My Genealogy Hound

EDWIN B. CLAPP, prosperously engaged in general farming in Westhampton, is a man of push and energy, sparing no effort to make a success of whatever he undertakes. He was born May 17, 1864, in Westhampton, which is also the birthplace of his parents, Reuben Wright and Susan (Burt) Clapp. His father is a prominent agriculturist of this locality, and has served in various public offices, having been Selectman and Assessor for many years. Of the family of eight children the following is chronicled: Ellen, now a resident of Holyoke, is the widow of the late Augustus Allyn; Laura, residing in Northampton, is the wife of Frederick Dayton, of whom a sketch appears elsewhere in this volume; George B. died at the age of thirty-two years; Lyman W. is the subject of a sketch on another page; Mattie died when fourteen years old; Edwin B. is the subject of this sketch; Susan M., wife of William H. Lyman, lives in Westhampton; and Mary died when but two years of age.

Edwin B. Clapp attended the district schools, acquiring a substantial education in his early days. When but eighteen years of age he began the battle of life for himself. Leaving the home farm he secured a position as clerk, and later as book-keeper, in the Hadley Falls National Bank at Holyoke, where he remained three years. After this, deciding to engage in the occupation to which he was reared, Mr. Clapp came back to Westhampton.

On May 10, 1887, he was united in marriage with Miss Nellie Kingsley, a daughter of Joseph and Almina (Norton) Kingsley, of Southampton. Of the happy union two children came to bless the parents, namely: Raymond, whose birth occurred in 1889; and Roger, born in 1893. After his marriage Mr. Clapp bought his present farm, which contains two hundred acres of land and whereon he has labored with persevering industry since. Its appearance to-day gives ample evidence to the passer-by of his skill and good taste as a practical farmer. The crops common to this section of the State are raised upon the land.

Mr. Clapp is an uncompromising Republican, and is a member of the Westhampton parish committee. For the past year he has been a Director in the Hampden Co-operative Creamery Association, and is likewise connected with the Cemetery Association. In religious matters both Mr. and Mrs. Clapp are members of the Congregational church, and active in the charitable work of that denomination.