Brutus J. Clay
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Brutus J. Clay | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Kentucky's 7th district | |
| In office March 4, 1863 – March 3, 1865 | |
| Preceded by | Robert Mallory |
| Succeeded by | George S. Shanklin |
| Member of the Kentucky House of Representatives | |
| In office 1840 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | July 1, 1808 Richmond, Kentucky, U.S. |
| Died | October 11, 1878 (aged 70) Bourbon County, Kentucky, U.S. |
| Party | Whig (1844–1850) Union Democratic (1861–1865) |
| Spouses | Amelia Field (m. 1831–1843)Ann Field (m. 1844) |
| Relations | Cassius Marcellus Clay (brother) Green Clay Smith (nephew) |
| Children | 5, including Ezekiel Field Clay |
| Parent |
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| Alma mater | Centre College |
| Profession | Farmer |
Brutus Junius Clay (July 1, 1808 – October 11, 1878) was a U.S. representative from Kentucky, and a son of Green Clay. His brother Cassius Marcellus Clay also was a politician in the state, and they both joined the Union Democratic Party at the time of the American Civil War.
Born in Richmond, Kentucky to Green Clay and his wife Sally Lewis (died 1867), Clay attended the common schools. One of six children who survived to adulthood out of seven born, Brutus had sisters Elizabeth Lewis Clay (1798–1887),[1] Pauline, Rodes and Sallie,[2] an older brother Sidney,[2] and younger brother Cassius Marcellus Clay (b.1810).
In 1815 Elizabeth married John Speed Smith, who also became a politician in Kentucky, as did their son Green Clay Smith.[1]
Brutus Clay graduated from Centre College, Danville, Kentucky. He entered into agricultural pursuits and stock raising. His father, who had interests in tens of thousands of acres of land, distilleries and ferries, was considered one of the wealthiest men in Kentucky and had become an influential politician.
In 1827 Brutus Clay settled in Bourbon County, where he became deeply involved in agriculture and breeding livestock. He became recognized in central Kentucky as one of its "most successful stock raisers."[2] It as a key part of the Inner Bluegrass region economy.
