Art Yeaman is available for appearances as Henry Clay
Why Henry Clay? Art, a Florida resident since 1978, has been a resident of Clay County since 1989. Having settled in Green Cove Springs, he retired from the U.S. Marine Corps in 1994. After going back to school he set out to become a storyteller and by 1998 was rather commonly known as Ben Franklin. Art is a member of the Clay County Historical Society, the Historical Society of Orange Park; he has served on the Clay County Historical Commission and past (2006-2007) President of the Green Cove Springs Merchants Association, Inc. Art is a certified Florida Master Naturalist and has a passion for Eco-Heritage tourism. In 2004 he served on the "Tomorrows Vision" committee for the City of Green Cove Springs, FL where he was instrumental in the development of make Green Cove Springs a destination by promoting tourism. With more than 25 years experience public speaker and 8 years experience a professional storyteller Art was looking for another aspect of his storytelling business, so he start to study our County's namesake Henry Clay. Additionally, since Clay County was coming of age.... 150 years old in 2008 Art decided to become Henry Clay for Sesquicentennial activities.
So how was Clay County, Florida created? Prior to 1859 the area we know as Clay Co. was part of Duval Co. In the 1850's Northeast Florida was a developing place with a lot of northern influence. John Green Smith came to Florida from Maryland and settled in the Black Creek area in 1835. Smith, an officer in the 2nd Seminole War, a lumber businessman and a Whig, took a firm stand in favor of modernization and Unionism, unlike many folks in Jacksonville. He was elected to the Florida House of Representatives in 1858. He became known as the 'Father" of Clay County, since it was his bill that the Florida General Assembly approved to create Clay County.
December 31, 1858: The State of Florida carved out a portion of Duval County to form CLAY COUNTY named in honor of: Secretary of State HENRY CLAY. FYI: Clay Co. Florida is one 14 Clay Counties in the Nation named for Henry Clay.
An American Statesman and a Great Orator.He represented the frontier state of Kentucky in both the House of Representatives and Senate.He became known as "The Great Compromiser" due to his ability to bring others to agreement, he was the founder and leader of the Whig Party and a leading advocate of the “American System” and programs for modernizing the economy, especially tariffs to protect industry, a national bank, and internal improvements to promote canals, ports and railroads.
Henry Clay Authors the Compromise of 1850
He presided in the formation of the American Colonization System.Appointed to be the 9th U.S. Secretary of State by President John Quincy Adams and later he turned down an appointment to the U.S. Supreme Court.He made multiple attempts at the presidency…. he did not succeed.His successes were the development of the "American System", brokering compromises on the slavery issue - chiefly in 1820 and in 1850, when he authored the Compromise of 1850. He was part of the "Immortal Trio," along with his colleagues Daniel Webster and John C. Calhoun.
“ I know no South, no North, no East, no West My Allegiance is to the Union” Henry Clay
