submitted by Cathy Kubly