My Genealogy Hound

Below is a family biography included in the book, The History of Putnam County, Missouri published by Goodspeed Publishing Company in 1888.  These biographies are valuable for genealogy research in discovering missing ancestors or filling in the details of a family tree. Family biographies often include far more information than can be found in a census record or obituary.  Details will vary with each biography but will often include the date and place of birth, parent names including mothers' maiden name, name of wife including maiden name, her parents' names, name of children (including spouses if married), former places of residence, occupation details, military service, church and social organization affiliations, and more.  There are often ancestry details included that cannot be found in any other type of genealogical record.

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James J. Clapper, farmer and stock raiser, was born in Scotland County, Mo., January 12, 1840, and is a son of Judge Jacob and Hannah (Pierce) Clapper [see sketch of L. A. Clapper]. James J. passed his boyhood and youth upon the farm in his native county, and January 14, 1864, was married to Martha A. Carder, daughter of Henry Carder, of Scotland County, but formerly from Kentucky. Mrs. Clapper was also born and reared in Scotland County, where she continued to live after marriage, her husband engaging in farming. In October, 1868, having sold their farm, they moved to Putnam County, and located in Jackson Township. Mr. Clapper located upon his present farm in 1869, which was then partly improved. He now owns 140 acres of well fenced meadow, pasture and plow land. He is very comfortably situated in a good house, and has a fine orchard of about 200 apple trees of select varieties. He is a Democrat in politics, and is now discharging the duties of his fourth successive term as justice of the peace, and has been on the school board several years, and is now serving as clerk. He has a family of six children: Thomas E., Mary E., John J., Jacob H., William C. and Lillie L. One child was lost while very young, named Freddie C. Mr. and Mrs. Clapper are both members of the Christian Church.

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This family biography is one of 139 biographies included in the Putnam County, Missouri portion of the book,  The History of Adair, Sullivan, Putnam, and Schuyler Counties, Missouri published in 1888 by Goodspeed Publishing Co.  For the complete description, click here: Putnam County, Missouri History, Genealogy, and Maps

View additional Putnam County, Missouri family biographies here: Putnam County, Missouri Biographies

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