Summary:
Clement, born in Leicester on 8th April 1827, was the eldest son of William Weston Stretton and Jane Harris and one on ten children. He trained in the legal profession under his uncle Joseph Harris and started his own solicitors business in Leicester in 1852. His brother, Albert, joined him in partnership in 1862. Clement served his community as Mayor of Leicester on two occasions, firstly in 1877 and also the following year when the incumbent Mayor suddenly died.
| Archive Link | Link to Clement’s documents and images |
|---|---|
| No of Documents | 8 |
| No of Images | 12 |
| Born | Sunday, 08 April 1827 |
| Birthplace | Leicester |
| Died | Saturday, 16 May 1891 |
Bio:
Family
The eldest child of William Weston Stretton and Jane (née Harris). Clement was one of ten children. He married Julia Stanbury Osborne and had two children.
Early Days
Little is known of Clement’s early days, the first record in these Archives being the formal Articles of Clerkship( insert link) between Mr Joseph Harris and Master Clement Stretton, dated 8th April 1843 when he was 16. It might be presumed that Joseph Harris was a close family friend as one of Clement’s brothers was christened Joseph Harris Stretton.
Education
The Midland Jackdaw’s article on Clement, dated 28th November 1879, records:
Mr C Stretton received the rudiments of learning at the Rev. J. Stockdale’s school, in the Crescent, King Street, and completed his education at the Collegiate School, under the Rev C. Berry, whence he was articled to his uncle, Mr Joseph Harris, Solicitor, of Westcotes, with whom he served nine years. Having passed with credit as solicitor, Mr Stretton began to practise on his own account in 1852…
Career
The Midland Jackdaw continues:
…and by suavity, assiduity, integrity and ability laid the foundation of the prosperous legal business now carried out by Messrs C. and A. Stretton: Mr Albert Stretton having joined his brother as a partner in 1862.
Notable Aspects
Keen to serve his local community, Clement entered the Town Council in 1871, having been elected to represent West St Mary’s Ward. Re-elected in 1874, and recognised by his colleagues for his “ability and urbanity”, he was appointed to the Aldermanic Bench in 1877 and made Mayor of Leicester. Following his year of service he was succeeded by Alderman Grimsley, who died after only three weeks as Mayor. Clement was asked to fill the sudden vacancy and did so for the remainder of the year. Clement was highly regarded by members of all parties. He retired from the Corporation in 1888.
During his work for the city, it can be fairly claimed that he was the originator of Tramways in Leicester and also, with others, to have been instrumental in promoting “that great locomotive boon on the towns of Derby, Wolverhampton and Reading.”
Buried in Welford Road Cemetery, Leicester in the family Vault Clement is remembered on a Memorial Panel, together with his son, Clement Edwin and grandson Clement. Pictures of the Vault taken in 2016 can be seen here.
Clement’s pastime was the study of the “Ancient Mysteries of Freemasonry”. He was, twice, Worshipful Master of the St John’s Lodge.
Death
Clement died at his home in Great Glen.
| Place of Death | Great Glen, Leicester |
|---|---|
| Spouse | Julia Stanbury Osborne |
| Marriage Date | Tuesday, 01 January 1850 |
| Father | William Weston Stretton |
| Mother | Jane Stretton (née Harris) |
| Sibling 1 | William Harris Stretton |
| Sibling 2 | Joseph Harris Stretton |
| Sibling 3 | Samuel Stretton |
| Sibling 4 | Jane Stretton |
| Sibling 5 | George Stretton |
| Sibling 6 | John Stretton |
| Sibling 7 | Augustus Stretton |
| Sibling 8 | Albert Stretton |
| Sibling 9 | Sarah Stretton |
| Child 1 | Clement Edwin Stretton |
| Child 2 | Annie Elizabeth Mary Stretton |