Clement L. Pike was born in Waterboro, Maine in 1816 to Gilman and Susanna (Day) Pike, one of 4 children. His siblings were Ivory Pike, Claresy Pike (Mrs. William Thurston) and Gilman Pike, Jr.
Clement grew up in Maine, was engaged in farming and eventually met his wife, Lydia Lord, daughter of Joseph L. Lord and Mary Tibbets Lord. They were married in Brighton, Maine on March 1, 1839 by Justice James B. Potter. This appears to be a "shotgun" wedding as their first child was born less than 3 months later.

Clement and Lydia had 12 children: Calista Pike (Mrs. Phineas) Whitehouse; Joseph Lord Pike (died at age 4); Gilman Wallace Pike, Clement A. Pike, Lucinda Pike, Lydia Marie Pike (Mrs. Charles) Welch; Abbey Evaline Pike (Mrs. John) Bradshaw; Joseph Lord Pike; Charles Fremont Pike, Ida Mae Pike (Mrs. George B.) Root; Alfred Mellon "Mel" Pike, and Warren Lord Pike. The first three children were born in Athens, Maine and the remainder in Waterboro, Maine.

It is interesting to note that their first son was named after Lydia's father in 1841. However, the first Joseph Lord Pike died 8 days short of his 4th birthday. It took 10 years and three daughters after the death of this first Joseph Lord Pike before Lydia and Clement had another son. This 8th child was also named Joseph Lord Pike and he lived 96 years passing away in 1951.

Lydia's father purchased land in Green Lake County, Wisconsin in 1847. It's not known when Joe Lord actually moved there, but Clement's family moved to the Markesan, Wisconsin area in September of 1865, traveling by covered wagon. In all the documentation discovered as of 2007, it does not appear that Clement ever owned land himself, but Lydia did. When Lydia died of cancer on February 21, 1889, her son, Mel, was the executor and no land transferred to Clement as her husband. This certainly lends speculation to the family's confidence in Clement's financial dependability.

After Lydia's death, Clement moved around between sons Charlie, Joe, and Mel, who all lived in Minnesota most of this time. Much confusion exists about Clement's death. He reportedly died in 1908 at age 92, but there is confusion about where he died, how he died and exactly when. Clement's grandson, Verne Clement Pike, recalls that Clement died in Park Rapids, MN while staying with son Charlie. He remembers his father joining Charlie and Mel in escorting Clem's body back to Wisconsin for burial. The Park Rapids Pikes say "no" and have checked death records there, failing to find any supporting evidence to substantiate that claim. So far, family members have been unable to resolve this matter.
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[Amended November 16, 2017 Obituary found by Sue Pike]
Clement Pike, father of G. W. and C.F. Pike of Hubbard, died at the home of his son Charles, on Monday, at the advanced age of 91 1/2 years. The remains were taken to Wisconsin Tuesday, and were buried by the side of his wife.

The Duluth Evening Herald
Saturday, March 2, 1907
"Latest News of the Neighboring Towns"
Park Rapids
Pg. 15, Col. 6

Found on the Minnesota Historical Society website
www.mnhs.org/research
Minnesota Digital Newspaper Hub Section

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Also confusing is where Clement and wife Lydia are buried. They are reported to be buried in the Mackford Union Cemetery outside of Markesan, Wisconsin. However, no grave markers exist for them or daughter Lucinda's grave, whose death certificate specifies burial in this cemetery. Old records for the cemetery were destroyed in a fire at some point, so that source is gone. Most of Clement's family genealogists feel they are all buried at Mackford Union. This is supported by the fact that Clement and Lydia's daughter, Ida May Pike Root, is buried there where a tall grave stone marks her burial location. She was the first family member to die in Wisconsin in 1884 and it stands to reason that Lydia, who died 5 years later, would be buried in the same cemetery, perhaps even close to Ida. Also, Gilman W. Pike's first wife, Abbie Weeks Pike died in 1871 and is buried there.

Written by David Pike