My Genealogy Hound

CLAYPOOLE, J. H., farmer and stock-grower, Sec. 12; P. O. Fort Madison; was born in Belleville, St. Clair Co., Ill., in 1835; when but 1 year of age, his parents removed from Illinois to Fort Madison, where J. was educated. When in his 25th year, he married Miss Martha J. Edwards, daughter of Joseph Edwards, of Fort Madison; she was born in Warren Co., Ohio; soon after their marriage, he settled where he now owns 200 acres of land, valued at $30 per acre; they have five children — Caroline, Georgia, Joseph E., Ellen and Arthur. Mr. Claypoole’s father John, a descendant of Proctor Cromwell, was born in Hampshire Co., Va., in 1798; studied medicine with an uncle in Indiana, and graduated at the University of Lexington, Ky.; soon after which he made an extensive tour through the Southern country, and settled near St. Louis; after which, his health failing, removed to Lee Co. and located on a farm near Fort Madison; in 1840, he removed to the city and resigned his practice, in which he had been eminent; earnest in educational matters, he assumed the care and education of three families of orphan children, and was in the habit of having in school two or three beneficiaries, the children of the widowed and unfortunate; he is the founder of Claypoole Lodge at Fort Madison, which remains a monument of his zeal and labor in behalf of the ancient Order, in which he held various offices; he died in 1866, 68 years of age — to his family and friends an irreparable loss, and, as was fitting, was buried with Masonic honors. Although not a member of any church, was a man of profound religious convictions, and a regular attendant upon the ministrations of the sanctuary.