Margaret (Peggy) Clemens

Margaret Clemmens was a cousin to Samuel Clemens, (Mark Twain).Margaret's mothers name was Katie Loutz b.1801(but the census calls her Catherine). Margaret's father John Clemmens was a 1st cousin to Samuel Clemens father, John Marshall Clemens as far as I have been able to figure out, after years of research. Members of our family were included in payments for the royalties for Clemen's last published work.

Margaret's mother and father, Catherine Loutz and John Clemmens were both living at Hood River, Oregon at the time that they were married. Exactly when they arrived in the Hood River Area is less certain.

m. Henry Whistler

Children: Davit b.1858, Aaron S. b.1861, Ella b.1866, b. Allan 1866

Margaret's Mother Catherine Clemmens lived with her in her widowed years, according to the 1880 census, in which she was listed as a resident there.

There is much descrepancy in the early history of Margaret. What is presented here, is from her own hand and clippings from her family bible.

Read below the story of Margaret's brother David Clemens death on what is now called Snake River Canyon, in Idaho, taken from her bible.

Although the records say they were both born at Hood River Oregon in1801, this is very doubtful, but seems to be in line with what is documented by evidence from Margaret's papers. It would not be impossible for them to be born in that area, since there were traders working the Pacific Coast at this time, but very unlikely. Their story will be fascinating if it can be found. I have a record of a brother for Margaret, John Riley Clemmens b.Aug 21, 1838, in Hood River, who settled in Sweet Gem, Idaho after marriage in Hood River, Oregon. Another brother David died at Snake River Canyon. So the family was in that area an extended time.

Henry and Peggy (Margaret) Whisler moved in a covered wagon in 1850 to Appanoose Co. IA with a group that came to homestead. Their home was 4 miles south of Unionville, IA, and they resided on this homestead until Henry's death. They also were instrumental in organizing the Fairview Church of the Brethren and Henry held the office of Deacon.

Margaret's Brothers John Riley and David Clemens

I have a record of a brother for Margaret, John Riley Clemmens b.Aug 21, 1838, in Hood River, who settled in Sweet Gem, Idaho after marriage in Hood River, Oregon. There was another brother living in Idaho, noted in this article found in Margaret's affects.

David Clemens (from the Boise Idaho Paper)

"Mr. David Clemens, whose home is on Dry Creek, a few miles below this city, where his family reside, has been engaged in the freighting business between Boise City and Kelton. On Thursday last, while on the return trip from Kelton, he encamped with his teams at Desert Station on Overland Road. The stream known as Rock Creek flows through the deep canyon past the station between perpendicular bluffs, ranging from 60 to 100 feet in height. About a half mile above the encampment some immigrants with their wagons were encamped. After dark Thursday evening, Mr. Clemens and Mr. Frank Vincent left their camp to visit the immigrants. On the way, when they saw the immigrants campfire, Mr. Clemens declined to go farther, deciding to go back. Before dawn the freighters awake to prepare for the day's journey, when Mr. Clemens was missed and a search for him commenced, when it was found that he had wandered to the edge of the precipice near the canyon, where he had fallen over. He was found dead at the bottom of a cliff, 80 feet high and nearly perpendicular. Mr. Clemens was a highly esteemed citizen, leaving a wife and several children and many friends mourn his loss."