Bertram T. Clayton Explained

Bertram T. Clayton
Birth Name:Bertram Tracy Clayton
State:New York
Term Start:March 4, 1899
Term End:March 3, 1901
Predecessor:Israel F. Fischer
Succeeded:Harry A. Hanbury
Birth Date:19 October 1862
Birth Place:Clayton, Alabama, US
Death Place:Noyer, France
Death Cause:Killed in action
Party:Democratic
Spouse:Mary Elizabeth D'Aubert Clayton
Alma Mater:United States Military Academy
Allegiance:United States
Branch:United States Army
Serviceyears:1886–1888
1898
1901-1918
Rank:Second lieutenant
Captain
Colonel
Battles:Spanish–American War
World War I

Bertram Tracy Clayton (October 19, 1862 – May 30, 1918) was an American soldier and politician who served as a U.S. Representative from New York from 1899 to 1901.

Biography

Born on the Clayton estate near Clayton, Alabama, he went on to attend the United States Military Academy, graduating in 1886 with John J. Pershing. He was then appointed a second lieutenant in the Eleventh Regiment, United States Infantry and served until April 30, 1888, when he resigned to go into business as a civil engineer. On May 20, 1898, he went on to serve with Troop C, New York Volunteer Cavalry (Brooklyn's Own) during the Spanish–American War in Puerto Rico, winning distinction.

Tenure in Congress

After the war, Clayton served in the House of Representatives from 1899 until 1901, representing New York's fourth district. After an unsuccessful reelection bid, he was appointed as a captain in the Regular Army.

World War I

He stayed on active duty and was promoted several times up to the rank of colonel, serving in the Quartermaster Corps until World War I.

While serving in France as quartermaster of the 1st Infantry Division, Clayton was killed during a German air raid on American trenches. He was the highest-ranking West Point graduate killed in action during the war. Clayton is buried at Arlington National Cemetery with his wife, Mary Elizabeth D'Aubert Clayton.

Family

His brother, Henry De Lamar Clayton, Jr., also served as a Member of Congress from their home state, Alabama. Their father, Henry DeLamar Clayton, Sr., was a prominent judge and major general in the Confederate army during the American Civil War and president of the University of Alabama.

References