In 1869, Clark Moorman – better known as CM – Anthony, esquire, settled in Clay Center. Born in 1823, Anthony lived in Ohio and Indiana, where he was admitted to the bar in 1841. He worked as a lawyer for 15 years before heading west. He was married twice, first in 1847 to Nancy Campbell, who passed away in 1870; her cause of death is unknown. 

Their daughter, Laura Anthony, also passed away at a 20 years of age. In 1852 she fell down a flight of stairs and died soon after. She was unmarried. The Anthonys had two more children who died young, Campbell, who lived to seven months, and Aiphonsine, who died at 6 years old; both were buried in Indiana.

Their eldest child, William Perry, was the only to make it to adulthood, dying at 80 years old. He married Rachel Addleman, together, they had five children, including Colonel Wallace Anthony, who became a K-State trained veterinarian. However, he enlisted in the army in 1951, serving 27 years and completing tours in Korea, Germany, Vietnam, and the Panama Canal. 

C.M.’s second wife was Harriett Huntress, the widow of Clay Center founding father, Orvel Huntress, who died in 1868. The pair remained married until Harriet’s death in 1894. 

He became mayor in 1890 and also served in other notable positions in town. 

C.M.’s health began to suffer in later years, and in 1905, he fell while on a walk at the corner of 7th and Dexter. His cane was caught in a hole, causing the fall. He was taken to recover at his son William’s house. 

He died in 1909 and is buried in Greenwood Cemetery with both of his wives.

Above: Clark Moorman Anthony. Below: four generations of the Anthony family: C.M. Anthony, 83 years old, Will P. Anthony, 58 years old, Roy Anthony, 25 years old, and Clark Anthony, 2 months old. 

Research by Susan Hammond; images from the Clay County Museum.