admitted to the bar in 1860, director of the Missouri, Kansas and Texas Railroad, one of the founders and the president of the First National Bank of Clinton, MO., trustee of William Jewell College.132
1870 census: age 34, Retired Lawyer115
1880 census: (last name=Aveary) age 44, Speculator with wife Rhoda, sons Augustus, Wm. H., Howard, Herbert, Angus B., Walter W. and daughters Clara, Rhoda and servant Lou Henderson116

biography:AVERY, Angus Clark
source: 1883 History of Henry Missouri , National Historical Co., pg: 494
--- Angus Clark Avery. One of the leading citizens of Henry County, and one who has attained a well merited prominence, is he whose name heads this sketch. He was born in Henry County (then Rives), January 26, 1836, and with probably one or two exceptions, is the oldest man now living,
born within the limits of the county. His father, Henry Avery, whose biography appears elsewhere, was born in Roane County, Tennessee. His mother's maiden name was Elizabeth Green, a native of White County, Tennessee. The Avery family are of English origin and the earliest known
progenitor, Christopher Avery, emigrated from Great Britain and settled in Connecticut in early colonial days, and their descendants took an active part in the war for independence, no less than nine of that name being killed and five wounded at the battle of Fort Griswold, on Groton Heights,
September 6, 1781. Four of this number were commissioned officers. Groton Monument, commemorating this conflict, stands on ground once a part of the Avery estate. The maternal ancestry were also of English descent and settled in Virginia at an early day, and were related to General Nathaniel Green, of Revolutionary fame. John Green, the grandfather, moved to White County, Tennessee, and became a Baptist minister and died at an advanced age in 1850. Angus C. Avery was reared on a farm and received his primary education in the schools of the neighborhood in which he lived. He then entered Union Hill Academy, White County, Tennessee, and after preparing himself for one year, became a student of Burritt College, Tennessee, where he remained two years. He then returned to Missouri and attended the State University at Columbia for one year but subsequently returned to Burritt College, where he was graduated July 3, 1858, and was honored by being appointed valedictorian of the class. The same year he entered the law department of Cumberland University, Tennessee, and was graduated in the spring of 1860, and admitted to the bar by Judge Caruthers of the supreme court. Returning to Clinton, he engaged in the practice of his profession until the courts were suspended in consequence of the war. He then turned his attention to the real estate business in which he has since been actively engaged, and at the present time he is one of the largest land owners as well as tax payers of the county. He has always shown a worthy public spiritedness and every good cause, calculated to be of lasting benefit to the city or county, receives his hearty support. In railroad matters he has been specially active with others in reviving the enterprise of building the Tebo & Neosho Railroad, a charter for which was granted prior to 1860 but abandoned on account of the war. This road, after many difficulties, was completed and is now known as the Missouri, Kansas & Texas Railroad. He was one of the largest contributors and the watch word of the company was "economy." The company records will show that though entitled to a salary, he served without compensation, even for expenses, for several years as a director, traveling by his own private conveyance from Sedalia on the east to Fort Scott on the west, attending meetings of the board and using his influence for the undertaking until it was completed. The first mile of the road was graded on his laid through which he gave the right of way. He was one of the originators of the First National Bank of Clinton and has served its interest as president and director. In educational matters he has always taken a deep interest. In his religious preference he is a Baptist and holds the position of deacon, and has served as superintendent of the Sabbath School for seven years. he is one of the trustees of William Jewell College at Liberty, Missouri, and contributed largely to its endowment. He is also on the board of trustees of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, located at Louisville, Kentucky. The Baptist Church edifice in Clinton is due largely to his munificence, as is also the usefulness of its church organization. For the past twenty years he has taken the most advanced position in favor of temperance and prohibition. No one in the past has so thoroughly canvassed against saloons in Clinton. In all places and under all circumstances he is loyal to truth, honor and right, and richly merits the esteem in which he is held. He was married July 3, 1860, to Miss Rhoda Dodge, daughter of William H. and Catherine Dodge, of Cumberland County, Tennessee, originally from New York. Their family consists of eightchildren: August D., William H., Howard G. and Herbert D. (twins), Angus B.,. Clara B., Rhoda E. and Walter W. Lost one daughter in infancy, Elizabeth K.

obit:AVERY, Angus Clark - 1836 - 1911 Englewood AA-AZ/Clinton/Henry
Sudden Death - Angus C. Avery Expires of Heart Failure - Angus C. Avery, long one of Clinton's most venerated residents, was suddenly called from earth at 11:30 Monday morning, September 18th. For about a week he had been confined to his home from the effects of a severe cold but serious results were not apprehended. His son Walter was down from Kansas City Sunday, but returned thinking his father would soon recover from the indisposition. He had been subject to heart trouble, but Sunday night slept better than usual, and sat up Monday morning chatting with his wife and daughter and neighbors who came in. Just before his death he walked to the bath room and on his return sat down in his chair gasping for breath. A moment later he breathed his last. Mr. Avery was perhaps the oldest native born resident of this county, having opened his eyes in Henry county when it was known as Rives county Jan. 26, 1836, being therefore 75 years, 7 months and 23 days of age. His father was Rev. Henry Avery, a pioneer minister of this section, who died in 1845. He was educated in the common schools and attended Union Hill Academy, and Burritt college, both in Tennessee, and the Missouri State University, later graduating from the law department of Cumberland University in Tennessee. He practiced as a lawyer in Clinton until the war broke out, when he engaged in real estate business, in which for many years he was very successful. In 1860, he was married to Miss Rhoda Dodge, who survives him. One daughter, Mrs. Evelyn Freund, has made her home with her parents and was with her mother during his last moments.
Besides these, survive the following children: August D., who is now in Germany on a trip around the world; Wm. H., of Los Angeles, Howard G., of Norfolk, Va., Herbert D., of Canon City, Colo., Angus B., of Shreveport, La., Walter W., of Kansas City; and another daughter, Mrs. Clara B.
Arnold, of Denver, Colo. In the vigorous years of his business life, Mr. Avery was prominent and progressive as a citizen and a leader in all measures for the upbuilding of Clinton, showing not only public spirit but liberality in encouraging every enterprise. He was a moving spirit in the building of what is now known as the M. K. & T. railway, serving as a director and refusing the compensation to which he was entitled, besides giving considerable right of way. He was a devout member of the Baptist church being always actively interested in directing and prospering its work and aiding it in every way in his power at all times. he was faithful and unswerving in his love for Him Who died to save; and his wise council, his unselfish devotion and his continued presence will all be missed by the congregation which has looked upon him as a patriarch.

article: “early Clinton” references A.C. Avery
CLINTON - Reminiscences of Early Clinton
1887 - Clinton Eye, Clinton, Henry County, Missouri
On North Washington Street, the east side, first building from the corner of the square, stands one of the oldest houses in town. I first saw it when it was on the square, near the present site of Wilder's iron store. I remember going there to get my shoes repaired. In one room liquor was sold - the first saloon; in another, Coppage, the first tailor, plied his trade; and in still another, my shoes were attended to, while all about in the other places were stored old harness, barrels, potatoes, corn and trash. On the northeast corner of the square, where now Salmon's fine bank now stands, there was an old double log building put up by John Nave, and occupied by him as the first hotel ever in Clinton. I first knew it when it was used by E. M. Messenger and others for a blacksmith shop. In the south end of this same building, hotel and blacksmith shop, Messenger also opened the first meat market. The ground east of this corner then was an open prairie, where roamed at large the sheep and cattle that furnished Messenger with his fresh meat. Very early in the morning, this man, armed with a common ax, would come forth, knock down a steer, dress it and chop it up for his customers and have it on sale long before light. Messenger was a fast man. He walked fast and worked fast but he never got along fast in worldly matters. He built the frame home on the corner of Main and Green Streets, now occupied by J. W. Keil. He began it one Monday morning and the same week moved his family into it. Messenger died at Brownington a year or two since. I have a distinct recollection of lawyers found here in 1865, those who had passed thru the war and had come out pretty well scathed. If they did not wear the fine clothes which are common nowadays, they were, nevertheless, men of worth and ability. They were Robert Allen, Royal Birge, A. C. Avery, L. C. Martin and James Parks. Coming in next, bringing in a new element, were W. H. H. Wagoner, D. W. Alkire and, afterwards, as a man who has figured in our general government and gained some public notoriety, Robert Burdette. Among these, Mr. Alkire was remarkable for his superior culture and moral worth. At this time, of course, the radicals held sway but nevertheless, Mr. Alkire was induced to let his name go on the opposition ticket. The consequence was that he was so badly beaten, that in supreme disgust and mortification, he left the town, never to return. I always held his private character in great admiration and had known him well. - A.